Interstate 85

Interstate 85 is a major Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States. Its southwestern terminus is at Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama, and its northeastern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia. Spanning approximately 666 miles, it serves as a crucial transportation corridor connecting major metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Charlotte, and the Research Triangle region of North Carolina.

Route description

From its start in Montgomery, the route travels northeast through the rolling hills of eastern Alabama, passing near Auburn University. It enters Georgia southwest of Atlanta, where it becomes a dominant artery through the Atlanta metropolitan area, concurrent with Interstate 75 through the city's core at the Downtown Connector. Northeast of Atlanta, it passes through Gwinnett County and by Lake Lanier before crossing into South Carolina. In the Upstate, it serves Greenville and Spartanburg, areas historically tied to the textile industry. Entering North Carolina, it bisects the Piedmont region, connecting the cities of Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, and the state capital, Raleigh. Its final segment traverses southern Virginia, passing near South Boston and Boydton before terminating at Interstate 95.

History

The route's alignment was largely developed from pre-existing highways and corridors. Significant portions, particularly in Georgia and the Carolinas, follow the path of the early Piedmont Crescent railway lines and later U.S. Route 29. It was officially designated as part of the Interstate Highway System following the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. One of the most famous construction projects along its path was the rebuilding of the bridge over SR 400 in Atlanta, which collapsed in a 2017 fire. The route has been central to the economic development of the Sun Belt, facilitating growth in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Research Triangle Park.

Major junctions

* Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama (southwestern terminus) * Interstate 20 in Atlanta, Georgia * Interstate 75 in Atlanta, Georgia (concurrency through the Downtown Connector) * Interstate 285 (the Perimeter) around Atlanta * Interstate 985 in Suwanee, Georgia * Interstate 385 near Greenville, South Carolina * Interstate 585 in Spartanburg, South Carolina * Interstate 26 near Spartanburg, South Carolina * Interstate 77 in Charlotte, North Carolina * Interstate 277 in Charlotte, North Carolina * Interstate 40 in Greensboro, North Carolina and again in Durham, North Carolina * Interstate 73/Interstate 840 in Greensboro, North Carolina * Interstate 785 in Greensboro, North Carolina * Interstate 885 in Durham, North Carolina * U.S. Route 64/U.S. Route 264 (Interstate 587) near Raleigh, North Carolina * Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia (northeastern terminus)

Auxiliary routes

Several three-digit auxiliary Interstate Highways branch from the main route. In Georgia, Interstate 185 connects to Columbus, while Interstate 985 provides a spur to Gainesville. In South Carolina, Interstate 385 serves downtown Greenville, and Interstate 585 runs through Spartanburg. North Carolina has several auxiliary routes, including Interstate 285 around Winston-Salem, Interstate 485 (the Outer Belt) around Charlotte, Interstate 785 heading towards Reidsville, and Interstate 885 providing a direct link to Interstate 40 and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport area.

See also

* Interstate Highway System * Atlanta metropolitan area * Research Triangle * Piedmont * Sun Belt

Category:Interstate 85 Category:Transportation in Alabama Category:Transportation in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Transportation in South Carolina Category:Transportation in North Carolina Category:Transportation in Virginia