Alabama State Route 17
Encyclopedia
State Route 17, or SR-17, is a 340 miles (547.2 km) long state route that runs the virtual length of the state. Between Mobile
and Deer Park
in Washington County, SR-17 is the unsigned partner route assigned to U.S. Highway 45, and from Hamilton
to Florence
, it serves as the signed partner route assigned to U.S. Highway 43.
state line. Approximately five miles north of an interchange
with Interstate 65 northwest of downtown Mobile, the routes quickly enter rural areas of Mobile County
via a two-lane highway. Near the small community of Deer Park in southern Washington County
, SR-17 diverts from US-45 and becomes a signed route.
After the split from US-45, SR-17 assumes a general northerly orientation as it passes through rural areas and small towns in western Alabama
. The route passes through the Black Belt
, historically one of the poorer areas of the state. After leaving Mobile, the route does not pass through any towns whose population exceeds 5,000 until it approaches Hamilton
in Marion County
. At Hamilton, SR-17 once again becomes an unsigned route upon the second junction it has with U.S. Highway 43; US-45 and SR-17 are the southern terminus of US-43 in Mobile.
Between Hamilton and Muscle Shoals
, SR-17 is a signed route. At Muscle Shoals, US-43, SR-17 and SR-13
junction with U.S. Highway 72 and several other state routes. At this point, SR-17 once again becomes a signed route as it leads through Muscle Shoals and Florence
as it heads towards its northern terminus at the Tennessee
state line, where it becomes Tennessee State Route 13.
and York
. In 1952, the route was extended south to Mobile
; from York to Deer Park
State Route 29 was renumbered as part of SR-17, and from Deer Park to Mobile the route ran together with U.S. Route 45
. SR-17 was extended north to the Tennessee state line in 1956. To accomplish this, SR-17 replaced old State Route 19 up to Hamilton
, was co-signed with U.S. Route 43
up to Florence
, and replaced old State Route 34 the rest of the way to the Tennessee state line.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
and Deer Park
Washington County, Alabama
Washington County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county was named in honor of George Washington, first President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 17,581. Its county seat is Chatom. Washington County is a dry county.-History:The area was long inhabited...
in Washington County, SR-17 is the unsigned partner route assigned to U.S. Highway 45, and from Hamilton
Hamilton, Alabama
Hamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.-Geography:Hamilton is located at , along the Buttahatchee River....
to Florence
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, it serves as the signed partner route assigned to U.S. Highway 43.
Route description
The southern terminus of SR-17 and US-45 is at their junction with U.S. Highway 98 and unsigned State Route 42 in Mobile. US-45 and SR-17 assume a northwestwardly trajectory as they leave Mobile heading towards the MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
state line. Approximately five miles north of an interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
with Interstate 65 northwest of downtown Mobile, the routes quickly enter rural areas of Mobile County
Mobile County, Alabama
Mobile County[p] is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a tribe of Indians, the Maubila tribe . As of 2011, its population was 415,704. Its county seat is Mobile, Alabama...
via a two-lane highway. Near the small community of Deer Park in southern Washington County
Washington County, Alabama
Washington County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county was named in honor of George Washington, first President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 17,581. Its county seat is Chatom. Washington County is a dry county.-History:The area was long inhabited...
, SR-17 diverts from US-45 and becomes a signed route.
After the split from US-45, SR-17 assumes a general northerly orientation as it passes through rural areas and small towns in western Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The route passes through the Black Belt
Black Belt (region of Alabama)
The Black Belt is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, and part of the larger Black Belt Region of the Southern United States, which stretches from Texas to Maryland. The term originally referred to the region underlain by a thin layer of rich, black topsoil developed atop the chalk of the Selma...
, historically one of the poorer areas of the state. After leaving Mobile, the route does not pass through any towns whose population exceeds 5,000 until it approaches Hamilton
Hamilton, Alabama
Hamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.-Geography:Hamilton is located at , along the Buttahatchee River....
in Marion County
Marion County, Alabama
Marion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Marion County was created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses . Marion County...
. At Hamilton, SR-17 once again becomes an unsigned route upon the second junction it has with U.S. Highway 43; US-45 and SR-17 are the southern terminus of US-43 in Mobile.
