U.S. Route 2

U.S. Route 2 is a major east–west United States Numbered Highway System spanning the northern tier of the contiguous United States. It is divided into two segments, with a significant gap through the Great Lakes region, and is one of the longest U.S. Highways. The route connects iconic landscapes from the Pacific Northwest to New England, passing through numerous states and serving as a vital transportation corridor.

Route description

The western segment of the highway begins at an interchange with Interstate 5 in Everett, Washington, near Puget Sound. It traverses the Cascade Range via Stevens Pass, crossing into the Inland Northwest and the plains of Montana. This portion passes through Spokane and skirts the southern boundary of Glacier National Park before entering North Dakota. The eastern segment begins at Interstate 75 in St. Ignace, Michigan, on the Upper Peninsula, crossing the Mackinac Bridge over the Straits of Mackinac. It runs east through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota (briefly), and across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, terminating at Interstate 95 in Houlton, Maine, near the Canadian border. Key geographical features along its path include the Columbia River, the Great Plains, Lake Superior, and the White Mountains.

History

The route was originally designated as part of the initial United States Numbered Highway System in 1926, largely absorbing and consolidating several pre-existing auto trails. Its western alignment followed the path of the former National Parks Highway, while eastern sections incorporated parts of the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway. Significant realignments occurred over decades, particularly in Washington where it was moved to the Stevens Pass corridor, and in the Midwest where the construction of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 created a direct link for the eastern segment. The route has been instrumental in the economic development of northern regions, facilitating logging, mining, and tourism, notably for destinations like Glacier National Park and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Major intersections

From west to east, notable junctions include its western terminus at Interstate 5 in Everett, Washington. In Spokane, it intersects Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 395. In Montana, it meets Interstate 15 in Shelby and runs concurrently with U.S. Route 87 near Glacier National Park. In Michigan, it intersects Interstate 75 at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Through Wisconsin, it crosses Interstate 39 and U.S. Route 51. In Maine, it has key junctions with Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 201 before reaching its eastern terminus at Interstate 95 in Houlton.

Auxiliary routes

Several auxiliary routes of U.S. Route 2 exist, primarily as business loops or spurs serving specific communities. These include U.S. Route 2 Business in Everett, Washington, and another in Spokane, Washington. In Michigan, examples include business routes for Iron Mountain and Ironwood. Minnesota and North Dakota also host various business routes, such as those for Grand Forks and Devils Lake. These routes typically connect the main highway to the historic downtown commercial districts.

In popular culture

The highway has been featured in various cultural works, often symbolizing the vastness and scenic beauty of the American north. It serves as a setting in Jack Kerouac's seminal novel On the Road, representing a path of travel and discovery. The route is also mentioned in folk and country music, including songs by artists like John Denver, who sang about the landscapes it traverses. The Mackinac Bridge segment has been highlighted in documentaries and travelogues, such as those by Charles Kuralt on CBS News. Furthermore, portions of the highway in Washington and Montana have been used as filming locations for movies and television series, including episodes of the long-running drama Murder, She Wrote.

Category:United States Numbered Highways Category:Transportation in the United States