The east-west route traverses the heart of the country, playing a role in facilitating travel, trade, and commerce between the region's interior and the lake's coastal areas.

[1] The M18 road embarks from the quaint town of Kasungu, where it intersects with the M1, and unfolds as a paved thoroughfare that winds its way eastward across the rolling savannah highlands, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,100 meters.

The journey then takes a dramatic turn, entering a lush, densely forested nature reserve, where the road gently descends toward the majestic Lake Malawi.

Notably, this segment of the route transitions to a dirt road, but as it emerges from the nature park, the M18 reverts to a paved surface, ultimately leading to the charming regional town of Nkhotakota, nestled on the shores of Lake Malawi and intersecting with the M5.

Beyond the reserve, the road was upgraded with a paved surface in the late 2000s, ensuring a smoother journey toward the eastern reaches of the route.