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A few years ago, I came across this image online that broke down the U.S. highway numbering system, and it surprised me how straightforward it actually is.
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Special thanks to CGP Grey for the fantastic breakdown of the U.S. highway system that inspired this newsletter. Most of the information and screenshots in this edition are based on his video, "The Interstate's Forgotten Code." Be sure to check it out for a deeper dive into this topic.
Understanding the U.S. Highway System
Quick History
The U.S. Interstate Highway System was established in 1956 during President Eisenhower’s administration and inspired by the German Autobahn, it was designed to boost national defense, commerce, and connectivity.
This network of roads didn’t just connect cities; it changed the game for the logistics industry by making it faster and easier to move goods across the country.
🚦 Understanding the Numbering System
A few years ago, I came across an image online that broke down the U.S. highway numbering system, and it surprised me how straightforward it actually is.
Considering how often we communicate with truckers, I thought it would be worth sharing this knowledge to make things a bit easier for everyone.
East-West Routes
Even interstate numbers run east-west and increase from south to north.
Interstates running east-west have double-digit numbers ending in zero. The lower the number, the further south you are. For example:
I-10 (Jacksonville to Santa Monica) is the southernmost.
I-90 (Seattle to Boston) is the northernmost.
Missing in action are I-50 and I-60, skipped to avoid confusion with US Routes 50 and 60, which existed long before interstates.
Key Routes for Freight: I-40, I-70, I-80 for coast-to-coast shipments.
North-South Routes:
Odd interstate numbers run north-south and increase from west to east.
These have double digits ending in five. The lower the number, the further west you are. For example:
I-5 (San Diego to Blaine) is the westernmost.
I-95 (Miami to Houlton) is the easternmost.
The Curious Case of I-45. Not every interstate lives up to its name. Take I-45—it’s entirely in Texas, from Houston to Dallas. So, technically, it’s an intrastate interstate. It’s the only major interstate that stays put within one state, making it a bit of an outlier.
Key Routes for Freight: I-35, I-55, I-75 connect major cities and industrial regions.
🛣️ The Three-Digit Codes: Interstate Minors
Interstate Minors are three-digit spurs or loops that branch off a Major interstate. They work like this:
Even First Digit (e.g., I-670): These are loops or bypasses that eventually connect back to their parent interstate. They can help navigate urban areas while the main interstate often serves as a route to bypass city traffic.
Odd First Digit (e.g., I-190): These spurs don’t reconnect to their parent highway. They’re like the highway equivalent of a dead-end street—leading you to a specific place without circling back.
🤔 Highway Exceptions
Like any good system, there are always exceptions:
I-99 doesn’t follow the numbering rules at all, thanks to a special order from Congress.
I-238 in San Francisco should be a bypass of I-38—but I-38 doesn’t exist. It’s essentially a one-way spur connecting I-580 and I-880.
Next time you’re on the road or getting a tracking update from a truck driver, take a moment to appreciate the thought behind these highways—they’ve been guiding drivers for decades.
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