U.S. Route 4

U.S. Route 4 is a 253-mile (407 km) east–west United States Numbered Highway traversing parts of the Northeastern United States. It connects the Hudson Valley of New York with the Atlantic Ocean coast at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, passing through the scenic Green Mountains of Vermont and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The highway serves as a vital commercial and recreational corridor, linking major cities like Albany and Rutland with popular destinations such as Lake George and the White Mountain National Forest.

Route description

Beginning at an intersection with NY 22 in East Greenbush, New York, just east of Albany, the route initially runs concurrently with US 9 northward. It crosses the Hudson River via the Dunn Memorial Bridge before turning eastward, serving the commercial strip of Troy, New York. East of Schuylerville, it provides access to the Saratoga National Historical Park and the resort area of Lake George. Entering Vermont at Fair Haven, the highway ascends into the Green Mountains, passing through Rutland, the state's second-largest city, and the popular Killington Ski Resort area. It follows the Otter Creek valley before crossing the spine of the mountains at Sherburne Pass near Pico Peak. In New Hampshire, the route skirts the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, passing through Laconia and Concord, the state capital, before terminating at a junction with US 1 in the historic seaport of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

History

U.S. Route 4 was established as part of the original United States Numbered Highway System in 1926, largely following existing auto trail corridors like the Rutland-Bennington route. Its initial western terminus was in Albany, but it was later extended west to East Greenbush. In Vermont, much of its alignment through the Green Mountains was improved and paved during the construction boom of the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Significant realignments occurred in New Hampshire during the 1950s and 1960s, particularly around Laconia and Concord, to bypass downtown areas and improve traffic flow. The route has long been a critical link for commerce and tourism, supporting industries from IBM in East Fishkill to the Dartmouth College region in Hanover.

Major intersections

Major junctions are listed from west to east. In New York, key intersections include the western terminus at NY 22, the concurrency with US 9 in Albany, and junctions with Interstate 87 near Lake George and US 9 again in Whitehall. In Vermont, it intersects US 7 in Rutland and I-89/I-91 in White River Junction. Within New Hampshire, major junctions include I-93 in Concord, a concurrency with US 202, and its eastern terminus at US 1 in Portsmouth. The route also briefly runs concurrently with US 2 through Lancaster.

Auxiliary routes

U.S. Route 4 has several auxiliary routes, primarily within New Hampshire. The most significant is US 4 Business, which serves the downtown areas of Concord. Other former or minor business routes have existed in towns like Epsom and Chichester. While New York and Vermont do not currently maintain signed business routes for US 4, historical alignments through cities like Rutland and Whitehall often function as de facto business loops. The route also connects to several important state highways, including VT 100 near Killington Ski Resort and NH 16 in Northwood.

Category:U.S. Route 4 Category:Transportation in New York (state) Category:Transportation in Vermont Category:Transportation in New Hampshire