The M-1 is the six-lane motorway between Islamabad and Peshawar, about 155 kilometres long, with a speed limit of 120 km/h. Since 10 July 2026 the toll for a car over the full length is Rs 700, up from Rs 550 (NHA revision, reported by PakWheels). At legal speeds the drive is comfortably under two hours, though the exits, toll queues and any closure add to that.
For most readers this is a road you use as a link rather than a destination. It carries you from the capital past Hasan Abdal and Attock, across the Indus, and into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This guide covers the exits in order, how the toll works, what the rest areas offer, and one section on safety that you should read before you set out.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Length | About 155 km (67 km in Punjab, 88 km in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) |
| Lanes and speed limit | Six lanes, 120 km/h |
| Toll, full length, car | Rs 700 from 10 July 2026 (previously Rs 550) |
| Interchanges | 14, from Islamabad Airport Link Road to Peshawar Ring Road |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Payment | Cash, cards and M-Tag; figures change, so check before you go |
What are the M-1 exits, in order?
Sources give 14 interchanges. Going from Islamabad towards Peshawar, the ones they name are:
- Islamabad, at the Airport Link Road
- AWT / Sangjani / Paswal
- Burma Bhatar
- Burhan, for Hasan Abdal and Kamra
- Hazara Expressway (E-35), the link to Haripur and Abbottabad
- Ghazi
- Chach
- Swabi
- Misri Banda
- Rashakai
- Charsadda
- Peshawar Northern Bypass
- Peshawar Ring Road
Published lists differ on a couple of names and on the exact order of the smaller interchanges, so use the signs and your navigation app rather than this list for the last turning. The exits most travellers need are Burhan and the Hazara Expressway junction for the Hazara direction, and Swabi or Rashakai for the KP towns. For the Abbottabad and Hazara side, see our guide to the Hazara Motorway.
How much is the M-1 toll?
From 10 July 2026 the full Islamabad-Peshawar toll for a car is Rs 700. Larger vehicles pay more, and the fee for a shorter trip depends on where you join and leave. NHA has revised tolls several times, so treat Rs 700 as the figure at the time of writing and expect to see the current rate on the board at the plaza.
Toll plazas are reported at Burhan, Attock, Swabi and Rashakai. Keep some cash in the car as a back-up. If you use an M-Tag, check the balance before you leave.
Rest areas and fuel on the M-1
Wikipedia records 10 service areas on the M-1, five on each side, which sources describe as offering fuel, food and toilets. we could not confirm a reliable list of exact locations from an official source, so we have not printed one.
What to do in practice:
- Fill the tank before you join, and top up when you pass half a tank. Do not assume the next service area is close.
- Use the service areas for toilet and prayer breaks, not for a full meal, if you are in a hurry. Prices are usually higher than in the towns.
- Download offline maps before you leave in case signal drops between exits.
M-1 or the old GT Road?
The N-5 (the Grand Trunk Road) runs alongside the motorway through Attock, Nowshera and Peshawar's outskirts. It is free, but it passes through towns, level crossings and heavy truck traffic, and it takes a good deal longer. The exceptions are a motorway closure or a breakdown, when it becomes the only route. The motorway is the better choice for a family car, especially at night. See our Grand Trunk Road trip guide if the older road is the reason you are travelling.
Closures and delays
The M-1 has been closed on short notice before, mainly for security or political reasons. On 22 September 2026 it was closed for an indefinite period ahead of a planned PTI march on Islamabad, and it reopened on 28 September (Dawn). Motorways in northern Punjab and the Islamabad area also close in winter fog, which is a separate risk that peaks from December to January. See our guide to motorway fog closures.
Before any trip, check the NHA motorway police helpline or the day's news. Avoid the days when a rally or protest is announced.
Is the M-1 safe to drive?
The road itself is a well-built, six-lane motorway. The security picture along it is more complicated. The UK government's travel advice, updated 22 September 2026, advises against all travel to Peshawar and Charsadda, and against all but essential travel to Swabi, Mardan and Nowshera, which are all within reach of the M-1 exits in KP. It also advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Afghan border. Kohat Police Lines was attacked on 18 September 2026, killing 23 (Dawn).
Pakistani travellers do use the motorway every day, and through-traffic to Islamabad is common. If you are planning to travel, check local news and police advice on the day, keep to daylight hours and avoid stopping at the roadside. If you hold a foreign passport, read your own government's advice first, because travelling against it can void your travel insurance.
Who is the M-1 for?
If you are going to Peshawar, the M-1 is by far the quickest way. If you want to go north from Islamabad to Abbottabad, Naran or Kaghan, you use the M-1 only as far as the Hazara Expressway junction near Burhan. For Swat and Dir you leave near Swabi, but those areas are also on the UK's do-not-travel list, and our tour itineraries do not include them.
Our Explore Pakistan tours stay in Gilgit-Baltistan, which avoids this stretch entirely. For the road to Peshawar itself, see our guide to Islamabad to Peshawar.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Islamabad-Peshawar motorway?
About 155 km, of which roughly 67 km is in Punjab and 88 km in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
What is the toll on the M-1 in 2026?
Rs 700 for a car over the full length from 10 July 2026, up from Rs 550. Rates change often, so check the board at the plaza.
What is the speed limit on the M-1?
120 km/h for cars. The road is patrolled by the National Highways and Motorway Police, so speed is checked.
How long does the drive from Islamabad to Peshawar take?
Under two hours in normal conditions. Allow more for toll queues, fog in winter or a closure.
Are there rest areas on the M-1?
Yes, about 10 service areas, five in each direction, with fuel, food and toilets. Top up your fuel before you join rather than counting on a particular one.
Is the M-1 open right now?
Usually, yes, but it was closed from 22 to 28 September 2026 ahead of political protests. Check the day's news before you go.
