U.S. Route 70
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles (3,838 km) 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. It formerly ran from coast to coast, with the current Eastern terminus near the Atlantic Ocean
in North Carolina
, and the former Western terminus near the Pacific Ocean
in California
.
Before the completion of the Interstate system
, U.S. Highway 70 was sometimes referred to as the "Broadway of America", due to its status as one of the main east–west thoroughfares in the nation.
at a junction with U.S. Route 60, concurrent with State Route 77. SR 77 splits off east of town. U.S. 70 then enters the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and runs southeast for 17 miles (27 km) to Peridot
, where it crosses Indian Route 9. It has no other highway junctions until Safford
, where it begins a ten-mile (16 km) overlap with U.S. 191. U.S. 70 then runs an additional 37 mi (59.5 km). (59 km) before crossing into New Mexico east of Franklin.
. At Lordsburg, U.S. 70 joins with Interstate 10
eastbound, splitting off in Las Cruces
. In Las Cruces, U.S. 70 also meets Interstate 25
.
Upon departing Las Cruces, U.S. 70 crosses the White Sands Missile Range
. Overhead missile tests can close the highway for a few hours; this generally happens once or twice a week. It then runs concurrent with U.S. 54 between Alamogordo
and Tularosa
. After splitting off to the northeast, U.S. 70 runs across the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and near the resort town of Ruidoso
. In Hondo
, it begins another concurrency, this time with U.S. 380. U.S. 70 then bypasses Roswell
to the northwest, together with U.S. 285. U.S. 70 then heads off to the northeast, running through Portales
and Clovis
before entering Texas at Texico
.
US 70 is the only non-interstate to receive a speed limit of 75 miles per hour.
, just over the state line. U.S. 70/84 then angle southeast to Muleshoe
, where the two routes split. U.S. 70 heads due east, meeting U.S. 385 at Springlake
, and having an interchange with Interstate 27 in Plainview
. U.S. 70 then arcs toward the south to begin a concurrency with US 62 in Floydada
. The two routes head east to Paducah, Texas
, where US 62 splits off to the north to join with U.S. 83. U.S. 70 then proceeds to Vernon
, where it overlaps U.S. 287 and U.S. 183 (and has a junction with U.S. 283). Near Oklaunion, Texas
, U.S. 70/183 split off to the north to cross the Red River
into Oklahoma
. The route through Texas was cosigned with Texas State Highway 28 before 1939. SH 28 was designated in 1919 as a route from Muleshoe
to Olney
with a spur, SH 28A, from SH 28 at Crowell
east to the Oklahoma border. In 1922, the route split in Benjamin
, going south to Sagerton
and east to Olney. In 1926, The portion from Crowell to Sagerton became SH 51, while the portion from Benjamin to Olney became SH 24. SH 28 was instead rerouted over SH 28A to end at the Oklahoma border. By 1939, the route was cancelled due to US 70.
. It then has an interchange (Exit 5) with Interstate 44, serving as the southern terminus of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. U.S. 70 then heads south of Waurika
. U.S. 70 then becomes a four-lane divided highway near Wilson
and runs through Lone Grove
before entering the city of Ardmore
, where it briefly heads south on Interstate 35, bypassing the central business district. US-70 serves as the southern terminus of U.S. 177 in Madill
. U.S .70 then heads to Durant
, where it has an interchange with the U.S. 69/75 freeway.
East of Soper
, U.S.70 joins with U.S.271. The two routes then approach Hugo
, where they serve as the southern terminus of the Indian Nation Turnpike
. U.S. 271 also splits off at this interchange, continuing the freeway southbound from the turnpike. U.S. 70 then heads through downtown Hugo. It then bypasses Idabel
to the north (with Bypass U.S. 70 providing a western and southern bypass). It then meets U.S. 259 and State Highway 3 northeast of town and overlaps them into Broken Bow
, forming a wrong-way concurrency with SH-3. U.S. 70 then splits off to the east in Broken Bow before leaving the state.
, where it begins a concurrency with U.S. 278. U.S. 70 then heads east-northeast to Hot Springs
, which it bypasses to the south on a freeway alignment shared with U.S. 270. U.S. 70 then heads east to join with Interstate 30
at Exit 111 south of Benton
. The two highways remain joined to the state capital, Little Rock, where U.S. 70B splits off from I-30 and U.S. 70 at Exit 132, and runs through downtown Little Rock, having an interchange with Interstate 630
before crossing the Arkansas River
in to North Little Rock
. U.S. 70 remains with I-30 through Little Rock, crossing the Arkansas River into North Little Rock. It then splits off from I-30, and is rejoined by U.S. 70B at Exit 141B, and serves as the northern terminus of U.S. Route 165
. U.S. 70 then crosses Interstate 440
and leaves the Little Rock area, paralleled by Interstate 40
.
