U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey

U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey is a major north–south highway traversing the central part of the state. It connects the state capital of Trenton with the densely populated New York metropolitan area, terminating at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee. The route serves as a critical commercial and commuter artery, passing through numerous suburban communities and commercial districts.

Route description

From its southern terminus at a complex interchange with U.S. Route 9, U.S. Route 13, and U.S. Route 40 in Trenton, the highway runs northeast. It passes near the New Jersey State House and through the Lawrence Township area before crossing into Middlesex County. The road serves the commercial corridors of North Brunswick and Edison, running concurrently with New Jersey Route 27 for a segment. It then enters Union County, passing through Rahway and Linden near the Linden Airport. Entering Essex County, the route becomes a heavily trafficked limited-access highway through Newark, intersecting with major roads like the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 78. It continues north through Kearny and Secaucus before crossing into Bergen County. The final stretch is a controlled-access freeway through Ridgefield and Teaneck, culminating at the toll plaza for the George Washington Bridge.

History

The alignment originated as part of the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road for automobiles in the United States. When the U.S. Highway System was created in 1926, the existing road was designated as U.S. Route 1. Significant realignments occurred during the mid-20th century, particularly the construction of the "Truck" freeway bypass around downtown Newark in the 1950s. Other historical alignments, now designated as U.S. Route 1/9, follow more direct paths through older urban centers like Elizabeth and Jersey City. The modern freeway section in Bergen County was completed in the 1960s to improve access to the George Washington Bridge.

Major intersections

Key junctions from south to north include the southern terminus at the complex U.S. 13/U.S. 40 interchange in Trenton. In Edison, it meets Interstate 287. A major interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) occurs in Woodbridge Township. In Newark, it intersects Interstate 78 and New Jersey Route 21. Further north, it has interchanges with New Jersey Route 3 and New Jersey Route 46 in Clifton before reaching its northern terminus at the George Washington Bridge approach in Fort Lee.

Auxiliary routes

Several auxiliary routes of U.S. 1 exist within the state. U.S. Route 1/9 is a major alternate route sharing the same corridor, particularly through Hudson County. U.S. Route 1-9 Truck is a bypass route around central Newark. U.S. Route 1 continues southwest from Trenton into Pennsylvania, while the route north of the George Washington Bridge continues as U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9 in New York.

See also

* U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey * New Jersey Route 27 * Lincoln Highway * Transportation in New Jersey * List of U.S. Highways in New Jersey

Category:U.S. Highways in New Jersey