U.S. Route 63
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 63 is a 1286 miles (2,069.6 km) long north–south United States highway primarily in the Midwestern United States
. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20
in Ruston, Louisiana
. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2
in Benoit, Wisconsin
, about 60 miles (96.6 km) east of Duluth, Minnesota
. It is not related to U.S. Route 163
, which is located near the Four Corners Monument
in the southwestern United States.
for its entire route in Louisiana, from Ruston
north, to Junction City
, at the Arkansas line, a distance of 35 miles (56.3 km).
, at the Louisiana line, north to Mammoth Spring
, at the Missouri line; along the way it crosses one U.S. highway twice, and just misses crossing three others twice :
Many of these concurrencies and multiple crossings occurred when the south end of U.S. 63 was extended from Turrell to Ruston in 1999, in a very different direction from the Mammoth Spring-to-Turrell segment; the only non-concurrent parts of the extension are from Hazen to Stuttgart (formerly Arkansas Highway 11
) and Pine Bluff to El Dorado (formerly Arkansas Highway 15
). In addition, U.S. 63 from Jonesboro (including the U.S. 49 concurrency) to Turrell is designated as future Interstate 555
, and will be yet another concurrency once that becomes final.
U.S. 63 from Jonesboro to Turrell is now bannered as "Future I-555" which is to be switched as soon as service roads are completed on either side of the 4-lane divided highway. It has been questioned on whether or not U.S. 63 will be rerouted to eliminate the dogleg from Jonesboro to West Memphis to Hazen. Possible reroutings could be U.S 63/49 from Jonesboro to Brinkley and U.S 63/70 from Brinkley to Hazen or U.S. 63/AR 1 from Jonesboro to Forrest City and U.S. 63/70 from Forrest City to Hazen.
The highway passes South-to-North through Missouri, from Arkansas to Iowa, serving cities such as Rolla
, Jefferson City, Columbia, Moberly
and Kirksville. Notable routes that are intersected include U.S. Route 60, Interstate 44 at Rolla, U.S. Route 50 (which it shares a concurrency with into Jefferson City south of the Missouri River
until it reaches the junction with U.S. Route 54), U.S. Route 54 (which it overlaps in Jefferson City from the junction with U.S. Route 50 and crosses the Missouri River with on the Jefferson City Bridge
), Interstate 70 at Columbia, U.S Route 24 at Moberly, U.S. Route 36 at Macon, and U.S. Route 136 at Lancaster. The road enters the state at Thayer and has alternating passing lanes from here to West Plains. From West Plains through Cabool, the road (concurrent with U.S. 60 from Willow Springs to Cabool) is four lanes. North of Cabool to its concurrency with US 50, US 63 mainly follows two-lane pavement, with alternating passing lanes added between Houston and Licking, and truck passing lanes added in other locations. Through Jefferson City up until Kirksville (excepting downtown Macon, where it returns to two-lane pavement), this highway remains on four-lane divided highway with some freeway sections in Jefferson City and Columbia. Just south of Kirksville, the highway splits into U.S. 63 and Business 63. U.S. 63 narrows to two lanes as it bypasses central Kirksville near the city's eastern boundary. Business 63 returns to four-lane divided highway for about a mile before it narrows into Baltimore Street through Kirksville. North of the city, U.S. 63 continues on two lanes to the Iowa border.
US 63 in Missouri was Route 7 from 1922 to 1926.
. Between Ottumwa
and Oskaloosa
, the highway overlaps Iowa Highway 163. This segment is an expressway which connects Des Moines
with Burlington
, with freeway bypasses of Ottumwa and Eddyville
. Near Malcom
, U.S. 63 meets Interstate 80
. Only a few miles later, it joins U.S. 6
westbound for several miles near Grinnell
, then goes north again. At Toledo
, it intersects U.S. 30
and at Waterloo
, U.S. 63 meets U.S. 20
. There is an expressway segment north of Waterloo to its intersection with Iowa Highway 3 and a freeway bypass around New Hampton
. An additional expressway section, completing the four-lane expansion from Waterloo, north to New Hampton, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012. The highway enters Minnesota just north of Chester
.
. It goes though downtown Rochester
, U.S. 63 meets Interstate 90
. After passing through Rochester, it continues north and meets U.S. Route 61
at Lake City
. The two routes run concurrent to Red Wing
, where U.S. 63 turns north and crosses the Mississippi River
to enter Wisconsin over the Eisenhower Bridge. In Rochester, U.S. 63 is an expressway between I-90 and U.S. Route 52
, however, it is planned to be upgraded to a freeway in the near future.