U.S. 70 continues its alignment near I-40 throughout eastern Arkansas, generally about two or three miles (5 km) apart. I-40 bypasses Forrest City
to the north, while U.S. 70 serves the city center. The two routes remain close through West Memphis, Arkansas
, where U.S. 70 runs along Broadway Blvd. Finally, U.S. 70 joins with Interstate 55
to cross the Mississippi River
into Tennessee.
. Going southeast, it widens to four-lane near Marshall
, merging further down with I-26/US 19
/US 23
going into Asheville
. In the downtown area, it breaks from the freeway onto city streets and through Beaucatcher Tunnel as it goes east; paralleling north of I-40
, going through the cities Marion
, Morganton
, Hickory
, Conover
and Statesville
. From there, it goes southeast to Salisbury
, where it starts to parallel I-85
north through Lexington
, Thomasville
, High Point
and Greensboro
, in concurrency with I-85 Bus
/US 29
.
After passing through Greensboro
, it again parallels north of I-40
/I-85
as a four-lane expressway
through the cities of Burlington
, Mebane
and Hillsborough
. It then goes southeast through the downtown areas of both Durham
and Raleigh
.
After a brief overlap with I-40
near Garner
, it continues in a southeasterly direction, as it goes through or bypass the cities of Clayton
, Smithfield
, Selma
, Goldsboro
and Kinston
. Near and through New Bern
, US 70 briefly becomes a freeway, but returns to expressway
grade as it goes through Havelock
. After passing through Morehead City
and Beaufort
, it drops back to a two-lane rural road as it travels close along the Core Sound
. After passing the southern terminus of NC 12 (which connects to the Outer Banks
), near Sealevel, US 70 ends its seven state tour in the community of Atlantic
.
. During the earliest days of the automobile
, and earlier, American highways were disorganized affairs of widely varying quality. Highways were known by a bewildering variety of names which typically changed at each town. And they were only named, not numbered.
During the 1920s the first national highway was conceived: the Lincoln Highway
, named in honor of Abraham Lincoln
, stretching across the northern United States from coast to coast. A companion effort was launched to create a transcontinental highway stretching across the southern half of the country, this one named in honor of the greatest general of the Confederate States of America
, Robert E. Lee
. The two highways were a revolution of sorts, in that a driver could follow a single road from coast to coast bearing the same designation. Much of today's U.S. 70 was earlier the Lee Highway, although that appellation was later dropped.
Originally U.S. Highway 70 reached downtown Los Angeles
even though it was concurrent with U.S Route 99 and/or U.S. Highway 60 throughout its course west of Globe, Arizona. Beginning in 1964 it was decommissioned
in favor of Interstate 10
or US 60.
Bruce Springsteen
's 1975 song, Thunder Road (song)
immortalizes the 1958 Robert Mitchum
film, Thunder Road
about a family of anarchistic moonshiners who engage in run-ins with the police. The Mitchum film is based on a real life incident in which a moonshiner perishes on the road while on the run from the police.
. This split is unique, in that it is the only existing instance of a N/S split of a U.S. highway. Further, US 70 does not "disappear" at these splits; thus, these two highways serve as additional branches of the main route. US 70N begins in Lebanon, Tennessee
, just east of Nashville
, and ends in Crossville, TN
; US 70S begins in the Bellevue
neighborhood of southwest Nashville, and ends in Sparta, TN
(a few miles west of Crossville). Historically, both split routes began in Pegram and ended in Crossville. The original designation for U.S. 70 between Lebanon and Sparta was state highway 26.
, and Huntingdon, Tenn.
Signage along this route, and on most maps, show it as US 70A. Another US 70A, approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) long, runs from Selma NC
to near Princeton, NC. Its western terminus in Selma lies on US 70 in between the endpoints of the US 70 Business Route through Smithfield, NC.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
to east-central Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and Southwestern United States. It formerly ran from coast to coast, with the current Eastern terminus near the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and the former Western terminus near the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Before the completion of the Interstate system
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
, U.S. Highway 70 was sometimes referred to as the "Broadway of America", due to its status as one of the main east–west thoroughfares in the nation.
