Abstract: A method for producing alkyl halides by reacting the corresponding alkanol with at least 10% molar excess of hydrogen halide at a temperature of at least 50.degree.C. and under sufficient pressure to maintain the reactants dissolved in the liquid water of reaction (but insufficiently high to maintain the alkyl halide reaction product in the aqueous reaction mixture). The heat of reaction causes the alkyl halide to vaporize from the reaction zone along with the excess hydrogen halide. The resulting vapors are delivered to a packed tower where they are contacted with a stream of liquid reflux alkyl halide saturated with the hydrogen halide. The liquid reflux stream is obtained by condensing a portion of the gaseous or vaporous effluent from the tower. The gases or vapors from the reactor are dried by the reflux. In addition to drying the alkyl halide vapors, the tower provides an environment in which the by-product ether of the alkanol hydrochlorination is disassociated into alkyl halide and water.