Nairobi to Naivasha and Nakuru: Roadworks Update

The project

The A8 highway (many people still call it the A104) runs north-west from Nairobi through Limuru, down the Rift Valley escarpment, past Naivasha and on to Nakuru, Mau Summit and western Kenya. It is one of the busiest roads in the country, carrying holiday traffic, trucks to Uganda and buses upcountry. The section between Rironi and Mau Summit is being widened into a dual carriageway. Work started in late 2025 and is due to finish in June 2027.

What to expect on the road

• Diversions and single-lane sections where the works are active.
• Slow traffic behind trucks on the escarpment and the climbs.
• Flagmen, temporary signs and changed junctions. Follow them, even if your phone's map says otherwise.
• Dust in the dry season and mud at the edges in the rains.
• Delays that change from week to week as work moves along the road.

Drive times

These are typical times in normal traffic, and they vary with the works, the weather and the day:

• Nairobi to Naivasha town: about 90 to 100 kilometres (55 to 60 miles), usually 2 to 2.5 hours, longer while the roadworks continue.
• Nairobi to Nakuru: about 2.5 to 3 hours, plus extra for the roadworks.
• Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and the days before and after public holidays are the slowest. December is the busiest month of all.

Tips for the drive

• Leave early in the morning, before the trucks and the weekend traffic.
• Fill up before you leave Nairobi or in Naivasha; queues at fuel stations near the works can be long.
• Take water and snacks: a hold-up can last longer than you expect.
• Keep left, keep your distance from trucks, and overtake only where you can see the road ahead is clear.
• Do not drive the escarpment at night if you can avoid it.
• Check Google Maps or Waze before you leave, and again in Limuru.

The old Naivasha road

Some drivers use the old Naivasha road (the B3, via Mai Mahiu) as an alternative to the escarpment section of the highway. It is tarmac, but it is narrower, busy with trucks, and has steep sections. Ask us before you set off which route we suggest that week.

Which car to take

The highway is tarmac all the way, so any of our cars can make the trip with our approval. Tell us your route when you book.

• A couple or small family: the Toyota Harrier or Mazda CX-5, comfortable and economical.
• A family of six or seven: the Mazda CX-8, or the Toyota Prado for more ground clearance on rough diversions.
• Would rather not drive the works at all? Add a chauffeur: KES 5,000 a day outside Nairobi, plus your driver's food and overnight accommodation.

Going further

Heading on to Lake Nakuru National Park or the Maasai Mara? Our road trips from Nairobi guide covers the routes, park tickets and the right car. Coming home for the holidays? Read December car hire in Kenya, and how to book when you are ready.

Stops on the way

The drive breaks up well. The viewpoints at the top of the escarpment look out over the Rift Valley, with Mount Longonot on the far side; pull fully off the road and keep valuables in the car. Naivasha town has fuel, shops and places to eat, and many hotels around the lake serve lunch to non-residents. On the way to Nakuru, Gilgil is the usual stop. With children, plan a break every hour and a half or so: a two-and-a-half-hour drive can easily become four with the roadworks and a lunch stop.

How we keep this page up to date

Our team drives this road often, delivering cars and driving clients upcountry. Each month we check the road and update the date at the top of this page, with a short note when something has changed, such as a new diversion or a section that has opened. If you have driven it recently and found something we should mention, tell us on WhatsApp.

If something goes wrong

Call or WhatsApp our 24/7 line. If the car breaks down on the way, we arrange a replacement car. Every car we rent has GPS tracking, so we can see where you are.