
History of Interstates and U.S. Highways in New York
New York’s vast highway system has played a pivotal role in the state's development, particularly in linking its upstate and downstate regions. Early highways like U.S. 9 and U.S. 20 helped shape commerce and transportation throughout the state. With the creation of the Interstate Highway System, Interstates such as I-87, I-90, and I-81 became vital corridors for both commuters and long-distance travel across New York.
New York’s highways are essential for both everyday travel and interstate freight movement. Major highways like I-87 and I-90 facilitate the transportation of goods between key economic hubs such as New York City and Albany. Additionally, New York’s highways are important for tourism, providing access to popular destinations like Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, and the Finger Lakes.
The state has continuously invested in upgrading its highway infrastructure, with a focus on improving safety, reducing congestion, and modernizing aging roads and bridges. Recent projects include expanding capacity on the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-90), along with major improvements to the Tappan Zee Bridge, which connects Rockland and Westchester counties across the Hudson River.
Why all the 1926 dates? The year 1926 was significant for the U.S. highway system because it marked the official establishment of the U.S. Numbered Highway System, also known as the U.S. Highway System. This system was created by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), now known as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), in cooperation with the federal government. Here’s why 1926 was pivotal:
1 Standardization of Routes: Prior to 1926, roads in the United States were a patchwork of local and state routes, often inconsistently marked and poorly maintained. The U.S. Highway System brought about a standardized network of numbered routes, designed to provide uniformity across state lines, making travel more predictable and navigable for drivers.
2 National Connectivity: The new system connected rural and urban areas across the country, linking small towns and cities with major economic hubs. This was essential for improving the transportation of goods and services, helping to bolster the national economy.
3 Designation of Major Routes: Iconic highways such as U.S. 1 (from Maine to Florida) and U.S. 66 (from Chicago to Los Angeles, later known as "Route 66") were part of this network. These routes became crucial arteries for cross-country travel, commerce, and later, American culture.
4 Foundation for the Interstate System: The 1926 U.S. Highway System laid the groundwork for the more advanced Interstate Highway System, which was developed decades later in the 1950s under President Eisenhower. Many U.S. Highways continue to serve alongside interstates, and some of the old U.S. highways are still in use today.
The year 1926 thus represents the beginning of a modern, structured approach to road travel in the United States, which revolutionized transportation and mobility across the country.
Busiest and Longest Federal Interstates and U.S. Highways in New York
Interstate or Highway | Length (mi) | Length (km) | Southern or Western Terminus | Northern or Eastern Terminus | Created |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I-87 (New York State Thruway) | 333 | 536 | New York City, NY | Canadian Border | 1957 |
I-90 (New York State Thruway) | 371 | 597 | Pennsylvania Border | Massachusetts Border | 1956 |
I-81 | 183 | 295 | Pennsylvania Border | Canadian Border | 1957 |
I-84 | 71 | 114 | Pennsylvania Border | Connecticut Border | 1963 |
I-390 | 76 | 122 | Avoca, NY | Rochester, NY | 1973 |
U.S. 9 | 324 | 521 | New York City, NY | Canadian Border | 1926 |
U.S. 20 | 372 | 599 | New York City, NY | Pennsylvania Border | 1926 |
I-495 (Long Island Expressway) | 70 | 113 | Queens, NY | Riverhead, NY | 1958 |
I-278 | 36 | 58 | New York City, NY | New Jersey Border | 1956 |
I-287 | 98 | 158 | New Jersey Border | Connecticut Border | 1957 |
New York Designated Highways
New York Interstate Highway 78, Holland Tunl W
New York Interstate Highway 81, I-81 N
New York Interstate Highway 81, I-81 S
New York Interstate Highway 84, I-84 E
New York Interstate Highway 84, I-84 W
New York Interstate Highway 86, I-86 E
New York Interstate Highway 86, I-86 W
New York Interstate Highway 87, Adirondack Northway N
New York Interstate Highway 87, Adirondack Northway S
New York Interstate Highway 87, I-87 Conn
New York Interstate Highway 87, I-87 N
New York Interstate Highway 87, I-87 S
New York Interstate Highway 87, Major Deegan Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 87, Major Deegan Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 88, I-88 E
New York Interstate Highway 88, I-88 W
New York Interstate Highway 90, I-90 E
New York Interstate Highway 90, I-90 W
New York Interstate Highway 95, Alexander Hamilton Brg E
New York Interstate Highway 95, Alexander Hamilton Brg W
