The Evolution of the U.S. Highway System in the Midwest

The U.S. Highway System has been around since 1926, but its form has changed in many ways since its inception. Ever since 1926, new U.S. routes have been added ("commissioned") and old U.S. routes have been removed from the system ("decommissioned.") The most additions to the system took place during its first few years, generally before 1957, when the system reached its high point. At that time, the Interstate Highway System was established, and Interstates began to take over the function of the older U.S. routes. Following 1957, most of the changes to the U.S. Highway System have been decommissionings, although a few new routes have been established since then.

Click on a state to link to more information on that state.

Click to see the extent of the U.S. Highway System in:

1933 - 1958 - 1968 - 1984 - 2000

Click HERE to see an animation of the development of the U.S. Highway System.

Links to More Information on the U.S. Highway System

U.S. Highways - From 1 to 830 - A complete list of all U.S. Highways, past and present.

U.S. Highways - A description of where the numbers of different U.S. Highways come from.

Interstates - A complete list of all Interstate Highways.

U.S. 50, Coast to Coast - A nice page detailing one of the longest U.S. Highways, U.S. 50.

U.S. Highway Photos - A very large collection of photos of and taken from U.S. Highways.

by Robert C. McCaleb, 12/2000