In order to compare and select the optimal route for long-distance transmission pipelines, a quantitative analysis of route adaptability is conducted, and a method based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution(AHP-TOPSIS) is proposed. Taking Dayu-Shijiazhuang distribution station of the Shaanxi-Beijing second pipeline as a case study,10 indicators, including investment estimation, tunnel crossing and passing through active fault zone, are selected to develop a hierarchical model comprising target layer—criterion layer—scheme layer, thereby forming a route selection index system. The AHP method is applied to determine the weighting and ranking of each index. The TOPSIS method is selected to build a weighted normalized matrix to calculate and rank the relative proximity of each route to the ideal route, thereby determining the optimal route. The results show that the 3 indices on investment estimation, tunnel crossing and passing through active fault zone have great influence on route selection. According to the quantitative calculation, the southern route is obviously superior to the northern route, which is in agreement with the actual situation. The engineering example proves that the AHP-TOPSIS method can be effectively applied in the route comparison of long-distance transmission pipelines, providing a solid basis for the best route selection.