North South Expressway Northern Route E1 (3 May, 2009)

The
North-South Expressway Northern Route (E1) is an expressway that bears north out of
Kuala Lumpur to the border with Thailand.
The expressway uses the highway code
E1, which is also used by the
New Klang Valley Expressway. The first interchange on the North-South Expressway North Route is the
Bukit Lanjan Interchange (Exit 108). This is where it joins the New Klang Valley Expressway. At this interchange, take the left exit ramp to reach the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza and onwards to Kuala Lumpur city centre or to Kuantan; take the right exit ramp continue along the New Klang Valley Expressway, which continues to
Shah Alam, where it links to the
ELITE Highway for onward journey to Johor Bahru.
All the interchanges on the North-South Expressway Northern Route have 3 digits starting with a 1, to denote an exit on the E1 expressway. Distances are measured from north to south, beginning with kilometer-1 at the
Bukit Kayu Hitam Toll Plaza.
On this page, I try to provide you all the details I have assembled about the interchanges and rest stops along this high, so that you have a good idea of your whereabouts whenever you use the expressway. You will have a better idea how far you have travelled, and where the next rest stop will be.
Driving from end to end
If you are heading from past Kuala Lumpur towards destinations in the south, you need to continue on the
Elite Highway (E6) and then onwards to the
North South Expressway Southern Route (E2).
Exit 108, Bukit Lanjan Interchange (3 May, 2009)
Exit 108: Bukit Lanjan Interchange 
The
Bukit Lanjan Interchange is a three-way interchange. The west route is the start of the North-South Expressway Northern Route. The east route leads to the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza, and onwards to Kuala Lumpur city centre. The south route leads to the
New Klang Valley Expressway.
Exit 113: Sungai Buloh Interchange (3 May, 2009)
Exit 113: Sungai Buloh Interchange 
The
Sungai Buloh Interchange is 459 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. It exits to Route 54. This leads east to the Middle Ring Road II (which is also formerly known as Jalan Kuala Selangor) and to
Kepong, and west to
Sungai Buloh and
Kuala Selangor.
Sungai Buloh Rest Stop
Rest stop on both sides of the expressway.
Sungai Buloh Overhead Bridge Restaurant
The Sungai Buloh Rest Stop is unique in that it is built over the North South Expressway. Among the outlets you have here include A & W, Burger King, Baskin Robbins and Tasty Noodles. There is also an Esso petrol station on each side of the expressway, with a 7-Eleven each.
Exit 114: Sungai Buloh North Interchange 
The
Sungai Buluh (North) Interchange is 456 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. It also exits to Route 54. You can reach the Sungai Buloh Hospital and
Kepong from here.
Sungai Buloh Layby
This is a small resting place only on the south-bound side of the expressway.
Exit 115: Rawang South Interchange 
The
Rawang South Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 447 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange was built to provide access to the
Guthrie Corridor Expressway (E35). You can reach
Shah Alam and
Klang from here.
Exit 116, Rawang Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 116: Rawang Interchange 
The
Rawang Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 444 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange connects the North-South Expressway to Jalan Batu Arang, which is also Selangor State Route B27. You exit here to go to
Rawang and
Batang Berjuntai.
Rawang Rest Area / Layby
The Rawang Rest Area is located after the Rawang Interchange on the northbound side. On the southbound side, there is only a layby.
Exit 118, Bukit Beruntung Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 118: Bukit Beruntung Interchange 
The
Bukit Beruntung Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 428 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange connects the North-South Expressway to Selangor State Route B112 to Bukit Beruntung, then onwards on Federal Route 1 to
Serendah and
Batang Kali. If you're coming from the north, this is an early exit to go to
Genting Highlands, though I prefer taking to more southerly exit such as Exit 116.
Exit 118, Bukit Beruntung Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 119: Bukit Tagar Interchange 
The
Bukit Tagar Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 419 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is a fairly new interchange constructed to link it to the Bukit Tagar Highway (Federal Route 228) which was completed in 2006. This interchange is an alternative exit to reach
Batang Berjuntai, especially if you are coming from the north.
Exit 120, Lembah Beringin Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 120: Lembah Beringin Interchange 
The
Lembah Beringin Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 411 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. It connects to Bandar Baru Lembah Beringin in northern Selangor.
Exit 121: Tanjung Malim Interchange 
The
Tanjung Malim Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 401 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the last interchange in northern Selangor before the border with Perak. The town of
Tanjung Malim is immediate across the border in Perak. You exit the expressway here to go to
Proton City,
Kuala Kubu Bharu and
Fraser's Hill.
Tanjung Malim Layby / Ulu Bernam Rest & Service Area
The Tanjung Malim Layby is located after the Tanjung Malim Interchange on the northbound side while the Ulu Bernam Rest & Service Area is located before the Tanjung Malim Interchange on the southbound side.