Arizona
U.S. 70 begins in GlobeGlobe, Arizona
Globe has an arid climate, characterized by hot summers and moderate to warm winters. Globe's arid climate is somewhat tempered by its elevation, however, leading to slightly cooler temperatures and slightly more precipitation than Phoenix or Yuma....
at a junction with U.S. Route 60, concurrent with State Route 77. SR 77 splits off east of town. U.S. 70 then enters the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and runs southeast for 17 miles (27 km) to Peridot
Peridot, Arizona
Peridot is a census-designated place in Gila and Graham counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 1,266 at the 2000 census.Peridot is named for the mineral peridot, found in basalt flows nearby.-Geography:...
, where it crosses Indian Route 9. It has no other highway junctions until Safford
Safford, Arizona
- History :Safford was founded by Joshua Eaton Bailey, Hiram Kennedy and Edward Tuttle, who came from Gila Bend, in southwestern Arizona. They left Gila Bend in the winter of 1873-74; their work on canals and dams having been destroyed by high water the previous summer...
, where it begins a ten-mile (16 km) overlap with U.S. 191. U.S. 70 then runs an additional 37 mi (59.5 km). (59 km) before crossing into New Mexico east of Franklin.
New Mexico
After entering the state of New Mexico, U.S. 70 heads southeast. Five miles (8 km) after crossing the state line, it serves as the southern terminus for New Mexico State Road 92. U.S. 70 does not have another highway junction for 21 mi (34 km), where it meets State Roads 464 and 90 three miles (5 km) north of LordsburgLordsburg, New Mexico
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,379 people, 1,220 households, and 854 families residing in the city. The population density was 403.1 people per square mile . There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of 168.7 per square mile...
. At Lordsburg, U.S. 70 joins with Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
eastbound, splitting off in Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state....
. In Las Cruces, U.S. 70 also meets Interstate 25
Interstate 25
Interstate 25 is an Interstate Highway in the western United States. It is primarily a north–south highway. I-25 stretches from Interstate 10 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, , to Interstate 90 in Buffalo, Wyoming, .Interstate 25 is the main north–south expressway through...
.
Upon departing Las Cruces, U.S. 70 crosses the White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range is a rocket range of almost in parts of five counties in southern New Mexico. The largest military installation in the United States, WSMR includes the and the WSMR Otera Mesa bombing range...
. Overhead missile tests can close the highway for a few hours; this generally happens once or twice a week. It then runs concurrent with U.S. 54 between Alamogordo
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and a city in south-central New Mexico, United States. A desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains. It is the nearest city to Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 35,582 as of the 2000...
and Tularosa
Tularosa, New Mexico
Tularosa is a village in Otero County, New Mexico, United States. It shares its name with the Tularosa Basin, in which the town is located. To the east, Tularosa is flanked by the western edge of the Sacramento Mountains. The population was 2,864 at the 2000 census...
. After splitting off to the northeast, U.S. 70 runs across the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation and near the resort town of Ruidoso
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 8,029 at the 2010 census...
. In Hondo
Hondo, New Mexico
Hondo is an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States. It is located about five miles downstream from Ruidosos Downs, where the Rio Bonito and Rio Ruidoso rivers join together to form the Rio Hondo. It is located at the point where U.S. Route 70 is joined by U.S. Route...
, it begins another concurrency, this time with U.S. 380. U.S. 70 then bypasses Roswell
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
to the northwest, together with U.S. 285. U.S. 70 then heads off to the northeast, running through Portales
Portales, New Mexico
Portales is a city in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis as well as Cannon Air Force Base, a major contributor to the economy of the region.Eastern New Mexico...
and Clovis
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
before entering Texas at Texico
Texico, New Mexico
Texico is a city in Curry County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,065 at the 2000 census.-Name:The name is a portmanteau of "Texas" and "New Mexico". Texico is located on the Texas-New Mexico border...
.
- from mile 170.6 to mile 197.25 on US 70 the speed limit is posted at 75 mph through White Sands Missile Range. (26.6 mile stretch) just slightly longer than a standard marathon.
US 70 is the only non-interstate to receive a speed limit of 75 miles per hour.
Texas
U.S. 70 enters Texas joined with U.S. 60 and U.S. 84. U.S. 60 splits off to the northeast in Farwell, TexasFarwell, Texas
Farwell is a city in and the county seat of Parmer County, Texas, United States. Farwell is located on the Texas-New Mexico border with the town of Texico, New Mexico on the opposite side...
, just over the state line. U.S. 70/84 then angle southeast to Muleshoe
Muleshoe, Texas
Muleshoe is a small city in Bailey County, Texas, United States. The town of Muleshoe was founded in 1913 when the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway built an line from Farwell, Texas to Lubbock through northern Bailey County. In 1926, Muleshoe was incorporated. The population was 5,158 at the 2010...
