Islamabad Road Closures: 7 Best Alternate Routes That Actually Work (Driver Tested 2026)
Quick Answer: If you are stuck due to road closures in Islamabad today, these 7 alternate routes can save you 30-60 minutes. I drive daily in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. I tested each route during the recent April 2026 closures. Here is exactly what works.
📌 In a hurry? Jump to your route:
- Faizabad to Islamabad
- Rawalpindi to Islamabad
- Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi
Table of Contents
| Section | What You Will Find |
|---|---|
| 1. Why Islamabad roads close | Red Zone, VIP movement, protests, containers |
| 2. Best time to travel | Hour-by-hour breakdown |
| 3. Route #1: Faizabad to Islamabad | Margalla Town Underpass trick |
| 4. Route #2: Rawalpindi to Islamabad | 9th Avenue shortcut |
| 5. Route #3: Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi | Korang Road detour |
| 6. Route #4: Koral/Khanna to Islamabad | Park Road bypass |
| 7. Route #5: GT Road long distance | Motorway reroute |
| 8. Route #6: Inside Islamabad to Rawalpindi | Sector-by-sector guide |
| 9. Route #7: CDA service road | Future shortcut |
| 10. Live traffic tips | Helpline, apps, what to keep in car |
| 11. Cost & time comparison table | All routes compared |
| 12. FAQ | Common questions answered |
1. Why Islamabad Roads Get Closed
Understanding why roads close helps you predict where to avoid.
| Reason | Affected Areas | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| VIP Movement | Red Zone, Srinagar Highway, Expressway | 2-6 hours |
| Protests | Faizabad, Aabpara, D-Chowk | 4-12 hours |
| Containers | Key entry points (Faizabad, Koral, Golra) | Until situation clears |
| Construction | Expressway, various sectors | Months |
Current situation (April 2026): For five consecutive days, the twin cities have been under restrictions. The Red Zone is completely sealed. Expressway from Koral to Zero Point is closed. Metro Bus service is suspended. Goods transport has been halted since April 19.
Source: News reports and my own driving experience.
2. Best Time to Travel During Closures
| Time | Traffic Level | Risk of Closure | My Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 AM – 9 AM | High | Low (before VIP movement) | Safe to drive |
| 9 AM – 12 PM | Medium | Medium | Check news first |
| 12 PM – 3 PM | Low | High (VIP often moves) | Avoid if possible |
| 3 PM – 5 PM | High | High | Avoid Expressway |
| 5 PM – 8 PM | Very High | Medium | Stick to alternate routes |
| 8 PM – 7 AM | Low | Low | Safest time to travel |
I learned this schedule after 30+ days of driving through closures. It is not official. It is my observation.
3. Route #1: Faizabad to Islamabad (My Most Used)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are stuck at Faizabad Interchange. You need to reach Islamabad sectors (G-10, F-10, I-8, etc.) |
| Normal time | 10-15 minutes |
| During closure | 35-40 minutes |
| Time saved | 30-45 minutes |
Step-by-step directions:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | From Faizabad, take Murree Road towards Rawalpindi |
| 2 | Go straight from Faizabad Bridge (do not turn) |
| 3 | Look for Margalla Town Underpass on your right |
| 4 | Take the underpass and loop back towards Expressway |
| 5 | You will rejoin Expressway past the blockage |
Official alternate (if my route is also blocked): Traffic from I-8 should use Zero Point → Srinagar Highway → Club Road → Park Road.
How I learned this: A passenger who was a construction worker on the Faizabad Loops project told me the new underpass is designed exactly for this. I tested it. It works.
4. Route #2: Rawalpindi to Islamabad (9th Avenue Shortcut)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are in Rawalpindi Saddar or near Committee Chowk. You need to reach any sector in Islamabad. |
| Normal time | 25 minutes |
| During closure | 30-40 minutes |
| Time saved | 30-50 minutes |
Step-by-step directions:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | From Committee Chowk, take Colonel Sher Khan Road (towards Liaquat Bagh side) |
| 2 | Follow until you hit Faqir Aapi Road |
| 3 | Continue straight. This merges into 9th Avenue |
| 4 | 9th Avenue takes you directly into Islamabad (F-8, G-8 sectors) |
Official confirmation: Alternative access is available via Colonel Sher Khan Road and Faqir Aapi Road or 9th Avenue.
Why this works: Most drivers avoid these smaller roads. They stick to main roads. During closures, main roads are useless. These roads are less known, less crowded.
5. Route #3: Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi (The Long but Moving Route)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are coming from Bhara Kahu, Murree, or the hills. You need to reach Rawalpindi. |
| Normal time | 40 minutes |
| During closure | 50-60 minutes |
| Time saved | 1-2 hours vs sitting on Murree Road |
Step-by-step directions:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | From Bhara Kahu, take Korang Road (not the main Murree Road) |
| 2 | Follow through Bani Gala |
| 3 | Continue to Lehtrar Road |
| 4 | Lehtrar Road will take you to Khanna Pull |
| 5 | From Khanna, you can access GT Road towards Rawalpindi |
Official alternate: Korang Road, Bani Gala, Lehtrar Road, and GT Road.
Warning: This route is longer. But during full closures, it is the only route that moves.
6. Route #4: Koral/Khanna to Islamabad (Park Road Detour)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are at Khanna Pull or Koral. The Expressway is closed towards Islamabad. |
| Normal time | 30 minutes |
| During closure | 40-50 minutes |
| Time saved | 30-60 minutes |
Step-by-step directions:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | From Khanna, take Lehtrar Road towards Tramri |
| 2 | At Captain Naeem Tufail Shaheed Chowk (Tramri), turn towards Park Road |
| 3 | Follow Park Road to Rawal Dam Chowk |
| 4 | From Rawal Dam Chowk, you can access Islamabad sectors |
Official alternate: Traffic from Koral should use Lehtrar Road, Tramri Chowk, Park Road, and Rawal Dam Chowk.