Exit 124, Behrang Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 124: Behrang Interchange 
The
Behrang Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 388 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the first interchange in Perak for northbound traffic. You can also use this interchange to go to
Behrang,
Proton City,
Tanjung Malim in Perak, and
Sabak Bernam in Selangor.
Behrang Laybys
The Behrang Laybys are located on both the north- and southbound sides of the expressway.
Exit 126, Slim River Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 126: Slim River Interchange 
The
Slim River Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 373 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. You can exit here to reach Federal Route 1, from where you turn left (southwards) to go to
Slim River, and turn right (northwards) to go to
Trolak.
Exit 128, Sungkai Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 128: Sungkai Interchange 
The
Sungkai Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 354 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. As with the previous interchange, you exit here to Federal Route 1, from where you turn left (southwards) to go to
Trolak, and turn right (northwards) to go to
Sungkai.
Ladang Bikam Laybys
The Ladang Bikam Laybys are located on both the north- and southbound sides of the expressway.
Exit 130, Bidor Interchange (3 May, 2009)
Exit 130: Bidor Interchange 
The
Bidor Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 340 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. You exit the expressway here to Federal Route 1. The nearest town is
Bidor, but you can go all the way to Teluk Intan from here on Federal Route 58.
Tapah Rest Area (3 May 2009)
Tapah Rest & Service Area
The rest area at
Tapah is one of the major rest stops along the North-South Expressway. It is located on both sides of the expressway. There are food stalls including Dunkin Donuts here. You can also draw money from the ATMs at this stop. There are many stalls selling fruits.
Exit 132, Tapah Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 132: Tapah Interchange 
The
Tapah Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 327 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. You exit the expressway here to Federal Route 59. Turning right takes you to
Tapah town while turning left takes you to
Cameron Highlands. If you wish to go to Kampar, take Route 59 in the direction to
Tapah. When it meets Federal Route 1, turn right and continue past Tapah town, and you will eventually reach
Kampar.
If you are heading north, watch out for view of
Lata Kinjang after this interchange.
Gunung Tempurung Laybys
The Gunung Tempurung Laybys are located on both the north- and southbound sides of the expressway between
Tapah and
Gopeng.
If you are heading south, watch out for view of
Lata Kinjang after this layby.
Exit 135, Gopeng Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 135: Gopeng Interchange 
The
Gopeng Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 297 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. As usual, the exit links directly to Federal Route 1. Turning right takes you to
Gopeng while turning left takes you to
Jeram. The next big town in the area is
Batu Gajah. To reach it, take Federal Route 1 north, past Gopeng, and continue until left junction at State Route A8. Also known as Jalan Gopeng, the A8 goes straight to Batu Gajah.
Simpang Pulai Laybys
The Simpang Pulai Laybys are located on both the north- and southbound sides of the expressway between
Simpang Pulai and
Gopeng.
Exit 137, Simpang Pulai Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 137: Simpang Pulai Interchange 
The
Simpang Pulai Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 297 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This exit also links directly to the junction with Federal Route 1. A left turn here takes you to
Gopeng. Turning right takes you to the Simpang Pulai Junction, where Federal Route 1 intersects with Perak State Route A181. Another right turn here takes you to
Cameron Highlands. Going straight along Route 1 takes you to Ipoh, while turning left takes you to
Batu Gajah.
Ipoh South Toll Plaza (3 May 2009)
Exit 138: Ipoh South Toll Plaza 
The
Ipoh South Toll Plaza is where you leave the expressway for Ipoh and towns in its environ. The road forks into two just before the toll plaza. If you are going to Ipoh, make sure you take the fork towards the toll plaza. Otherwise you will entirely bypass Ipoh. After paying your toll, you need to continue on the service road (a local road) beside the main expressway until you reach Exit 139, the actual exit that connects to Ipoh South Interchange.
Exit 139, Ipoh South Interchange (3 May 2009)
Exit 139: Ipoh South Interchange 
The
Ipoh South Interchange is a trumpet interchange, located 275 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the main interchange for traffic entering the city of
Ipoh. The access road from this interchange links it to Federal Route 1, here known as Jalan Tasek. Turning left takes you south along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah to the Ipoh city centre. Before reaching the city, a left turn at Jalan Tambun takes you to
Tambun,
Ulu Kinta,
Tanjung Rambutan and
Sungai Siput.
Exit 140: Ipoh North Interchange 
The
Ipoh North Interchange is a cloverleaf interchange located 271 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is where you exit the North-South Expressway to enter the service road to reach
Ipoh. You should also exit here to reach
Chemor and
Sungai Siput, while heading south takes you to
Ipoh city centre.
