Fun Facts About America's Interstate System

Since its creation in the 1950s, the interstate system has become an integral part of the United States, with millions of Americans using it every day on their commutes to and from work, school, and other daily activities. Hundreds of millions of miles are driven on American highways every year, but how much do we really know about them?

Take a look at some of these fun facts about the world's largest highway system:

• President Dwight D. Eisenhower passed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act in 1956. It authorized 25 billion dollars for the construction of 41,000 miles worth of highways. At the time it was passed, it was the largest public works project in American history.
  
  
• Interstates which run East-West are given an even number (ex. I-90). North-South routes are given an odd number (ex. I-95).
  
  
• Interstate route numbers which are divisible by 5 are generally main freeways which carry traffic long distances. 
  
  
• The most-traveled portion of the interstate system is the 405 in Las Angeles, with almost 400,000 vehicles per day.
  
  
• The least-traveled portion of the interstate system is near the Canadian border in Maine, with approximately 1,880 vehicles per day.
  
  
• The longest East-West interstate route is I-90, which runs from Seattle, WA to Boston, MA, covering 3,085 miles.
  
  
• The longest North-South interstate route is I-95, which runs from Miami, FL to Houlton, ME and covers 1,892 miles.
  
  
• New York leads all states with the highest number of interstate routes, 28.
  
  
• I-95 crosses more states than any other interstate route: 16. I-90 is second with 13.
  
  
• All but four state capitals are directly connected to the Interstate system. Those not connected are Juneau, AK; Dover, DE; Jefferson City, MO; and Pierre, SD.
  
  
• The total length of all highways in the United States is roughly 47,856 miles, of which approximately 93% are surfaced with asphalt.

Looking for more facts about the American Highway System? Check out this fact sheet from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

Roccie's Asphalt has been in business since 1956; which happens to be the same year that Dwight Eisenhower passed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act. For nearly 60 years, we have provided high-quality asphalt paving jobs for homeowners and commercial clients in Connecticut and New York. Whether you need a new driveway, parking lot, basketball court, or roadway, call Roccie's for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.