Lahore to Islamabad by Road: Travel Guide

Lahore is one of Pakistan’s biggest cities and Islamabad is its capital, so many people drive between them for work, study and family. On the M-2 motorway, it takes about half a day there and back, and the petrol is a big cost if you drive alone.

This guide covers the road, the time, the fuel cost, and simple tips to make the trip easier and cheaper.

The route in short

The main road is the M-2 motorway, which opened in 1997. It is 375 km long. It starts at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction on the west side of Lahore and ends near Islamabad, where it meets the M-1 motorway.

Add the city roads at each end, and most trips from the centre of Lahore to the centre of Islamabad are about 390 km. Your exact distance depends on where you start and stop.

On the way, the motorway climbs through the Salt Range, a line of hills. This part has slopes and curves, and heavy trucks slow down on the climb, so drive with care here.

How long does it take?

Plan for about 4 to 5 hours, including a short break. The speed limit for cars on motorways is 120 km/h.

Things that make the trip longer:

• Traffic leaving Lahore or entering Islamabad at busy times.
• Long stops for food or prayer.
• Fog in winter, which can slow traffic or close parts of the motorway.

What does it cost in petrol?

For about 390 km in a car that does 12 km per litre, you need about 32.5 litres. At PKR 393.64 a litre (the price from 6 October 2026), that is about PKR 12,793 one way.

This is a long trip, so sharing the car makes a big difference:

The M-2 also charges a toll. Rates change from time to time, so check before you go and agree with your passengers on how it is shared.

To work out the numbers for your own car, see how to work out the fuel cost of a road trip.

Ways to travel

• Drive yourself. Full freedom, but you pay all the petrol and tolls.
• Carpool. Share a car with people going the same way and split the fuel.
• Intercity coach. Coaches run between the two cities at fixed times from their terminals.

Tips for the trip

• Take a break. Four hours or more is a long drive. Stop at a service area at least once, especially if you feel tired.
• Drive carefully in the Salt Range. Keep a safe distance from trucks on the slopes.
• Check the weather in winter. If there is fog, check the news or call the Motorway Police on 130 before you leave.
• Fill up and check your tyres before you start.
• Carry your ID card (CNIC) and some cash.

Carpooling from Lahore to Islamabad

Long trips are where carpooling saves the most money. Splitting PKR 12,793 between four people brings each person’s petrol down to about PKR 3,198.

• Agree on the pickup at a known, busy place, such as a petrol station near the motorway.
• Agree on the price per seat and the toll before the day.
• Plan breaks together, so nobody feels rushed.
• Plan ahead for holidays: many people travel just before and after Eid and long weekends, so book or post your ride early.

Travelling with someone for the first time? Read is carpooling safe in Pakistan? for simple checks before and during the trip.

Heading on to Peshawar? See our guide to Islamabad to Peshawar by road.