, where the two routes split. U.S. 70 heads due east, meeting U.S. 385 at Springlake
Springlake, Texas
Springlake is a town in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census. The community is known for its agricultural processing.It was the hometown of the late Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Bill W...
, and having an interchange with Interstate 27 in Plainview
Plainview, Texas
Plainview is a city in and the county seat of Hale County, Texas, United States. The population was 22,336 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Plainview is located at ....
. U.S. 70 then arcs toward the south to begin a concurrency with US 62 in Floydada
Floydada, Texas
Floydada is a city in and the county seat of Floyd County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,038 at the 2010 census.-History:According to the Texas State Historical Association, the community of Floydada, originally named Floyd City, was established on 640 acres of land donated by James B....
. The two routes head east to Paducah, Texas
Paducah, Texas
Paducah is a town in Cottle County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cottle County...
, where US 62 splits off to the north to join with U.S. 83. U.S. 70 then proceeds to Vernon
Vernon, Texas
Vernon is a city in Wilbarger County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 11,660; it was 11,077 in the 2005 census estimate. Vernon is the county seat of Wilbarger County....
, where it overlaps U.S. 287 and U.S. 183 (and has a junction with U.S. 283). Near Oklaunion, Texas
Oklaunion, Texas
Oklaunion is an unincorporated community in Wilbarger County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 138 in 2000.-Geography:...
, U.S. 70/183 split off to the north to cross the Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
into Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. The route through Texas was cosigned with Texas State Highway 28 before 1939. SH 28 was designated in 1919 as a route from Muleshoe
Muleshoe, Texas
Muleshoe is a small city in Bailey County, Texas, United States. The town of Muleshoe was founded in 1913 when the Pecos and Northern Texas Railway built an line from Farwell, Texas to Lubbock through northern Bailey County. In 1926, Muleshoe was incorporated. The population was 5,158 at the 2010...
to Olney
Olney, Texas
Olney is a city in Young County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,236 in 2008.-Geography:Olney is located at ....
with a spur, SH 28A, from SH 28 at Crowell
Crowell, Texas
Crowell is a city in Foard County, Texas, United States. It serves as the county seat, and the population was 1,141 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crowell is located at ....
east to the Oklahoma border. In 1922, the route split in Benjamin
Benjamin, Texas
Benjamin is a city in Knox County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Knox County. The population was 258 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Benjamin is located at . It is situated at the junction of U.S...
, going south to Sagerton
Sagerton, Texas
Sagerton is an unincorporated community in Haskell County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 115 in 2000.-External links:...
and east to Olney. In 1926, The portion from Crowell to Sagerton became SH 51, while the portion from Benjamin to Olney became SH 24. SH 28 was instead rerouted over SH 28A to end at the Oklahoma border. By 1939, the route was cancelled due to US 70.
Oklahoma
U.S. 183 splits off U.S.70 three miles (5 km) north of the state line, in the town of DavidsonDavidson, Oklahoma
Davidson is a town in Tillman County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 315 at the 2010 census. The town experienced a minor flood in 1995.-Geography:Davidson is located at ....
. It then has an interchange (Exit 5) with Interstate 44, serving as the southern terminus of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. U.S. 70 then heads south of Waurika
Waurika, Oklahoma
Waurika is a city in Jefferson County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,988 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jefferson County. The name is the Comanche compound 'worm eater' from woa 'worm' + 'eat' and presumably refers to a group of Comanche living in the area or to...
. U.S. 70 then becomes a four-lane divided highway near Wilson
Wilson, Oklahoma
Wilson is a Town in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wilson is located at ....
and runs through Lone Grove
Lone Grove, Oklahoma
Lone Grove is a city in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,631 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Micropolitan Statistical Area of Ardmore.The city, located seven miles west of Ardmore on U.S...
before entering the city of Ardmore
Ardmore, Oklahoma
Ardmore is a business, cultural and tourism city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 24,283, while a 2007 estimate has the Ardmore micropolitan statistical area totaling 56,694 residents...
, where it briefly heads south on Interstate 35, bypassing the central business district. US-70 serves as the southern terminus of U.S. 177 in Madill
Madill, Oklahoma
Madill is a city in Marshall County, Oklahoma, United States. The city was founded in 1901 and is named for George Alexander Madill, an attorney for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, popularly known as the Frisco. The 2009 population estimate was 3,781...
