All About Interstates: Interstates in the Continental U.S

With the Interstate system's creation coming up on almost a quarter of a century, I thought it would be fun to explore and learn more about the interstate system that I know I use daily, and so many others do too!





Did you know that the Interstate System is currently 46,876 miles long? That is nearly double the Earth's total circumference (which, is 24,901 miles).  The Interstate system makes it possible for us to travel coast to coast via a road system. The longest Interstate system would be I-90, which begins in Seattle Washington, and ends right here in Boston! We know I-90 as the Mass Turnpike, or Mass Pike. This is a road I myself travel daily- and I had no idea it extended a few thousand miles beyond our state border. The shortest interstate is I-97, from Annapolis to Baltimore, a mere 17.62 miles! That is a one way trip to my job for me from my home. But, it is one of our interstate highways! There are several routes with lengths all in between. I-95 is the interstate that covers the most states, with 16 states in it's path (no pun intended), and Texas has the most interstate mileage.

As you could imagine, it took many years to construct so many roadways. The project was brought to light in 1939 with a proposal to Congress, but then officially began in 1956.  President Eisenhower is credited with the beginning and invention of the Interstate system as he signed the Federal-Aid Highway act in 1956. This act also holds the government responsible for 90% of the costs.

Each state operates the interstates within it. For example the folks in Seattle on the other end of I-90 do not have to worry about the Massachusetts end.

Info: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/faq.cfm

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/interstate-trivia.html

http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=1bca8077671b4089b28436fd2dbe2611