Lahore to Khewra Salt Mine is roughly 240 km by road, and you should plan on about three to three and a half hours each way. The standard route is the M-2 motorway towards Islamabad, leaving at the Lilla interchange and driving the last 25 to 30 km to Khewra through Pind Dadan Khan. It works as a long day trip from Lahore, though it is a tiring one.
Map services put the pure driving time at around two and a half hours, but that leaves out the toll plaza, the slower branch road and a stop for food or prayer. Distances quoted online range from about 240 km to over 250 km depending on the start point in Lahore and the exit used.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 240 km (map estimate) |
| Drive time | About 2.5 hours non-stop, 3 to 3.5 hours realistically |
| Route | M-2, exit at Lilla, then the Lilla to Pind Dadan Khan road |
| Branch road | About 25 to 30 km from the motorway to the mine |
| Day trip from Lahore | Possible, but a full day |
The route from Lahore
- Join the M-2 in Lahore. Follow signs for Islamabad. You travel north-west through Sheikhupura and Pindi Bhattian, then into the Salt Range.
- Drive to the Lilla interchange. Most visitors and local advice recommend this exit, because the road from it is straightforward and clearly signed.
- Follow the Lilla to Pind Dadan Khan road. It runs about 25 to 30 km to Khewra, and reports describe it as carpeted all the way.
- Arrive at the mine. The entrance is on the edge of the town of Khewra, a few kilometres beyond Pind Dadan Khan.
The Kallar Kahar interchange is another exit and is sometimes used by drivers coming from Islamabad, but the road from Lilla is the one most often recommended.
How long does it take?
Plan the day around about three to three and a half hours each way:
- Two and a half hours or so on the motorway and branch road, without stops
- Around half an hour more for the toll plaza, fuel, a service-area break and slower traffic on the branch road
That makes a return trip from Lahore roughly seven hours on the road plus a tour of the mine. The mine tour itself takes a fair chunk of the day, so leave Lahore early, around 7 am, to be there by late morning.
Friday afternoon and holiday weekends are busy, and the M-2 toll and service areas fill up around Eid.
Road condition
The M-2 is a six-lane motorway that opened in 1997 and was resurfaced in 2016. It is fast and smooth for most of the way, and it has five service areas in each direction with fuel and food.
The branch road from Lilla is the slower part. It passes through villages, and you share it with trucks, tractors and motorbikes. Reports describe it as carpeted, but expect speed breakers and slow patches, and take care after dark, when unlit vehicles are common.
Tolls and fuel
The M-2 charges a toll, and Pakistani motorways use the M-Tag electronic system that came in in December 2021. Toll rates were revised in 2026, and the current figure for a car is on the NHA website, so we do not print one here. Fill up in Lahore or at a service area before leaving the motorway, since petrol stations are less frequent on the branch road.
One practical tip
Decide before you leave whether you are coming straight back. If you also want to see the Salt Range lakes and temples, an overnight stay makes the trip far more relaxed than a seven-hour round trip in the car. Our Khewra and Katas Raj day trip shows how to combine the two.
For ticket prices and opening times, see Khewra Salt Mine ticket price, and for other ways to get there, including public transport, read how to reach Khewra Salt Mine. The mine's background is covered in our Khewra Salt Mine history. If you are planning a longer Punjab trip, our tours page shows the trips we offer.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Khewra Salt Mine from Lahore?
Roughly 240 km by road, using the M-2 and the Lilla exit. Some sources quote slightly more depending on where you start in Lahore.
How long does it take to drive from Lahore to Khewra Salt Mine?
About three to three and a half hours each way, including a toll plaza and a short stop. Non-stop, map services estimate about two and a half hours.
Which motorway exit is best for Khewra?
Most guidance recommends the Lilla interchange, followed by the carpeted road to Pind Dadan Khan and Khewra, about 25 to 30 km from the motorway.
Can I visit Khewra Salt Mine as a day trip from Lahore?
Yes, but it is a full day, with around seven hours of driving. Leave early, or stay overnight if you want time for other stops.
