Complete Guidelines:
Road Trip from Karachi To Lahore
Go on board for road trip from Karachi to Lahore is one of the most adventures and challenging to be experienced. This is more especially passing through Sindh province rural areas. Your drive starts from bustling, seaside metropolis of Karachi, the economic hub of the Pakistan to Zinda Dillane Lahore. Lahore, the heart of Punjabi culture and heritage. Spanning over about 1,200 kilometers (depending on your originating and destination points), this road trip from Karachi to Lahore showcases the changing landscapes, from the arid plains of rural and urban Sindh to the fertile fields of Punjab.
While most of the people prefer to travel by air, by train or by Bus, nothing compares to the freedom and thrill of a long road trip across Pakistan. With the development of good highways and motorway network, traveling by road is now safer, faster, and more comfortable than ever before. This is why road trip from Karachi to Lahore or Islamabad and Northern areas become memorable. However, if Motorway from Karachi to Lahore is completed and In Sha Allah will be completed, the road trip from karachi to Lahore through motorway would be an adventure.
1 Distance From Karachi to Lahore
The total distance from Karachi to Lahore by road is approximately 1,200 kilometers, depending on the route and stopovers. The distance can be increased according to your originating point and destination point. I personally travelled from Shah Faisal Colony to Raiwind Road, Lahore and the total distance from Karachi to Lahore about 1260 KMs having 22 KMs away from Karachi Toll Plaza and about 25 KM from Ravi toll plaza. Thanks to the extensive network of motorways (M-9, M-5, and M-3), this journey is possible to complete in 14 hours having 5 stopovers and passing through 7 toll plaza on National Highway consuming 5 minutes each in average. Therefore, the actual distance from Karachi to Lahore from Toll Plaza to Toll Plaza is about 1200 KMs.
2. Route from Karachi to Lahore by Road:
The following route is recommended for road trip from Karachi to Lahore by road:
- Karachi to Hyderabad via M-9 Motorway
- Hyderabad to Sukkur via N-55 / N-5 Highway
- Sukkur to Multan via M-5 Motorway
- Multan to Lahore via M-3 Motorway
This is the most efficient and fastest route from Karachi to Lahore. From Hyderabad to Sukkur N/55 (Indus Highway) via Qazi Ahmed is best route instead of N-5 (National Highway). I personally travelled through N-5 due to some reasons, but was very rough road and due to Eid Holidays, there was no rush of trucks otherwise it is difficult to survive in day or night time.
3. Vehicle Preparation for Road Trip from Karachi to Lahore:
After final decision of road trip, make sure, vehicle preparation for road trip from Karachi to Lahore is very important. It is essential to ensure your vehicle is top fit to run for long trip from karachi to Lahore and following are key points to be checked before couple of days:
- Complete Service Check: Complete service check for vehicle preparation for road trip from Karachi to Lahore is very important. Make sure to change Engine oil, brakes checkup, radiator working and preferably coolant filling, condition of battery, and most importantly tire condition.
- Spare Essentials: Carry a spare tire, jack, jumper cables, tool kit, and a first aid kit for extra ordinary precautions.
- Fuel Tank: It is better to get filled fuel tank of your car from your residential area to save the time.
- Documents: Remember to carry your driving license, vehicle papers, and NIC.
- Refreshment: I personally experienced to carry sufficient snacks, water bottles according to travelling members etc as the areas on road especially from Karachi to Sukkur are not good and hygenic.
4. Best Time to Start from Karachi to Lahore
Through research and personal experience, I am of the firm opinion to start your journey about 1 hour before start of Fajar Namaz and try to pray Fajar Namaz between Karachi Hyderabad. I personally started my journey from karachi at 4.30 AM from home and 5.00 AM from Karachi Toll Plaza.
5. Travel Time from Karachi to Lahore by Road
I started my journey from Karachi Toll Plaza at 05.00 AM, offered prayer before Hyderabad at about 05.45 AM and reached Alhamdo Lillah Lahore Toll Plaza at 07.06 PM. There were 7 Stops in my journey consuming 15 minutes on an average (Namaze Fajar on M-9) 02 Tea Brakes on Hyderabad Sukkur, one petrol filling, wind screen cleaning, tire pressure checking at Hyderabad. Offered Zuhr prayer, Tea Break and Assar Prayer on Motorway (Sukkur – Multan) and 07 Highway Toll Plazas on Hyderabad – Sukkur National Highway (N-5). So, total travel time from Karachi to Lahore by road reached to 14 hours which is best travel time by road from Karachi to Lahore through Car.
