How to Transport a Car Between Cities in Pakistan

The simplest way to move a car between cities in Pakistan is to book a door-to-door flatbed transport. The truck collects the car from your address, carries it on the motorway or highway, and delivers it to the destination you choose. Short routes such as Islamabad to Lahore are often done the same day; long routes such as Islamabad to Karachi usually take two to three days.

This guide covers when transport makes sense, how to prepare, what documents you need and what to check when the car arrives.

When transport makes more sense than driving

• You are relocating for work or study and would rather fly or take the train.
• You have bought a car in another city, from a dealer or a private seller.
• The car does not run, or you do not trust it on a long trip.
• You want to avoid putting hundreds of kilometres on a new or valuable car.
• The route is hard on cars, such as the N-25 to Quetta, the N-70 over Fort Munro or the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit.
• You are sending a car to a family member who cannot collect it in person.

Choosing a transport option

A dedicated flatbed carries only your car, door to door. It is the most direct option and usually the quickest, because the truck goes straight from pickup to delivery. Some companies also use multi-car carriers, which move several cars together. These can work well on busy routes but may involve waiting for other cars to be collected, and sometimes transferring cars between trucks.

Ask any company you speak to which type of truck will carry your car, whether it stays on the same truck for the whole journey, and whether the quote is fixed.

How long it takes

Timing depends on distance, the route and conditions. Motorway routes such as the M-2 between Islamabad and Lahore or the M-9 between Karachi and Hyderabad are quick. Long routes using the M-4 and M-5 between Punjab and Sindh take longer, and mountain routes can be slowed by landslides, snow or road works. Winter fog on the Punjab motorways can also cause temporary closures.

We give a realistic door-to-door estimate when you book and keep you updated during the trip, including a delivery window as the truck gets close.

Documents to have ready

• The vehicle's registration book or smart card, or a copy.
• A copy of the owner's CNIC.
• If the person handing over or receiving the car is not the owner, their name, CNIC copy and phone number.
• For a newly purchased car, the sale or transfer documents and the seller's or dealer's contact.

Police and Motorway Police can check vehicle papers on the road, so having the right documents with the car avoids delays.

How to prepare the car

• Wash the car so existing scratches and dents are easy to see, and take clear photos from every side.
• Remove valuables, documents you do not want to send, and loose items that could move around.
• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. CNG cylinders should be closed at the valve.
• Fold in mirrors and remove or secure any loose accessories, such as roof racks or spoilers.
• If the car does not run, tell the company so they bring a winch. Tell them too if the steering is locked or a wheel does not turn.
• Hand over a spare key if possible, and keep the other.

At pickup

The driver should inspect the car with you and note its condition, including any existing damage. Check that the record matches what you see. Watch the car being loaded and make sure it is secured with wheel straps rather than hooks on the body.

At delivery

Inspect the car before you sign for it, ideally in daylight. Compare it with your photos and the pickup record. Check the bodywork, wheels and underside, and start the car if it runs. If you notice anything new, point it out to the driver and photograph it before signing.

What affects the quote

Distance, the car's size and weight, whether it runs, the route and tolls all affect the price. We confirm a fixed quote before dispatch, so the price you agree is the price you pay unless the details you gave were different from the car we collect.

To book, send us the pickup and delivery addresses, the car's make and model, whether it runs, and your preferred collection date.