Road Status & Complete Guide 2024
Embark on an unforgettable journey along the majestic Srinagar Leh Highway, a route renowned for its breathtaking vistas and challenging terrain. From the tranquil shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar to the towering peaks of Leh, brace yourself for an epic road trip through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
In the Himalayan region, heavy snowfall blankets the highway between December and February, resulting in road closures until late March or beyond. When the road reopens, traffic is initially limited, with vehicles allowed from only one direction each day. This alternating pattern—Srinagar to Leh, then Leh to Srinagar—typically lasts for 2-3 weeks until the road stabilizes and two-way traffic resumes.
To facilitate planning for your Ladakh adventure, we’ve segmented the 418 km stretch of the Srinagar to Leh Highway into five zones:
Notably, the Zojila Pass, spanning Zones 2 and 3, often experiences closures due to heavy snow. Therefore, clearance efforts prioritize these zones to facilitate traffic movement.
Presently, Zones 2 and 3 are CLOSED due to recent heavy snowfall. According to updates from local authorities and the Border Roads Organization (BRO), the road will reopen for traffic once snow clearance operations are complete. Stay tuned for further updates on the Srinagar Leh Highway status.
As of 01 March 2024, the Srinagar Leh Highway is closed. The deep insights of the road status is given zone wise so that you can plan your trip to Kashmir or Ladakh accordingly.
Traveling through the Srinagar Leh Highway is a thrilling experience, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas and pristine landscapes. However, it’s essential to time your journey right to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here’s a guide to the best times to travel along this iconic route:
Winter Closure
During the winter months, typically from December to February, the Srinagar Leh Highway is closed due to heavy snowfall. The road becomes impassable, making travel impossible.
Reopening in March
The highway usually reopens by the last week of March or early April, depending on weather conditions and snow clearance operations. Travelers eagerly await this reopening, marking the beginning of the tourist season.
One-Way Traffic in the initial phase
In the initial days after reopening, traffic along the Srinagar Leh Highway is often restricted to one-way movement. This controlled traffic flow helps manage the influx of vehicles and ensures safety on the road.
Ideal Time: May – June
The best time to travel along the Srinagar Leh Highway is from May to June. During this period, the roads are fully settled, offering smooth and comfortable driving conditions. The weather is pleasant, and travelers can enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscapes.
Temporary Closures due to Rain
While the summer months of July and August offer favorable weather for travel, occasional rainfall can lead to temporary road closures. It’s essential to stay updated on weather forecasts and road conditions during this time.
Best Time Again: August – October
Following the monsoon season, from August to October, is another excellent time to travel via the Srinagar Leh Highway. By this time, rainfall has subsided, and the roads are in optimal condition for travel.
Late November Snowfall
As winter approaches, usually by late November, snowfall resumes in the region, leading to the closure of the Srinagar Leh Highway once again. Travelers should plan their journeys accordingly and be prepared for road closures during this time.
When preparing for your Ladakh adventure, it’s vital to remain updated on the condition of the Srinagar Leh Highway, as it is prone to closures. Here, we provide comprehensive and regularly updated information on road status, sourced directly from our local team. Stay tuned for timely updates to ensure a smooth and informed journey.
The Srinagar-Leh Highway is back in action, but with some restrictions on how many vehicles can use it. Even though it’s still a bit wintry out there, the authorities are letting a vehicles from only one side a day. ODD dates from Srinagar to Leh and EVEN dates from Leh to Srinagar. So, if you’re up for it, you can now travel along this famous road again, taking in all the amazing sights from Srinagar to Leh. With snowy mountains all around, it’s sure to be an adventure you won’t forget!
The relentless winter weather persists in the region, extending the snowy season. As a result, the Srinagar Leh highway is currently CLOSED. Anticipated snowfall shows no signs of abating in the first week of March. However, our Road Expedition team is in constant communication with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), who provide glimpses of hope that the snowfall may subside soon. If conditions improve as expected, we may anticipate the reopening of the roads by post 20 March 2024.
For the first time in history, the Srinagar Leh highway remained open for the entire month of January. However, according to our local team, we may anticipate snowfall in the upcoming weeks of February. This could potentially lead to closures, temporarily disconnecting Leh from the rest of the world via road connections.
Week 05: There has been no snowfall in the area, and the roads remain open for vehicle movement on both sides.
Week 06: The weather is transitioning, with dropping temperatures indicating the likelihood of snowfall soon. We will keep you updated regarding any closures due to snowfall.
Week 07: As expected, temperatures have dropped to sub-zero levels, and the weather is gloomy, signaling the imminent arrival of snowfall.
Week 08: Accumulated snow continues to build up in the area, making it unlikely for the roads to reopen anytime soon. Currently the highway is CLOSED.
At Zojila Pass, an unexpected delay in the onset of winter has caught our attention. With little to no snowfall anticipated, we anticipate clear roads throughout the month.
Week 01: Unusually, there was no snowfall in the region, and the roads remained OPEN for vehicle movement on both sides.
Week 02: Despite continued absence of snowfall, the roads remain open. According to our local team, there is no forecasted snowfall in the coming weeks, ensuring accessibility for the entire month.
Week 03: As anticipated, there has been no snowfall, and the highway remains open.
Week 04: Confirming our earlier updates, there has been no snowfall, and the highway continues to be OPEN for travel.