Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA

Last Updated : 28 Feb, 2024

Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA: US Route 20 is the longest road in the United States. It is part of the larger US Numbered Highway System. US Route 20 is an important highway system of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 aka the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. This highway covers around 41,000 miles across the country, with Route 20 alone. This highway is 3,365 miles long and passes through 12 states: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA in detail.

Let us discuss.

Table of Content

Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA – Overview
10. U.S. Route 12 – 2,483 Miles
9. I-40 – 2,555 Miles
8. U.S. Route 2 – 2,580 Miles
7. U.S. Route 60 – 2,670 Miles
6. I-80 – 2,899 Miles
5. U.S. Route 50 – 3,011 Miles
4. U.S. Route 30 – 3,073 Miles
3. I-90 – 3,102 Miles
2. U.S. Route 6 – 3,207 Miles
1. U.S. Route 20 – 3,365 Miles

Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA – Overview

The USA has lots of long roads and they are divided into two categories interstates and other highways. The USA is a big country and now the US has the longest highway system in the world. Currently, there are 194 active US routes, resulting in a total of 388 endpoints. Here in this table, we have mentioned the longest highways of the USA as mentioned below.

Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA – Overview
Highway Name	Length (Miles)	Passing Locations
US Route 20	3,365	Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; Yellowstone National Park
US Route 6	3,207	Provincetown, MA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA
I-90	3,102	Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA
US Route 30	3,073	Atlantic City, NJ; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR
US Route 50	3,011	Ocean City, MD; Kansas City, MO; Sacramento, CA
I-80	2,899	San Francisco, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; New York, NY
US Route 60	2,670	Virginia Beach, VA; Louisville, KY; Amarillo, TX
US Route 2	2,580	Bangor, ME; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA
I-40	2,555	Barstow, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Nashville, TN
US Route 12	2,483	Detroit, MI; Missoula, MT; Aberdeen, WA

10. U.S. Route 12 – 2,483 Miles

U.S. Route 12 (US 12) spans across the United States as a significant east-west highway, stretching nearly 2,483 miles from Aberdeen, Washington to Detroit, Michigan. Established in 1926, US 12 traverses through Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Notably, in Washington alone, US 12 extends for 430.8 miles (693.3 km), ranking as the state’s second-longest highway. Although portions of US 12 have been supplanted by Interstates 90 and 94, it remains vital for local and regional travel networks.

U.S. Route 12 – 2,483 Miles
Length	2,483 Miles
Start Point	Aberdeen, Washington
End Point	Detroit, Michigan
States Crossed	Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan
Completion Year	Portions completed between 1926 and 1932, with continuous completion over subsequent years
Notable Features	Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Mississippi River crossing (Minnesota), Chicago (Illinois), Detroit (Michigan)

9. I-40 – 2,555 Miles

Interstate 40 (I-40) is a significant east-west highway in the United States, ranking as the third-longest interstate in the country. It spans a distance of 2,555 miles, running from Barstow, California, all the way to Wilmington, North Carolina. Passing through eight states including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, I-40 is often referred to as the “King of Trails.” Recognized for its scenic routes and recreational opportunities, I-40 was designated by Congress in the late 1970s as part of the National Parks and Recreational Land system.

I-40 – 2,555 Miles
Length	2,555 Miles
Start Point	Barstow, California
End Point	Wilmington, North Carolina
States Crossed	California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina
Nickname	“King of Trails”
Designation	Designated as part of the National Parks and Recreational Land system by Congress in the late 1970s

8. U.S. Route 2 – 2,580 Miles

U.S. Route 2 (US 2) stretches 2,571 miles (4,138 kilometers) east to west across the northern part of the United States. It’s a significant highway within the United States Numbered Highway System, which organizes roads across the country. The western section of US 2 starts at an interchange with Interstate 5 (I-5) and State Route 529 (Maple Street) in Everett, Washington, and ends at I-75 in St. Ignace, Michigan. On the other hand, the eastern part begins at US 11 in Rouses Point, New York, and ends at I-95 in Houlton, Maine. US 2 holds the distinction of being the northernmost east-west U.S. Highway. Unlike other primary east-west highways, which typically end in zero, US 2 avoids this pattern. Some parts of US 2 in New England were previously known as New England Route 15.

