Peshawar to Nathia Gali is a drive of roughly 190 to 220 km, done in two very different halves: the M-1 and Hazara motorways as far as Abbottabad, then a narrower hill road for the last 32 km or so up to Nathia Gali. Figures for the total distance vary by source depending on the exact route into Abbottabad, but the drive takes about three and a half to four and a half hours in normal traffic, more at weekends.
This guide covers both halves of the journey, where the time actually goes, and when to leave to avoid the worst of the traffic on both the motorway and the hill.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Total distance | Roughly 190 to 220 km |
| Driving time | 3.5 to 4.5 hours in normal traffic |
| First half | M-1 motorway, then Hazara Motorway (M-15) to Abbottabad |
| Second half | Hill road via Harnoi and Bagnotar, about 32 to 37 km |
| Tolls | Charged on both the M-1 and M-15; keep an M-Tag topped up |
| Fuel | Fill up before leaving the motorway network at Havelian |
Stage one: Peshawar to Abbottabad by motorway
Leave Peshawar on the M-1 motorway, which runs east towards Islamabad, and turn off well before the capital, at the Burhan interchange near Hasan Abdal, onto the Hazara Motorway (M-15). Leave the M-15 at the Havelian interchange for Abbottabad.
This stretch is fast, wide, controlled-access road for almost its whole length, and it is the predictable part of the trip. Estimates for the Peshawar-to-Abbottabad distance vary between roughly 155 and 195 km depending on the source and the exact exit used, and the drive takes around two and a half to three hours at motorway speeds, including the interchange at Burhan.
Stage two: Abbottabad to Nathia Gali
From Abbottabad the road leaves the motorway network behind and climbs into the hills through Harnoi and Bagnotar, a village at about 1,880 m roughly 18 km out of the city. This stretch is narrower, steeper and far slower than the motorway half, with a steady climb and increasing bends the closer you get to Nathia Gali.
Allow an hour to an hour and a half for this final 32 to 37 km, a little more at weekends when parked cars slow the last stretch into the bazaar. Our dedicated guide to the drive from Abbottabad to Nathia Gali covers this stretch in more detail, including where the road narrows most and what to expect in winter.
How long does the whole trip take?
Put together, a realistic day looks like this on the way up:
- Peshawar to the Burhan interchange, about two hours on the M-1.
- Burhan to Havelian on the Hazara Motorway, roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
- Havelian to Abbottabad city, a short run of 15 to 20 minutes.
- Abbottabad to Nathia Gali, an hour to an hour and a half on the hill road.
That comes to three and a half to four and a half hours with no stops. Add time for fuel, a meal and the usual toll-plaza queues, and a morning departure from Peshawar puts you in Nathia Gali by early to mid-afternoon.
When to leave, and what to watch for
Leave Peshawar by mid-morning at the latest so that you reach the hill section in daylight; the climb above Harnoi is not a road to learn for the first time after dark. On weekends and holidays, the last stretch into Nathia Gali can add significantly to the time, the same as it does for traffic coming up from Murree, so build in a buffer.
Tolls apply on both the M-1 and the Hazara Motorway. Make sure any M-Tag you carry is registered and topped up before you leave, since cash payment options on Pakistan's motorways have been phased out in recent years.
Fuel is easy to find in Peshawar and at motorway service areas, but fill up again in Abbottabad before starting the climb, since there is nothing reliable on the hill road itself.
Winter and monsoon
The motorway sections are all-weather roads, but the hill climb above Abbottabad is not. Heavy snow can close it for a day or more at a time in winter, and the authorities have at times stopped tourist traffic at Harno until the road is cleared, in the same way they do at Barian on the Murree side. In the monsoon, landslides on the steeper stretches near Bagnotar can shut the road for hours after heavy rain. Check locally in Abbottabad before starting the final climb, particularly between December and March.
Is this the fastest way from Peshawar?
Yes, for practical purposes. The alternative, older route through the GT Road and district roads via Mardan, Swabi and Haripur, avoids no traffic and is simply slower than the motorway. There is no meaningful shortcut through Murree from Peshawar, since it puts you well out of the way.
If you are travelling with family, breaking the trip with a night in Abbottabad rather than driving straight through makes the hill climb far more relaxed, and lets you see Abbottabad or add on a trip to Thandiani. Our Galiyat guide covers what you will find once you reach the top, and send us your dates if you would like help planning the whole route.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nathia Gali from Peshawar?
Roughly 190 to 220 km by road: about 155 to 195 km on the M-1 and Hazara Motorway to Abbottabad, then a further 32 to 37 km on the hill road.
How long does it take to drive from Peshawar to Nathia Gali?
About three and a half to four and a half hours in normal traffic, made up of roughly two and a half to three hours of motorway driving and an hour to an hour and a half on the hill climb.
Which motorways do I take from Peshawar to Nathia Gali?
The M-1 towards Islamabad, then the Hazara Motorway (M-15) from the Burhan interchange near Hasan Abdal, leaving it at Havelian for Abbottabad.
Is there a faster route than via Abbottabad?
No. This is the standard and fastest way from Peshawar; there is no practical shortcut through Murree from the Peshawar side.
Should I break the journey overnight?
For families or a late start, a night in Abbottabad makes the trip far less rushed and turns a long single drive into two easy stages.
Is Peshawar safe for overseas visitors?
Peshawar is busy with Pakistani visitors, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar and the Khyber district. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
