The Longest Interstate Highways In The United States
The U.S. Interstate Highway System began in 1956 and has a pretty interesting history behind it. It was created to not only make commerce between states easier, but also to serve as an emergency air strip for the troops should they need it. An idea which must have sprung during the second World War. Since 1956, seventy-seven different highways have been built across the country to create the impressive interstate system we have today.
Let’s take a look at the 5 longest interstate highways in the United States, all of which stretch to over 2,000 miles long and are considered to be major coast-to-coast or border-to-border highways.
- ) I-90: 3,020 miles
I-90 is the longest interstate highway in the United States and it’s 3,020 miles run between Seattle, WA and Boston, MA. It serves 13 different states across the country, and is one of the oldest having been built in 1956.
2.) I-80: 2,900 miles
Interstate-80 comes in at second longest in the country and serves 11 states as it spans the country between San Francisco, CA and Teaneck, NJ. This highway was also built in 1956.
3.) I-40: 2,557 miles
Built in 1964, Interstate-40 is the third longest and spans between Barstow, CA and Wilmington, NC; serving 8 different states along its route.
4.) I-10: 2,460 miles
Interstate-10 is the fourth longest, and serves 8 states as it runs between coastal cities Santa Monica, CA and Jacksonville, FL. It was one of the earliest built and opened in 1957.
5.) I-70: 2,151 miles
Coming in at number 5 is Interstate-70, the last interstate highway on the list to reach a length of over 2,000 miles. It stretches between Cove Fort, UT and Baltimore, MD and serves 10 states along the way. Another one of the oldest highways, this was built in 1956.