Between Hamilton and Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
, SR-17 is a signed route. At Muscle Shoals, US-43, SR-17 and SR-13
Alabama State Route 13
State Route 13 is a state highway in the western part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Except for a portion roughly between Berry and Russellville, SR-13 is the unsigned designation for U.S. Highway 43...
junction with U.S. Highway 72 and several other state routes. At this point, SR-17 once again becomes a signed route as it leads through Muscle Shoals and Florence
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
as it heads towards its northern terminus at the Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state line, where it becomes Tennessee State Route 13.
History
State Route 17 was designated in 1940 between KennedyKennedy, Alabama
Kennedy is a town in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 541.-Geography:Kennedy is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
and York
York, Alabama
York is a city in Sumter County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,854.-Geography:York is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
. In 1952, the route was extended south to Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
; from York to Deer Park
Deer Park, Alabama
Deer Park is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Washington County, Alabama, United States. It had a population of 188 at the 2010 census. Deer Park is south-southwest of Chatom. Deer Park has a post office with ZIP code 36529....
State Route 29 was renumbered as part of SR-17, and from Deer Park to Mobile the route ran together with U.S. Route 45
U.S. Route 45
U.S. Route 45 is a north–south United States highway. US 45 is a border-to-border route, from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico. A sign at the highway's northern terminus notes the total distance as ....
. SR-17 was extended north to the Tennessee state line in 1956. To accomplish this, SR-17 replaced old State Route 19 up to Hamilton
Hamilton, Alabama
Hamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.-Geography:Hamilton is located at , along the Buttahatchee River....
, was co-signed with U.S. Route 43
U.S. Route 43
U.S. Route 43 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 410 miles from central Tennessee to Mobile, Alabama. The highway's southern terminus is in Mobile, Alabama, at U.S. Route 45. Its northern terminus is Columbia, Tennessee, at U.S. Route 31.-Alabama:Between Mobile and Fayette...
up to Florence
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, and replaced old State Route 34 the rest of the way to the Tennessee state line.
Counties traversed
- Mobile CountyMobile County, AlabamaMobile County[p] is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a tribe of Indians, the Maubila tribe . As of 2011, its population was 415,704. Its county seat is Mobile, Alabama...
- Washington CountyWashington County, AlabamaWashington County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county was named in honor of George Washington, first President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 17,581. Its county seat is Chatom. Washington County is a dry county.-History:The area was long inhabited...
- Choctaw CountyChoctaw County, AlabamaChoctaw County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was established on December 29, 1847 and named for the Choctaw tribe of American Indians. As of 2010 the population was 13,859. The county seat is Butler.- History :...
- Sumter CountySumter County, AlabamaSumter County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.Its name is in honor of General Thomas Sumter of South Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 13,763. Its county seat is Livingston.-History:...
- Pickens CountyPickens County, AlabamaPickens County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 19,746. Its county seat is Carrollton, and it is a prohibition, or dry county.-History:...
- Lamar CountyLamar County, AlabamaLamar County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, member of the United States Senate from Mississippi. As of 2010 the population was 14,564...
- Marion CountyMarion County, AlabamaMarion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Marion County was created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses . Marion County...
- Franklin CountyFranklin County, AlabamaFranklin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. As of 2010, the population was 31,704...
- Colbert CountyColbert County, AlabamaColbert County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Indian chiefs. George Colbert operated a ferry across the Tennessee River in 1790 near present day Cherokee....
- Lauderdale CountyLauderdale County, Alabama-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.4% White*10.0% Black*0.4% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.4% Two or more races*2.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Major intersections
- U.S. Highway 98 and unsigned State Route 42 at Mobile
- U.S. Highway 43 and unsigned State Route 13Alabama State Route 13State Route 13 is a state highway in the western part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Except for a portion roughly between Berry and Russellville, SR-13 is the unsigned designation for U.S. Highway 43...
at Mobile - State Route 56 at ChatomChatom, AlabamaChatom is a town in Washington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,193. The city is the county seat of Washington County.-Geography:Chatom is located at .According to the U.S...
- U.S. Highway 84 and unsigned State Route 12 at SilasSilas, AlabamaSilas is a town in Choctaw County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 529.-Geography:Silas is located at 31°46'17.850" North, 88°19'51.568" West .According to the U.S...
