U.S. Route 101

U.S. Route 101. It is a major north–south U.S. Highway traversing the West Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Pacific Ocean for much of its length. Often called the "Pacific Coast Highway," it serves as a vital transportation corridor and scenic byway, connecting the major metropolitan centers of the Pacific Northwest and California. The highway officially runs from Tumwater, Washington, near Olympia, south to Los Angeles, California.

Route description

The northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 5 in Tumwater, Washington, just south of the Washington State Capitol. It travels north along the Puget Sound through cities like Aberdeen and Port Angeles before crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca via the Washington State Ferries system. In California, it famously hugs the coastline as the Cabrillo Highway and Pacific Coast Highway, passing through Redwood National and State Parks and iconic locations like Big Sur. The southern terminus is at the historic Four Level Interchange in Los Angeles, where it meets U.S. Route 66 and other major routes.

History

The highway was one of the original U.S. Highways created in 1926, largely following existing auto trails like the Pacific Highway. Significant early construction challenges included routing through the rugged terrain of the Oregon Coast Range and the Santa Lucia Range. Major realignments occurred with the construction of Interstate 5 in the 1960s and 1970s, which supplanted it as the primary inland route. Notable engineering feats along its path include the Astoria–Megler Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, which once carried its traffic.

Major intersections

Key junctions from north to south include its terminus at Interstate 5 in Tumwater, Washington. It intersects U.S. Route 12 in Aberdeen and meets U.S. Route 20 in Newport, Oregon. In California, it has major interchanges with Interstate 80 in San Francisco near the Bay Bridge and with Interstate 10 in Los Angeles. Other significant crossings include U.S. Route 199 near Crescent City and State Route 1 at multiple points along the Central Coast.

Auxiliary routes

The highway has several three-digit auxiliary routes, primarily business loops and spurs. These include U.S. Route 101 Business through downtown Astoria and similar routes in Eureka and Santa Barbara. Other notable auxiliary routes are U.S. Route 101 Truck in Port Angeles and various state-designated business loops in communities like Salinas and San Luis Obispo.

In popular culture

The route has been immortalized in song, most famously in the 1963 hit "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys, which mentions cruising from L.A. to San Diego. It serves as a backdrop in numerous films, including the classic road trip movie "It Happened One Night" and the iconic chase scenes in "The Graduate." The highway is also referenced in literature, such as in the works of Jack Kerouac and John Steinbeck, who captured the spirit of travel along the California coast.

Category:U.S. Route 101 Category:U.S. Highways in Washington (state) Category:U.S. Highways in Oregon Category:U.S. Highways in California