Route Départementale 801 (commonly abbreviated RD-801, also sometimes styled RD‑81) is a departmental road in southeastern Haiti. The route links the border town of Anse-à-Pitres to the inland towns of Thiotte and Fonds-Verrettes, ultimately connecting with the national network via Fond-Parisien and Route Nationale 8. A key cross-border and regional connector, it serves as a continuation of DR Route 44 linking remote southeastern towns to Port-au-Prince and facilitating trade and travel between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Map of the RD-801
| RD-801 Direction: North |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrondissement | Commune | km | Notes | ||
| Belle-Anse Arrondissement |
Anse-à-Pitres | 0.0
21.8 27.6 37.9 |
Border JCT  Quartier Banane Boucan Guillame Boucan Tonton | ||
| Thiotte | 40.8
48.5 51.6 |
Thiotte JCT  Savane Zombi
Frontier SE/Ouest | |||
| Croix-des-Bouquets Arrondissement |
Fonds-Verrettes | 60.1
76.3 |
Forêt-des-Pins | ||
| Port-au-Prince Arrondissement |
Ganthier | 85.4
99.0 |
Thoman
Fond-Parisien JCT |
Route description[]
After crossing into Haiti from the Dominican Republic at the border post near Pedernales, Route 801 begins in the remote southeastern border region of the Anse-à-Pitres commune. The road initially passes through a mix of dry scrubland and open hills, dotted with informal market stalls, customs facilities, and transport terminals serving cross-border traders and commuters.
Route Departementale 801 elevation chart
As RD 801 enters the urban center of Anse-à-Pitres, it becomes more defined, lined with small shops, homes, schools, and local administrative buildings. The pavement is often intermittent, with dusty surfaces and potholes common. After leaving the town’s core, the road begins a steady ascent into the highlands, transitioning into steeper, rockier terrain with sharp curves and occasional washed-out sections, especially vulnerable during the rainy season.
The route immediately enters rugged, mountainous terrain in Haiti’s Southeast Department, traversing steep gorges and rural highlands. It climbs to the town of Thiotte, where it connects with Route 402, the route westward to Jacmel. Thiotte’s town center serves as a modest service core for travelers and locals alike. While there are no major hotel chains, Thiotte is home to several local inns and guesthouses that provide essential lodging and hospitality. Notable among them are Le Tarrav’Inn, Coin Vert Hotel, and Dominique Hotel, each offering simple but welcoming accommodations for those passing through or staying overnight.
Beyond Thiotte, Route 801 continues northward, crossing into Haiti’s Ouest Department. The descent leads toward the Fond-Parisien plateau, a semi-arid agricultural zone near Lake Azuei. From Thiotte, Route 801 crosses the border zone into the Ouest Department, descending towards the Fond‑Parisien plateau, a semi-arid agricultural region near Lake Azuei. This stretch of the road is partially unpaved and known for dust and erosion during the dry season, while becoming muddy and difficult to navigate in wet conditions.
The route terminates in Fond‑Parisien (Ganthier commune), where it meets Route Nationale 8 —the main highway running west to Port‑au‑Prince and east to Malpasse border crossing.
Concerns[]
Despite its importance, the Fond‑Parisien segment has chronically poor road conditions, with local complaints about persistent dust, potholes, and lack of ongoing maintenance, issues highlighted by local human rights groups. The route is also vital for agricultural produce transport, cross-border trade, and humanitarian access, though it remains technically challenging and uneven in its serviceability.