TOP-3 LONGEST HIGHWAYS IN THE USA

by Martin B. · August 1, 2022

The United States is home to an extensive system of highways that connects the entire country from east to west, and north to south. These highways play a vital role in connecting the different parts of the country, making travel and transportation of goods easier and more expedient.

There are several types of highways in the US, some are two-digit and some are three-digit. Three-digit highways are usually ‘spurs’ from their parent routes. The numbering of US highways varies, but they generally increase from north to south. In other cases, a highway may have two alignments, such as U.S. Route 264.

There are many long highways in the USA, so it is useful to know which ones are the longest before you plan a trip. The following article will explain the lengths of U.S. Routes 6, 20, and 12, as well as the longer I-90.

1. U.S. Route 6

Although US 6 is one of the longest highways in the United States, it did not start as a US route. Instead, it was originally called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, in honor of the Union forces in the Civil War. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War began lobbying to have the highway named this way in 1934, and the idea gained traction. State officials in Massachusetts began meeting to adopt the name, and a bill was eventually passed by the state legislature.

If you’ve ever driven across the United States, you’ve likely seen U.S. Route 6, which runs diagonally from Provincetown, Massachusetts, to Bishop, California. It crosses 14 states and would take you about 61 hours to drive the entire route. The road was once the longest in the country, but it was later shortened to cut through rural areas and create a scenic highway. The current route is 3,198 miles long, but it was previously shorter.

The route begins at US 395 in Bishop, California, and continues northward through the Chalfant Valley. It also passes through Yosemite National Park and continues through California and Nevada to the Utah state line.

US Route 6 is located in Pennsylvania’s northern tier, and it stretches more than 400 miles through mountainous terrain, farmland, and beautiful rural areas. Along the way, you’ll find charming towns with a rich heritage and unique culture.

2. Interstate Highway 90

Interstate 90 is the longest interstate highway in the USA, spanning from Seattle to Boston. It would take four days to drive the entire length of I-90 if you traveled from west to east. From north to south, it would take you about 10 hours per day. The highway passes through 13 different states, traversing various types of topography. The highway also goes through many major cities, including Sioux Falls, Buffalo, and Seattle.

I-90 is part of a 41,000-mile network of interstate highways in the USA. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 allocated 26 billion dollars to fund the construction of these freeways. President Dwight Eisenhower advocated for a high-speed national road network after seeing one in Germany during World War II.

Several cities along the route offer truck parking. Of these, nineteen provide less than 25 truck parking spaces, while the rest have at least 25 spaces. The next highest elevation is in South Dakota. This road is also connected to Route 128. There are also several bridges, including the iconic Aurora Bridge.

Since its opening, Interstate 90 has played an important role in connecting cities in the northwest. This route has served as an important link between Seattle, Spokane, and Missoula.

3. U.S. Route 20

While the US 20 is not considered an interstate highway, it is one of the longest roads in the USA. In fact, Route 20 is actually parallel to Interstate 90, the longest highway in the country. According to Google Maps, the driving time for US 20 is around 52 hours. However, it is recommended that travelers expect it to be around 60 hours, accounting for stops on the way and keeping speed limits in mind.

The route passes through Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, famous for its scenic lakeshore and rolling dunes. It also passes through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and the Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The route technically ends at the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

The route is 3,365 miles long and passes through 12 states between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana are all located on U.S. Route 20. It also passes through two different cities named Albany. The Historic Route 20 association is a great resource for planning your road trip. It also offers road trip maps and detailed histories of the road.

4. U.S. Route 12

U.S. Route 12 stretches for over 2,500 miles across the United States. Its eastern portion winds through a remote mountain forest, climbing up to the Lolo Pass. This portion of the highway was the last US road to be built, and it has few services between Lowell and Powell, 70 miles (110 km) to the east.

US 12 begins in Richmond, Illinois, and continues south to Des Plaines. It then turns due south and continues through the Chicago metropolitan area. At the Indiana state line, it joins up with US 41 at Ewing Avenue and Indianapolis Avenue. The highway then travels along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, almost to the Michigan state line.

The original US-12 was originally known as US-112 before it was constructed. It was intended to be a more direct route between Detroit and Chicago. At the time, the Michigan State Highway Department planned to upgrade the whole corridor to expressway status and bypass larger cities along the way. The Colorado Pass Road is home to two national parks and three state parks and a national forest. This scenic highway is a great way to view the landscape.

Conclusion

Highways increase productivity and efficiency by increasing the movement of people and freight across the country. They help to open up previously inaccessible areas and encourage development in rural areas. They also improve economic development and employment opportunities.

The federal government has contributed to the creation of highways and highway systems in the U.S., including the interstate system. These networks provide employment and economic growth for many Americans. The construction of new highways supports about 200,000 jobs a year and provides an estimated 7.5 billion dollars in annual earnings. In addition, the national transportation network supports more than 70 million jobs. These workers are employed in manufacturing, retail sales, and tourism.

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Martin B.

Ex-smoker, passionate vaper who loves to tell the world about the life-changing potential of vaping. Co-creator of Ecigclopedia with a background in Business & Finance. Prefers a dessert flavored vape and loves to innovate.