Know the route NH01
Mahendra Highway
East–West Highway
Nepal’s east–west road connection, from Kakarbhitta to Gaddachauki. Use this guide to understand the corridor before choosing the section you want to travel.
- Highway number
- NH01
- DoR listed length (2021)
- 1,028 km
Route reference: DoR national-highway list (2021)
Understanding this route
The full highway is a corridor across the country, so the distance for your journey depends on where you join and leave it. The places below are selected reference points, not every settlement or junction.
Provinces and districts
Districts along this guide’s designated route, grouped by province.
6 provinces 22 districts
- Koshi:
- Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari
- Madhesh:
- Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara
- Bagmati:
- Makwanpur, Chitwan
- Gandaki:
- Nawalpur (Nawalparasi East)
- Lumbini:
- Nawalparasi West, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Arghakhanchi, Banke, Bardiya
- Sudurpashchim:
- Kailali, Kanchanpur
Coverage sources
Compiled from DoR road-section records and SSRN district tables, including the 2020/21 network. Current province names are used. Designated corridor sections are included; nearby sightseeing detours are separate. This list does not indicate current road access.
DoR road-section registerDoR district tables:
Places along the route
Selected places in route order. Spacing does not represent distance.
- Kakarbhitta
- Narayanghat
- Butwal
- Kohalpur
- Attariya
- Gaddachauki
Find the highway, then choose your own start and destination.
Cities and places to explore
A few stops for your journey, with nearby detours marked separately.
- Off the highway
Sauraha, Chitwan
Sauraha is a riverside base for exploring Chitwan’s nature and Tharu culture. It sits away from the East–West Highway, so plan it as a separate stop.
Leave the highway at Tandi (Ratnanagar) for the local road to Sauraha.
Explore this place - Off the highway
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, centres on the Sacred Garden. Set aside time to explore its archaeological and religious heritage on foot.
From Butwal, travel towards Bhairahawa and then take the Lumbini road. The site is off the East–West Highway.
Explore this place
Plan your journey
- Choose your daily start and end points before comparing map estimates for a long east–west trip.
- Plan fuel or charging stops for your chosen section and confirm opening hours with the operator.
Check current road notices before travelling. Check DoR road notices.
For more background, DoR’s Mahendranagar office identifies Kakarbhitta and Gaddachauki as the ends of the East–West Highway.
Explore another highway
- NH47
Siddhartha Highway
Belahiya / Bhairahawa to Pokhara
The Belahiya–Pokhara corridor via Bhairahawa, Butwal, Bartung, Ramdi and Syangja, listed as NH47. Its southern and northern sections connect different parts of a longer journey.
Explore the route - NH41
Tribhuvan Highway
Kathmandu to Sirsiya, Birgunj
A route linking Kathmandu with the Hetauda and Birgunj side through Naubise, Palung and Bhaise. The national register identifies its designated sections as NH41.
Explore the route - NH02
Mechi Highway
Kechana to Olangchungola
An eastern Nepal corridor through Charali, Ilam, Phidim and Taplejung. The DoR register defines the longer NH02 alignment from Kechana towards Olangchungola.
Explore the route
Useful for the journey
Updated:
About the route information
Routes, numbers and listed lengths come from the Department of Roads’ March 2021 newsletter, which records the approved national-highway network. These are reference figures for designated routes, including corridor extensions. Actual journey distances and vehicle access can differ. Map results are provided by Google; this guide does not report live traffic, opening status or travel times.