Getting around Chad is an adventure in itself, and not always a pleasant one. There is no railway. Domestic flights exist in theory but are irregular and unreliable since the suspension of Air Tchad; a few small charter companies fly between N'Djamena, Moundou, Abeche, and Zakouma, but schedules change without notice and cancellations are routine.
That leaves the roads, and Chad has very few good ones. Of the country's roughly 44,000 km of roads, only about 260 km are paved. The main paved highway runs south from N'Djamena toward Moundou and Sarh. Everything else is dirt, sand, or something in between. During the rainy season (June to October), many southern and eastern routes become impassable.
For travel within N'Djamena, shared taxis and motorcycle taxis (clandos) are the standard. They are cheap and reasonably easy to find. Between cities, bush taxis (shared minibuses and Land Cruisers) run the major routes. They leave when full, not on schedule, and the vehicles are generally in poor condition. The route from N'Djamena to Abeche, roughly 750 km, takes at least a full day under good conditions.
If you are heading into the desert north, the Ennedi, Tibesti, or Ounianga, you need a well-equipped 4x4 with a driver-guide and full expedition supplies: fuel, water, food, spare tires, and a satellite phone. There are no fuel stations in the deep Sahara. This is not optional; it is a survival requirement. Most travelers arrange vehicles through tour operators in N'Djamena or book organized expeditions.
Travel permits (autorisation de circuler) are required for movement outside N'Djamena and should be arranged in the capital before departure. Police and military checkpoints are frequent throughout the country. Keep your documents accessible and be patient. If you are heading to the northern provinces or border regions, additional permissions may be needed, and some areas are simply off-limits.
Driving at night is strongly discouraged everywhere in Chad, due to the risk of banditry and the condition of the roads. Travel in convoy when possible, especially on remote routes.