6. Fuel Cost from Karachi to Lahore
I calculated fuel cost from Karachi to Lahore on real basis from tank filled to tank filled. From Karachi to Lahore, I travelled on 1st April, 2025, the 2nd day of Eid through Toyota Corolla Altis Grande 2017 Model. I got filled the tank from my area. So, during journey, I got filled the tank from Sukkur Total Parco pump near Motorway Toll plaza (after covering about 457 KMs) and my car consumed about 29 litters of petrol with an average of about 15.75 KMs/L with speed between 70 KM to maximum 110 K Ms / hour, which was quite good keeping in view the local area of rural Sindh.
Second time, tank was filled from Raiwind Road, Lahore and 46.11 Litres petrol was consumed in 803 KMs with an average of 17.41 KMs / Litres with continuous AC and speed of 110 to 140 KMs / Hour. So, total fuel cost from Karachi to Lahore was about 19,500 through Corolla Grande 1.8
7. Cost of Toll from Karachi to Lahore
Cost of toll from Karachi to Lahore through motorways and National High ways was as under:-
- Karachi to Hyderabad (Motorway): PKR. 370.00
- Rohri to Ravi (Lahore) (Motorway): PKR 2,390.00
- Hyderabad to Sukkur N-5: PKR 490.00 (7×70)
- Total toll cost: Approx. PKR 3,250.00
8. Recommended Rest Points for Wash Rooms and Tea on Karachi to Lahore by road
The following points are recommended for Tea Brakes and Wash Rooms etc:
It is recommended to bring your snacks and other refreshment items from Karachi as the price of the stuff is very costly on the restaurants enroute:
9. Top Rest Points:
- Hyderabad: Good for breakfast Wash Rooms
- Sukkur: Mid-route major stop. Taj Hotel near Motoway is good for early lunch and refreshment before travelling on Motorway. I stopped here for tea brake and got checked tire pressure from tire shop at about 11.30 AM.
- Rahim Yar Khan: Ideal for a tea break or light snack.
- Multan: A full-service city where you can stop for fuel, food, or overnight stay.
Rest areas on motorways are generally safe and well-maintained, with facilities available every 100–150 km.
10. Overnight Stay Options
If you cannot drive continuously from Karachi to Lahore, you may have the option of overnight stay at Multan. Multan: Offers 3-star to 5-star hotels including Ramada, Hotel One, and Faletti’s Grand.
Booking ahead is advised, especially during weekends or holiday seasons.
11. Driving Conditions and Safety Tips
The driving conditions from Karachi to Lahore through Motorway and National Highway are generally favorable but it is advisable to cover the Sindh area in day time. This is why I recommend to leave Karachi at about 5.00 AM and pass the whole Sindh area in day time. Security upto Rahim Yar Khan is with Sindh Rangers and is safe to travel.
- Avoid night travel, especially on N-5 stretches.
- On N-5, you will have to overtake from wrong side as vehicles especially trucks will never give you the way to pass.
- On N-5, keep alert as tress passing is very common and you will have to keep eyes on them.
Remember, it’s not a race with any one—enjoy the journey and keep safe driving!
Final Thoughts
A road trip from Karachi to Lahore is wonderful experience which captures the essence of Pakistan’s diversity. With local areas of Sindh Province, and a wealth of history and culture to explore along the way, this trip is ideal for those who seek adventure and connection. Also keep in mind that Motorway from Karachi to Hyderabad is not like M-2 or other Motorways. Motor bikes runs on this motorway and there is no fencing alongside.
Whether your trip is for leisure, exploration, or just love the idea of a long drive, you may pack your essentials, prepare your vehicle, and hit the road—Pakistan awaits you. I with the age of 58 years, single handedly driven my car and reached Lahore in 14 hours with normal speed. From Karachi to Sukkur Motorway in 7 hours including stoppages and from Sukkur to Lahore in 7 hours with stoppages.
