Longest National Highways in India – Complete List & Details

India, with its vast geography and diverse terrain, relies heavily on its national highways (NHs) for connectivity, trade, and travel. Stretching thousands of kilometers, these highways link cities, towns, ports, and industrial hubs across the country. But have you ever wondered which highways are the longest in India and what makes them significant?

In this guide, we provide a complete list of the longest national highways in India, along with their key details, routes, and importance.

What Are National Highways in India?

National Highways are the primary roadways maintained by the Government of India through the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH). These highways ensure smooth interstate connectivity, facilitate trade, and serve as lifelines for the economy.

Key points about National Highways:

• Total Length: Over 1,50,000 km as of 2025.
• Numbering System: NHs are numbered systematically based on direction and region.
• Even numbers: East-West highways.
• Odd numbers: North-South highways.
• Maintenance: Managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Importance of National Highways

1. Economic Growth – NHs connect industrial hubs, ports, and cities, supporting logistics and trade.
2. Tourism – Well-maintained highways boost tourism by providing easy access to tourist destinations.
3. Safety and Speed – NHs are designed for high-speed travel with better infrastructure compared to state highways.
4. Emergency Services – Facilitates rapid response for medical emergencies and disaster management.

Longest National Highways in India

Here’s a detailed list of the longest national highways in India, including their lengths, routes, and major cities they connect:

1. NH 44 – Longest National Highway

• Length: 3,745 km
• Route: Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) → Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu)
• Major Cities: Srinagar, Jammu, Delhi, Agra, Nagpur, Bangalore, Madurai
• Details: NH 44, previously known as NH 7, is the longest highway in India, covering 8 states and 2 union territories. It plays a crucial role in trade and connectivity from North to South India.

2. NH 27 – East-West Corridor

• Length: 3,507 km
• Route: Porbandar (Gujarat) → Silchar (Assam)
• Major Cities: Rajkot, Udaipur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Silchar
• Details: NH 27 is part of the East-West Corridor, connecting western and northeastern India, and passes through 8 states.

3. NH 48 – Economic Corridor

• Length: 1,411 km
• Route: Delhi → Chennai
• Major Cities: Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai
• Details: NH 48, formerly NH 8, is one of India’s busiest highways, forming the backbone of the Golden Quadrilateral, linking Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

4. NH 19 – Industrial Highway

• Length: 1,435 km
• Route: Delhi → Kolkata
• Major Cities: Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, Dhanbad, Kolkata
• Details: NH 19, earlier NH 2, is part of the historic Grand Trunk Road, connecting the east and west parts of India.

5. NH 16 – East Coast Highway

• Length: 1,701 km
• Route: Kolkata → Chennai
• Major Cities: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Chennai
• Details: NH 16 runs along the east coast of India, forming part of the Golden Quadrilateral, and is crucial for maritime trade connectivity.

6. NH 66 – Coastal Highway

• Length: 1,622 km
• Route: Panvel (Maharashtra) → Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu)
• Major Cities: Panvel, Goa, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari
• Details: NH 66 runs along India’s western coastline, connecting Mumbai to Kerala, offering scenic coastal views and supporting trade hubs in western India.

7. NH 48A & NH 44A – Regional Connectors

• Length: 1,200–1,300 km (combined)
• Route: Multiple regional corridors
• Major Cities: Varies depending on highway section
• Details: These highways connect smaller towns and regional trade hubs, supporting local economies and industrial transport.

Factors Affecting National Highway Length

1. State Boundaries – NHs passing through multiple states tend to be longer.
2. Geography – Coastal, hilly, or plateau regions affect highway planning and extensions.
3. Economic Corridors – Highways linking industrial or trade hubs are longer and better maintained.
4. Government Expansion Plans – Continuous development and renumbering have increased total NH length over the years.

Future Developments in National Highways

India has ambitious plans to expand and modernize its highway network:

• Bharatmala Pariyojana – A flagship project aiming to develop 83,677 km of highways.
• Smart Highways – Equipped with solar lighting, EV charging stations, and intelligent traffic systems.
• Golden Quadrilateral Expansion – Improving NH connectivity between Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
• Expressway Integration – Many long NHs are being upgraded to access-controlled expressways, reducing travel time significantly.

Conclusion

National highways are the backbone of India’s road infrastructure. From NH 44 connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari to coastal highways like NH 66, these routes ensure economic growth, trade connectivity, and convenient travel.

Understanding the longest national highways in India helps travelers, transporters, and logistics planners plan routes efficiently while appreciating the scale of India’s road network.

As India continues to invest in infrastructure under programs like Bharatmala, the highway network will expand further, improving connectivity and boosting the economy.

Bottom Line: The longest national highways, like NH 44, NH 27, and NH 48, are more than just roads—they are lifelines of India, supporting commerce, tourism, and interstate mobility.

FAQs About the Longest National Highways in India

Q1: Which is the longest national highway in India?
Answer: NH 44, running from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, is the longest at 3,745 km.

Q2: How many national highways are there in India?
Answer: As of 2025, there are over 150,000 km of national highways in India.

Q3: What is the Golden Quadrilateral?
Answer: A network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, part of which includes NH 48 and NH 16.

Q4: Are national highways free to use?
Answer: Most NHs are free, but toll charges apply on expressways and upgraded sections.

Q5: Which national highway runs along the western coast of India?
Answer: NH 66 connects Panvel in Maharashtra to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu along the western coast.