10 Longest Highways & Interstates in America
Discover the extensive network of highways and interstates that crisscross the United States with our comprehensive list of the top 10 longest routes, ranked by total miles covered.
For truck drivers and road enthusiasts alike, these iconic highways are more than just routes; they are lifelines that connect cities, facilitate commerce, and shape the American landscape.
If you’re a truck driver spending countless hours on the road hauling freight across the country, you’re likely familiar with these historic thoroughfares.
You might even find yourself driving on one of them right now, navigating the twists and turns that have seen generations of travelers.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through these monumental highways, starting from the 10th longest and working your way up to the longest.
Each entry will not only highlight the distance covered but also share insights into the history and significance of these routes, providing a deeper understanding of their impact on transportation and commerce.
Whether you’re planning your next haul or simply curious about America’s vast roadway system, this list is sure to enhance your appreciation for the roads that keep our economy moving.
- US Route 20
- US Route 6
- Interstate 90
- US Route 30
- US Route 50
- Interstate 80
- US Route 60
- US Route 2
- Interstate 40
- US Route 12
10. US Route 12
Constructed in 1926 and measuring a length of 2,484 miles (3,998 km). U.S. Route 12 is the 10th longest highway. U.S. Route 12 is an east-west United States highway. Running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan, for almost 2,500 miles.
The highway’s western terminus is in Aberdeen, Washington, at an intersection with US 101, while the highway’s eastern terminus is in Downtown Detroit, at the corner of Michigan and Cass avenues, near Campus Martius Park.
The highway has mostly been superseded by Interstate 90 and I-94 but remains an important link for local and regional destinations.
9. Interstate 40 or I-40
Interstate 40 aka I-40 started its existence in 1957 and to the present day. The total length of 2,555 miles. A major east-to-west Interstate Highway running through the south-central portion of the United States generally north of I-10, I-20, and I-30 but south of I-70.
The western end is at I-15 in Barstow, CA. I-40’s eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, NC. Much of the western part of I-40, from Oklahoma City to Barstow parallels or overlays the historic US 66. I-40 runs through or near many major cities including Albuquerque, NM; Amarillo, Texas; Oklahoma City, OK; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Tennessee; Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina.
8. US Route 2
U.S. Route 2 or U.S. Highway 2 or US 2 is an east-to-west U.S. Highway spanning 2,571 miles (4,138 km) across the northern continental United States. US 2 has been in existence since November 11, 1926. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada. Unlike some routes, which are disconnected into segments because of encroaching Interstate Highways, the two portions of US 2 were designed to be separate in the original 1926 highway plan.
The western segment of US 2 has its western terminus at an interchange with Interstate 5 aka I-5 and State Route 529 (Maple Street) in Everett, Washington, and its eastern terminus at I-75 in St. Ignace, Michigan. The eastern segment of US 2 has its western terminus at US 11 in Rouses Point, New York, and its eastern terminus at I-95 in Houlton, Maine.
As its number indicates, it is the northernmost east-west U.S. Route in the country. It is the lowest primary-numbered east-west U.S. Route, whose numbers otherwise end in zero, and was so numbered to avoid a US 0. Sections of US 2 in New England were once New England Route 15, part of the New England road marking system.
7. US Route 60
Coming at #7 longest high in the USA is U.S. Route 60 or U.S. Measuring 2,655 miles in length. Highway 60 or US 60 is a major east-to-west US highway, from southwestern Arizona to the Atlantic coast in Virginia.
The highway’s eastern terminus is in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where it is known as Pacific Avenue, in the city’s Oceanfront resort district at the intersection of 5th Street and Winston-Salem Avenue. Its original western terminus was in Springfield, Missouri; it was then extended to Los Angeles, California; but in 1964 it was truncated to end southwest of Brenda, Arizona at an interchange with Interstate 10 (I-10) after the US 60 highway designation was removed from California.
Some US 60 signs can be seen at this interchange about 5 mi (8.0 km) southwest of Brenda. I-10 replaced US 60 from Beaumont, California to Arizona, and California State Route 60 (SR 60) replaced US 60 from Los Angeles to Beaumont.
6. Interstate 80 (I-80)
I-80 comes in at number 6. Our corporate headquarters is located about 3 miles away from I-80. I-80 measures in at 2,899 miles in length. Stretching from US 101 in San Francisco to I-95 in Teaneck, NJ.
Interstate 80 (I-80) is an east-west transcontinental freeway in the United States.
