National Highways in India
India’s national highways are the backbone of its transportation network, linking the country’s vast and diverse landscapes. These highways not only facilitate trade and travel but also offer tourists the chance to explore India’s rich cultural, historical, and natural treasures. Here is a list of the top 30 national highways in India, highlighting their tourism specialties, localities, and nearby attractions.
1. NH 44 (Srinagar to Kanyakumari)
Tourism Specialty:
- Longest national highway in India, crossing multiple states.
Locality:
- Runs through states like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Srinagar: Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens
- Delhi: Red Fort, India Gate
- Bhopal: Sanchi Stupa, Bhimbetka Caves
- Bangalore: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore Palace
- Kanyakumari: Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Beach
2. NH 27 (Porbandar to Silchar)
Tourism Specialty:
- Second longest highway, connecting east to west.
Locality:
- Passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Porbandar: Kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir
- Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath
- Silchar: Maniharan Tunnel, Khaspur
3. NH 48 (Delhi to Chennai)
Tourism Specialty:
- Major route for north-south travel.
Locality:
- Connects Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Delhi: Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple
- Mumbai: Gateway of India, Marine Drive
- Chennai: Marina Beach, Fort St. George
4. NH 19 (Delhi to Kolkata)
Tourism Specialty:
- Key route for eastern and northern India.
Locality:
- Runs through Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort
- Varanasi: Ganges Ghats, Banaras Hindu University
- Kolkata: Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial
5. NH 16 (Kolkata to Chennai)
Tourism Specialty:
- Coastal route, scenic views.
Locality:
- Connects West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj Temple, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
- Visakhapatnam: RK Beach, Kailasagiri
- Chennai: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Government Museum
6. NH 4 (Mumbai to Chennai)
Tourism Specialty:
- Connects major commercial centers.
Locality:
- Passes through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Pune: Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace
- Bangalore: Bannerghatta National Park, Vidhana Soudha
- Chennai: Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Valluvar Kottam
7. NH 6 (Surat to Kolkata)
Tourism Specialty:
- Important route for trade and travel.
Locality:
- Runs through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Surat: Dumas Beach, Dutch Garden
- Nagpur: Pench National Park, Deekshabhoomi
- Kolkata: Indian Museum, Eden Gardens
8. NH 66 (Panvel to Kanyakumari)
Tourism Specialty:
- Coastal highway, picturesque landscapes.
Locality:
- Passes through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Goa: Baga Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus
- Mangalore: St. Aloysius Chapel, Tannirbhavi Beach
- Kanyakumari: Thiruvalluvar Statue, Gandhi Memorial
9. NH 2 (Delhi to Kolkata)
Tourism Specialty:
- Historic route, part of the Grand Trunk Road.
Locality:
- Runs through Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Delhi: Humayun’s Tomb, Chandni Chowk
- Allahabad: Triveni Sangam, Anand Bhavan
- Kolkata: Mother House, Science City
10. NH 1 (Delhi to Attari)
Tourism Specialty:
- Historic significance, connects to Pakistan border.
Locality:
- Runs through Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Amritsar: Golden Temple, Wagah Border
- Kurukshetra: Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra Panorama and Science Centre
- Delhi: Akshardham Temple, Connaught Place
11. NH 3 (Agra to Mumbai)
Tourism Specialty:
- Connects central India to the west coast.
Locality:
- Passes through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Agra: Fatehpur Sikri, Mehtab Bagh
- Gwalior: Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace
- Mumbai: Elephanta Caves, Juhu Beach
12. NH 10 (Delhi to Fazilka)
Tourism Specialty:
- Connects northern plains to the Thar Desert.
Locality:
- Runs through Delhi, Haryana, Punjab.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Hisar: Firoz Shah Palace Complex, Blue Bird Lake
- Bathinda: Qila Mubarak, Rose Garden
- Delhi: National Museum, India Habitat Centre
13. NH 11 (Agra to Bikaner)
Tourism Specialty:
- Scenic route through Rajasthan.
Locality:
- Passes through Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Jaipur: Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar
- Fatehpur Sikri: Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal
- Bikaner: Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple
14. NH 15 (Pathankot to Samakhiali)
Tourism Specialty:
- Longest highway in Rajasthan, connecting to Punjab and Gujarat.
Locality:
- Runs through Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Amritsar: Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum
- Jaisalmer: Sam Sand Dunes, Patwon Ki Haveli
- Kutch: Rann of Kutch, Aina Mahal
15. NH 22 (Ambala to Khab)
Tourism Specialty:
- Scenic hill route, Himalayan vistas.
Locality:
- Passes through Haryana, Himachal Pradesh.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Shimla: The Ridge, Jakhoo Temple
- Kinnaur: Kalpa, Sangla Valley
- Chandigarh: Capitol Complex, Rock Garden
16. NH 28 (Lucknow to Barauni)
Tourism Specialty:
- Major route in northern and eastern India.
Locality:
- Runs through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Gorakhpur: Gorakhnath Temple, Kushmi Forest
- Vaishali: Ashoka Pillar, Vishwa Shanti Stupa
- Lucknow: Bara Imambara, Ambedkar Memorial Park
17. NH 34 (Kolkata to Siliguri)
Tourism Specialty:
- Connects plains to the foothills of the Himalayas.
Locality:
- Runs through West Bengal.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Murshidabad: Hazarduari Palace, Katra Mosque
- Malda: Gour, Adina Mosque
- Siliguri: Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Kali Mandir
18. NH 66 (Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram)
Tourism Specialty:
- Coastal highway with picturesque landscapes.
Locality:
- Runs through Kerala.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Alleppey: Backwaters, Alappuzha Beach
- Kollam: Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam Beach
- Kochi: Jewish Synagogue, Bolgatty Palace
19. NH 17 (Panvel to Kochi)
Tourism Specialty:
- Scenic coastal route, Western Ghats.
Locality:
- Runs through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Ratnagiri: Ganpatipule, Ratnadurg Fort
- Goa: Anjuna Beach, Se Cathedral
- Kochi: Marine Drive, Hill Palace
20. NH 21 (Chandigarh to Manali)
Tourism Specialty:
- Scenic route to the Himalayas.
Locality:
- Runs through Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
- Manali: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley
- Kullu: Bijli Mahadev Temple, Great Himalayan National Park
- Chandigarh: Sukhna Lake, Government Museum and Art Gallery