- State Route 10Alabama State Route 10State Route 10 is an east–west route in southern Alabama. It is the lowest even numbered route in the state that is not an unsigned partner route assigned to a U.S. highway. It is also the only signed state route that extends from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia line...
at ButlerButler, AlabamaButler is a town in and the county seat of Choctaw County, Alabama, United States. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a city.-History:... - U.S. Highway 80 and unsigned State Route 8 south of YorkYork, AlabamaYork is a city in Sumter County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,854.-Geography:York is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- U.S. Highway 11 and unsigned State Route 7 at York
- Interstate 20/59 at York
- State Route 28Alabama State Route 28State Route 28 is a long state route in the western part of the state. The route’s western terminus is at the junction with State Route 17 at Emelle in northwestern Sumter County, and the eastern terminus of the route is at the junction with State Route 21 near Darlington in eastern Wilcox...
at EmelleEmelle, AlabamaEmelle is a town in Sumter County, Alabama, United States. It was named after the daughters of the man who donated the land for the town. The town was started in the 19th century but not incorporated until the 1980s. The daughters of the man who donated were named Emma Dial and Ella Dial, so he... - State Route 116 near GeigerGeiger, AlabamaGeiger is a town in Sumter County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 161.-Geography:Geiger is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- State Route 32Alabama State Route 32State Route 32 is a four-mile long route in southwestern Pickens County, Alabama. The route enters the state as a continuation of Mississippi Highway 14, and continues to the junction with State Route 17 at Cochrane, a small, unincorporated community southwest of Aliceville...
at CochranePickens County, AlabamaPickens County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 19,746. Its county seat is Carrollton, and it is a prohibition, or dry county.-History:... - State Route 14 at AlicevilleAliceville, AlabamaAliceville is a city in Pickens County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,567. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 2,465. -Geography:...
- State Route 86 at CarrolltonCarrollton, AlabamaCarrollton is a town in Pickens County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 987. The city is the county seat of Pickens County....
- U.S. Highway 82 and unsigned State Route 6 at ReformReform, AlabamaReform is a city in Pickens County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,978.The city is notorious for ticketing drivers in several speed traps. Speed limits drop from 65mph to 45mph within a short distance at the top of a hill. The police will sit on the other side of...
- State Route 96Alabama State Route 96State Route 96 or SR-96 is a long route that extends from the Mississippi state line west of Millport in Lamar County to Fayette in Fayette County.-Route description:...
at KennedyKennedy, AlabamaKennedy is a town in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 541.-Geography:Kennedy is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, beginning a concurrencyConcurrency (road)A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
that continues until the routes split at MillportMillport, AlabamaMillport is a town in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,160.-Geography:Millport is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.18% is water.... - State Route 18 at VernonVernon, AlabamaVernon is a city in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 2,143. The city is the county seat of Lamar County.- Geography :Vernon is located at .According to the U.S...
- U.S. Highway 278 and unsigned State Route 118 at SulligentSulligent, AlabamaSulligent is a city in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 2,151. The name is derived from railroad personae.- History :...
- State Route 19Alabama State Route 19State Route 19 is a long route in the northwestern part of the state. The southern terminus of the route is at the junction with State Route 17 at Detroit in northern Lamar County...
at DetroitDetroit, AlabamaDetroit is a town in Lamar County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 247.-Geography:Detroit is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... - Future Interstate 22/U.S. Highway 78 at HamiltonHamilton, AlabamaHamilton is a city in Marion County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,786. The city is the county seat of Marion County.-Geography:Hamilton is located at , along the Buttahatchee River....
- U.S. Highway 43 and State Route 74 at Hamilton
- State Route 13Alabama State Route 13State Route 13 is a state highway in the western part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Except for a portion roughly between Berry and Russellville, SR-13 is the unsigned designation for U.S. Highway 43...
south of RussellvilleRussellville, AlabamaRussellville is a city in Franklin County in the U.S. state of Alabama. At the 2000 census, the population of the city was 8,971. The city is the county seat of Franklin County.-History:...
. US-43 and State Routes 13 and 17 are co-routed as they lead north from this junction towards Muscle ShoalsMuscle Shoals, AlabamaMuscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located... - U.S. Highway 72 and unsigned State Route 2, Alternate U.S. Highway 72, State Route 20 and State Route 157Alabama State Route 157State Route 157 is a long route in the northern and northwestern part of the state. The southern terminus of the route is at the junction with U.S. Highway 278 approximately ten miles east of Cullman, and the northern terminus of the route is at the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence...
at Muscle ShoalsMuscle Shoals, AlabamaMuscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
. US-72 and State Routes 2 and 20 join the concurrency with US-43 and SR-13 and 17 as they lead across the Tennessee RiverTennessee RiverThe Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
into FlorenceFlorence, AlabamaFlorence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
.