The highway was designated in 1956 as one of the original routes of the Interstate Highway System. Its final segment was opened to traffic in 1986. It is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following I-90.
5. US Route 50
Also located near our corporate office in the Sacramento area is US 50. U.S. Route 50 or U.S. Highway 50 (US 50) is a major east-west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching just over 3,000 miles from Interstate 80 (I-80) in West Sacramento, California, to Maryland Route 528 (MD 528) in Ocean City, Maryland, on the Atlantic Ocean. Stretching 3073 miles.
Until 1972, when it was replaced by Interstate Highways west of the Sacramento area, it extended (by way of Stockton, the Altamont Pass, and the Bay Bridge) to San Francisco, near the Pacific Ocean.
The Interstates were constructed later and are mostly separate from this route. It generally serves a corridor south of I-70 and I-80 and north of I-64 and I-40. The route runs through the mostly rural desert and mountains in the western United States, with the section through Nevada known as “The Loneliest Road in America”.
4. US Route 30
U.S. Route 30 or U.S. Highway 30 is an east-west main route in the system of the United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country.
With a length of 3,073 miles (4,946 km), it is the third-longest U.S. highway, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at US 101 in Astoria, Oregon; the eastern end is at Virginia Avenue, Absecon Boulevard, and Adriatic Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Despite long stretches of parallel and concurrent Interstate Highways, it has not been decommissioned, unlike other long-haul routes such as U.S. Route 66.
The “0” as the last number in the digit indicates that it is a coast-to-coast route and a major east-west route. Much of the historic Lincoln Highway, the first road across America (from New York City to San Francisco), became part of US 30; it is still known by that name in many areas.
3. Interstate 90 (I-90)
Interstate 90 also known as I-90 is an east-west transcontinental freeway and the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at 3,020 miles. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at State Route 519 near T-Mobile Park and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in Boston, at Route 1A near Logan International Airport.
The western portion of I-90 crosses the Continental Divide over Homestake Pass just east of Butte, Montana, connecting to several major cities.
2. US Route 6
U.S. Route 6 aka US 6, also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, honoring the American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system. While it currently runs east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts, the route has been modified several times. The current length is 3,198 miles.
The highway’s longest-lasting routing, from 1936 to 1964, had its western terminus at Long Beach, California. During this time, US 6 was the longest highway in the country.
In 1964, the state of California renumbered its highways, and most of the route within California was transferred to other highways. This dropped the highway’s length below that of US 20.
1. US Route 20
U.S. Route 20 or U.S. Highway 20 (US 20) is an east-west United States highway that stretches from the Pacific Northwest all the way to New England. The “0” in its route number indicates that US 20 is a coast-to-coast route and a major route. Spanning 3,365 miles, it is the longest road in the United States, and the route is roughly parallel to that of the newer Interstate 90 (I-90), which is, in turn, the longest Interstate Highway in the U.S.
There is a discontinuity in the official designation of US 20 through Yellowstone National Park, with unnumbered roads used to traverse the park.
US 20 and US 30 break the general U.S. Route numbering rules in Oregon, since US 30 actually starts north of US 20 in Astoria, and runs parallel to the north throughout the state (the Columbia River and Interstate 84). The two run concurrently and continue in the correct positioning near Caldwell, Idaho. This is because US 20 was not a planned coast-to-coast route while US 30 was. US 20 originally ended at the eastern entrance of Yellowstone Park; it was extended in 1940.
The highway’s eastern terminus is in Boston, Massachusetts, at Kenmore Square, where it meets Route 2. Its western terminus is in Newport, Oregon, at an intersection with US 101, within a mile of the Pacific Ocean
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the highways and interstates of the United States serve as vital arteries of transportation, facilitating the movement of goods and people across vast distances. Our exploration of the top 10 longest highways highlights not only their impressive lengths but also their historical significance and the role they play in connecting communities and economies.
Whether you’re a seasoned truck driver or a curious traveler, understanding these monumental routes enhances your appreciation for the journey itself. As you navigate these storied highways, remember the countless stories and experiences woven into the fabric of each mile.
From the bustling cities to the quiet stretches of open road, these highways offer a glimpse into the diverse landscapes and cultures that make up our nation.
So, the next time you find yourself on one of these iconic interstates, take a moment to reflect on the rich history and the myriad journeys that have unfolded along its path. Safe travels, and may the open road always lead you to new adventures!
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