All American Freeway

All American Freeway. The All American Freeway is a 12.4-mile (20.0 km) state highway in Los Angeles County, connecting the Interstate 5 corridor in Los Angeles with the San Gabriel Valley terminus at Interstate 605 in Whittier. It serves as a vital commuter and commercial route through several communities in southeastern Los Angeles County, including Montebello and Pico Rivera. The freeway is officially designated as part of the California State Highway System and is maintained by the California Department of Transportation.

Route description

Traveling east from its western terminus at Interstate 5 near the Los Angeles River, the freeway passes through industrial areas of Los Angeles before curving southeast. It parallels the Rio Hondo channel for several miles, providing access to the Whittier Narrows recreation area. The route traverses the cities of Montebello and Pico Rivera, characterized by a mix of commercial zones and residential neighborhoods. The eastern segment ascends into the Puente Hills before terminating at a directional interchange with Interstate 605, offering connections toward Long Beach and the Inland Empire.

History

The freeway's alignment was first conceived in the 1950s as part of regional plans developed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to alleviate traffic congestion. Construction began in the early 1960s, with the first segment between Beverly Boulevard and Garfield Avenue opening in 1965. The route was formally added to the California State Highway System in 1968 via legislative action. The challenging topography of the Puente Hills required significant engineering work, including the construction of several reinforced earth walls. The final link to Interstate 605 was completed in 1972, coinciding with the expansion of the Interstate Highway System in Southern California.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Los Angeles County. Key junctions include the western terminus at Interstate 5 in Los Angeles. East of there, it meets State Route 60 (the Pomona Freeway) in a multi-level interchange near Montebello. Further east, it has interchanges with Rosemead Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard. The freeway intersects Whittier Boulevard, a major historic artery, in Pico Rivera. Its eastern terminus is a full cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 605 (the San Gabriel River Freeway) at the border of Whittier and La Habra Heights.

Exit list

Exits are numbered sequentially from west to east. The westernmost exit, Exit 1, provides connections to Interstate 5 and Mission Road. Exit 2 serves Eastern Avenue and the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center area. Exit 3 is for Atlantic Boulevard and the Commerce industrial district. Exit 4 is the complex interchange with State Route 60. Exit 5 provides access to Rosemead Boulevard and South San Gabriel. Exit 6 serves Beverly Boulevard and Montebello. Exit 7 is for Whittier Boulevard and Pico Rivera. Exit 8, the final exit, is the terminus at Interstate 605, with ramps to Whittier and La Habra Heights. Category:State highways in California Category:Transportation in Los Angeles County, California