U.S. Route 82

U.S. Route 82 is a major east-west United States highway that spans approximately 1,625 miles, connecting Lordsburg, New Mexico to Brunswick, Georgia, passing through the states of New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The route traverses through various national parks and national forests, including the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the Ouachita National Forest. Along the way, it intersects with several major highways, such as Interstate 10 and Interstate 20, and passes through notable cities like Lubbock, Texas, Abilene, Texas, and Meridian, Mississippi. The highway also crosses the Mississippi River at Greenville, Mississippi, and the Chattahoochee River at Eufaula, Alabama.

● Route Description

The route begins at an intersection with New Mexico State Road 80 and New Mexico State Road 90 in Lordsburg, New Mexico, and heads east through the New Mexico desert, passing near the White Sands National Monument and the Holloman Air Force Base. As it enters Texas, the highway intersects with Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 285, and continues east through the Llano Estacado region, passing through Lubbock, Texas, and Wichita Falls, Texas. The route then enters Arkansas, where it intersects with Interstate 30 and U.S. Route 65, and passes through the Ouachita Mountains, near the Hot Springs National Park. In Mississippi, the highway intersects with Interstate 55 and U.S. Route 61, and passes through the Mississippi Delta region, near the Vicksburg National Military Park. The route then enters Alabama, where it intersects with Interstate 65 and U.S. Route 231, and passes through the Black Belt region, near the Tuskegee University and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Finally, the highway enters Georgia, where it intersects with Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 319, and passes through the Okefenokee Swamp, near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

● History

The route was established in 1932, as part of the original United States Numbered Highway System, and was initially routed from El Paso, Texas to Brunswick, Georgia. Over the years, the route has undergone several changes, including a major realignment in 1964, which shifted the western terminus from El Paso, Texas to Lordsburg, New Mexico. The route has also been upgraded to a four-lane highway in many sections, including the stretch through Texas and Arkansas. The highway has played a significant role in the development of the regions it passes through, including the Dust Bowl era, when it served as a major route for migrants heading west, and during World War II, when it was used to transport troops and equipment to the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. The route has also been recognized for its historic significance, including its designation as a National Historic Trail, and its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

● Major Intersections

The route intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 10 in Texas, Interstate 20 in Mississippi, and Interstate 75 in Georgia. It also intersects with several United States highways, including U.S. Route 285 in Texas, U.S. Route 65 in Arkansas, and U.S. Route 231 in Alabama. The route also passes through several notable cities, including Lubbock, Texas, Abilene, Texas, and Meridian, Mississippi, and intersects with several state highways, including Texas State Highway 70, Arkansas State Highway 7, and Georgia State Route 520. The highway also crosses the Mississippi River at Greenville, Mississippi, and the Chattahoochee River at Eufaula, Alabama, and passes near the Tennessee River at Florence, Alabama.

● Route Details by State

In New Mexico, the route spans approximately 83 miles, passing through the New Mexico desert, and intersecting with New Mexico State Road 80 and New Mexico State Road 90. In Texas, the route spans approximately 573 miles, passing through the Llano Estacado region, and intersecting with Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 285. In Arkansas, the route spans approximately 173 miles, passing through the Ouachita Mountains, and intersecting with Interstate 30 and U.S. Route 65. In Mississippi, the route spans approximately 180 miles, passing through the Mississippi Delta region, and intersecting with Interstate 55 and U.S. Route 61. In Alabama, the route spans approximately 233 miles, passing through the Black Belt region, and intersecting with Interstate 65 and U.S. Route 231. Finally, in Georgia, the route spans approximately 245 miles, passing through the Okefenokee Swamp, and intersecting with Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 319.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on the route varies significantly depending on the location and time of day. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average annual daily traffic (AADT) on the route ranges from approximately 2,000 vehicles per day in rural areas of New Mexico to over 40,000 vehicles per day in urban areas of Texas and Georgia. The route is also a major trucking route, with a significant percentage of traffic consisting of commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers and other large trucks. The highway has been recognized for its safety record, including its designation as a National Highway System route, and its inclusion in the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Safety Improvement Program. However, the route has also been the site of several major accidents, including a 2013 truck accident in Mississippi that resulted in several fatalities, and a 2019 bus accident in Alabama that injured several people.