8 route guides · pickup in Guwahati
Self-drive road trips from Guwahati
Every route we've written a full guide for, grouped by state: how far it is, how long it takes, how many days to give it, which of our rentals suits it, and whether you need a permit. Each guide has the stops, the road, the best season and a day-by-day plan.
All routes at a glance
| Route | Distance | Drive time | Trip | Our first pick | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati to Shillong | 100 km | 3–4 hours | 2 days | Bike | None |
| Guwahati to Cherrapunji | 150 km | 4–5 hours, via Shillong | 3 days | Car | None |
| Guwahati to Dawki & Mawlynnong | 180+ km | Best over 2 days, with a night in Shillong | 2–3 days | Car | None |
| Guwahati to Kaziranga | 220+ km | About 4–5 hours | 2 days | Car | None |
| Guwahati to Majuli | 300+ km, then a ferry | About 6 hours to Neamati Ghat, then a 1-hour ferry | 3 days | Car | None |
| Guwahati to Tawang | 480 km | 12–14 hours, usually over 2 days | 5 days | Car | ILP |
| Guwahati to Ziro | 400+ km | 10–12 hours | 4 days | Car | ILP |
| Guwahati to Kohima | 350 km | 8–10 hours | 5 days | Car | ILP |
Self-drive to Meghalaya
No permit needed for Indian visitors.
Guwahati to Shillong100 km2 daysBy bike: The classic way to do this route.Bike from ₹1,000/dayScooty from ₹800/dayCar from ₹2,800/dayRead the route guide
Guwahati to Cherrapunji150 km3 daysBy car: Our pick for Cherrapunji, especially with family.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayScooty from ₹800/dayRead the route guide
Guwahati to Dawki & Mawlynnong180+ km2–3 daysBy car: The comfortable choice for this long route, especially with family.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayScooty from ₹800/dayRead the route guideSelf-drive to Assam
No permit needed for Indian visitors.
Guwahati to Kaziranga220+ km2 daysBy car: Our pick for Kaziranga.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayRead the route guide
Guwahati to Majuli300+ km, then a ferry3 daysBy car: Comfortable for the long highway, and easy to combine with Kaziranga.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayRead the route guideSelf-drive to Arunachal Pradesh
Needs an Inner Line Permit; we help you apply.
ILPGuwahati to Tawang480 km5 daysBy car: For confident drivers who are comfortable with hairpins and cold weather.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayRead the route guide
ILPGuwahati to Ziro400+ km4 daysBy car: The comfortable choice for a long drive and a few days in the valley.Car from ₹2,800/dayBike from ₹1,000/dayRead the route guideSelf-drive to Nagaland
Needs an Inner Line Permit; we help you apply.
Permits and where you can drive
Take any of our rentals across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), and we help you apply for it. Tell us your route and dates when you book, and we'll sort the permit with you before you set off.
Other trips from Guwahati
Trips we don't have a full route guide for yet. Distances and times are from our pickup.
Guwahati city & Kamakhya Temple
Within the city10–30 min
- By scooty: The easiest way through city traffic and up Nilachal Hill.
- By bike: Handy for a day of city sights, the riverfront and Kamakhya.
Sualkuchi silk village
35 kmAbout 1 hour
- By scooty: Flat, easy road along the Brahmaputra.
- By bike: A relaxed half-day ride.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
48 kmAbout 1.5 hours
- By scooty: Ride to the gate, then take the sanctuary's own jeep safari.
- By bike: Ride to the gate, then take the sanctuary's own jeep safari.
- By car: Good for families; self-drive vehicles stop at the gate.
Chandubi Lake
64 kmAbout 1.5 hours
- By scooty: Mostly flat, with a few gentle bends — fine for first-timers.
- By bike: An easy day trip through tea gardens.
- By car: A relaxed family day out.
Tezpur
180 kmAbout 4 hours
- By bike: Flat highway riding on the Assam side.
- By car: A quiet riverside overnight trip.
More ideas for a day out: Day Trips from Guwahati by Scooty, Bike or Car: Short Self-Drive Rides and Which Rental to Take
Choose your vehicle
Self-drive trips from Guwahati: questions & answers
Where do self-drive trips from Guwahati start?
Our pickup is in Maligaon, Guwahati, about 2 km from Kamakhya station. Pickup and drop available only at our Guwahati location. Pickups from 7 AM; returns accepted until 11:59 PM.
Which states can I drive a rental to?
Take any of our rentals across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), and we help you apply for it.
Which routes need a permit?
Tawang, Kohima and Ziro need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), and we help you apply for it: tell us your dates when you book. Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki & Mawlynnong, Kaziranga and Majuli need no permit for Indian visitors; carry your driving license and an ID.
Which vehicle should I take?
Each guide has a section for every vehicle type that suits the route. In short, a bike is our first pick for Shillong; a car for Cherrapunji, Dawki & Mawlynnong, Kaziranga, Tawang, Kohima, Ziro and Majuli. Scooters suit Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki & Mawlynnong if you travel light and take it slowly.
How far can I drive in a day?
Fair-use limit of 300 km/day. Extra distance billed at ₹8/km for cars and ₹3/km for bikes/scooters. The longer routes are split over two days in our guides, so you stay within it and off hill roads after dark.
What about trips without a route guide?
Guwahati city & Kamakhya Temple, Sualkuchi silk village, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandubi Lake and Tezpur don't have a full guide yet; the distance, drive time and the vehicle to take for each are on this page under "Other trips from Guwahati". Planning something else? Ask us.
Rental terms (documents, deposit, km limit, late returns) are on the self-drive rentals page.
Every trip starts in Guwahati
Pick up and drop off at our Maligaon location, about 2 km from Kamakhya station.
RedPanda Travels — Bike and Car Rental
Jonaki Path, Bylane 3, Sati Jaymati Nagar, Maligaon, near Basundhara Apartments, Guwahati, Assam 781011