Islamabad to Karachi Road Trip?

[neoq]

Hi guys,

I am thinking of going from Isb to Khi by road. But there are a lots of IFs and Buts.

1- Is it safe with family? (Heard a lot about Sindhi Dacoits)
2- What route is the most comfortable? (Without bad patches) it shouldnt be very long tho.
3- CNG on the way?
4- Where should we make pit stops?
5- Is it fine to do the whole trip with just one driver?
6- Things to keep in car for emergencies?

Any other suggestions /tips by experienced fellow PWers.

Thanks a lot.

[neoq]

Any one? Help me plsss.!!!!!

[spectra]

Best route will be through GT road (although longer in distance) as it has best road conditions throughout.

Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Hyderabad and Karachi.

Go to Bahwalpur in one day, stay there and leave for Karachi next day. Try to leave early as driving through Halla, Moro, Sukkur suburbs and Hyderabad at night can be probelmatic for a stranger to the land.

[neoq]

Thanks a heap Spectra. Will keep in mind.

More experiences/suggestion required pls.!
Thanks.

[drmaqeel]

Best route is already given by Spectra. Bhawalpur is the city to stop. Either you can stay at PTDC Bhawalpur or Village hotel . There is another excellent family hotel just before bhawalpur Lataska Village hotel. This hotel is there since last 11 months. As spectra said better to travel in day. CNG is nowadays not a problem there are many CNG stations on your way.As with family trip is enjoyable. On your way ADMORE stations have the cleanest Washrooms and Mosque facilities. Please do check you indicators, Headlights, and horn. Reflect your high beam light when ever overtaking other vehicles may it be a car or truck, never underestimate them. I traveled two times KHI to Islamabad in last six months.

[neoq]

Thanks drmaqeel. Can any one also let me know how much is it gonna cost me for the entire trip (CNG, petrol, Bahawalpur stay, misc expenses etc.). An estimate will do.

Thanks.

[spectra]

CNG 3500 kms * 3=10,500 (both ways)
Petrol (to be safe)=3,000
Hotel=3,000 * 2
Misc. (up to you :)) my estimate is aroud 5000 for food and tea stops etc.

Thats the minimum to expect

[Zubair530]

|1750Kms one side ....
Man u'll drive so much?

@Spectra bro in how much days is one side trip?

I have a question in mind, if some body buys a car in kchi how to get it to isb (best way) and wat are the hurdles etc in it?

[neoq]

Thanks a lot Spectra...Great info thr bro !!

@drmaqeel
Since u travelled 2 times recently by the proposed route, can you pls let me know the recent condition of the road? any bad patches (even minor) on the way -Both Directions?

What is the name of the hotel u mentioned? (There is another excellent family hotel just before bhawalpur Lataska Village hotel)

I need to travel in the first week of December, so any thing at all I need to be concerned about during that time period?

Thanks.

[haris]

There isnt any hotel opposite to La Taska, the best hotel will be Bobby's Hotel, on circular road near library chowk on the top floors of bobby plaza, other one is Silver Tower in Model Town A

[spectra]

One side trip takes two days comfortably

[bigb_gr8]

i also travelled Lhe - Khi-Lhe in July
did not stop for night stay either way

left from Lahore at 12:00am
reached Karachi next day 4:00pm

return
left karachi at 6:00am
reached lahore at 11:00pm

roads in punjab are quite good
infact u hav to watch yr speed (limit is 100km/h)
or u might end up with Rs.700/ ticket

u can stay at bahawalpur or rahim yar khan as they are half way
better u leav for karachi at 7:00am next day so that u can cross interior sindh in miday
road condition are pretty bad after sukkhar
even one has to travel on single road with loads of heavy traffic + tractor trollies + bikes
u will feel the difference once u enter sindh
also keep yr headlights flashing while overtaking while in sindh

reg the expense:
7000 cng
1500 partol
1000 food and drinks including red bull

p.s. if u want to hav bombay bakery cake u can buy from patrol pump located next to hyderabad toll tax (while entering towards karachi)

[drmaqeel]

The Lataska Hotel is befora Bhawalpur at Lodhran. The road condition is over all good. There is road repair in sind after Sukkur approximately 50Km in total and traffic is one way.The road condition in Punjab as mentioned by bgib_gr8 is good. Maintain speed limit and maintain speed to 70 Km when crossings the towns.The room rates at Laska Hotel is 1800/= double bed, AC and generator facilty. The charges at PTDC BHW are 2800/= for the same specifications.

[drmaqeel]

The Lataska Hotel is befora Bhawalpur at Lodhran. The road condition is over all good. There is road repair in sind after Sukkur approximately 50Km in total and traffic is one way.The road condition in Punjab as mentioned by bgib_gr8 is good. Maintain to 70 Km when crossings the towns.The room rates at Latska Hotel is 1800/= double bed, AC and generator facility. The charges at PTDC BHW are 2800/= for the same specifications.

[neoq]

Thanks a heaps every body for sharing valuable experiences.

I still cant decide which hotel to stay in, I guess it will be easier once I actually get there.

Another thought struck me...What about CNG availability? is it available along the highway all the way or do I need to enter into cities to get CNG? in that case which cities I might have to enter for the same purpose?

Thanks a lot.

[spectra]

Cng available throughout on highway. Not an issue

[neoq]

Thanks again Spectra. Another thing, Do I start from GT road right from Rawalpindi or can I use the Motorway upto some point and get on to GT road after that?

If so, where should I change to GT road from motorway? and is this gonna effect the distance//length or trip?

Thanks.

[bigb_gr8]

@neoq
better use motorway till lahore
cause u hav long journey ahead
cng is available thru out
but still u must hav enough patrol with u
as on highway u want to stop for a cng fill up until cylinder is almost empty
at that point, u may dont find cng near
so u might need to drive on patrol for short while

[neoq]

great thanks bigb
I will get petrol tank filled up before leaving. i hope that will suffice the entire journey??

If I travel to LHE using Motorway and then change to GT Rd from LHE. What will be the difference in the lenght of the journey?
Thanks.

[waqitariq]

@spectra is right
main ne bhi yehi route use kya tha leave Islamabad early in morning... at night stay in Bahwalpur for Karachi next day. leave early phir at night you will be in Karachi....this trip around 1636 kms...Cng available throughout on highway...mujhe 4000 Rs ki cng peri thi !!!