- Is this OK to use window shades to keep the vehicle cool? Or police will give us a ticket for this?
I think you have bunch of good advices but just wanted to add my few cents since I am a frequent traveller on National highway from Bahawalpur to Karachi and back almost every other month.
Road condition between Pano Aqil and Dharki (70-75 KM) is pretty bad. Otherwise also this highway is not worth to be called a highway but we don't have any choices.
Take care of your speed in towns since you will encounter bicycles, motorbikes and even donkey-carts traffic.
I think there is no problem on this specially once you are travelling with family
- What are some family-friendly locations to stop for a while
Very few specially in Sindh. I usually prefer ones on CNG stations (Although I don't have CNG in my car) since these have relatively reasonable and clean bathrooms with a tuck shop.
- How many hours it takes to reach different cities? I will keep it as a guide to know if I am going on a right speed.
- Is this OK to drive non-stop?
This solely depends on your driving endurance. I have done it and consider it doable but of course it is tiring.
- What speed range is safe?
100-120 but mostly around 100.
- Is this OK to leave Karachi at 4am?
Not only OK rather this would be the right time. There is a specific behaviour of truck driver to take some rest in these hours and start off again after Fajar. So between 4-6 am you will face least traffic and by that time you will have easily crossed Hyderabad and even farther. As per my experience it saves at least 1 1/2 hours.
Truck commonly occupy the right lane of the highway and drivers either don't let you pass or usually take much time to clear your way. This affects the average speed since at times you have to reduce to even 20-30. The easiest way is to overtake from wrong side. Though it looks difficult at first but after a few times you will get used to it and you will see that trucks' drivers also expect you to overtake them this way since it does not disturb their motion as well. Although you might think it to be an unlawful advice but let me tell you this is a routine practice and saves a lot of time.
If you plan for a break journey, Rahim Yar Khan or Sadiqabad are considered to be reasonable choices.
Task someone to keep in touch with you or preferably your spouse since you will be driving so as to ensure your well-being. I do it whenever any of my relative is coming to me from Karachi and they found it to be helpful whenever they face any problems since I am there to guide them.
