[1][2] The M7 begins in the commercial city centre of Kitwe, at a roundabout junction with the T3 road (Independence Avenue) from Chingola in the north-west and Ndola in the south-east.

From the M18 junction, the M7 goes westwards for another 6 kilometres, meeting the southern terminus of the M16 road (which connects north to Chambishi), to end in Kalulushi Central.

From Kalulushi, the M18 goes westwards for 245 kilometres, through the rural town of Lufwanyama, crossing into the North-Western Province, to reach its western terminus at a junction with the M8 road in the settlement named Kawana in Kasempa District (60 kilometres north of Kasempa), with the M8 providing access to the towns of Kasempa and Kabompo in the south (& Solwezi in the north).

[1][2] In order for heavy vehicles coming from Ndola and Lusaka (using the T3 road) to avoid the Kitwe city centre and Kitwe's northern suburbs (which are busy commercial areas) on the way to DR Congo via Chingola, some trucks are advised to use the M7 road from Kitwe to Kalulushi, then the M16 road from Kalulushi to Chambishi, as an alternative route.

[3] Just before Chambishi, heavy vehicles rejoin the main road (T3) and proceed to Chingola.