U.S. Route 20

U.S. Route 20 is a United States highway that spans from Newport, Oregon, passing through Idaho Falls, Idaho, Casper, Wyoming, Sioux City, Iowa, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, and Albany, New York, to Boston, Massachusetts. This route is approximately 3,365 miles long, making it the longest road in the United States Numbered Highway System. It passes through many notable cities, including Boise, Idaho, Rapid City, South Dakota, Des Moines, Iowa, South Bend, Indiana, Toledo, Ohio, Erie, Pennsylvania, and Worcester, Massachusetts. The route also intersects with several major highways, such as Interstate 90, Interstate 80, Interstate 76, and Interstate 95.

Route description

The route begins in Newport, Oregon, at an intersection with Oregon Route 20, and heads east through the Willamette National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest. It then enters Idaho and passes through Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Pocatello, Idaho, before entering Wyoming and passing through Casper, Wyoming. The route continues east through South Dakota, passing through Rapid City, South Dakota, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, before entering Iowa and passing through Sioux City, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa. It then enters Illinois and passes through Chicago, Illinois, and Indiana, passing through South Bend, Indiana, before entering Ohio and passing through Toledo, Ohio, and Cleveland, Ohio. The route continues east through Pennsylvania, passing through Erie, Pennsylvania, and New York, passing through Buffalo, New York, and Albany, New York, before entering Massachusetts and terminating in Boston, Massachusetts. Along the way, it passes through many notable landmarks, including Yellowstone National Park, Badlands National Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Acadia National Park.

History

The route was established in 1926 as part of the original United States Numbered Highway System, which was created by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), now known as the American Association of State Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The route was originally intended to connect the West Coast to the East Coast, and it has undergone several changes and realignments over the years. In the 1950s and 1960s, the route was upgraded to a four-lane highway in many areas, and it was also rerouted to avoid urban areas and to improve safety. The route has also been affected by the construction of the Interstate Highway System, which has led to the bypassing of many cities and towns. Notable events, such as the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement, have also had an impact on the route's development and usage.

Major intersections

The route intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 90, Interstate 80, Interstate 76, and Interstate 95. It also intersects with several United States Numbered Highways, including U.S. Route 26, U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 40, and U.S. Route 60. The route passes through many notable cities, including Boise, Idaho, Rapid City, South Dakota, Des Moines, Iowa, South Bend, Indiana, Toledo, Ohio, Erie, Pennsylvania, and Worcester, Massachusetts. The route also intersects with several state highways, including Oregon Route 20, Idaho State Highway 20, and Massachusetts Route 20. Other notable intersections include Interstate 29, Interstate 35, Interstate 39, and Interstate 43.

In popular culture

The route has been mentioned in several songs, including "Route 66" by Nat King Cole, and "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" by Chuck Berry. It has also been featured in several films, including "Easy Rider", "Thelma and Louise", and "Forrest Gump". The route has also been the subject of several books, including "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, and "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. The route has also been featured in several television shows, including "Route 66", a CBS drama series that aired from 1960 to 1964, and "The Simpsons", an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening. Other notable mentions include "The Beatles", "Bob Dylan", and "The Rolling Stones".

Related routes

The route has several related routes, including U.S. Route 20 Alternate, which runs through Oregon and Idaho, and U.S. Route 20 Business, which runs through Illinois and Indiana. The route also has several state highways that are related to it, including Oregon Route 20, Idaho State Highway 20, and Massachusetts Route 20. The route is also part of the Lincoln Highway, a historic transcontinental highway that was established in 1913. Other notable related routes include U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 40, and U.S. Route 60, which all intersect with the route at various points. The route is also connected to several other notable highways, including Interstate 70, Interstate 74, and Interstate 84.