The Minnesota section of U.S. 63 is defined as Routes 59 and 161 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(92).http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006§ion=161.114,http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006§ion=161.115
. Near Baldwin
, U.S. 63 intersects Interstate 94
. The highway briefly overlaps near Spooner
with U.S. Route 53
. At Trego
, they separate and U.S. 63 runs southwest to northeast, ending near Benoit
at U.S. Route 2
.
, over the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. Unlike the 1999 extension, this concurrency to Memphis was generally in line with the rest of U.S. 63. Though some maps continued to show this concurrency until 1999, Arkansas had not recognized U.S. 63 south of Turrell for many years, since at least the 1960s.
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20
Interstate 20
Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
in Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
in Benoit, Wisconsin
Benoit, Wisconsin
Benoit is an unincorporated community in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located two miles southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 63; and located 14 miles southwest of the city of Ashland.-External links:...
, about 60 miles (96.6 km) east of Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
. It is not related to U.S. Route 163
U.S. Route 163
U.S. Route 163 is a U.S. Highway that runs from US 160 northward to US 191 in the U.S. states of Arizona and Utah. The southernmost of its length is within the Navajo Nation. The highway forms part of the Trail of the Ancients, a National Scenic Byway...
, which is located near the Four Corners Monument
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. It is the only point in the United States shared by four states, leading to this area being called the Four Corners region...
in the southwestern United States.
Louisiana
U.S. 63 overlaps U.S. 167U.S. Route 167
U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
for its entire route in Louisiana, from Ruston
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
north, to Junction City
Junction City, Louisiana
Junction City is a village in Claiborne and Union parishes in Louisiana, and is the twin city of neighboring Junction City, Arkansas. The population was 652 at the 2000 census....
, at the Arkansas line, a distance of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Arkansas
U.S. 63 overlaps numerous other Interstate and U.S. highways on its way from Junction CityJunction City, Arkansas
Junction City is a city in Union County, Arkansas, United States, and is the twin city of neighboring Junction City, Louisiana. The population was 721 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Junction City is located at ....
, at the Louisiana line, north to Mammoth Spring
Mammoth Spring, Arkansas
Mammoth Spring is a city in Fulton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 977 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Mammoth Spring is located at ....
, at the Missouri line; along the way it crosses one U.S. highway twice, and just misses crossing three others twice :
- Continuing from Ruston, Louisiana, U.S. 167U.S. Route 167U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
from Junction City to El DoradoEl Dorado, ArkansasEl Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area... - I-530 and U.S. 65U.S. Route 65U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
, along with U.S. 79U.S. Route 79U.S. Route 79 is a north–south United States highway. The route is a northeast-southwest diagonal, with both east–west segments and north–south segments equally mixed. The highway's northern terminus is in Russellville, Kentucky, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 68 and KY 80...
, in Pine BluffPine Bluff, ArkansasPine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area... - U.S. 79 again from Pine Bluff to StuttgartStuttgart, ArkansasStuttgart is a city in and the county seat of the northern district of Arkansas County, Arkansas, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 79 about miles southeast of Little Rock. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 9,376.The town proclaims itself the "Rice...
- U.S. 165U.S. Route 165U.S. Route 165 is a north–south United States highway spur of U.S. Highway 65. It currently runs for 412 miles from U.S. Route 90 in Iowa, Louisiana north to U.S. Highway 70 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route passes through the states of Arkansas and Louisiana. It passes through the...
in Stuttgart - U.S. 70U.S. Route 70U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
in HazenHazen, ArkansasHazen is a city in Prairie County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,637 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hazen is located at .... - I-40Interstate 40Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
from Hazen to West MemphisWest Memphis, ArkansasWest Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 27,666 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 28,181 in 2005, and 31,329 in 2011 ranking it as the state's 11th largest city, behind Hot Springs...
. A concurrent segment of U.S. 70 and U.S. 79 (again) serves as its service road just west of West Memphis, though they never cross; it also crosses U.S. 49U.S. Route 49U.S. Route 49 is a north–south United States highway. The highway's northern terminus is in Piggott, Arkansas, at an intersection with U.S. Route 62. Its southern terminus is in Gulfport, Mississippi, at an intersection with U.S. Route 90. US 49 is approximately 516 miles in length.It...
at BrinkleyBrinkley, ArkansasBrinkley is the most populous city in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,940 at the 2000 census.It is located almost exactly half-way between Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee; the city has used the slogan "We'll Meet You Half-Way" in some of its advertising...
