5 longest bridges in India worth a road trip

India’s road network is dotted with some engineering marvels that do more than just connect two points, and have been redefining the way we travel in so many ways. Then there are massive bridges that stretch across rivers, seas, and valleys, bringing distant regions closer and making long drives a memorable adventure. The very sight of these bridges makes one wonder how the brains might have worked tirelessly to turn such audacious ideas into concrete realities. So, if anyone loves the open road, here are five of the longest bridges in India that one can actually drive across, comfortably.

Imagine driving across the Arabian Sea for over 21 km. Yes, the bridge is actually that long. That’s exactly what the Atal Setu, officially known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, offers. Opened in January 2024, this six-lane expressway bridge is India’s longest sea bridge and the 12th longest in the world.
Starting from Sewri in South Mumbai and stretching across Thane Creek before meeting Nhava Sheva near Navi Mumbai, this engineering wonder connects directly to the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on one end and the Coastal Road on the other. With emergency exit lanes, crash barriers, noise control walls, and the capacity to handle 70,000 vehicles daily, it’s a lifeline for commuters. Built at a staggering cost of INR 17,843 crore, the Atal Setu is one of the fastest, and most scenic routes between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Bihar is home to one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, the Kacchi Dargah–Bidupur Bridge across the mighty Ganges. Stretching between Patna’s Kacchi Dargah and Bidupur near Hajipur in Vaishali district, the bridge links two major national highways, NH 31 and NH 122B, making road travel between North and South Bihar smoother than ever.
Once completed, it will become the second longest bridge above water in India, reducing dependence on congested older routes like the Mahatma Gandhi Setu. Approach roads extending over 13 km add to its scale, making it one of the most extensive infrastructure developments in eastern India.

Next up is the Dhola–Sadiya Bridge, officially named the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge. At 9.15 km in length, this bridge across the Lohit River is a game-changer for the Northeast. Connecting Dhola and Sadiya in Assam, it provides access to Arunachal Pradesh, whose border doesn’t lie far from here.
But this bridge is not just about civilian travel. Given its proximity to the India-China border, the structure is built to handle the weight of heavy Indian Army battle tanks, making it a vital strategic asset. For travelers, however, the highlight is the sheer experience of driving along a bridge flanked by stunning river views with the Himalayas in the distance.

Arunachal Pradesh is home to the Dibang River Bridge, also called Sikang in Adi and Talon in Idu Mishmi languages. Measuring 6.2 km, it’s the third longest bridge above water in India.
The bridge connects the villages of Bomjir and Malek, ensuring year-round connectivity between Dambuk and Roing via the NH-13 Trans-Arunachal Highway. Completed in 2018, it has immense strategic importance for India’s defense forces as well, strengthening access to the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control. For civilians, though, it’s a boon that finally opened up remote corners of Arunachal to smoother travel.

Before the new giants came along, Mahatma Gandhi Setu held the crown as India’s longest bridge for decades. Opened in 1982 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, this 5.75 km structure connects Patna with Hajipur across the Ganga. For many years, it was a symbol of Bihar’s road progress and a lifeline for trade and travel between northern and southern Bihar.
Though age took its toll on the bridge, the recent rehabilitation project has given it a facelift, with new steel trusses replacing old structures. Today, it continues to serve thousands of vehicles daily, standing tall as an enduring landmark of Indian engineering.