. U.S .70 then heads to Durant
Durant, Oklahoma
Durant is a city in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,877 at the 2010 census. Durant is the principal city of the Durant Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 42,416 in 2010...
, where it has an interchange with the U.S. 69/75 freeway.
East of Soper
Soper, Oklahoma
Soper is a town in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 600 at the 2000 census. The town was named for P.L. Soper, who was a U.S. attorney in northern district of Indian territory, when the Frisco railroad came through the area in the early 20th century, and the community...
, U.S.70 joins with U.S.271. The two routes then approach Hugo
Hugo, Oklahoma
Hugo is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, bordering Texas. Hugo is the county seat for Choctaw County and has a population of 5,395 as of 2009 estimates. The city serves as winter quarters for some circus performers...
, where they serve as the southern terminus of the Indian Nation Turnpike
Indian Nation Turnpike
The Indian Nation Turnpike is a toll road in southeastern Oklahoma. It is the longest tollway in the state.-Route description:The Indian Nation turnpike is built to parkway-like design standards, omitting a center barrier and left-hand shoulders for a slightly mounded grassy median that is flush...
. U.S. 271 also splits off at this interchange, continuing the freeway southbound from the turnpike. U.S. 70 then heads through downtown Hugo. It then bypasses Idabel
Idabel, Oklahoma
Idabel is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 7,658 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McCurtain County. The town is located in the tourist area Kiamichi Country.-History:...
to the north (with Bypass U.S. 70 providing a western and southern bypass). It then meets U.S. 259 and State Highway 3 northeast of town and overlaps them into Broken Bow
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Broken Bow is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,230 at the 2000 census. It is named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city's founders, the Dierks brothers.-History:...
, forming a wrong-way concurrency with SH-3. U.S. 70 then splits off to the east in Broken Bow before leaving the state.
Arkansas
U.S. 70 enters Arkansas eight miles (13 km) west of DeQueen. U.S. 70 bypasses the town to the north. Northeast of the city, it meets U.S. 71 and overlaps with it for 8 mi (12.9 km). It then heads northwest for to DierksDierks, Arkansas
Dierks is a city in Howard County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,230 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dierks is located at ....
, where it begins a concurrency with U.S. 278. U.S. 70 then heads east-northeast to Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, which it bypasses to the south on a freeway alignment shared with U.S. 270. U.S. 70 then heads east to join with Interstate 30
Interstate 30
Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
at Exit 111 south of Benton
Benton, Arkansas
Benton is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. It was established in 1837. According to a 2006 Special Census conducted at the request of the city government, the population of the city is 27,717, ranking it as the state's 16th largest...
. The two highways remain joined to the state capital, Little Rock, where U.S. 70B splits off from I-30 and U.S. 70 at Exit 132, and runs through downtown Little Rock, having an interchange with Interstate 630
Interstate 630
Interstate 630 in Arkansas is an east–west connector within Little Rock. It is also known as the Wilbur D. Mills Freeway and starts at Interstate 30/US Route 65/US Route 67/US Route 167 traveling west through downtown Little Rock to Interstate 430 and an at-grade intersection with...
before crossing the Arkansas River
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
in to North Little Rock
North Little Rock, Arkansas
the city was 62.55% White, 33.98% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races...
. U.S. 70 remains with I-30 through Little Rock, crossing the Arkansas River into North Little Rock. It then splits off from I-30, and is rejoined by U.S. 70B at Exit 141B, and serves as the northern terminus of U.S. Route 165
U.S. Route 165
U.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...
. U.S. 70 then crosses Interstate 440
Interstate 440
Interstate 440 may refer to:*Interstate 440 , a partial loop near Little Rock*Interstate 440 , a loop route in Raleigh*Interstate 440 , now part of I-44 in Oklahoma City*Interstate 440 , a loop in Nashville...
and leaves the Little Rock area, paralleled by Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 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...
.
U.S. 70 continues its alignment near I-40 throughout eastern Arkansas, generally about two or three miles (5 km) apart. I-40 bypasses Forrest City
Forrest City, Arkansas
Forrest City is a city in and the county seat of St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States. It was named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who used the location as a campsite for a construction crew completing a railroad between Memphis and Little Rock, shortly after the Civil War. The...
to the north, while U.S. 70 serves the city center. The two routes remain close through West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis, Arkansas
West 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...
, where U.S. 70 runs along Broadway Blvd. Finally, U.S. 70 joins with Interstate 55
Interstate 55
Interstate 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...
to cross 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...
into Tennessee.
North Carolina
US 70 enters North Carolina as a two-lane road in concurrency with US 25U.S. Route 25 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 25 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the South Carolina state line, near Tuxedo, to the Tennessee state line, near Hot Springs.-Route description:...