U.S. Route 2 – 2,580 Miles
Route Length	2,580 Miles
Start Point	Everett, Washington
End Point	St. Ignace, Michigan
States Crossed	Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
Completion Year	Portions completed between 1926 and 1934, with continuous completion over subsequent years
Notable Features	Glacier National Park (Montana), Hiawatha National Forest (Michigan), Lake Michigan

7. U.S. Route 60 – 2,670 Miles

U.S. Route 60 (US 60) is a big highway that goes from Arizona to Virginia, covering about 2,655 miles. It was finished in 1926 and is one of the major routes in the US Highway System. Originally, it was supposed to be called US 62. US 60 takes you through forests, red deserts, and other beautiful landscapes. For more than 40 years, it was a vital road for shipping goods across the country. But now, Interstate 10 (I-10) handles most of that, while State Route 60 (SR-60) remains an important road connecting Los Angeles with the Inland Empire.

U.S. Route 60 – 2,670 Miles
Route Length	2,670 Miles
Start Point	Newport News, Virginia
End Point	Brenda, Arizona
States Crossed	Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
Completion Year	Different segments completed at various times
Notable Features	Runs through major cities like Louisville, KY and Phoenix, AZ. Cuts through the Appalachian Mountains and passes by the Grand Canyon.

6. I-80 – 2,899 Miles

Interstate 80 (I-80) is a super long freeway stretching from San Francisco, California, all the way to Teaneck, New Jersey. It spans about 2,900 miles and was completed in 1956, making it one of the longest highways in the U.S. I-80 passes through four states in the Mid-America Freight Coalition (MAFC): Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The highest point along I-80 is between Laramie and Cheyenne, reaching 8,640 feet above sea level, making it the highest spot along the entire road.

I-80 – 2,899 Miles
Length	2,899 Miles
Start Point	San Francisco, California
End Point	Teaneck, New Jersey
Completion Year	1956
States Crossed	California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Highest Point	Between Laramie and Cheyenne, 8,640 feet above sea level
Notable Feature	Longest highways in the U.S.

5. U.S. Route 50 – 3,011 Miles

US Route 50 is a really long road that goes from California to Maryland, cutting through a bunch of states in between. In Nevada, it’s called “The Loneliest Road in America” because it’s not super busy, but there are still cool things to see like national parks, caves, museums, and old railways in towns like Baker, Austin, Dayton, Carson City, and Ely.

U.S. Route 50 – 3,011 Miles
Route Length	3,011 Miles
Start Point	West Sacramento, California
End Point	Ocean City, Maryland
States Crossed	California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland
Nevada Portion Length	408 miles (657.9 km)
Completion Year	1926
Nickname	“The Loneliest Road in America” (Nevada portion)
Significant Features	Great Basin National Park and Lehman Caves (Baker), museums and antique shops (Austin), museum and town trail (Dayton), museum and the V&T railway (Carson City), Nevada railway (Ely)

4. U.S. Route 30 – 3,073 Miles

US Route 30 (US 30) is a big highway stretching across the U.S. It is about 3,073 miles long and was finished in 1926. In Oregon, it goes from Astoria to the Idaho border near Ontario. In Ohio, it connects with SR 172 and turns into a four-lane highway with restricted access. It also connects with SR 241, giving access to SR 93. In North Central Ohio, the speed limit on US 30 from Bucyrus to Mansfield will be increased to 70 mph.

