Highway 44 (Israel)

Highway 44 is a highway in central Israel. It connects Tel Aviv-Yafo to Ramla, Lod and the Shefela. It begins in Tel Aviv in the north and ends at Nachshon and Shimshon junction near Beit Shemesh in the south.

This road operated for many years before Highway 1 was built as the main route from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Even today, it serves as one of the main routes to Latrun and from there to Sha'ar HaGai. Even though many people believe it is an east-west road because it is even-numbered, it really is a north-south road. The mistake derives from the fact that Highway 44 intersects with many east-west roads, including the Ayalon Highway, Highway 4, and Route 412.

Description of the route

Highway 44 begins at Holon interchange on the Ayalon Highway and passes by Mikve Yisrael and Holon and Azor. It crosses Highway 4 at HaShiv'a interchange (HaShiv'a means the seven people). Here the route is called HaShiv'a road.

Southeast of HaShiv'a interchange the road crosses Beit Dagan junction with route 412, which connects it with Rishon Letzion and Yehud. Highway 44 continues southeast to this junction as it passes Wolkani Institute, the Tzrifin military base, and Asaf HaRofe Hospital. From there it continues to the outskirts of Ramla and Ramlod junction.

From Ramlod junction the road continues past several junctions (one to Petah Tikva and another to Rehovot) beyond the Ramla Nesher factory for the manufacture of malt, one of the most impressive landmarks in the area. Afterwards, Nesharim interchange connects with Highway 6. The road itself continues to Nahshon junction south of Latrun, and passes near the communities of Taoz, Harel, and the forests of Eshtaol and HaNasi until it ends at Shimshon junction.

Interchanges and junctions on the route

ee also

*List of highways in Israel