It begins by leaving the town in a north-westerly direction and it proceeds northwards, through the villages of Kanchibiya District (Kabuko, Katumba, Kasongo and Mpepo), to cross the Chambeshi River at the Chambeshi Bridge and enter the Northern Province.

Just before the Chambeshi Bridge, the M1 meets a road going eastwards providing access to the city of Chinsali (Capital of Muchinga Province).

The M1 continues northwards for 165 kilometres, through the Kateshi Toll Plaza,[3] through Nseluka and Senga Hill, to the town of Mbala.

The M1 turns to the north-east and heads for 26 kilometres to end at a border with Tanzania, where it becomes the T20 road to Sumbawanga in the Rukwa Region.

This is because the continuation of the T2 from Lusaka, passed Mpika, through Nakonde into Tanzania provides easier access to important towns in Tanzania, including Arusha and the Dar es Salaam sea port for trade.