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The northern mountains drawn in points of light, with the road from Lahore traced in brass

Lahore to Islamabad by car

About 375 km and 4 hours 30 minutes of driving from Lahore via the M-2. A clean car and a driver who knows the road, at a price you see before you book.

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Distance, about
375km
Driving, about
4.5hours
Typical trip
2days
Outstation with driver
Rs 7,500/dayFrom, Toyota Corolla Altis
Roads
M-2
Best time
All year

The route, stop by stop

The usual way our drivers take. On the day, they adjust for traffic, weather and road works.

  • M-2 Lahore to Islamabad Motorway
  1. LahorePickup at your door: home, hotel, office or the airport
  2. Sheikhupura interchange
  3. Sukheki service area
  4. Bhera service area
  5. Kallar Kahar and the Salt Range
  6. Chakri service area
  7. IslamabadDestination

Before you go

Best time to go
All year. In December and January, leave after the morning fog lifts.
Road and weather
The M-2 is a fenced motorway with a 120 km/h limit for cars, enforced by the Motorway Police. Plan one stop at Bhera or Kallar Kahar. The Salt Range section near Kallar Kahar has long climbs and descents, and winter fog can close parts of the motorway at night and early morning.
Tolls
Tolls on the M-2 are collected through M-Tag at the toll plazas. They are not part of the car rate and are charged at actual cost. NHA revises toll rates from time to time, so check the current rates before you travel.

Lahore to Islamabad is the most travelled intercity drive in Pakistan, and for good reason: the M-2 makes it fast, safe and predictable. Families visit relatives in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, professionals head to meetings in the Blue Area, and travellers catch flights from Islamabad International Airport.

The drive

From Lahore, the driver joins the M-2 at Thokar Niaz Baig or the Ravi toll plaza, depending on where you are picked up. From there it is motorway almost all the way: flat Punjab farmland past Sheikhupura and Pindi Bhattian, the Jhelum river near Bhera, and then the climb through the Salt Range near Kallar Kahar, the most scenic part of the trip.

After Chakri, the M-2 ends near Islamabad. The airport is just off the motorway, and the city centre is about 20 to 30 minutes further, depending on your sector.

Chauffeur in a dark suit and black leather gloves holding open the rear door of a black sedan, warm light on the cabin seats, face out of frame
Representative image

Where to stop

  • Bhera service area is roughly halfway, with fuel, food and clean washrooms. Most drivers stop here.
  • Kallar Kahar has a view of the Salt Range and is a good place to stretch your legs. The lake and the peacocks of Kallar Kahar are a short detour off the motorway.
  • Chakri service area is the last stop before Islamabad, useful if you are arriving for a meeting and want to freshen up.

Day trip, overnight or one way?

  • Same day return: possible, but it means about 9 hours on the road. Leave early and keep meetings in the middle of the day.
  • Overnight: the most relaxed option. The car is yours for the whole stay, and the driver’s night allowance covers his stay and meals.
  • One way drop: ideal for airport drops and for people moving to Islamabad. The return journey is reflected in the price.
Driver's view of a dark luxury car cabin at night, leather steering wheel and amber lit gauges, city lights blurred through the windscreen
Representative image

Choosing a car

A Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic is comfortable for up to four adults with luggage. For more space, especially with children or elderly parents, a Kia Sportage or Toyota Fortuner makes the Salt Range climb effortless. Groups and big families travel together in a Toyota Hiace. Live prices for every car are on our rates page.

Black executive sedan outside a glass office tower at dusk, rear door open and a suited arm holding a leather document folder, face in shadow
Representative image

Going further

Islamabad is the gateway to the north. Add a day or two for Murree, continue to Naran and Kaghan in summer, or take the M-1 and Swat Expressway to Swat. Our northern areas road trip guide helps you plan the longer trips.

Which car for Islamabad?

Comfortable cars for the motorway and the city at the other end, with live rates from our fleet.

See the full fleet
  • Representative image

    Toyota Corolla Altis

    Sedans5 seats3 bags

    Outstation with driverfrom Rs 7,500 per day
    Driver night stay Rs 1,500 per night
  • Representative image

    Honda Civic

    Sedans5 seats3 bags

    Outstation with driverfrom Rs 11,000 per day
    Driver night stay Rs 1,500 per night
  • Representative image

    Toyota Fortuner

    SUVs7 seats3 bags

    Outstation with driverfrom Rs 18,000 per day
    Driver night stay Rs 1,500 per night

  • Kia Sportage

    SUVs5 seats4 bags

    Outstation with driverfrom Rs 13,000 per day
    Driver night stay Rs 1,500 per night

  • Toyota Hiace

    Vans14 seats8 bags

    Outstation with driverfrom Rs 15,000 per day
    Driver night stay Rs 1,500 per night

Sample fleet: cars and prices are placeholders until the real catalog is published.

Tail-light trails curving along a dark road at night

How outstation pricing works

Four simple rules, the same for every outstation trip. Your quote lists every item before you confirm.

  1. Every 24 hours is one day

    Outstation days are counted in 24-hour blocks from your pickup time, not by calendar date. Leave at 6 am Friday, back by 6 am Sunday: that is two days.

  2. The outstation day rate

    Trips out of Lahore use each car's outstation rate with a driver. It covers the car and the driver for every 24-hour day.

    from Rs 7,500 per day

  3. Driver night stay and food

    For every night away from Lahore there is a fixed night allowance that covers the driver's stay and meals, so you never have to arrange them yourself.

    from Rs 1,500 per night

  4. Fuel and tolls at actual cost

    Fuel, motorway tolls (paid by M-Tag) and parking are charged at actual cost, with no mark-up. Your quote explains how they are settled.

Background: Badshahi Mosque, Lahore. Photo: Haris khan / Unsplash

Get a quote for Lahore to Islamabad

Choose a car and your dates. We confirm the price, the route and the driver on WhatsApp.

  1. 01Tell us the car, dates and pickup point
  2. 02We reply on WhatsApp with a clear price
  3. 03Confirm, and the car arrives on time
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Lahore to Islamabad: questions

How long does it take to drive from Lahore to Islamabad?

Usually 4 to 5 hours on the M-2 from central Lahore to central Islamabad, including a short stop at a service area. Winter fog and holiday traffic can add an hour or more.

Can I book a one way trip from Lahore to Islamabad?

Yes. Ask for a one way drop in your quote. The car and driver return to Lahore after dropping you, and the price reflects the return journey.

Can you drop me at Islamabad International Airport?

Yes. Islamabad International Airport is close to the M-2 on the way into the city, so an airport drop is easy to plan. Share your flight time and we work out the departure time from Lahore.

Are tolls and fuel included in the price?

Not in the outstation day rate. Fuel is either paid as you go or agreed as a fixed amount in your quote, M-2 tolls are paid at actual cost, and the driver's night allowance applies if you stay overnight. Your quote lists every item before you confirm.

Which car is best for Lahore to Islamabad?

A sedan like the Toyota Corolla is comfortable for up to four people with luggage. Pick an SUV for more space and comfort, or a Toyota Hiace if the whole family or a team is travelling together.

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