In order to realize 3D visual design of highway tunnel and improve the quality and efficiency of design work, a new design method based on BIM technology is studied and 3D design and application flow of tunnel project is established. (1) Some technical difficulties of 3D design are resolved and two schemes and flow of highprecision 3D design of highway tunnel are explored and compared. (2) The key points of detail processing of tunnel 3D model are explained and the feasibility of the flow based on BIM is verified by application to actual project. (3) The application of technical scheme is carried out, including engineering quantity statistics, realtime surrounding rock query, design scheme comparison, simulation analysis, results output, etc. 3D design of highway tunnel based on BIM technology is feasible, which can show the advantages of component information based on BIM and express the design intention.