Morocco has named its landmark Tiznit-Dakhla expressway the “President Donald J. Trump Highway,” a 1,055-kilometer (approximately 655-mile) route running through the country’s southern provinces and Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. The decision was highlighted on July 26, 2026, when President Donald Trump publicly thanked King Mohammed VI on Truth Social, describing it as “such a great honor” and saying he hoped to travel the full length of the highway “someday, hopefully soon.”

The announcement was accompanied by a promotional video, shared by Trump, titled along the lines of “Donald J. Trump Highway: The Peace Road for Prosperity.” The video frames the project as a concrete expression of the longstanding U.S.-Morocco relationship, citing Morocco’s recognition of American independence in 1777, the 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship — the longest unbroken diplomatic relationship in U.S. history — and Trump’s December 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a position his administration later reaffirmed. The narration credits the “visionary leadership” of King Mohammed VI and the “historic courage” of President Trump.

“Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!” President Donald Trump, via Truth Social

A Major Southern Infrastructure Project

The expressway, one of Morocco’s largest road infrastructure undertakings in the southern regions, connects Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, passing through Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Laayoune, and Boujdour. Construction and upgrades, launched as part of a broader development program for the southern provinces around 2015 under King Mohammed VI’s vision and linked to the anniversary of the Green March, were completed in phases, with the final section opening in January 2025 to make the full route operational.

Built to international standards, the highway features dual-carriageway sections over much of its length and Morocco’s longest viaduct. It upgrades and expands parts of National Road 1, improving safety, reducing travel times, and facilitating the movement of people and goods. Officials and project materials describe its role in “désenclavement” — opening up isolated territories — while boosting tourism, commerce, and trade links between northern and southern Morocco and toward West Africa.

Linking to the Dakhla Atlantic Port

The route supports economic growth in remote and desert areas and enhances regional connectivity along the Atlantic corridor, linking to the major deep-water port project under construction in Dakhla, which is targeted for completion later this decade. That port has featured prominently in Moroccan and American messaging around the kingdom’s Atlantic-facing development strategy, including its stated ambition to give landlocked Sahel nations access to the ocean.

Diplomatic Context and Reactions

Trump’s message underscored his appreciation for King Mohammed VI’s leadership and the depth of bilateral ties. U.S. officials and supporters have described the naming as a lasting monument to the partnership, particularly following Washington’s support for Morocco’s position on Western Sahara and its encouragement of investment in related infrastructure. Moroccan media outlets widely reported the development, presenting it as a symbol of strengthened relations and a shared commitment to prosperity and stability.

The highway runs through territory whose international status remains disputed, with the Polisario Front continuing to contest Moroccan control over Western Sahara. The naming reinforces Morocco’s development-focused approach in the region and its strategic alignment with the United States on the issue, coming roughly a year after the Trump administration reiterated its 2020 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.

The gesture adds a high-profile physical landmark to the U.S.-Morocco relationship, rooted in centuries of diplomacy and recent policy alignment. It stands as both practical infrastructure for economic integration and a visible marker of mutual recognition and partnership between Rabat and Washington.