. Going southeast, it widens to four-lane near Marshall
Marshall, North Carolina
Marshall is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 840 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County.Marshall is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
, merging further down with I-26/US 19
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately across Western North Carolina; from the Georgia state line, at the community of Bellview, to the Tennessee state line, at the town of Elk Park. The designation from US 19 to U.S. Route 19E happens in Cane River, where US 19W splits from the...
/US 23
U.S. Route 23 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 23 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the Georgia state line, near Dillard, to the Tennessee state line, near Flag Pond.-Route description:...
going into Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. In the downtown area, it breaks from the freeway onto city streets and through Beaucatcher Tunnel as it goes east; paralleling north of I-40
Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Interstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
, going through the cities Marion
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
, Morganton
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
, Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Statesville
Statesville, North Carolina
Statesville is a city located in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States and was named an All-America City in 1997 and 2009. The population was 24,633 at the 2010 census...
. From there, it goes southeast to Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
, where it starts to parallel I-85
Interstate 85 in North Carolina
In the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 85 scales the state for from the South Carolina border to the Virginia border. As the second-longest interstate in the state , it provides an important link between the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, Greensboro, Richmond, Virginia and...
north through Lexington
Lexington, North Carolina
Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
, Thomasville
Thomasville, North Carolina
Thomasville is a city in Davidson County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 21,354 at the 2010 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's...
, High Point
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
and Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, in concurrency with I-85 Bus
Interstate 85 Business (North Carolina)
In the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 85 Business is a business loop of Interstate 85; which serves several cities in the Piedmont Triad.-Route description:...
/US 29
U.S. Route 29 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 29 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the South Carolina state line, near Blacksburg, to the commonwealth of Virginia, near Danville...
.
After passing through Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, it again parallels north of I-40
Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Interstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
/I-85
Interstate 85 in North Carolina
In the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 85 scales the state for from the South Carolina border to the Virginia border. As the second-longest interstate in the state , it provides an important link between the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, Greensboro, Richmond, Virginia and...
as a four-lane expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
through the cities of Burlington
Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located. The population was 49,963 at the 2010...
, Mebane
Mebane, North Carolina
Mebane is a city located mostly in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States, with a part of it in Orange County, North Carolina. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current population estimate is 10,624. According to the , the town was named for...
and Hillsborough
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hillsborough is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,653 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Orange County....
. It then goes southeast through the downtown areas of both Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
and Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
.
After a brief overlap with I-40
Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Interstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
near Garner
Garner, North Carolina
Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census and was 27,533 in 2009.-Geography:Garner is located at ....
, it continues in a southeasterly direction, as it goes through or bypass the cities of Clayton
Clayton, North Carolina
Clayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
, Smithfield
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
, Selma
Selma, North Carolina
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
, Goldsboro
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
and Kinston
Kinston, North Carolina
Kinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,688 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated at 22,360 in 2008. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791 . Kinston is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks...
. Near and through New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
, US 70 briefly becomes a freeway, but returns to expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
grade as it goes through Havelock
Havelock, North Carolina
Havelock is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 22,442 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 21,906 in 2006...
. After passing through Morehead City
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
and Beaufort
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
, it drops back to a two-lane rural road as it travels close along the Core Sound
Core Sound
The Core Sound is a large and shallow body of water in eastern North Carolina located between the mainland of Carteret County and Core Banks, part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, located west of the Atlantic Ocean and north of Bogue Sound. Pamlico Sound is located to the north and east....
. After passing the southern terminus of NC 12 (which connects to the Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
), near Sealevel, US 70 ends its seven state tour in the community of Atlantic
Atlantic, North Carolina
Atlantic is an unincorporated community in eastern Carteret County situated along the Core Sound, located in what was known to early settlers of the area as Hunting Quarters. It is the location of US 70's eastern terminus and the ferry terminal for journeys to North Core Banks in the Cape Lookout...
.
History
Most or all of the present route designated as U.S. Highway 70 was earlier known as Lee HighwayLee Highway
The Lee Highway was a National Auto Trail in the United States connecting New York City and San Francisco, California via the South and Southwest. It was named after Robert E...
. During the earliest days of the automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, and earlier, American highways were disorganized affairs of widely varying quality. Highways were known by a bewildering variety of names which typically changed at each town. And they were only named, not numbered.
