An example network orchestrator includes processing circuitry and memory. Instructions of the memory, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the network orchestrator to receive an indication that a branch gateway has joined a SD-WAN. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to determine, based on parameters of the branch gateway, a geographic location of the branch gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to select a set of headend gateways located in a region including the geographic location of the branch gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to calculate a suitability score for each headend gateway based on the geographic location of the branch gateway in comparison to a geographic location of the each headend gateway. The instructions further cause the network orchestrator to assign the branch gateway to a headend gateway of the set of headend gateways with an optimal suitability score.