National Highway 48 (NH 48) in India: Routes, Length, Entry/Exit Points & Rules

source: wikimedia

National Highway 48 (NH 48) is a lengthy highway in India connecting the northern states with the southern states. The entire route of this highway covers some magnificent landmarks. Previously, the stretch from Delhi to Mumbai was called NH 8, and the stretch between Mumbai and Chennai was NH 4.

This article provides you with information on National Highway 48, including its route, map, speed limit, places of attraction, and more.

National Highways Authority of India renumbered this highway as NH 48 in 2012 when they started renumbering the national highways all over the country. Let us find in detail about them below:

States Falling Under National Highway 48 (NH 48)

The National Highway 48 (NH 48) crosses through a total of 1 union territory and 6 states. These are mentioned as follows:

• Delhi
• Haryana
• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• Tamil Nadu

This highway follows its route from Delhi to Chennai. It passes through the below-mentioned cities and towns:

• Delhi
• Gurugram 
• Rewari
• Behror
• Kotputli
• Shahpura
• Jaipur
• Ajmer
• Rajsamand
• Udaipur
• Himatnagar
• Gandhinagar
• Ahmedabad
• Kheda
• Nadias
• Anand
• Vadodara
• Bharuch
• Ankleshwar
• Surat
• Navsari
• Valsad
• Palgha
• Vasai-Virar
• Mumbai
• Thane
• Navi Mumbai
• Lonavala
• Pimpri Chinchwad
• Pune
• Satara
• Karad
• Kolhapur
• Nipani
• Sankeshwar
• Belgaum
• Kittur
• Dharwad
• Hubli
• Haveri
• Ranebennur
• Davanagere
• Chitradurga
• Hiriyur
• Sira
• Tumkur
• Dobbaspet
• Nelamangala
• Bangalore
• Electronic City
• Attibele
• Hosur
• Krishnagiri
• Vaniyambadi
• Ambur
• Pallikonda
• Vellore
• Arcot
• Ranipet
• Walajapet
• Kanchipuram
• Sriperumbudur
• Chennai

Entry and Exit Points of National Highway 48

National Highway 48 helps to connect Delhi’s Rao Tula terminus with Chennai’s NH 16 terminal. The entry point is Delhi Rao’s Tula terminal, and the exit point is Chennai's NH 16 terminal.

The length of NH 48 is 2807 kilometres (1744 miles). It connects the seven states as mentioned above, making it one of the longest national highways in India.

Here is a list of vehicles that are allowed to run in NH 48 for official and emergency purposes:

Vehicles Running for Official Purpose:

• Central and State Armed Forces in Uniform, Paramilitary Forces, and Police
• Defence Minister car as per the Indian Tolls (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901
• Executive Magistrate

Vehicles Running for Emergency Purposes:

• Government organisation (for construction, surveys, operations, and maintenance of national highways)
• Ambulance
• Fire Department
• Funeral card
• Car for people suffering from physical disability

The Indian Government has fixed the maximum speed limit of motor vehicles in kilometres per hour for different national highways. The speed limits set are:

• Motorcycles: 80 km per hour
• Quadricycle: 60 km per hour
• Three-wheeled vehicles: 50 km per hour
• Motor vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat used to carry passengers: 100 km per hour
• Motor vehicles having nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat used to carry passengers: 90 km per hour
• Motor vehicles used to carry goods: 80 km per hour

Make sure not to overtake or increase your speed on NH 48 more than mentioned above. This will help to prevent the occurrence of accidents.

Two toll plazas are located on National Highway 48, covering the stretch from Devihalli to Hassan. A hike in toll rates has taken place at both of these plazas. The first toll plaza is located near Shantigrama village, while the second toll plaza is at Kirivase village.

Below are the toll rates charged on the two toll plazas for vehicles travelling between Devihalli and Hassan.

Here are some famous places of attraction around NH 48 along with their locations:

• Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Navi Mumbai
• Khandala Sunset Point, Lonavla
• Asherigad Fort, Khadkawane
• Elphinstone Point, Satara
• Lodwick Point, Mahabaleshwar
• Bhangarh Fort, Bhangarh
• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
• Brahmakumaris Peace Park, Mount Abu
• Mahalaxmi Temple, Therunde
• Pratapgad Fort, Pune
• New Palace, Kolhapur
• Statue of Unity, Gujarat
• Ellora Caves, Ellora
• The Umrao, New Delhi
• Parash Waterfall, Khoh
• Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
• Neemrana Fort - Palace, Neemrana
• Ranthambore Fort, Sawai Madhopur
• Mastii Zone - Entertainland, Gurugram
• Shani Dev Mandir, Gurugram
• Campinglamping, Achrol
• Trimandir, Vadodara

Driving on a National Highway like National Highway 48 for the first time is a big deal. You should consider the following tips for travelling for a memorable and successful trip:

• Avoid driving when you are tired, especially truck drivers who have to drive long distances. Therefore, having a Personal Accident Cover is important, which is mandatory by law along with valid commercial vehicle insurance.

• It is recommended to avoid driving at night because your vision will decrease, and the crime rate also remains high.

• All drivers on the National Highway 48 should drive while staying in their lanes. Slow-moving vehicles should take the left lane, while faster vehicles should take the right lane to overtake. Try to maintain a consistent speed and stick to a specific lane rather than zigzagging all over.

• Pay attention to different road signs such as narrow lanes, traffic merging, railway crossing, or any kind of construction work under progress. Remember to slow down near road crossings and schools.

• Another important factor to note while driving on highways is a pit stop. Prefer to take a pause when you are driving for long hours. It will help you avoid getting tired easily.

• Take extra measures if it rains heavily on highways or when the roads are wet. Maintain the speed limit and be extra careful.

Road trippers can experience a memorable road trip while they drive on National Highway 48. If you want your road trip experience to be memorable when driving through the NH 48, remember to refer to the above details and remain protected with car insurance or bike insurance.