U.S. Route 30 – 3,073 Miles
Length	3,073 Miles
Completion Year	1926
States Traversed	Oregon, Ohio
Oregon Route	Astoria to Idaho border near Ontario
Ohio Interchanges	SR 172, SR 241
Ohio Highway	Becomes four-lane with limited access
Speed Limit	Increased to 70 mph from Bucyrus to Mansfield

3. I-90 – 3,102 Miles

Interstate 90 (I-90) is America’s longest highway, spanning 3,102 miles from Seattle, WA to Boston, MA. It crosses diverse landscapes, from the West Coast to the East Coast, passing through states like Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. Starting in Seattle, it traverses mountains, plains, and urban areas like Chicago and Buffalo, following the path of the old Erie Canal before reaching its endpoint near Logan Airport in Boston.

I-90 – 3,102 Miles
Length	3,102 Miles
Start Point	Seattle, WA
End Point	Boston, MA
States Traversed	Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts
Major Cities Along the Route	Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; Missoula, MT; Billings, MT; Rapid City, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; Mitchell, SD; Sioux City, IA; Albert Lea, MN; Rochester, MN; La Crosse, WI; Madison, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Rockford, IL; Chicago, IL; Gary, IN; South Bend, IN; Toledo, OH; Cleveland, OH; Erie, PA; Buffalo, NY; Albany, NY; Springfield, MA; Worcester, MA; Boston, MA

2. U.S. Route 6 – 3,207 Miles

U.S. Route 6 (US 6) is a long highway that crosses the United States, going from Provincetown, Massachusetts to Bishop, California. It was finished in 1926 and spans 3,207 miles. The highway has changed routes a few times, but from 1936 to 1964, it stretched all the way to Long Beach, California, making it the longest highway in the country during that time.

U.S. Route 6 – 3,207 Miles
Length	3,207 miles
Starting Point	Provincetown, Massachusetts
Ending Point	Bishop, California
States Traversed	Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California
Major Cities	Providence, Hartford, Scranton, Erie, Cleveland, Toledo, Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, Grand Junction, Bishop
Notable Features	Cape Cod, Adirondack Mountains, Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Sierra Nevada Mountains
Associated Highways	U.S. Route 395, U.S. Route 95, U.S. Route 191, U.S. Route 40, U.S. Route 50, U.S. Route 91, U.S. Route 95

1. U.S. Route 20 – 3,365 Miles

U.S. Route 20, also known as US Highway 20 (US 20), links the Pacific Northwest with New England and is a significant part of the United States Numbered Highways system. Being numbered with a “0” after the route number, US 20 is recognized as a major coast-to-coast highway. The newer Interstate 90 (I-90) runs roughly alongside the older I-90, which is the longest road in the US, stretching approximately 3,365 miles (5,415 km).

U.S. Route 20 – 3,365 Miles
Length	3,365 miles
Start Point	Newport, Oregon
End Point	Boston, Massachusetts
States Traversed	Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts
Major Cities	Newport, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Casper, Wyoming; Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; South Bend, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts
Notable Landmarks	Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Niagara Falls (New York), Boston Common (Massachusetts)
Auxiliary Routes	U.S. Route 20A, U.S. Route 20N, U.S. Route 20S, U.S. Route 20 Truck, U.S. Route 20N Alternate, U.S. Route 20X

FAQs – Top 10 Longest Highways in the USA

Which highway is the longest in USA?

US Route 20, part of the US Numbered Highway System, is the longest road in America.

What is the famous highway in USA?

Route 66 became one of the most famous roads in America, having been popularized in American culture through books, songs, music, magazines, movies, and television shows.

What is the longest drive in America?

U.S. Route 20 covers 3,365 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon. It is currently the longest highway in the country.

What are the 2 longest interstate highways in the US?

Interstate 80 (I-80) is an east-west transcontinental freeway in the United States. It is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following I-90.

Which is longest highway in world?

The longest road in the world is the Pan American Highway which begins in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and stretches all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina. All in all, the road covers 30,000 km.

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