National Highway 1 (NH 1) – A Detailed Travelling Guide

National Highways play an integral role in a country’s development. They connect the capital with other states of the neighbouring countries. They also play a significant role in tourism as they make travelling from one place to another easier for the tourists. Each National Highway has a number as per the orientation and the geographic location of the highway. In this article, we are going to talk about NH1 according to the old and new numbering systems. 

India’s National Highway 1 connects two of the most well-known union territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. It includes parts of old NH1D and NH1A. 

National Highway 1 (NH 1)

NH-1, according to the old numbering, was assigned to the oldest highway of India. It passed through states like Delhi-Ambala-Jalandhar-Amritsar. An interesting fact about NH 1 is that it is in proximity to the India Pakistan border. It starts from New Delhi and ends at Atari, Punjab. 

National Highway 1 Latest Map and Route 

The new NH1 passes from Uri to Baramulla, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Zoji La, Dras, Kargil and Leh. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains as a major portion of its roads are attached to the mountainsides. If you have been to Leh, you would definitely know about this popular highway. 

For those who don’t know, India’s new numbering system has assigned odd numbers to all east-west highways and even numbers to north-south highways. This means a highway from Jodhpur to Kanpur will have a smaller number compared to a highway from Mumbai to Chennai. 

NH1 Exit and Entry Points 

The National Highway (NH 1) starts from Jammu & Kashmir and ends at Ladakh, both of which are known for their breathtaking vistas.  

States Under NH 1 

The NH 1 connects two union territories, namely Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir

The first thing that comes to everyone’s minds when they hear Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is its snow-covered mountains. Also called Paradise on Earth, it is known for its incredible handicrafts and warm locals as well. 

It is located in the northern region of India and is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. Aside from its natural beauty, it is visited by thousands of tourists due to reasons such as pilgrimage, adventure and more. 

Ladakh

Every year, thousands of tourists visit Ladakh on their motorbikes. The clear skies, the high mountains, the thrilling adventures are some of the biggest reasons this destination is loved by one and all. 

It’s the only place in India where you would find Double Hump Camels, Snow Leopards and the Magnetic Hill. Another reason why Ladakh has gained significant popularity amongst tourists across the world is that it borders the world’s highest saltwater, i.e., Lake Pangong Lake. 

The best time to visit Ladakh or, more specifically, Leh is from June to September. The temperature during this season ranges between 15 to 30 Degree Celsius, which isn’t too cold to handle and makes your trip memorable. 

NH 1 Route Lengths across the States

The lengths and major intersections across the states for National Highway 1 India are given below:

Famous Places Around NH 1 Highway

Gulmarg, Jammu, Srinagar, Sonmarg and Verinag are must-visit places. If you are an adventure lover, you are going to love these places even more. Why? Because you can make the most of adventures such as rock climbing, rafting, paragliding and more importantly skiing.

In Ladakh, Pangong Tso, Khardung La, Changla Pass, Thiksey Monastery and Dras War Memorial are among the most famous places. 

Preferred Vehicles and Transportation on NH 1

On this route, JKSRTC (Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation) runs deluxe and regular bus services between Srinagar and Leh. And if you are wondering if there is an overnight halt, then yes, there is and it is in Kargil. Other preferred vehicles on the National Highway are jeeps and cars.  

Speed Limit at National Highway 1

As per the government-issued guidelines, the maximum speed limit for cars on National Highway 1 is 100 km per hour. The same goes for National Highway 44, previously known as NH1 and all the other highways. 

Things to Consider While Travelling on National Highway 1

Here are the key points to remember while travelling on National Highway 1, especially if it is your first time: 

• If you pick a speed, stick to it. You will see varied speed-related signs while driving on the highway, keep an eye on them and stick to that.
• Lane changing can be complicated and lead to dangerous accidents. So, when you switch lanes, make sure you keep the speed differences in mind.
• Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles is also an essential part of travelling on not just NH 1 Highway but every highway. 
• Most accidents on highways take place when one vehicle tries to overtake the other. Be careful while doing so since you cannot anticipate the speed of the vehicle ahead, don’t overtake. 

Other Factors to Keep in Mind

• Proper signalling
• Appropriate use of mirrors
• Pit stops, don’t drive for long hours as that leads to fatigueness
• Avoid travelling on the national highways at night

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