It’s not uncommon for long-haul truckers in the U.S. to log more than 600 miles a day, or more than 12,000 miles a month. Many of these truckers brave treacherous road conditions and extreme weather during these grueling commutes as they crisscross the country.
Truck drivers are no strangers to long shifts behind the wheel, in which they get to know some of the nation’s most impressive highways and roads. From Florida to California and from New York to Washington, here are seven of the longest trucking routes in America.
7 Longest Highways in U.S.
On any given day, long-haul truckers are covering huge distances on seemingly endless stretches of highway, as they transport cargo and consumer goods from points A to B.
Here are seven of the longest highways in America:
- US Route 20: the longest route in the United States, this coast-to-coast route spans a whopping 3,365 miles, stretching from Newport, Oregon all the way to Boston, Massachusetts.
- US Route 6: Also known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, US 6 is another coastal route that runs from California east to Provincetown, Massachusetts, totaling some 3,207 miles.
- Interstate 90: I-90 has the distinction as the longest interstate freeway in the United States, clocking in 3,020 miles. This transcontinental highway runs from Seattle, Washington to Boston, Massachusetts. Interstate 90 includes two of the world’s largest floating bridges: the Homer Hadley Memorial Bridge and the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge.
- S. Route 30: This east-west interstate is the third longest U.S. route, traveling through the northern tier of the country from Astoria, Oregon to Atlantic City. US 30 covers 3,072 miles.
- Interstate 80: The I-80 is the second longest freeway within the U.S. interstate system, and is nearly 2,900 miles from end to end. It runs from San Francisco, CA to Teaneck, New Jersey.
- US Route 50: Created in 1926, Route 50 spans over 3,010 miles and connects Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, Maryland. US Route 50 passes through remote, desolated areas in Wyoming and Nevada with few inhabitants, and this stretch has been labeled “the loneliest road in America.”
- US Route 60: Venturing more than 2,670 miles (or 4,300 km), US Route 60 travels from southwestern Arizona east to Virginia Beach, Virginia. From start to finish, US Route 60 would take almost 50 hours to drive, non-stop.
Truck Accidents Caused by Drowsy Drivers
According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigue is one of the primary causes of commercial truck accidents in the United States. Overworked truckers – who are paid by the mile — are often pushed to violate hours of regulation in an effort to meet tight deadlines. Many of these big rig crashes result in life-threatening injuries and fatalities.
If you or someone you love were injured because of a drowsy or negligent driver, protect your rights by speaking to Bart Bernard, an experienced Louisiana truck accident lawyer. Call our Baton Rouge or Lafayette law offices to schedule a free, no-obligation case review today.
Additional U.S. Trucking Route Resources:
- com, The 10 Longest Highways in the USA https://ezfreightfactoring.com/blog/the-ten-longest-highways-in-the-united-states
- Softwareadvice, The Most Loved (and Hated) U.S. Trucking Routes IndustryView https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/industryview/trucking-routes-report-2014/
- Keep Truckin, Connection Between Commercial Truck Accidents and Fatigued Drivers https://keeptruckin.com/blog/accidents-fatigued-drivers/