Grand Trunk Road: route guide

The historic road runs roughly west-northwest from the Ganges delta to the Kabul valley. The route below is the British-era alignment from Howrah to Kabul; the older Mauryan road continued east to the Bangladesh border and west into Bactria.

Coordinates given are approximate city centres, not the exact road alignment, and the highway numbers that follow the old road are a check item. Use the coordinates to plan stops, then follow current signs and maps on the ground.

The road is not one continuous ride for most visitors. Trains cover the long India legs faster and cheaper than driving, and you can pick up a car and driver for the stretches where the dhabas and small towns are the point. Distances and times below are 2026 estimates and a check item: confirm them against a current map and timetable before you commit to a day's plan.

October to March is the usual window on the plains: cooler, drier and clearer, with December and January cold at night in the north. The pre-monsoon months and the monsoon are best avoided, but the exact heat and rain pattern is a check item rather than a fixed rule.

If you are only doing the India section, late October to early March is the common choice. For the Pakistan leg, spring and autumn are more comfortable than the Punjab summer. The Kabul leg has its own seasonal and security constraints; check current advice rather than relying on a general season rule.

Book city hotels in Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, Amritsar, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar; the road between them is not a place to look for accommodation on arrival. Varanasi and Agra have the widest range, from hostels to heritage properties, and both fill up in the peak October–March season.

For the dhaba experience, stay in a town and eat on the road rather than sleeping at a truck stop. In Pakistan, guesthouses and hotels in the larger cities are the practical choice. In Afghanistan, accommodation options are limited and security-dependent; check before planning any stay.

Visas are the first constraint. Indian and Pakistani visas need to be arranged in advance, and crossing the Wagah–Attari border requires the right stamps on both sides. Afghan travel requires separate, current advice. Rules change often, so check your own government's travel advisory and the official immigration sites for each country before booking anything.

Pack for heat and dust on the plains and cold nights in the north. A refillable bottle, oral rehydration salts and a basic medical kit are worth the weight. Carry cash in local currency for dhabas and small towns; card acceptance is patchy away from cities. If you hire a car and driver, agree the daily rate, fuel and tolls in writing before you start.