. - I-55Interstate 55Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
from West Memphis to TurrellTurrell, ArkansasTurrell is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 957 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Turrell's area of location is positioned primarily next to the item of liquid substance at the map coordinate ....
, silently picking up U.S. 61U.S. Route 61U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
at Turrell and U.S. 64U.S. Route 64U.S. Route 64 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,326 miles from eastern North Carolina to just southwest of the Four Corners in northeast Arizona. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 160 in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. The highway's eastern terminus is at NC 12 and U.S. Route...
at MarionMarion, ArkansasMarion is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 8,901 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Crittenden County, and is part of the Memphis metropolitan area... - U.S. 49 again in JonesboroJonesboro, ArkansasJonesboro is a city in and one of the two county seats of Craighead County, Arkansas, United States. According to the 2010 US Census, the population of the city was 67,263. A college town, Jonesboro is the largest city in northeastern Arkansas and the fifth most populous city in the state...
- U.S. 67U.S. Route 67U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
in the cities of HoxieHoxie, ArkansasHoxie is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,817 at the 2000 census. Hoxie lies immediately south of Walnut Ridge.-Geography:Hoxie is located at ....
and Walnut RidgeWalnut Ridge, ArkansasWalnut Ridge is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,925 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Lawrence County. Walnut Ridge lies immediately north of Hoxie, Arkansas. The two towns form a contiguous urban area with approximately 8,000 residents...
, but only temporarily until the U.S. 67 freeway is extended from NewportNewport, ArkansasNewport is a city in Jackson County, Arkansas, northeast of Little Rock, on the White River. In 1900, 2,866 people lived in Newport, Arkansas; in 1910, 3,557. The population was 7,811 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Jackson County....
to the Walnut Ridge-Hoxie area - U.S. 412U.S. Route 412U.S. Route 412 is an east–west United States highway, first commissioned in 1982. Its route number is a "violation" of the usual AASHTO numbering scheme, as it comes nowhere near its implied "parent", US 12. U.S...
alone from PortiaPortia, ArkansasPortia is a town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 483 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Portia is located at ....
to ImbodenImboden, ArkansasImboden is a town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 684 at the 2000 census. It is named after a family of settlers.- History :The community was first settled around 1828 and was incorporated in 1887.... - U.S. 62U.S. Route 62U.S. Route 62 runs from the US-Mexico border at El Paso, Texas to Niagara Falls, New York, near the United States-Canada border. It is the only east-west US Route that connects Mexico and Canada.Parts of U.S...
and U.S. 412 from Imboden to HardyHardy, ArkansasHardy is a city in Sharp and Fulton counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hardy is located at .The Spring River, which begins in Mammoth Spring, flows through Hardy...
; it just misses meeting U.S. 167 again at its northern terminus at Ash FlatAsh Flat, ArkansasAsh Flat is a city in Fulton and Sharp counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 977 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Sharp County.-Geography:Ash Flat is located at ....
, near Hardy
Many of these concurrencies and multiple crossings occurred when the south end of U.S. 63 was extended from Turrell to Ruston in 1999, in a very different direction from the Mammoth Spring-to-Turrell segment; the only non-concurrent parts of the extension are from Hazen to Stuttgart (formerly Arkansas Highway 11
Arkansas Highway 11
Arkansas Highway 11 is the name of multiple state highways in Arkansas.-Section 1:Arkansas Highway 11 is a state highway of in Prairie and White Counties.-Route description:...
) and Pine Bluff to El Dorado (formerly Arkansas Highway 15
Arkansas Highway 15
Arkansas Highway 15 is a designation for two state highways in Arkansas. The northern segment of runs from Altheimer north across Interstate 40 to Furlow. The southern segment of is entirely in Union County, and runs from Louisiana Highway 161 north to U.S...
). In addition, U.S. 63 from Jonesboro (including the U.S. 49 concurrency) to Turrell is designated as future Interstate 555
Interstate 555
Interstate 555 is a future Interstate Highway that is slated to connect Turrell, Arkansas at Interstate 55 to Jonesboro, Arkansas at Highway 91. I-555 is currently under construction as U.S...
, and will be yet another concurrency once that becomes final.
U.S. 63 from Jonesboro to Turrell is now bannered as "Future I-555" which is to be switched as soon as service roads are completed on either side of the 4-lane divided highway. It has been questioned on whether or not U.S. 63 will be rerouted to eliminate the dogleg from Jonesboro to West Memphis to Hazen. Possible reroutings could be U.S 63/49 from Jonesboro to Brinkley and U.S 63/70 from Brinkley to Hazen or U.S. 63/AR 1 from Jonesboro to Forrest City and U.S. 63/70 from Forrest City to Hazen.
