'Best roads in the world': Foreign traveller drives 2,500 km through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat & Rajasthan; here’s what surprised him

“India now has some of the best roads in the world,” a foreign traveller said after covering more than 2,500 km by road from Tamil Nadu towards the Himalayas. Sharing his experience in a video, the traveller praised the highways and expressways he encountered while travelling across several Indian states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Describing his journey, the traveller said, “I have just travelled over 2,500 km by road from Tamil Nadu and now we are heading towards the Himalayas, So I have gotten the whole length of the country”.

He listed the states covered during the trip, saying, “We have travelled through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan. We are now entering into Haryana and then on to Uttar Pradesh finally Uttarakhand.”

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The traveller also mentioned the highway he was travelling on, adding, “We are on NE4 right now but we’ve been travelling on highways and expressways like this the whole time.”

From Tamil Nadu to the Himalayas: What makes the road trip special?

India's highways and expressways connect cities and towns across vastly different landscapes, making long-distance road trips an opportunity to experience the country's diversity. The traveller's route from Tamil Nadu towards Uttarakhand covers several states, with the roads and scenery changing along the way. While highways offer convenient links between regions, conditions can vary, particularly on mountain routes where weather and landslides can affect travel.

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India has the world's second-largest road network

The traveller's comments come as India continues to expand its highway infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Year End Review 2025, India has the world's second-largest road network, with its National Highway network extending to 1,46,560 km. The development of National Highways and access-controlled expressways has improved connectivity between several cities and regions. These roads can help reduce travel times on particular routes and make long-distance journeys more convenient, although conditions and facilities vary across the network.

Another foreign traveller compares India's roads with 2017

Another foreign traveller recently shared her experience of India's road infrastructure, comparing her latest visit with a trip in 2017. She praised the highway conditions and pointed to facilities such as restrooms and cafes along the routes.

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For foreign travellers, driving across India can be quite an experience, especially when they get to see different parts of the country along the way. Good highways, smoother journeys and facilities such as restrooms and cafes can make long drives more comfortable. As more travellers explore India by road, their experiences also offer a glimpse into how the country's road network has changed over the years.