A process for preparing lower alkyl-halides from the reaction of HX and the corresponding lower alcohol, wherein X represents a halogen atom, comprises continuously feeding HX and a lower alcohol to a reactor maintaining the instantaneous molar ratio of HX to the alcohol greater than 3, and continuously distilling off lower alkyl-halide and water from the reactor, continuously separating the lower alkyl-halide and water and recycling part of the said water to the distillation column to abate HX distillation from the reactor. High acid concentrations and temperatures are maintained to obtain high yields and rapid conversion of alkanols.