New York Interstate Highway 95, Bruckner Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 95, Bruckner Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 95, Cross Bronx Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 95, Cross Bronx Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 95, George Washington Brg
New York Interstate Highway 95, I-95 N
New York Interstate Highway 95, I-95 S
New York Interstate Highway 95, New England Trwy N
New York Interstate Highway 95, New England Trwy S
New York Interstate Highway 95, Trans Manhattan Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 95, Trans Manhattan Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 190, I-190 N
New York Interstate Highway 190, I-190 S
New York Interstate Highway 278, Brooklyn Queens Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 278, Brooklyn Queens Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 278, Bruckner Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 278, Bruckner Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 278, Bruckner Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 278, Goethals Brg E
New York Interstate Highway 278, Goethals Brg W
New York Interstate Highway 278, Gowanus Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 278, Gowanus Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 278, I-278 E
New York Interstate Highway 278, I-278 W
New York Interstate Highway 278, Robert F Kennedy Brg E
New York Interstate Highway 278, Robert F Kennedy Brg W
New York Interstate Highway 278, Verrazano-Narrows Brg E
New York Interstate Highway 278, Verrazano-Narrows Brg W
New York Interstate Highway 278, W Brooklyn Queens Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 278, W Brooklyn Queens Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 287, Cross Westchester Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 287, Cross Westchester Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 287, I-287 E
New York Interstate Highway 287, I-287 N
New York Interstate Highway 287, I-287 S
New York Interstate Highway 287, I-287 W
New York Interstate Highway 290, I-290 E
New York Interstate Highway 290, I-290 W
New York Interstate Highway 295, Clearview Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 295, Clearview Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 295, Cross Bronx Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 295, Cross Bronx Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 295, Throgs Neck Brg N
New York Interstate Highway 295, Throgs Neck Brg S
New York Interstate Highway 295, Throgs Neck Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 295, Throgs Neck Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 390, Genesee Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 390, Genesee Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 390, I-390 N
New York Interstate Highway 390, I-390 S
New York Interstate Highway 478, I-478
New York Interstate Highway 478, I-478 E
New York Interstate Highway 478, I-478 W
New York Interstate Highway 481, I-481 N
New York Interstate Highway 481, I-481 S
New York Interstate Highway 490, I-490 E
New York Interstate Highway 490, I-490 W
New York Interstate Highway 495, Long Island Expy E
New York Interstate Highway 495, Long Island Expy W
New York Interstate Highway 495, Queens Midtown Tunl E
New York Interstate Highway 495, Queens Midtown Tunl W
New York Interstate Highway 587, I-587 N
New York Interstate Highway 587, I-587 S
New York Interstate Highway 590, I-590 N
New York Interstate Highway 590, I-590 S
New York Interstate Highway 678, Bronx Whitestone Brg N
New York Interstate Highway 678, Bronx Whitestone Brg S
New York Interstate Highway 678, I-678 N
New York Interstate Highway 678, I-678 S
New York Interstate Highway 678, Van Wyck Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 678, Van Wyck Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 678, Whitestone Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 678, Whitestone Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 684, I-684 N
New York Interstate Highway 684, I-684 S
New York Interstate Highway 690, I-690 E
New York Interstate Highway 690, I-690 W
New York Interstate Highway 695, Throgs Neck Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 695, Throgs Neck Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787 Conn
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787 E
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787 N
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787 S
New York Interstate Highway 787, I-787 W
New York Interstate Highway 790, I-790 E
New York Interstate Highway 790, I-790 W
New York Interstate Highway 890, I-890 E
New York Interstate Highway 890, I-890 W
New York Interstate Highway 895, Sheridan Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 895, Sheridan Expy S
New York Interstate Highway 990, Lockport Expy N
New York Interstate Highway 990, Lockport Expy S
New York US Highway 1, Boston Post Rd
New York US Highway 1, Boston Rd
New York US Highway 1, Bronx and Pelham Pkwy
New York US Highway 1, E Boston Post Rd
New York US Highway 1, E Fordham Rd
New York US Highway 1, E Main St
New York US Highway 1, Huguenot St
New York US Highway 1, Main St
New York US Highway 1, N Main St
New York US Highway 1, Putnam Ave
