The Longest Highways Running Through the Most U.S. States

Introduction

The United States is a vast country, and its highway network is crucial for connecting different regions. Among the many highways, some stand out for the number of states they traverse. This article explores which U.S. road runs through the most states, comparing different routes and highlighting their unique features.

US Route 20: The Record Holder

U.S. Route 20 (US Route 20) holds the distinction of running through the most states in the United States. It traverses 12 states from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon, covering a total distance of about 3,365 miles. This extensive route makes it one of the longest highways in the U.S. and spans diverse regions and landscapes, from New England to the Pacific Northwest. The states it passes through are:

Boston, Massachusetts New York Pennsylvania Ohio Indiana Illinois Iowa Nebraska Wyoming Montana Idaho Oregon Newport, Oregon

The Interstate Highway System

The Interstate Highway System, developed in the mid-20th century, follows a specific numbering system. East-West routes have numbers ending in "0," while north-south routes have numbers ending in "5." Three-digit numbered highways indicate belt routes or spurs that connect to other interstate highways within a state. While the Interstate Highway System is designed with specific routes, travelers can still reach all 50 states by changing between different route numbers.

Interstate Highway 90: The Longest Interstate

Interstate Highway 90 (I-90) is a major north-south route in the United States, linking Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington. It is the longest Interstate highway, stretching for 3,020 miles and passing through 14 states.

Boston, Massachusetts New York Pennsylvania Ohio Indiana Illinois Wisconsin Minnesota South Dakota Wyoming Montana Idaho Washington Seattle, Washington

Other Notable Highways

While I-90 takes the lead, there are several other highways that traverse a significant number of states:

U.S. Route 1 (US-1): Running along the East Coast, US-1 goes from Key West, Florida, to the Clarftime-Fort Kent Bridge in Fort Kent, Maine, passing through 14 states plus the District of Columbia. It is the longest north-south highway in the U.S. U.S. Route 6 (US-6): Spanning 14 states, US-6 begins in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and includes Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, finally reaching California. Interstate 95 (I-95): At 1,500 miles, I-95 is one of the busiest and longest interstate highways, linking Boston to Miami, Florida. It goes through 15 states, including Washington, D.C., and the District of Columbia. Interstate 10 (I-10): I-10 runs from California to Louisiana, passing through 8 states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). Interstate 80 (I-80): Spanning 12 states, I-80 runs from California to New York, passing through 12 states.

Conclusion

The highways mentioned here showcase the vast network of the U.S. road system, highlighting the diversity of regions they connect. Regardless of whether one opts for US Route 20, the Interstate Highway System, or other notable routes, the journey across these highways offers a unique experience of the American landscape and culture.

Keywords: US Route 20, Interstate Highway System, longest highways