Afghanistan Ring Road

History

Part of National Highway 1 has been refurbished in late 2003, particularly the Kabul–Kandahar Highway. The repair project was funded by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Japan. In addition to Afghans, several foreign workers from Turkey and India were involved in the project. Japanese also assisted with the project near the southern Afghan province of Kandahar. About two decades later, the Kabul–Kandahar Highway was completely worn out. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with its own funds recently rebuilt the highway.

Sections

Kabul to Kandahar

Main article: Kabul–Kandahar Highway

The Kabul–Kandahar Highway (NH0101) is a 483 km section of National Highway 01 linking two of Afghanistan's largest cities, Kabul and Kandahar. This highway is a key portion of the Ring Road. Approximately 35 percent of Afghanistan's population lives within 50 km of the Kabul to Kandahar portion of the Ring Road.

The Kabul–Kandahar highway underwent some repairs. Phase one of paving was completed in December 2003 and the highway was opened to traffic. However, the road has badly deteriorated since that time. It was recently rebuilt by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Kandahar to Herat

Main article: Kandahar–Herat Highway

National Highway 01 between Kandahar and Herat consists of two sections, NH0101, between Kandahar and Delaram, and NH0102, between Delaram and Herat.

Herat to Badghis

Latest repair work on the Herat–Badghis Road was completed in December 2025.

Kabul to Jalalabad

Main article: Kabul–Jalalabad Road

National Highway 8 (NH08) runs from Jalalabad to Kabul, following the Tang-e Gharu gorge, parallel to the Kabul River, for 64 km. The two-lane Kabul Gorge highway runs along 600 m cliffs. Fatal traffic accidents occur in this area, mainly due to reckless driving.

Notes

References

1. "Application of Road Numbering System National Highway", [http://mopw.gov.af/Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf] {{Webarchive. link. (7 May 2017 ''The Ministry of Public Works'' (16 October 2015))
2. (22 February 2003). "Japan's support for Afghanistan 22 Feb 2003". ReliefWeb.
3. (12 October 2021). "Drivers ask govt to repair Kabul-Kandahar highway". Pajhwok Afghan News.
4. (7 September 2020). "'All Afghan Highways Need Major Repair': Officials". TOLOnews.
5. (15 June 2023). "Reconstruction of 27 kms of Kabul-Kandahar highway gets underway". Ariana News.
6. (27 July 2025). "MoPW: 200+ Projects Implemented in Past Year". TOLOnews.
7. (14 December 2003). "USAID Afghanistan fact sheet: Phase I - Kabul-Kandahar highway". ReliefWeb.
8. Goldstein, Joseph. (24 March 2015). "Attack by Gunmen on Afghan Highway Unnerves Travelers". New York Times.
9. (28 September 2025). "Kabul-Kandahar highway expansion work begins in Ghazni". Pajhwok Afghan News.
10. {{YouTube. HpVILHhZCAc. تغییرات مهم این روزها در شاهراه کابل-قندهار / نصب لوحه های رهنمایی/ دو سرکه شدن در قسمت کوتل روضه
11. (12 December 2025). "Strategic part of Afghanistan’s Ring Road completed: MoPW". Pajhwok Afghan News.
12. (2010-02-08). "On Afghan Road, Scenes of Beauty and Death (Published 2010)".