Missouri
Rolla, Missouri
Rolla is a city in Phelps County, Missouri, United States, midway between the larger cities of St. Louis and Springfield along I-44. The population in the 2010 United States Census was 19,559.It is the county seat of Phelps County...
, Jefferson City, Columbia, Moberly
Moberly, Missouri
Moberly is a city in Randolph County, Missouri, United States. According to the 2008 census bureau estimate, the population was 14,227. The city was incorporated 1868. The Moberly Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Randolph County....
and Kirksville. Notable routes that are intersected include U.S. Route 60, Interstate 44 at Rolla, U.S. Route 50 (which it shares a concurrency with into Jefferson City south of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
until it reaches the junction with U.S. Route 54), U.S. Route 54 (which it overlaps in Jefferson City from the junction with U.S. Route 50 and crosses the Missouri River with on the Jefferson City Bridge
Jefferson City Bridge
The Jefferson City Bridge is the name for two through arch bridges over the Missouri River at Jefferson City, Missouri over which U.S. Highway 54 and U.S. Highway 63 pass between Cole County, Missouri and Callaway County, Missouri.-Southbound bridge:...
), Interstate 70 at Columbia, U.S Route 24 at Moberly, U.S. Route 36 at Macon, and U.S. Route 136 at Lancaster. The road enters the state at Thayer and has alternating passing lanes from here to West Plains. From West Plains through Cabool, the road (concurrent with U.S. 60 from Willow Springs to Cabool) is four lanes. North of Cabool to its concurrency with US 50, US 63 mainly follows two-lane pavement, with alternating passing lanes added between Houston and Licking, and truck passing lanes added in other locations. Through Jefferson City up until Kirksville (excepting downtown Macon, where it returns to two-lane pavement), this highway remains on four-lane divided highway with some freeway sections in Jefferson City and Columbia. Just south of Kirksville, the highway splits into U.S. 63 and Business 63. U.S. 63 narrows to two lanes as it bypasses central Kirksville near the city's eastern boundary. Business 63 returns to four-lane divided highway for about a mile before it narrows into Baltimore Street through Kirksville. North of the city, U.S. 63 continues on two lanes to the Iowa border.
US 63 in Missouri was Route 7 from 1922 to 1926.
Iowa
U.S. 63 passes South-to-North through Iowa. It enters the state from Missouri south of BloomfieldBloomfield, Iowa
Bloomfield is a city in Davis County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,601 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Davis County.-Geography:Bloomfield is located in the southeastern part of Iowa near the Missouri border....
. Between Ottumwa
Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 24,998 at the 2000 census. It is located in the southeastern part of Iowa, and the city is split into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River....
and Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa is the county seat of Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 11,463 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,938 in the 2000 census. -History:...
, the highway overlaps Iowa Highway 163. This segment is an expressway which connects Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
with Burlington
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
, with freeway bypasses of Ottumwa and Eddyville
Eddyville, Iowa
Eddyville is a city in Mahaska, Monroe, and Wapello Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,024 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. Near Malcom
Malcom, Iowa
Malcom is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Malcom is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, U.S. 63 meets Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
. Only a few miles later, it joins U.S. 6
U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
westbound for several miles near Grinnell
Grinnell, Iowa
Grinnell is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,218 at the 2010 census. Grinnell was named after Josiah Bushnell Grinnell and is the home of Grinnell College.- History :...
, then goes north again. At Toledo
Toledo, Iowa
Toledo is a city in and the county seat of Tama County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,539 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Toledo is located at ....
, it intersects U.S. 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
and at Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
, U.S. 63 meets U.S. 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
. There is an expressway segment north of Waterloo to its intersection with Iowa Highway 3 and a freeway bypass around New Hampton
New Hampton, Iowa
New Hampton is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chickasaw County.-Geography:New Hampton is located at ....
. An additional expressway section, completing the four-lane expansion from Waterloo, north to New Hampton, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012. The highway enters Minnesota just north of Chester
Chester, Iowa
Chester is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 127 in the 2010 census, a decrease of 15.9% from the 151 population in the 2000 census...
.
Minnesota
U.S. 63 enters Minnesota from Iowa south of Spring ValleySpring Valley, Minnesota
Spring Valley is a city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,479 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.U.S...
