Old U.S. Route 40

E42262

Old U.S. Route 40 is a historic transcontinental highway that once connected the U.S. East and West Coasts, serving as a major early 20th-century travel and commerce route across the country.

Aliases (1)

Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf former U.S. Highway
historic highway
associatedWith development of roadside businesses such as motels and diners
connects U.S. East Coast
U.S. West Coast
country United States
culturalSignificance symbol of early coast‑to‑coast motoring in the U.S.
economicImpact facilitated regional trade across multiple states
follows historic National Road in the East
hasHeritageStatus recognized in places as a historic or scenic route
hasRemnant frontage roads along Interstate corridors
local main streets in many towns
hasRoadType four‑lane divided highway in some upgraded sections
two‑lane highway in many original sections
hasSegmentDesignation Business U.S. 40 in some towns
U.S. Route 40
historicalEra early 20th century
infrastructureType paved highway
networkRole part of early national highway grid
notableFor linking multiple major U.S. cities
supporting early automobile tourism
supporting freight movement across the U.S.
orientation generally east–west
partOf United States Numbered Highway System
passesThrough California
Colorado
Delaware
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maryland
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Utah
West Virginia
replacedBy Interstate Highway System
roadNumber 40
role major early transcontinental automobile route
status largely decommissioned
tourism driving historic alignments as scenic byways
transportMode road transport
use intercity commerce
long‑distance travel

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Placer County ("U.S. Route 40 (historic)")
hasHighway
Donner Pass
traversedBy

Please wait…