National Highway 44 (NH 44) stands as one of India’s most remarkable infrastructure achievements, stretching an extraordinary 4,112 kilometres from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. More than just the country’s longest highway, NH 44 is often described as the spine of India — a living corridor that links vastly different landscapes, cultures, climates, and communities.
Beginning amid the snow-capped mountains and cool winds of Srinagar, the highway travels southward through the fertile plains of Punjab and Haryana, passes the historic and political heart of New Delhi, and continues into the rugged terrains and forests of central India. As the journey unfolds, travelers encounter changing dialects, cuisines, traditions, and lifestyles every few hundred kilometres, making NH 44 a moving portrait of India’s diversity.
Further south, the highway connects major urban and economic hubs such as Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, playing a vital role in trade, logistics, and daily commuting. It supports the movement of goods across states, strengthens regional economies, and acts as a lifeline for millions of people who depend on it for work, travel, and connectivity.
Beyond its economic importance, NH 44 is also a dream route for road-trip enthusiasts. The journey transitions from Himalayan landscapes to green farmlands, rocky plateaus, bustling cities, and eventually the serene coastal scenery of southern India. The final stretch ends at Kanyakumari, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet — a symbolic conclusion to one of the longest continuous road journeys in the country.
NH 44 reflects the scale and ambition of modern India’s infrastructure development. It demonstrates how a single highway can unite regions separated by geography and culture, while still preserving their unique identities. For travelers, it offers an unmatched experience — a cross-country story told through changing horizons, roadside food, historic landmarks, and countless human connections.