During the 1920s the first national highway was conceived: the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
, named in honor of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, stretching across the northern United States from coast to coast. A companion effort was launched to create a transcontinental highway stretching across the southern half of the country, this one named in honor of the greatest general of the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
. The two highways were a revolution of sorts, in that a driver could follow a single road from coast to coast bearing the same designation. Much of today's U.S. 70 was earlier the Lee Highway, although that appellation was later dropped.
Originally U.S. Highway 70 reached downtown Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
even though it was concurrent with U.S Route 99 and/or U.S. Highway 60 throughout its course west of Globe, Arizona. Beginning in 1964 it was decommissioned
Decommissioned highway
A decommissioned highway is a highway that has been removed from service, shut down or has had its authorization as a federal or state highway removed. Decommissioning can include the complete or partial demolition or abandonment of an old highway structure because the old roadway has lost its...
in favor of Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
or US 60.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's 1975 song, Thunder Road (song)
Thunder Road (song)
"Thunder Road" is a song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen, and the opening track on his 1975 breakthrough album Born to Run. It is ranked as one of Springsteen's greatest songs, and often appears on lists of the top rock songs of all time.Rolling Stone magazine placed it as #86 on its...
immortalizes the 1958 Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum
Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time...
film, Thunder Road
Thunder Road
Thunder Road is the title of a 1958 drama–crime film about running moonshine in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee in the early 1950s. It was directed by Arthur Ripley and starred Robert Mitchum, who also produced the film, co-wrote the screenplay, and is rumored to have directed much of the...
about a family of anarchistic moonshiners who engage in run-ins with the police. The Mitchum film is based on a real life incident in which a moonshiner perishes on the road while on the run from the police.
Junction list
- Interstate 25Interstate 25Interstate 25 is an Interstate Highway in the western United States. It is primarily a north–south highway. I-25 stretches from Interstate 10 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, , to Interstate 90 in Buffalo, Wyoming, .Interstate 25 is the main north–south expressway through...
at Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, New MexicoLas Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state.... - Interstate 35Interstate 35Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
at Ardmore, OKArdmore, OklahomaArdmore is a business, cultural and tourism city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 24,283, while a 2007 estimate has the Ardmore micropolitan statistical area totaling 56,694 residents... - Interstate 30Interstate 30Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
at Little Rock, AKLittle Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census... - Interstate 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...
/ Interstate 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...
at Memphis, TNMemphis, TennesseeMemphis 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.... - Interstate 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...
/ Interstate 65Interstate 65Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
at Nashville, TNNashville, TennesseeNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home... - Interstate 75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
at Lenoir City, TNLenoir City, TennesseeLenoir City is a city in Loudon County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 8,642 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area.... - Interstate 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...
at Conover, NCConover, North CarolinaConover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area... - Interstate 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...
at Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TennesseeFounded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... - Interstate 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...
at Greensboro, NCGreensboro, North CarolinaGreensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S... - Interstate 85Interstate 85Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
at Durham, NCDurham, North CarolinaDurham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census... - Interstate 95Interstate 95Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
at Selma, NCSelma, North CarolinaSelma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
Branch routes
US 70 has two additional branches in Tennessee, US 70N and US 70SU.S. Route 70S
U.S. Route 70s is an alternate to U.S. Route 70 between the western part of Nashville, TN and Sparta, Tennessee. It runs concurrent with US 70 for several blocks in downtown Nashville...
. This split is unique, in that it is the only existing instance of a N/S split of a U.S. highway. Further, US 70 does not "disappear" at these splits; thus, these two highways serve as additional branches of the main route. US 70N begins in Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon is a city in Wilson County, Tennessee, in the United States. The population was 20,235 at the 2000 census. It serves as the county seat of Wilson County. Lebanon is located in middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles east of downtown Nashville. Local residents have also called it...
, just east of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, and ends in Crossville, TN
Crossville, Tennessee
Crossville is a city in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,795 at the 2010 Census.-Geography:Crossville is located at...
; US 70S begins in the Bellevue
Bellevue, Tennessee
Bellevue is a neighborhood of Nashville, located roughly 13 miles southwest of the downtown area via I-40. It is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
neighborhood of southwest Nashville, and ends in Sparta, TN
Sparta, Tennessee
Sparta is a city in White County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,599 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of White County. It was the hometown of Lester Flatt of the bluegrass music legends Flatt and Scruggs.-Geography:...
(a few miles west of Crossville). Historically, both split routes began in Pegram and ended in Crossville. The original designation for U.S. 70 between Lebanon and Sparta was state highway 26.
Alternate routes
There is a US 70A in Conover, NC and Wilson, OK. Additionally, there is an Alternate US 70 between Brownsville, TNBrownsville, Tennessee
Brownsville is a city in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States. It is the county seat of Haywood County. The city is named after Jacob Jennings Brown, an officer who served during The War of 1812.-Geography:...