. It goes though downtown Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, U.S. 63 meets Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
. After passing through Rochester, it continues north and meets U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
at Lake City
Lake City, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,950 people, 2,131 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.9 people per square mile . There were 2,347 housing units at an average density of 553.3 per square mile...
. The two routes run concurrent to Red Wing
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
, where U.S. 63 turns north and crosses the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
to enter Wisconsin over the Eisenhower Bridge. In Rochester, U.S. 63 is an expressway between I-90 and U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
, however, it is planned to be upgraded to a freeway in the near future.
The Minnesota section of U.S. 63 is defined as Routes 59 and 161 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(92).http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006§ion=161.114,http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006§ion=161.115
Wisconsin
U.S. 63 enters Wisconsin south of Hager CityHager City, Wisconsin
Hager City is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the town of Trenton in Pierce County, Wisconsin, United States, across the Mississippi River from Red Wing, Minnesota. It is located near the intersection of State Highway 35 and U.S. Route 63. Hager City is served by the Ellsworth...
. Near Baldwin
Baldwin, Wisconsin
Baldwin is a village in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,667 at the 2000 census, and was estimated to be 3,903 in 2008, a growth rate of 39%...
, U.S. 63 intersects Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
. The highway briefly overlaps near Spooner
Spooner, Wisconsin
Spooner is a city in Washburn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,653 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the southwest corner of the Town of Spooner, with a small portion extending into the Town of Beaver Brook on the south, the Town of Bashaw on the southwest,...
with U.S. Route 53
U.S. Route 53
U.S. Route 53 is a north–south U.S. highway that runs for 403 miles from La Crosse, Wisconsin to northern Minnesota. It is the primary north–south route in northwestern Wisconsin, serving as a vital link between I-94 at Eau Claire, Wisconsin and the city of Duluth, Minnesota...
. At Trego
Trego, Wisconsin
Trego is a town in Washburn County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 885 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Trego is located in the town.-Geography:...
, they separate and U.S. 63 runs southwest to northeast, ending near Benoit
Benoit, Wisconsin
Benoit is an unincorporated community in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located two miles southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 63; and located 14 miles southwest of the city of Ashland.-External links:...
at U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
.
History
Though U.S. 63 as a stand-alone highway had always ended at Turrell, Arkansas before the 1999 extension, in the past it was concurrent with U.S. 61, 64, 70, and 79 (and later I-55) on into Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, over the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. Unlike the 1999 extension, this concurrency to Memphis was generally in line with the rest of U.S. 63. Though some maps continued to show this concurrency until 1999, Arkansas had not recognized U.S. 63 south of Turrell for many years, since at least the 1960s.
Bannered routes
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Warren, ArkansasWarren, ArkansasWarren is a city in and the county seat of Bradley County, Arkansas, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated population in 2006 was 6,219....
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Pine Bluff, ArkansasPine Bluff, ArkansasPine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Marked Tree, ArkansasMarked Tree, ArkansasMarked Tree is a city in Poinsett County, Arkansas in the United States, along the St. Francis River, at the mouth of the Little River. The population was 2,800 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Jonesboro, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Bono, ArkansasBono, ArkansasBono is a city in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,512 at the 2000 census. Population estimate as of 2008 was 1,599. It is included in the Jonesboro, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Hoxie, ArkansasHoxie, ArkansasHoxie is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,817 at the 2000 census. Hoxie lies immediately south of Walnut Ridge.-Geography:Hoxie is located at ....
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Hardy, ArkansasHardy, ArkansasHardy is a city in Sharp and Fulton counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hardy is located at .The Spring River, which begins in Mammoth Spring, flows through Hardy...
- U.S. Route 63 Business in West Plains, MissouriWest Plains, MissouriWest Plains is a city in Howell County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,866 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Howell County. The West Plains Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Howell County.-Geography:...
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Willow Springs, MissouriWillow Springs, MissouriWillow Springs is a city in Howell County, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains of the United States. The population was 2,147 at the 2000 census.- History :...
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Moberly, MissouriMoberly, MissouriMoberly is a city in Randolph County, Missouri, United States. According to the 2008 census bureau estimate, the population was 14,227. The city was incorporated 1868. The Moberly Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Randolph County....
- U.S. Route 63 Business in Ottumwa, IowaOttumwa, IowaOttumwa is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 24,998 at the 2000 census. It is located in the southeastern part of Iowa, and the city is split into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River....
- U.S. Route 63 Business in New Hampton, IowaNew Hampton, IowaNew Hampton is a city in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,692 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chickasaw County.-Geography:New Hampton is located at ....