U.S. Highways

You may ask yourself, "Where does this highway go?"

Today's highway system is not the same as it ever was.  The US routes formed the nation's original "inter-state" highway network.  First commissioned in 1926, the US highways pre-date the modern Interstate highway system by about three decades.  Back in those days, if you found yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile and decided to drive across the country, you almost certainly would have used the US highway system.

• Today there are 194 US routes still in existence, which means there are 388 current endpoints.  

• Historically there were an additional 94 US routes that have since been decommissioned.  

• When including historic routes and historic termini, the number of endpoints goes up to about 1350.

Search for US highway information geographically:

• This interactive map shows all endpoints. 

• Zoom in to your area of interest and click on a location.

• In the bubble that pops up, click on the link to view photos, maps, history, etc.

Search for US highway information numerically:

• Use the "Endpoints" menu to navigate to the page for a specific route number. 

• Three-digit "branch" routes are listed under their two-digit "main" route.  For example, US 285 is listed under US 85.

• However, there are a few three-digit routes that are not branches of the main route implied by their number.  For example, US 101 is not a branch route of US 1.  So it is listed under "Anomalies", along with US 163, 400, 412, and 425.

Search for US highway information chronologically:

• Our book chronicles every major change that took place during the first century of the US route system, discussing the year-by-year history within the framework of four distinct time periods.

Good to know

• Hit the Store link to see how you can get your own copies of some amazing US highway publications, such as a unique map, or an epic book covering the first century of the US highway system.  Sales help to offset the ongoing expenses associated with publishing this website.

• This interactive map shows the terminus points that need updated photos.  Learn more about how you can help!

• Most endpoints are shown on the page for the specific highway that ends (or ended) there.  However, a small percentage of termini have standalone webpages, usually because an endpoint in that locale is (or was) shared by more than one route.  Links to each of these places are provided on the corresponding highway pages, but they can also be accessed through the "Places" menu.  

• Be sure to check out additional content about US routes under the "Highways" menu.

• Also, some non-highway content can be accessed from the "Bonus" menu.  

• US highways are not the same as Interstate highways.  If you are looking for endpoints of interstates, check out the Interstate Guide from AARoads.