Quetta to Khuzdar is about 300 km by road on the N-25 National Highway, and a drive of roughly four to five hours in good conditions, according to the figures most distance sites and travel guides give. The route runs south through Mastung, Kalat and Surab, and it is one of the most dangerous roads in Pakistan for both accidents and security. Many readers will simply want the distance, but the safety section below matters as much.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 300 km (302 km on one distance calculator) |
| Drive time | Around 4 to 5 hours by car, longer by bus (6 to 7 hours quoted) |
| Road | N-25 National Highway, mostly single carriageway |
| Towns on the way | Mastung, Kalat, Surab |
| Train | No direct service |
| Security | The UK advises against all travel to Balochistan |
What is the route from Quetta to Khuzdar?
There is one practical route: the N-25, also called the RCD Highway. It leaves Quetta heading south, passes through Mastung and Kalat, and descends to Surab before reaching Khuzdar. Surab to Khuzdar is about 95 km by road, and Quetta to Surab about 211 km.
The same road continues south to Bela, Uthal and Hub and on to Karachi. Between Karachi and Quetta the highway runs for roughly 700 km, with Khuzdar about 380 to 400 km from Karachi. Our guide to Karachi to Quetta by road covers the full route.
How long does it take?
Most guides say four to five hours by car. Buses take six to seven hours because of stops. These are best-case figures, and you should add time for:
- Security checkpoints, where you will need an original CNIC. See our note on CNIC rules in Balochistan.
- Slow trucks and passenger coaches on a single-carriageway road with limited overtaking.
- Closures after an incident or flood.
Plan to leave early in the morning and arrive in daylight. This is not just a preference. See the next section.
Night travel and the 2025 restrictions
Since late March 2025 the Balochistan government has banned night travel on several highways, including the N-25. Dawn reported that the ban ran from 6pm to 6am on most routes, that public transport was prohibited at night and that buses were told to leave Karachi and Quetta in set morning windows so they would arrive before dark. The notifications were issued "till further orders", so check whether they still apply. We explain the rules in our Balochistan night travel ban guide.
Road condition and the new N-25 project
The N-25 has been nicknamed the "killer highway". Pakistan's Bureau of Statistics figures cited by Wikipedia say more than 4,000 people died in road accidents on it between 2012 and 2022.
The National Highway Authority began reconstruction on 5 December 2025, with the aim of building a four-lane dual carriageway for the whole Karachi to Chaman route. The government says it should be done within two years and will cut journey times sharply. In the meantime expect construction zones and diversions. One report allocates Rs34 billion to dualising the 330 km Khuzdar to Kuchlak section, which covers most of this drive.
Is the Quetta to Khuzdar road safe?
No honest guide can call it safe. The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, and travel there can void insurance for overseas visitors. Pakistani travellers do use this road every day, but the recent record is serious:
- On 13 July 2026, motorcycle gunmen fired on Quetta-bound passenger buses near Surab, wounding two people, according to Quetta Voice.
- On 18 and 19 September 2026, militants set up an illegal checkpoint on the N-25 near Kalat for kidnapping and extortion. ISPR said that security forces killed five of them and recovered 23 abducted people (Dawn).
If you have to make the drive:
- Check local news and ask the police or your hotel about the road on the day.
- Travel only in daylight, and leave Quetta early.
- Use a trusted driver or established transport company, and don't stop on the road.
- Carry original CNICs for everyone, plus water, a charged phone and fuel.
- Foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice before anything else.
Our wider Balochistan safety guide has more context.
What is there to see on the way?
Kalat was the seat of the Khans of Kalat and is the most interesting stop, and we cover it in our Kalat guide. The rest of the route is mountain and valley country, and you shouldn't plan on sightseeing stops. Khuzdar itself is a town with a bazaar and little else for visitors. See our places to visit in Khuzdar for what is nearby. Our travel guide covers general planning across Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Quetta from Khuzdar?
About 300 km by road on the N-25, via Mastung, Kalat and Surab.
How long does it take to drive from Quetta to Khuzdar?
Around four to five hours by car in good conditions. Buses take six to seven hours, and checkpoints or closures can add more.
Is there a train from Quetta to Khuzdar?
No. We found no direct train, and the journey is by road.
Can you drive from Quetta to Khuzdar at night?
You shouldn't. Balochistan banned night travel on the N-25 in March 2025 and the order was issued until further notice, so check the current status.
Is the road from Quetta to Khuzdar dangerous?
Yes, both for accidents and for security. Attacks on buses and an illegal militant checkpoint were reported along it in 2026, so travel in daylight and check local advice first.
