End of US highway 191 (south segment)
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(not to be confused with the separate northern segment of US 191)
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1926-1981
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1981-1992
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1992-present
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Summa
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Prior to 1981, US 191 was a single, continuous route. But in June of that year, a big change was approved for US 191: the route was extended south to Chambers AZ via what had been US 187 through Wyoming. In order to get there, US 191 was assumed to follow an implied route through Yellowstone National Park. However, since US routes do not exist in Yellowstone, this action created two separate, disconnected segments of US 191. This page covers the south segment, the northern terminus of which was (and still is) at the south entrance to Yellowstone.
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This photo shows the former south beginning of US 191[s], as seen from westbound I-40 at Chambers:
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Sanderson, Mar. 2013
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This shot shows modern signage at what was once the south end of US 191[s], at its interchange with I-40:
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Sanderson, Mar. 2013
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c. 1983, Rand McNally
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That map makes it clear why it did not make sense to have US 191 heading north from I-40, while just six miles to the east it was US 666 heading south from I-40. Plus, Arizona was probably eager to be done with chronic US 666 sign replacements due to frequent theft. So in 1992, US 191[s] was extended east from Chambers along I-40 to Sanders, and then south, replacing what had been US 666 all the way to Douglas... or at least close (photos and more info on the Douglas page).
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Research and/or photo credits: Dale Sanderson; Michael Summa
Page originally created 1999;
last updated Feb. 27, 2023.
last updated Feb. 27, 2023.
