U.S. Route 70

U.S. Route 70 is a major east-west United States highway that spans over 2,385 miles, connecting Los Angeles, California to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. The route passes through several notable cities, including Tucson, Arizona, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amarillo, Texas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Little Rock, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Along the way, it intersects with other significant highways, such as Interstate 10, Interstate 40, and U.S. Route 60. The route also traverses through various national parks and national forests, including the Petrified Forest National Park and the Ozark National Forest.

● Route Description

The route begins in Los Angeles, California, and heads east through the Mojave Desert, passing near the Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. It then enters Arizona and passes through the cities of Tucson and Globe, before crossing into New Mexico and continuing on to Albuquerque. From there, it heads east into Texas, passing through the cities of Amarillo and Lubbock, and intersecting with Interstate 27 and U.S. Route 84. The route then enters Oklahoma and passes through Oklahoma City, before continuing on to Arkansas and the city of Little Rock. It then heads east into Tennessee, passing through the cities of Memphis and Nashville, and intersecting with Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 51. Finally, it enters North Carolina and passes through the cities of Raleigh and New Bern, before terminating in Atlantic Beach.

● History

The route was established in 1926 as part of the original United States Numbered Highway System, and it has undergone several changes and realignments over the years. In the 1930s, the route was extended from its original terminus in Tennessee to North Carolina, and it has since been modified to bypass several cities and towns, including Oklahoma City and Little Rock. The route has also been upgraded to a limited-access road in several areas, including the Tennessee Valley and the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. Notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Franklin D. Roosevelt have played a significant role in shaping the country's highway system, including U.S. Route 70. The route has also been impacted by significant events, including the Great Depression and World War II, which led to increased investment in the nation's infrastructure, including the construction of Interstate 40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

● Major Intersections

The route intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 10 in Tucson, Arizona, Interstate 40 in Amarillo, Texas, and Interstate 95 in Raleigh, North Carolina. It also intersects with other significant highways, such as U.S. Route 60 in Globe, Arizona, U.S. Route 84 in Lubbock, Texas, and U.S. Route 51 in Memphis, Tennessee. Additionally, the route passes through or near several notable cities and landmarks, including the Grand Canyon National Park, the Petrified Forest National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The route also intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Natchez Trace Parkway, which are both national parkways.

● Route Mileage

The total length of the route is approximately 2,385 miles, making it one of the longest highways in the United States. The route spans across eight states, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The route mileage varies by state, with the longest segment being in Texas and the shortest being in North Carolina. The route also passes through several national forests, including the Ozark National Forest and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Notable institutions, such as the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, play a crucial role in maintaining and managing the nation's highway system, including U.S. Route 70.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on the route varies by location, with the highest volumes being in the urban areas of Los Angeles, California, Tucson, Arizona, and Raleigh, North Carolina. The route is also a major trucking route, with many trucking companies using it to transport goods across the country. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average annual daily traffic volume on the route is over 10,000 vehicles per day, with the highest volumes being in the Tennessee Valley and the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. The route also intersects with several major railroad lines, including the BNSF Railway and the Norfolk Southern Railway, which provide an alternative mode of transportation for goods and people. Notable events, such as the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games, can also impact traffic volume on the route, particularly in areas with high concentrations of sports teams and venues, such as the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.