America is home to some of the most advanced highways in the world, boasting an impressive Interstate and Route network stretching a combined length of over 157,700 miles. Many of these roadways are transcontinental, with some stretching across the entire America, helping connect cities, allowing for fast transfer of goods and reviving iconic historical roadways.
I-70
I-70 runs between the I-15 in Cove Fort, Utah and the MD 570 outside Baltimore, Maryland. Reaching an impressive 2,171 miles, it stretches across 10 states with its construction in Colorado and Utah considered engineering marvels. I-70 is best known for its 1.7 miles of roadway through the Eisenhower Tunnel, climbing a staggering 11,158 feet in elevation and being crowned the highest Interstate in America.
U.S. Route 1
Route 1 is America’s longest North-South highway, running between Fort Kent, Maine and Key West, Florida, with a total length of 2,369 miles. Its most alluring feature is the breathtaking scenic route along Florida’s coastline and easy access to the island of Key West, which is one of the most tropically inviting destinations in America!
U.S. Route 20
If you ever wanted to go for an extensive road trip crossing the first established National Park in America, you should take Route 20! Known as the longest road in America, with 3,365 miles, it starts in Newport, Oregon, sending drivers down an unofficial segment of roadway through Yellowstone National Park, ending in Boston, Massachusetts.
I-95
Starting in Houlton, Maine, and ending in Miami, Florida, I-95 is famously known for passing through the most states of any Interstate. In fact, it passes through 15 of the Eastern Coastline’s states, including Washington, D.C., stretching nearly 2,000 miles and providing a similar experience to highways like Route 1.
I-90
I-90 is the I-95’s big brother, stretching a staggering 3,099 miles and serving 13 states. It takes the crown of America’s longest Interstate. Starting in areas of intense natural beauty and grandiose scale, like the Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains and the Midwest, it eventually ends at Route 1A in Massachusetts.
U.S. Route 101
Some know Route 101 as the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching 1,535 miles and covering nearly the entire West Coast. Although it’s made up of three digits, the highway doesn’t classify as a spur route, acting as a primary route. Many drivers urge others to visit Rialto Beach near Forks for its breathtaking shores, towering pines and gigantic sea-stacks.
U.S. Route 30
Known as the third longest highway in America (3,112 miles), Route 30 has yet to be decommissioned, unlike the iconic Route 66. It holds significant historic value, as the roadway has amalgamated much of the first road across the U.S., the Lincoln Highway. It’s also been the first highway in the U.S. to have always been coast-to-coast.
U.S. Route 83
“The Road to Nowhere” or Route 83 takes drivers on one of the straightest 1,886-mile roads in America, starting in Westhope, North Dakota and ending in Brownsville, Texas. It not only connects Canada, America and Mexico, but it takes you deeper into Texas than any other highway in the U.S.
I-80
We can think of I-80 as Route 30’s less historically accurate brother, starting in San Francisco, California, closely following much of the old Lincoln Highway, and ending in Teaneck, New Jersey. This 2,900-mile roadway also roughly follows other historic roadways, like the California Trail across California and Nevada, and the Oregon Trail across Wyoming and Nebraska.
U.S. Route 2
Route 2 is a fairly strange highway, since it stretches from Everett, Washington to St. Ignace, Michigan, but also passes through Canada. Meaning, if you’d like to travel the entirety of Route 2’s 2,575 miles, you need to remember your passport or you’ll be met with a lengthy detour!
U.S. Route 61
Referred to as the “Blues Highway” and featured on the Mississippi Blues Trail, the 1,406 miles of Route 61 have inspired many musical works such as Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan. The roadway stretches between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Wyoming, Minnesota (the city, not the state of Wyoming), following the course of the Mississippi River and earning the alternate name “The Great River Road.”
U.S. Route 50
Unlike most of the other highways on this list, the 3,019 miles of U.S. Route 50 passes predominantly through rural areas of America. Its most iconic stretch runs through Nevada, earning the nickname “The Loneliest Road in America.” U.S. Route 50 provides drivers with an unforgettable journey, traversing Nevada’s ancient deserts, mysterious Appalachian regions, and vast expanses of farmland.
U.S. Route 85
Route 85, also known as the CanAm Highway, stretches 1,479 miles from Fortuna, North Dakota, to El Paso, Texas, and much like Route 83, connects Canada, America and Mexico. Although it passes through America, it is recognized as an international highway or a transnational highway because it passes through international borders and connects countries.
I-50
Unlike most of the other highways on this list, the 3,019 miles of I-50 passes predominantly through rural areas of America. Its most iconic piece of road passes through Nevada and is referred to as “The Loneliest Road in America.” However, I-50 provides drivers with an unforgettable trip, passing Nevada’s ancient deserts, the mysterious Appalachian Mountains and large areas of beautiful farmland.
U.S. Route 6
Route 6 is America’s second longest road with 3,198 miles stretching between Bishop, California and Provincetown, Massachusetts. Alternatively named the “Grand Army of the Republic Highway,” it honors the American Civil War, paying homage to all the soldiers who were stationed on its border that is now represented by the roadway.