Exit 141: Meru Raya Interchange 
The
Meru Raya Interchange is a parclo interchange located 267 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange replaces the old Jelapang Interchange. It also involved demolishing the Jelapang Toll Plaza. You can only reach this interchange by taking the service road parallel to the expressway. The interchange takes you to
Menglembu,
Tronoh,
Bandar Seri Iskandar,
Bota,
Ayer Tawar,
Sitiawan,
Lumut and
Pangkor Island.
Ipoh Vista Point (northbound)
On the approach to the Menora Tunnel, there is a layby vista point for you to stopover to admire the scenic view of the soaring karst mounts.
Menora Tunnel (28 Dec 2006)
Sungai Perak Rest Stop (14 November 2009)
Sungai Perak Rest Area
The Sungai Perak Rest & Service Area is located on both sides of the expressway. There are many fruit stalls here selling local produce.
Jambatan Sultan Azlan Shah (14 November 2009)
Exit 143: Kuala Kangsar Interchange 
The
Kuala Kangsar Interchange is a half-diamond interchange located 241 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange connects to Route 76, the Federal road linking
Kuala Kangsar to
Baling. If you take Route 76, you will pass through
Lenggong,
Gerik and
Pengkalan Hulu. To reach Kuala Kangsar, turn right at the flyover junction - follow the signage.
Upon reaching the Kuala Kangsar town roundabout, you can turn south on Route A3 to go to
Jerlun and
Manong.
Bukit Gantang Layby (14 November, 2009)
Bukit Gantang Laybys
The Bukit Gantang Laybys are another place for motorists to stop for a rest or take a nap. The laybys are on both sides of the expressway.
Exit 147: Changkat Jering Interchange 
The
Changkat Jering Interchange is an interchange located 221 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This interchange is located near the village of
Changkat Jering, to the south of Taiping. You will come out of the expressway to Route 60. If you turn left, you can go to Changkat Jering,
Simpang,
Matang and
Taiping. If you turn right, you will reach
Terung.
Taiping Laybys
The Taiping Laybys are located on both sides of the expressway, before reaching the Taiping North Interchange.
Exit 148: Taiping North Interchange (14 November 2009)
Exit 148: Taiping (North) Interchange 
The
Taiping North Interchange is an interchange located 206 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. The exit leads to Jalan Kamunting Lama, with the first crossroad being that with the Federal Route 1. Continuing straight ahead takes you to the town of
Kamunting and then onwards to
Taiping, reaching the
Taiping Lake Gardens on the way.
From Kamunting, you can also continue north on Federal Route 7 to the Perak hinterland, to towns like
Batu Kurau and
Selama. To go there, be sure to turn left at the junction after the Kamunting Mosque.
Gunung Semanggol Rest Area
The Gunung Semanggol Rest & Service Area is located on both sides of the expressway. Motorists can stop here for a meal.
Exit 150: Bukit Merah Interchange (14 November 2009)
Exit 150: Bukit Merah Interchange 
The
Bukit Merah Interchange is an interchange located 194 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. It is the last interchange in northern Perak before the expressway enters Kedah. The exit connects to Perak State Route A111, which takes you to among others,
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort,
Bukit Merah town, Selama and
Semanggol.
Alor Pongsu Layby (14 November 2009)
Alor Pongsu Laybys
The Alor Pongsu Laybys is a simple rest stop located on both sides of the expressway for motorists to take a nap or rest before continuing their journey.
Kedah-Perak border (14 November 2009)
Perak - Kedah border
Exit 153: Bandar Baharu Interchange (14 November 2009)
Exit 153: Bandar baharu Interchange 
The
Bandar Baharu Interchange is an interchange located 175 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is a section of the North-South Expressway that is located within the southernmost part of Kedah, between Perak and
Penang. You exit the expressway here to go to Bandar Baharu, Parit Buntar and Serdang in Kedah.
Kedah-Penang Border (14 November 2009)
Kedah - Penang border
Exit 156: Jawi Interchange (14 May 2009)
Exit 156: Jawi Interchange 
The
Jawi Interchange is an interchange located 163 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the exit to take to go to
Nibong Tebal,
Jawi and
Sungai Bakap.
Exit 157: Second Penang Bridge Interchange 
The
Second Penang Bridge Interchange is a new trumpet interchange that connects with the
Second Penang Bridge. It became operational in 2014.
Exit 158: Bukit Tambun Interchange 
The
Bukit Tambun Interchange is an interchange located 152 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the interchange to go to
Bukit Tambun,
Simpang Ampat, and until the completion of Exit 157,
Batu Kawan.
Juru Toll Plaza
The
Juru Toll Plaza is where northbound motorists pay their toll before travelling the rest of the expressway in Penang. Southbound motorists collect their toll tickets before heading south.
Exit 160: Juru Interchange (14 May 2009)
Exit 160: Juru Interchange 
The
Juru Interchange is an interchange located 144 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the exit to take to go to
Juru and
Bukit Mertajam.