New York US Highway 1, S Main St
New York US Highway 1, US-1
New York US Highway 1, W Boston Post Rd
New York US Highway 1, Webster Ave
New York US Highway 2, Bridge Rd
New York US Highway 2, US-2
New York US Highway 4, 2nd Ave
New York US Highway 4, 3rd St
New York US Highway 4, 4th St
New York US Highway 4, 126th St
New York US Highway 4, Broad St
New York US Highway 4, Broadway
New York US Highway 4, Burden Ave
New York US Highway 4, Hudson Ave
New York US Highway 4, Hudson River Rd
New York US Highway 4, King St
New York US Highway 4, Lower Main St
New York US Highway 4, Mechanicville Rd
New York US Highway 4, Mill St
New York US Highway 4, N Central Ave
New York US Highway 4, N Greenbush Rd
New York US Highway 4, N Main St
New York US Highway 4, River Rd
New York US Highway 4, River St
New York US Highway 4, S Central Ave
New York US Highway 4, Troy Rd
New York US Highway 4, US-4
New York US Highway 4, Vandenburgh Ave
New York US Highway 5, US-5
New York US Highway 6, Carmel Ave
New York US Highway 6, E Main St
New York US Highway 6, G A R Hwy
New York US Highway 6, Long Mountain Traffic Circle
New York US Highway 6, Main St
New York US Highway 6, N Main St
New York US Highway 6, US-6
New York US Highway 6, US-6 E
New York US Highway 6, US-6 W
New York US Highway 6, W Main St
New York US Highway 9, Albany Post Rd
New York US Highway 9, Briarcliff Peekskill Pkwy N
New York US Highway 9, Briarcliff Peekskill Pkwy S
New York US Highway 9, Bridge St
New York US Highway 9, Broad St
New York US Highway 9, Broadway
New York US Highway 9, Canada St
New York US Highway 9, Centennial Cir
New York US Highway 9, Chatham St
New York US Highway 9, City Hall Pl
New York US Highway 9, Clinton Ave
New York US Highway 9, Columbia St
New York US Highway 9, Congers Ave
New York US Highway 9, Cornelia St
New York US Highway 9, Court St
New York US Highway 9, Delafield St
New York US Highway 9, Fairview Ave
New York US Highway 9, Front St
New York US Highway 9, Glen St
New York US Highway 9, Green St
New York US Highway 9, Henry Johnson Blvd
New York US Highway 9, Kinderhook St
New York US Highway 9, Loudon Rd
New York US Highway 9, Main St
New York US Highway 9, Maple Ave
New York US Highway 9, Margaret St
New York US Highway 9, Marion Ave
New York US Highway 9, Mill St
New York US Highway 9, Miller St
New York US Highway 9, Montgomery St
New York US Highway 9, N Broadway
New York US Highway 9, N Highland Ave
New York US Highway 9, N Pearl St
New York US Highway 9, New Loudon Rd
New York US Highway 9, New York Rd
New York US Highway 9, North Rd
New York US Highway 9, Old Broadway
New York US Highway 9, Orange St
New York US Highway 9, Park Pl
New York US Highway 9, Peru St
New York US Highway 9, Roa Hook Rd
New York US Highway 9, S Broadway
New York US Highway 9, S Highland Ave
New York US Highway 9, S Main St
New York US Highway 9, Saratoga Ave
New York US Highway 9, Saratoga Rd
New York US Highway 9, South Rd
New York US Highway 9, Sparrowbush Rd
New York US Highway 9, Spring Brook Ave
New York US Highway 9, Upper Glen St
New York US Highway 9, US Ave
New York US Highway 9, US-9
New York US Highway 9, W 178th St
New York US Highway 9, W 179th St
New York US Highway 9, Warren St
New York US Highway 9, Worth Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Barclay St
New York US Highway 9W, Bear Mountain Traffic Circle
New York US Highway 9W, Broadway
New York US Highway 9W, Burt St
New York US Highway 9W, Church St
New York US Highway 9W, Delaware Ave
New York US Highway 9W, E Chester St
New York US Highway 9W, Flatbush Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Flatbush Rd
New York US Highway 9W, Hill St
New York US Highway 9W, Hillside Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Lark St
New York US Highway 9W, Main St
New York US Highway 9W, Malden Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Maple Ave
New York US Highway 9W, McCarty Ave
New York US Highway 9W, N Highland Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Quassaick Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Robinson Ave
New York US Highway 9W, S Highland Ave
New York US Highway 9W, S Partition St
New York US Highway 9W, S Robinson Ave
New York US Highway 9W, Southern Blvd
New York US Highway 9W, Ulster Ave
New York US Highway 9W, US-9W
New York US Highway 9W, W Bridge St
New York US Highway 11, Brewerton Rd
New York US Highway 11, Broome St
New York US Highway 11, Castle Creek Rd
New York US Highway 11, Catskill Tpke
New York US Highway 11, Champlain St
New York US Highway 11, Church St
New York US Highway 11, Clinton Ave
New York US Highway 11, Cortland St
New York US Highway 11, Court St
New York US Highway 11, E Main St
New York US Highway 11, E Raynor Ave
New York US Highway 11, Elm St
New York US Highway 11, Front St
New York US Highway 11, Gouverneur St
New York US Highway 11, Grant St
New York US Highway 11, Holcomb St
New York US Highway 11, Homer Ave
New York US Highway 11, Lake St
New York US Highway 11, Lawrence Ave
New York US Highway 11, Leray St
New York US Highway 11, Main St
New York US Highway 11, Maple St
New York US Highway 11, Market St
New York US Highway 11, