India has one of the world’s largest road networks, and national highways play a major role in connecting cities, states, ports, industrial centres, tourist destinations and border regions. Some highways stretch across thousands of kilometres, linking completely different geographical and cultural regions of the country.
In 2026, NH 44 remains the longest national highway in India, covering more than 4,000 km from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. Other major highways such as NH 27, NH 48, NH 52 and NH 30 also cover large parts of the country and are important for passenger travel as well as freight movement.
Here is a look at the top 10 longest national highways in India in 2026, along with their approximate length, route and importance.
| Rank | National Highway | Approx. Length | Major Route |
| 1 | NH 44 | 4,112 km | Srinagar to Kanyakumari |
| 2 | NH 27 | 3,507 km | Porbandar to Silchar |
| 3 | NH 48 | 2,807 km | Delhi to Chennai |
| 4 | NH 52 | 2,317 km | Sangrur to Ankola |
| 5 | NH 30 | 2,040 km | Sitarganj to Ibrahimpatnam |
| 6 | NH 6 | 1,873 km | Jorabat to Zokhawthar |
| 7 | NH 53 | 1,781 km | Hajira to Paradip |
| 8 | NH 16 | 1,711 km | Dankuni to Chennai |
| 9 | NH 66 | 1,622 km | Panvel to Kanyakumari |
| 10 | NH 19 | 1,435 km | Agra to Dankuni |
Lengths are approximate and can vary slightly depending on official route and alignment updates.
1. NH 44 – Longest National Highway in India
NH 44 is the longest national highway in India, extending for approximately 4,112 km. It connects Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir with Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, creating a major north-south road corridor.
The highway passes through several important regions and cities and provides connectivity across the northern, central and southern parts of India.
Key points:
- Approximate length: 4,112 km
- Route: Srinagar to Kanyakumari
- Direction: North to South
- One of India’s most important long-distance road corridors
- Connects multiple major cities and economic regions
2. NH 27 – Porbandar to Silchar
With a length of approximately 3,507 km, NH 27 is India’s second-longest national highway. It connects Porbandar in Gujarat with Silchar in Assam, creating an important east-west road connection.
The highway is particularly important for transporting agricultural products, industrial goods and other freight across several states.
It also provides road connectivity between western India and the northeastern region.
3. NH 48 – Delhi to Chennai
NH 48 stretches for around 2,807 km, connecting Delhi with Chennai.
It passes through important commercial and industrial regions, including parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The highway is especially significant for:
- Industrial transportation
- Intercity travel
- Freight movement
- Tourism
- Connecting major metropolitan areas
Because of its connection between northern and southern economic centres, NH 48 is one of India’s most commercially important highways.
4. NH 52 – Sangrur to Ankola
NH 52 is approximately 2,317 km long and connects Sangrur in Punjab with Ankola in Karnataka.
The highway crosses several regions of central and western India and supports movement between northern agricultural areas and southern parts of the country.
It is useful for both passenger traffic and the transportation of agricultural and industrial goods.
5. NH 30 – Sitarganj to Ibrahimpatnam
With an approximate length of 2,040 km, NH 30 connects Sitarganj in Uttarakhand with Ibrahimpatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The highway passes through important areas of northern, central and southern India.
Its route is significant because it connects regions that have different geographical characteristics, from the Himalayan foothills to the plains and central Indian territories.
6. NH 6 – Jorabat to Zokhawthar
NH 6 covers approximately 1,873 km and is particularly important for connectivity in northeastern India.
It runs from Jorabat in Meghalaya towards Zokhawthar in Mizoram and supports transportation and regional connectivity in the Northeast.
Important roles of NH 6 include:
- Connecting northeastern states
- Supporting border-region connectivity
- Facilitating trade and transportation
- Improving access to remote areas
7. NH 53 – Hajira to Paradip
NH 53 is approximately 1,781 km long, connecting Hajira in Gujarat with Paradip in Odisha.
Its route is particularly important for industrial and port connectivity. Both Gujarat and Odisha have major industrial and maritime activity, making this highway useful for the movement of goods.
The corridor supports:
- Port connectivity
- Industrial transportation
- Long-distance freight movement
- Regional economic development
8. NH 16 – Dankuni to Chennai
NH 16 is around 1,711 km long and follows a major section of India’s eastern corridor, connecting Dankuni in West Bengal with Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
It passes through several important cities and industrial areas along the eastern side of India.
The highway is especially significant for connecting major ports, commercial centres and densely populated regions along the eastern coast.
9. NH 66 – Panvel to Kanyakumari
NH 66 stretches for approximately 1,622 km along India’s western coastline, connecting Panvel in Maharashtra with Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
The highway passes through major coastal regions, including Goa and Kerala.
NH 66 is particularly important for:
- Coastal tourism
- Passenger transportation
- Local and interstate trade
- Port connectivity
- Economic activity along the western coast
The ongoing improvement and widening of sections of NH 66 are expected to further improve travel and transportation along the western coastal corridor.
10. NH 19 – Agra to Dankuni
NH 19 is approximately 1,435 km long and connects Agra in Uttar Pradesh with Dankuni in West Bengal.
It forms an important east-west transportation route through northern and eastern India and provides connectivity to major cities and industrial regions.
The highway is also important for freight transportation because of its connection with several economically significant areas.
Why Are Long National Highways Important for India?
Long national highways are more than just roads connecting two distant locations. They form the backbone of India’s road-based transportation system.
Their major benefits include:
- Better interstate connectivity: They connect multiple states through continuous road corridors.
- Faster goods transportation: Trucks can move agricultural, industrial and commercial goods across long distances.
- Support for tourism: Highways make road trips and access to tourist destinations easier.
- Economic development: Better connectivity encourages businesses, industries and logistics activity.
- Improved regional access: Remote and developing areas can gain better connections with major cities.
- Port and border connectivity: Several highways connect industrial centres with ports and strategically important border regions.
How Are National Highway Lengths Measured?
The length of a national highway can change when the government modifies its alignment, adds new sections, transfers stretches between highway classifications or undertakes major infrastructure projects.
Therefore, figures published online may differ slightly. For general knowledge, competitive examinations and educational purposes, the approximate figures in the table above provide a useful 2026 ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the longest national highway in India in 2026?
NH 44 is the longest national highway in India in 2026. It is approximately 4,112 km long and connects Srinagar with Kanyakumari.
2. Which is the second-longest national highway in India?
NH 27 is the second-longest national highway, with an approximate length of 3,507 km, connecting Porbandar in Gujarat with Silchar in Assam.
3. Which national highway connects Delhi and Chennai?
NH 48 connects Delhi and Chennai and has an approximate length of 2,807 km.
4. Is NH 66 one of the longest highways in India?
Yes. NH 66, which runs from Panvel to Kanyakumari, is approximately 1,622 km long and is one of India’s major coastal highways.