7. Route #5: GT Road Long Distance (Peshawar ↔ Lahore)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are on GT Road, trying to cross between Peshawar and Lahore. The city is closed. |
| Normal time | 1 hour |
| During closure | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Time saved | 2-3 hours vs trying to go through the city |
For Peshawar to Lahore:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Taxila to Motorway |
| 2 | Chakri Interchange |
| 3 | Chak Beli Road |
| 4 | Rawat GT Road |
For Lahore to Peshawar:
| Step | Direction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rawat |
| 2 | Chak Beli Road |
| 3 | Chakri Interchange |
| 4 | Taxila via Motorway |
Why this works: These routes bypass Islamabad completely. You do not enter the city.
8. Route #6: Inside Islamabad to Rawalpindi (Sector by Sector)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You live in Islamabad sectors. You need to reach Rawalpindi. |
| Normal time | 15-25 minutes |
| During closure | 25-35 minutes |
My sector-by-sector cheat sheet:
| Your Sector | Best Route to Rawalpindi |
|---|---|
| F-8, F-7, G-7, G-6 | Margalla Road → 9th Avenue |
| F-9, F-10, F-11 | Golra Mor → Srinagar Highway (if open) OR Margalla Road long way |
| G-9, G-10, G-11 | 9th Avenue directly |
| I-8 | Zero Point → Srinagar Highway → Club Road → Park Road (long but clear) |
| D-12, E-11 | Margalla Road → 9th Avenue (long but moving) |
9. Route #7: CDA Service Road (Future Shortcut – Partial Now)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When to use | You are on Expressway, stuck between Faizabad and Gulberg Greens |
| Status | Under construction. Some sections usable. |
What is being built: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is building a 9-kilometer service road from Faizabad Interchange to Gulberg Greens.
Where it will pass: Soan, Pindorian, Shakrial, Garden Town, Khanna, Kangal, Ghouri Town, and Korral.
10. Live Traffic Tips
Tip #1: Check Metro Bus Status First
If Metro Bus is running, most roads are open. If Metro is suspended, prepare for closures everywhere.
Tip #2: Listen for Containers Being Moved
When you see containers being moved in the morning, roads often open by afternoon. But do not wait. Take a detour immediately.
Tip #3: Avoid the Red Zone Area Completely
The Red Zone (around D-Chowk, Parliament, Presidency, Serena Hotel) is completely sealed during VIP movements. Do not even try.
Tip #4: Keep Emergency Supplies in Your Car
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| 2 bottles of water | Hydration if stuck |
| Phone charger (car charger) | Stay connected |
| Some cash | ATMs may be inaccessible |
| Power bank | Phone dies in traffic |
| Snacks (biscuits) | If stuck for hours |
Tip #5: Use the Official Traffic Helpline
Islamabad Traffic Police Helpline: 1915
Tip #6: Check Google Maps Live Traffic
Open Google Maps → look at traffic layer (green = clear, yellow = slow, red = blocked, dark red = standstill) → if dark red, take one of my alternate routes.
11. Cost & Time Comparison Table
| Route | Normal Time | During Closure | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expressway direct (do not use) | 10-15 min | 2+ hours | – |
| Route 1: Faizabad Escape | 20 min | 35-40 min | 30-45 min |
| Route 2: 9th Avenue | 25 min | 30-40 min | 30-50 min |
| Route 3: Bhara Kahu detour | 40 min | 50-60 min | 1-2 hours |
| Route 4: Park Road detour | 30 min | 40-50 min | 30-60 min |
| Route 5: GT Road reroute | 1 hour | 1 hr 20 min | 2-3 hours |
| Route 6: Sector routes | 15-25 min | 25-35 min | 20-40 min |
12. FAQ
Q: Which road is best during an Islamabad road closure?
A: The 9th Avenue and Park Road routes are the most reliable, as they avoid the main Red Zone and Expressway bottlenecks.
Q: Is the Expressway usable during a closure?
A: Usually no. It is one of the first roads to be sealed. Avoid it and use the alternate routes listed above.
Q: How can I check live traffic in Islamabad right now?
A: Use Google Maps with the traffic layer ON, or call the Islamabad Traffic Police helpline at 1915 for current road status.
Q: Are these routes tested recently?
A: Yes. I tested all routes during the April 2026 closures. I update this article when I find new shortcuts.
Q: What if I get stopped at a checkpoint?
A: Stay calm. Show your NIC or license. Ask politely: “Bhai, koi alternate route bata sakte hain?” Most officers will help you.
What I Learned
A passenger once asked if I could get him to G-10 during a full closure. I used Route #1. Dropped him in 35 minutes. His previous driver had refused.
He said: “Bhai, aap ka number save kar loon?”
I said: “Number nahi. Mera website hai. Wahan sab routes likhay hain.”
This website is my way of sharing what I learn. Because not every driver has tested every road during five days of closures.
But now, you have this guide.
Also Read
If you are a driver in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, you might also find this helpful:
👉 Car AC Stopped Blowing Cold Air? Fix It for 250 PKR (AC Relay Guide) – A passenger showed me how to fix my car AC when a mechanic wanted 8000 rupees.
— Mohsin
Islamabad
P.S. — This article is based on real driving experience during the April 2026 closures. Roads change. Check local updates before driving. But these routes have worked for me every single time.