Sungai Juru Laybys
The
Sungai Juru Laybys is a simple rest stop located on both sides of the expressway for motorists to take a nap or rest before continuing their journey.
Exit 161, Penang Bridge Interchange (14 May 2009)
Exit 161: Penang Bridge Interchange 
The
Penang Bridge Interchange is an interchange located 139 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 162, Perai Interchange (20 Oct 2009)
Exit 162: Perai Interchange 
The
Perai Interchange is an interchange located 138 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 163, Seberang Jaya Interchange (20 Oct 2009)
Exit 163: Seberang Jaya Interchange 
The
Seberang Jaya Interchange is an interchange located 135 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. Exiting the expressway here, you turn left at the roundabout to go to
Butterworth, and turn right to go to
Kulim,
Kedah, on the
Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (E15).
Exit 164, Permatang Pauh Interchange (20 Oct 2009)
Exit 164: Permatang Pauh Interchange 
The
Permatang Pauh Interchange is an interchange located 134 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 165, Sungai Dua Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 165: Sungai Dua Interchange 
The
Sungai Dua Interchange is an interchange located 130 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Sungai Dua Toll Plaza (20 October 2009)
Sungai Dua Toll Plaza
The
Sungai Dua Toll Plaza is where northbound motorists collect their toll tickets before continuing north, while southbound motorists pay their toll before travelling the rest of their journey in Penang.
Exit 166, Bertam Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 166: Bertam Interchange 
The
Bertam Interchange is an interchange located 120 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Sungai Muda Layby (20 October 2009)
Sungai Muda Layby
The
Sungai Muda Layby is located on the northbound side of the expressway.
Tikam Batu Layby
The Tikam Batu Layby is located on the southbound side of the expressway.
Exit 168, Sungai Petani South Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 168: Sungai Petani (South) Interchange 
The
Sungai Petani South Interchange is an interchange located 107 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. Exiting the expressway, turn right at the first intersection (in front of Giant Sungai Petani) to go to
Sungai Petani town centre.
Exit 170, Sungai Petani North Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 170: Sungai Petani (North) Interchange 
The
Sungai Petani North Interchange is an interchange located 99 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. Exiting the expressway here, bear south for
Sungai Petani, bear north for
Bedong.
Exit 173, Gurun Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 173: Gurun Interchange 
The
Gurun Interchange is an interchange located 83 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam. Bear west to go to Gurun, bear east to go to
Sik and
Beris Lake.
Gurun Rest & Service Area
The
Gurun Rest & Service Area is located on both sides of the expressway. You can see
Gunung Jerai from the rest stop. There is a Caltex petrol station for refueling.
Bukit Kobah Layby
The Bukit Kobah Layby is on the southbound side of the expressway. You can get a scenic view of the paddy fields here.
Exit 175, Pendang Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 175: Pendang Interchange 
The
Pendang Interchange is an interchange located 63 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 177: Alor Star South Interchange 
The
Alor Star South Interchange is an interchange located 50 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 178, Alor Star North Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 178: Alor Star North Interchange 
The
Alor Star North Interchange is an interchange located 44 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Hutan Kampung Toll Plaza (20 October 2009)
Hutan Kampung Toll Plaza
The
Hutan Kampung Toll Plaza is where northbound motorists pay their toll before continuing north, while southbound motorists collect their toll ticket before continuing their journey through Kedah.
Kepala Batas Layby (Southbound)
This
Kepala Batas Layby is located only on the southbound side of the expressway.
Exit 180, Kepala Batas Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 180: Kepala Batas Interchange 
The
Kepala Batas Interchange is an interchange located 36 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Exit 181, Jitra South Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 181: Jitra Interchange 
The
Jitra South Interchange is an interchange located 32 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Kepala Batas Layby (Northbound)
This
Kepala Batas Layby is located only on the northbound side of the expressway.
Jitra Toll Plaza (20 October 2009)
Jitra Toll Plaza
The
Jitra Toll Plaza is where motorist pay to continue the rest of the journey north and south of Jitra.
Exit 182, Jitra North Interchange (20 October 2009)
Exit 182: Jitra North Interchange 
The
Jitra North Interchange is an interchange located 27 km from Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Expressway Ends (20 October 2009)
End of Expressway
For northbound motorists, the North-South Expressway (E1) ends north of the Jitra North Interchange, thereafter it reverts to a federal road with at-grade junctions. Speed limit is reduced from 110 km per hour to 90 km per hour. Beyond this point, the intersections do not have an exit number.
Bukit Kayu Hitam Toll Plaza
The Bukit Kayu Hitam Toll Plaza observes an open toll system where motorists pay a fixed amount based on the class of vehicle they are driving. A passenger car usually would be charged RM3.30.
The following are
expressways in the Klang Valley that I have documented on this website.
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2003-2025 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.