of the Longest Highways in the U.S.
While we now have the ability to fly to many destinations all over the U.S., we shouldn't take for granted the roads that can get us from here to there and give us the chance to have a big adventure at the same time. Overall, our highway infrastructure is quite impressive, no matter how infuriating your L.A. commute might be. So let's take a look at eight of the longest highways in the United States and see where they can take us.
U.S. 1 (2,593 Miles)
It seems fitting that we start with U.S. 1, but that's really just a coincidence. This highway is a part of the U.S. highway system which formed out of existing named roads. To create some order from the chaos, highways were numbered generally with odd routes going from north to south and even roads going from east to west. And while there are always exceptions to the rule, usually the numbers increase from east to west. So U.S. 1 is the highway that stretches from Fort Kent, Maine, to Key West, Florida. The road used to stop in Miami but made its way even farther south to Key West when they were able to repair the Overseas Highway in the 1930s.
U.S. 2 (2,643 Miles)
U.S. 2 goes from Houlton, Maine, to Everett, Washington. Road Trip USA dubs this route the Great Northern Road Trip. If you follow it, you're sure to see plenty of wide-open spaces and even take a journey through Canada. Notable stops along the way include Acadia National Park in Maine and the Big Nickel (which is precisely what it sounds like) in Canada. You can also see the Roadside Giants (larger than life, quirky statues) in North Dakota, and Glacier National Park in Montana. Now, if you are really trying to get from Maine to Washington, I-90 is the quicker route. But if you're looking for an epic road trip, U.S. 2 will do the trick.
I-80 (2,899.59 Miles)
Interstate 80 is a transcontinental roadway, stretching from San Francisco, California, to just a few miles west of the Hudson River in New Jersey. It travels through 11 states, and since it's an interstate, the speed limits are high. A notable feature of I-80 is the elevation of the highest pass. The highest point is in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne at 8,640 feet. Because of the high elevation and treacherous Wyoming winds, the road is often closed during the winter, much to the chagrin of truckers and other travelers.
U.S. 50 (3,007 Miles)
Sometimes called "The Loneliest Road," U.S. 50 takes travelers from Sacramento, California, to Ocean City, Maryland. According to Road Trip USA, it passes through four state capitals as well as the nation's capital. And while the start of the highway takes you right through Silicon Valley, much of the road passes through small towns that still hold onto pieces of the past. It travels through three incredible mountain ranges — the Sierra Nevada, the Rocky Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains. The "Loneliest Road" portion refers specifically the part of the highway passing through Nevada.
I-90 (3,020.44 Miles)
Interstate 90 is the longest interstate on our list. It clocks in at just over 3,000 miles and goes from Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington. Fun fact — I-80 and I-90 combine for a bit between Indiana and Cleveland. Roadtrippers shares some highlights to hit along the way if you're planning a road trip. If you're on I-90 in New England and love roller coasters, you've got to go to Six Flags New England. This theme park dates back to 1870. But don't worry, they've updated all the rides since then. If you're a big superhero fan, you can stop at the birthplace of Superman in Cleveland. Visitors make the pilgrimage to the home where a teenage boy named Jerry Siegel first dreamed up the concept of this hero with superpowers.
U.S. 30 (3,073 Miles)
U.S. 30 spans from Astoria, Oregon, to Atlantic City, New Jersey. This highway is actually lucky to be alive since it has long stretches that are concurrent with other interstates or highways. It's quite confusing to follow since it merges and diverges from so many other roads. Some states have more prominent sections of U.S. 30, such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. In other states such as Nebraska, it simply runs parallel to I-80, making itself obsolete.
U.S. 6 (3,227 Miles)
Coming in as the second-longest highway in the nation, U.S. 6 takes drivers from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts. While this highway seems desolate, there are still many places to stop that are worth seeing. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Sparks, Nevada, is a beautiful place that protects the beauty of canyons and mountains. In Denver, Colorado, stop for a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater, a spectacular outdoor music venue. And later on in Cleveland, you can pay homage to all the great rockers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
U.S. 20 (3,365 Miles)
And now for our longest highway — U.S. 20 at 3,3,65 miles. From Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon, you can see the nation and stop at some great spots along the way. Insider suggests riding some roller coasters at Cedar Point in Ohio. You can also see the one-and-only Carhenge in Nebraska, which is a replication of Stonehenge made out of — you guessed it — cars. And if you take on an extensive road trip like this, you'll get to enjoy many unique and quirky national treasures that most people never get to see.
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