How far is it from Nairobi to Lilongwe?

The distance between Nairobi and Lilongwe is 1232 mi by road.

How long does it take to drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe?

The drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe takes approximately 28 h 15 min by car.

What is the best route from Nairobi to Lilongwe?

The fastest route from Nairobi to Lilongwe covers 1232 mi with a driving time of approximately 28 h 15 min.

Which direction is Lilongwe from Nairobi?

Lilongwe lies roughly to the south of Nairobi.

Which roads does the route from Nairobi to Lilongwe follow?

The drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe mainly follows T5, T1, M1. The longest single stretch is 407 mi on T5.

Which towns do you pass between Nairobi and Lilongwe?

Towns on the route from Nairobi to Lilongwe include Arusha, Dodoma, Chimala, Kyela.

Kenya Malawi

Distance: 1232 miDuration: 28 h 15 min

Driving from Nairobi to Lilongwe takes about 28 h 15 min via T5. The distance is 1232 mi. The straight-line distance is 906 mi. EV charging is available along the route, including in Lang'ata. Driving directions

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Driving directions68 · 1232 mi

1 Depart left onto Uhuru Highway 1 mi
2 Enter rotary left onto Uhuru Highway 161 yd
3 Exit rotary left onto Uhuru Highway 1 mi
4 Enter rotary slightly left onto Uhuru Highway 50 yd
5 Exit rotary left onto Uhuru Highway 149 yd
6 Take exit slightly left 1 mi
7 Merge slightly left onto Nairobi Expressway 6 mi
8 Take exit slightly left 1 mi
9 Merge slightly left onto Mombasa Road 10 mi
10 Keep slightly left onto Mombasa Road 1 mi
11 Keep slightly left onto Nairobi-Namanga Road 1 mi
12 Continue straight onto Namanga Road 10 mi
13 Continue straight onto Nairobi-Namanga Road 75 mi

14 Continue straight onto Arusha Road 62 mi
15 Turn right 81 yd
16 Turn straight onto Northwest Arusha Bypass Road 4 mi
17 Enter rotary straight 91 yd
18 Exit rotary straight 105 mi
19 Continue left 4 mi
20 At end of road, turn left 33 mi
21 Turn straight 17 mi
22 Enter roundabout left 42 yd
23 Exit roundabout slightly left 42 yd
24 Turn slightly left 96 mi
25 Enter roundabout straight onto Arusha Road 59 yd
26 Exit roundabout straight onto Arusha Road 1 mi
27 Enter rotary left 48 yd
28 Exit rotary straight 2 mi
29 Enter roundabout straight 27 yd
30 Exit roundabout slightly left 1 mi
31 Enter rotary straight 41 yd
32 Exit rotary straight 146 mi
33 Turn straight 3 mi
34 Enter roundabout left 60 yd
35 Exit roundabout straight 4 mi
36 Keep slightly left onto Dodoma Highway 4 mi
37 Turn left 1 mi
38 Turn right 1 mi
39 Continue straight 1 mi
40 Turn left onto Utalii Road 26 yd
41 Turn right 1 mi
42 Keep slightly left 1 mi
43 At end of road, turn right 1 mi
44 Turn left 172 yd
45 At end of road, turn right 99 mi
46 Keep slightly right 100 mi
47 Continue left 26 mi
48 Turn slightly left 39 mi
49 Continue straight 29 mi
50 Enter roundabout slightly left 43 yd
51 Exit roundabout slightly left 138 mi
52 Enter roundabout slightly left 46 yd
53 Exit roundabout slightly left 218 mi
54 Enter roundabout slightly left onto Kamuzu Procession Road 44 yd
55 Exit roundabout straight onto Kamuzu Procession Road 2 mi
56 Enter rotary straight 128 yd
57 Exit rotary slightly left 2 mi
58 Enter roundabout straight onto Lilongwe Bypass 8 yd
59 Exit roundabout straight onto Lilongwe Bypass 3 mi
60 Enter roundabout slightly left 107 yd
61 Exit roundabout straight 1 mi
62 Turn left 1 mi
63 Turn right 1 mi
64 Turn slightly right 1 mi
65 Keep slightly right 1 mi
66 Turn left 1 mi
67 Turn right 16 yd
68 Arrive right

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The return trip from Lilongwe to Nairobi covers roughly the same distance, 1232 mi.

Driving directions from Kenya to Malawi
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Along the way

Top attractions along the route

No notable attractions were found along this route.

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Sources

Distance and drive time are computed from OpenStreetMap road data with the OSRM routing engine. Updated 4 September 2026.

Overview

Questions and answers

How far is it from Nairobi to Lilongwe?: The distance between Nairobi and Lilongwe is 1232 mi by road.
How long does it take to drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe?: The drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe takes approximately 28 h 15 min by car.
What is the best route from Nairobi to Lilongwe?: The fastest route from Nairobi to Lilongwe covers 1232 mi with a driving time of approximately 28 h 15 min.
Which direction is Lilongwe from Nairobi?: Lilongwe lies roughly to the south of Nairobi.
Which roads does the route from Nairobi to Lilongwe follow?: The drive from Nairobi to Lilongwe mainly follows T5, T1, M1. The longest single stretch is 407 mi on T5.
Which towns do you pass between Nairobi and Lilongwe?: Towns on the route from Nairobi to Lilongwe include Arusha, Dodoma, Chimala, Kyela.

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