Dominica
2.3 Dominica Road Network

Dominica Road Map

Dominica has 1,512 kilometres of roadways, 762 kilometres of these roadways are paved. Dominicans drive on the left. Roads run primarily along the coastline and along river valleys. Major roads are two-lane highways which connect the capital, Roseau, with Portsmouth (Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway) and the Douglas-Charles Airport (Dr. Nicholas Liverpool Highway). Private minibuses form the major public transport system.

Roads on Dominica are known to be treacherous, with very steep terrain, narrow and winding with multiple blind curves. Some roads may be lined with steep embankments, and many are without protective siding to prevent cars from sliding off. Rain is heavy in Dominica, particularly on the island's interior during the wetter summer months, and road conditions can deteriorate quickly under the assault of heavy rains.

Many roads may be paved, though roads in remote, rural, and other areas that are not in good repair can be quite damaged. Road signs may be non-existent outside of major areas, and most roads are not lit in the evenings. It is recommended to avoid driving at night, and exercise caution in order to avoid pedestrians and other aggressive drivers who may throw caution to the wind while on the road.

The indicated sections of road have shown to be particularly susceptible to flooding and landslides.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List  

Distance Matrix

Given Dominica’s topography, it has a limited road network, and this makes travel to the island's airport and seaports time-consuming.

 

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km)

 

Roseau

Ports-

mouth

Soufriere

Marigot

La Plaine

Grandbay

Roseau

 

44

14

44

40

18

Portsmouth

44

 

55

35

64

58

Soufriere

14

55

 

56

50

20

Marigot

44

35

56

 

50

58

La Plaine

40

64

50

50

 

57

Grandbay

18

58

20

58

57

 

 

Travel Time Matrix

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (hours’ minutes”)

 

Roseau

Ports-

mouth

Soufriere

Marigot

La Plaine

Grandbay

Roseau

 

1’10”

35”

1’15”

1’10”

40”

Portsmouth

1’10”

 

1’30”

58”

1’40”

1’30”

Soufriere

35”

1’30”

 

1’40”

1’45”

40”

Marigot

1’15”

58”

1’40”

 

1’30”

1’40”

La Plaine

1’10”

1’40”

1’45”

1’30”

 

1’50”

Grandbay

40”

1’30”

40”

1’40”

1’50”

 

Road Security 

Traffic laws, such as speed limits and seat belt requirements, are not typically enforced, and drivers should exercise extreme caution while on the road because of this. Visitors can obtain a Driving Permit which costs US$12 and is available in car rental companies and are also available at Traffic & Licensing Department on High Street in Roseau. For more information see the following attached: 

 

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits 

Most of Dominica bridges are old and not in good repair, in hurricane seasons can be damaged. Please see attached Access Constraints Maps from after Hurricane Maria hit the island in September 2017. 

 

 

Jump to top