, and Huntingdon, Tenn.
Huntingdon, Tennessee
Huntingdon is a town in Carroll County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,349 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County.-Geography:Huntingdon is located at ....
Signage along this route, and on most maps, show it as US 70A. Another US 70A, approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) long, runs from Selma NC
Selma, North Carolina
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
to near Princeton, NC. Its western terminus in Selma lies on US 70 in between the endpoints of the US 70 Business Route through Smithfield, NC.
Business routes
- Pomona, CaliforniaPomona, California-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
Decommissioned - Alamogordo, New MexicoAlamogordo, New MexicoAlamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and a city in south-central New Mexico, United States. A desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains. It is the nearest city to Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 35,582 as of the 2000...
- Ruidoso, New MexicoRuidoso, New MexicoRuidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 8,029 at the 2010 census...
- Portales, New MexicoPortales, New MexicoPortales is a city in and the county seat of Roosevelt County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis as well as Cannon Air Force Base, a major contributor to the economy of the region.Eastern New Mexico...
- Hugo, OklahomaHugo, OklahomaHugo is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, bordering Texas. Hugo is the county seat for Choctaw County and has a population of 5,395 as of 2009 estimates. The city serves as winter quarters for some circus performers...
- De Queen, ArkansasDe Queen, ArkansasDe Queen is a city and the county seat of Sevier County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 5,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:De Queen is located at ....
- Glenwood, ArkansasGlenwood, ArkansasGlenwood is a city in Pike and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 1,751 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glenwood is located at ....
- Hot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs, ArkansasHot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
- Little Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
- Huntingdon, TennesseeHuntingdon, TennesseeHuntingdon is a town in Carroll County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,349 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County.-Geography:Huntingdon is located at ....
- Camden, TennesseeCamden, TennesseeCamden is a city in Benton County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 3,828 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Benton County.-Geography:Camden is positioned at...
- Dickson, TennesseeDickson, TennesseeDickson is a city in Dickson County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 12,244 at the 2000 census.-Demographics:...
- Lebanon, TennesseeLebanon, TennesseeLebanon is a city in Wilson County, Tennessee, in the United States. The population was 20,235 at the 2000 census. It serves as the county seat of Wilson County. Lebanon is located in middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles east of downtown Nashville. Local residents have also called it...
- Marshall, North CarolinaMarshall, North CarolinaMarshall is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 840 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County.Marshall is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
- Morganton, North CarolinaMorganton, North CarolinaMorganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
- Lexington, North CarolinaLexington, North CarolinaLexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
- Hillsborough, North CarolinaHillsborough, North CarolinaHillsborough is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,653 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Orange County....
- Durham, North CarolinaDurham, North CarolinaDurham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
- Clayton, North CarolinaClayton, North CarolinaClayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
- Smithfield, North CarolinaSmithfield, North CarolinaSmithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
- Goldsboro, North CarolinaGoldsboro, North CarolinaGoldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
- Kinston, North CarolinaKinston, North CarolinaKinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,688 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated at 22,360 in 2008. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791 . Kinston is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks...
- Newport, North CarolinaNewport, North CarolinaNewport is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,349 at the 2000 census.-History:Newport was officially chartered in 1866. Although the crossroads community on the Newport River was known by that name decades earlier, the area was also known as Bell's Corner...
- New Bern, North CarolinaNew Bern, North CarolinaNew Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
Bypass routes
- Durant, OklahomaDurant, OklahomaDurant is a city in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,877 at the 2010 census. Durant is the principal city of the Durant Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 42,416 in 2010...
Bypass construction begin 2008 - Idabel, OklahomaIdabel, OklahomaIdabel is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 7,658 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McCurtain County. The town is located in the tourist area Kiamichi Country.-History:...
- Selma, North CarolinaSelma, North CarolinaSelma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
- Clayton, North CarolinaClayton, North CarolinaClayton is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. A very small portion of the town extends into Wake County. As of 2010, Clayton's population was 9,676 people. Since 2000, it had a population growth of 38.80 percent. Much of that growth can be attributed to the town's close...
Related routes
- U.S. Route 170
- U.S. Route 270U.S. Route 270U.S. Route 270 is a spur of U.S. Route 70. It currently runs for 643 miles from Liberal, Kansas at U.S. Route 54 to White Hall, Arkansas at Interstate 530 and U.S. Route 65. It passes through the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas...
- U.S. Route 370
- U.S. Route 470