Compared with developed countries such as Europe and Japan, the quality of highway tunnel engineering in China needs to be improved urgently. Firstly, the background of carrying out the of quality upgrading action of highway tunnels is analyzed from three dimensions of national strategy, industry needs and people′s needs, its profound connotation is interpreted from eight aspects, and the general ideas and technical points for quality upgrading of highway tunnels are expounded in detail. And then it is emphasized that the key areas to be paid attention to are tunnel entrance, tunnel body and road surface, and shortcomings to be conquered are ventilation system, lighting system, fire fighting system, escape evacuation facilities, traffic safety facilities and intelligent management and maintenance platform. As well, the concept of "facilities are the foundation, safety is the fundamental, maintenance is the key, management and control is the core, plan is the guarantee, and quality is the pursuit" is put forward. Finally, it is suggested that we should vigorously promote the coordinated development of highway tunnel construction, management, maintenance, operation, safety and service, and build safe, green and intelligent highway tunnels, and help our country move from a "big country of highway tunnel" to a "powerful country of highway tunnel".