Tozeur / Kébili · Tunisia
Chott el Djerid Causeway
P16Tozeur to Kébili
The P16 causeway crosses the Chott el Djerid, Africa’s largest salt lake, on a ruler-straight road through a shimmering alien landscape of white salt crusts, rainbow mineral deposits and heat mirages.
From Tozeur the P16 heads southeast across the causeway spanning the 5,000 square kilometre salt pan, for 80 km entirely flat and dead-straight, the surface shifting white to gold to terracotta with the light, roadside stalls selling desert roses. The far shore emerges at Kébili, gateway to the dunes of Douz. Best at dawn or dusk.
Chott el Djerid Causeway on the map57.8 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 55Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%13.1 – 74.9 mPoints of interest1 stop
- Bab Sidi MechentelLandmark0.8 mi in
Hazards
- Extreme summer heat exceeding 45 C, carry water and fuel
- Mirages can be disorienting on the long straight crossing
- Road edges may flood during rare winter rains
- No services or fuel along the causeway
Sources
“Driving across the main road, it's impossible not to stop and admire the rainbow-colored salt deposits. The landscape changes a dozen times in just a few minutes.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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