Car hire and driving in Lira
Driving distances to the cities around, the rules that change at the border, and where to compare rental prices.
In Uganda traffic drives on the left. Picking up at ULU means 93 km (58 mi) into the centre before the trip starts. The emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3086706 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q533806.
Drives from Lira
| Route | Country | Distance | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lira to Gulu | Uganda | 89 km (55 mi) | about 1 h 21 min |
| Lira to Masindi | Uganda | 146 km (91 mi) | about 2 h 14 min |
| Lira to Mbale | Uganda | 192 km (119 mi) | about 2 h 56 min |
| Lira to Hoima | Uganda | 194 km (121 mi) | about 2 h 58 min |
| Lira to Njeru | Uganda | 203 km (126 mi) | about 3 h 6 min |
| Lira to Kasangati | Uganda | 204 km (127 mi) | about 3 h 7 min |
| Lira to Kira | Uganda | 208 km (129 mi) | about 3 h 10 min |
| Lira to Lugazi | Uganda | 209 km (130 mi) | about 3 h 12 min |
| Lira to Mukono | Uganda | 212 km (131 mi) | about 3 h 14 min |
| Lira to Nansana | Uganda | 214 km (133 mi) | about 3 h 16 min |
| Lira to Kampala | Uganda | 218 km (135 mi) | about 3 h 19 min |
| Lira to Kyengera | Uganda | 222 km (138 mi) | about 3 h 23 min |
| Lira to Bunamwaya | Uganda | 225 km (140 mi) | about 3 h 26 min |
| Lira to Mbarara | Uganda | 404 km (251 mi) | about 6 h 10 min |
Distances are straight-line; road and rail routes run about 15–25% longer. Times are estimates from distance and typical speeds, not timetables.
Where to compare car hire
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Common questions
Which side of the road do they drive on in Lira?
The left, as everywhere in Uganda.
How are the journey times on this page worked out?
From straight-line distance and typical speeds for each mode, so they are estimates for planning, not timetables. Road and rail routes run 15–25% longer than the straight line.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.