Islamabad to Abbottabad is roughly 120 to 135 km, depending on the road, and takes about two hours in normal traffic. The quickest way is the Hazara Motorway (M-15), which leaves the M-1 at the Burhan interchange and reaches Abbottabad in about an hour and a half of driving. The older Karakoram Highway (N-35) through Haripur and Havelian is around 120 km and slower.
This guide covers the two roads, what the toll is in 2026, how to go without a car and what tends to slow the drive down.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 120 km on the N-35 KKH; about 134 km by the Hazara Motorway |
| Drive time | About 1.5 hours by motorway, about 2 hours by the KKH, more on holidays |
| Abbottabad altitude | About 1,256 m |
| Hazara Motorway toll (cars) | About PKR 350 (April 2026) for the Hassanabdal to Mansehra expressway |
| Shared taxi or app ride | About PKR 2,800 recommended on inDrive; fares are negotiated |
Which road should you take?
The Hazara Motorway (M-15) is the road most drivers use now. From Islamabad you take the M-1 towards Peshawar, leave at the Burhan interchange (about 58 km from Islamabad) and continue on the M-15 past Haripur and Havelian to Abbottabad. The motorway is controlled access, with tunnels and service areas, and it bypasses the towns that clog the old road. Our Hazara Motorway guide covers the exits and rest stops.
The KKH (N-35) runs through Hassan Abdal, Haripur and Havelian and enters Abbottabad from the south. It is around 120 km and can be as quick as the motorway on a quiet weekday, but it passes through bazaars and level crossings, and traffic thickens quickly on Fridays and holidays.
For most people the motorway is the better choice: it is predictable, and it saves the stop-start stretch through Haripur. If you are heading on past Abbottabad towards Nathia Gali or Naran, the motorway also makes the onward drive easier.
How long does it really take?
Mapping services give about two hours for the whole trip, and a clear morning drive on the motorway can be faster. Allow more on Fridays, at the start and end of Eid holidays and on summer weekends, when the whole of Islamabad seems to be heading for the hills.
Fog on the M-1 in winter can slow or close sections of the motorway, so check before you set off in December and January. Our note on motorway fog closures explains how it works.
What does the toll cost?
The Hazara Motorway toll for a car was set at about PKR 350 from 5 April 2026 for the Hassanabdal to Havelian to Mansehra expressway, according to ProPakistani's report of the NHA notification. Other sites list slightly different figures, and NHA revises rates once or twice a year, so treat this as a guide and check at the booth.
You also pay for the M-1 section between Islamabad and Burhan. We have not confirmed that separate charge, so see our motorway toll guide for the current rates. In July 2026 the Islamabad High Court suspended an NHA notification that would have added a 50% surcharge for vehicles without an M-Tag or enough balance in the account, so check the current position before you travel.
Going without a car
- Ride apps and taxis. inDrive's city-to-city page suggests about PKR 2,800 for the Islamabad to Abbottabad run, and you negotiate the fare with the driver. Prices change with fuel and season.
- Buses and vans. Coaches and smaller vans run from Islamabad's bus terminals to Abbottabad and are the cheapest option. They stop often, and the total time is longer than a car. Fares vary by operator, so ask at the terminal.
- Your own car or a rental with a driver. Best for a family or a group with luggage, and the only way to add stops such as Thandiani or Nathia Gali on the way.
Stops worth making on the way
Haripur and Havelian are just places to pass. The stretch is better as a single push, with your stops kept for Abbottabad itself. Our Abbottabad day trip from Islamabad has a timed plan and food suggestions, and places to visit in Abbottabad covers what to see once you arrive.
For wider route planning across the north, see our travel guide. If you are carrying on into the mountains, the road up to Nathia Gali starts from Abbottabad, and the Hazara region guide shows the wider map.
Is it worth driving in a day?
Yes, if you keep it simple. It suits families, students going to the universities or the military academy at Kakul, and anyone using Abbottabad as a base for Galiyat and Kaghan. It is less suited to travellers who hate crowds on holiday weekends, because the motorway and the Abbottabad city roads both fill up.
If you are travelling further north, note that the UK government advises against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, as it can affect insurance. Abbottabad itself is not on that list, and many Pakistani families visit it regularly, but check local news before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Abbottabad from Islamabad?
About 120 km by the KKH (N-35) and about 134 km by the Hazara Motorway. Most sources put the drive at around two hours.
Is there a motorway from Islamabad to Abbottabad?
Yes. You join the M-1 towards Peshawar, leave at the Burhan interchange and take the M-15, the Hazara Motorway, which runs on to Abbottabad, Mansehra and Thakot.
How much is the Hazara Motorway toll for a car?
Reported as about PKR 350 from April 2026 for the Hassanabdal to Mansehra expressway. Rates are revised regularly, so check the current board.
How can I go from Islamabad to Abbottabad without a car?
By coach or van from an Islamabad bus terminal, or by booking a city-to-city ride through an app. Agree the fare before you start.
Is Abbottabad the same as Nathia Gali?
No. Abbottabad is a city at about 1,256 m, and Nathia Gali is a hill station in the Galiyat above it. It is about 32 km up a mountain road from Abbottabad.
