Which State Has the Most Miles of Interstate Highway?

As of the latest records, Texas leads the United States in terms of the longest interstate highway system, with over 3200 miles of interstates. This extensive network is a testament to Texas's vast size and significant population, facilitating efficient transportation and commerce across the region.

Overview of Interstate Highway Leadership

When looking at the total interstate highway miles within each state, the ranking reveals fascinating insights. Texas, with a reported range of 3233 to 3504 miles out of the total 48756-mile Interstate Highway system, significantly outpaces other states. California follows closely with 2456 miles, while Hawaii has the least at a mere 55 miles. This low figure for Hawaii somewhat defies the plain-language meaning of "Interstate," given its remote location and not being a part of the interconnected mainland network.

The Longest Interstate Route in Texas

Recognizing the highways that span across the states, it's important to distinguish between total miles and the longest segments within a state. Texas holds the record for the longest single interstate route within the United States. Among the longest interstate highways in Texas is Interstate 10 (I-10), extending approximately 878 miles from the border with New Mexico to the border with Louisiana. I-10 is a critical east-west interstate that traverse the southern part of the United States, connecting major cities such as Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso.

Leading States by Longest Interstate Segment

If your interest shifts to the longest segment of an Interstate Highway within a given state, then Texas and California stand out.

Texas

The longest segment of an Interstate Highway in Texas is Interstate 10 (I-10) at 1412 km (878 miles). This route stretches from El Paso to Orange, passing through key cities like Houston and San Antonio. The interstate not only connects major urban areas but also serves as a significant link to cities in the Western and Southeastern parts of the United States, such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Santa Monica, California. Interestingly, despite these connections, the distance between El Paso and Orange is longer than the distance between El Paso and Santa Monica, at 1377 km compared to 1331 km.

California

The second-longest segment is Interstate 5 (I-5), which spans 1282 km (801 miles) and runs from the Mexican border in San Diego to Oregon.

The Biggest Interstate Highway in the United States

For the longest interstate highway in the entire United States, Interstate 90 (I-90) emerges as the frontrunner, with a total distance of 4862 km (3022 miles). Here's a breakdown of the various states I-90 traverses:

Washington: 478 km (297 miles) Idaho: 118 km (73 miles) Montana: 889 km (553 miles) Wyoming: 336 km (209 miles) South Dakota: 664 km (413 miles) Minnesota: 444 km (276 miles) Wisconsin: 175 km (109 miles) Illinois: 199 km (124 miles) Indiana: 252 km (157 miles) Ohio: 394 km (245 miles) Pennsylvania: 75 km (47 miles) New York: 620 km (386 miles) Massachusetts: 218 km (135 miles)

In summary, while Texas leads in total interstate highway miles, routes like I-10 and I-90 connect major cities and span significant distances, making them pivotal to the transportation and economic vitality of their respective regions.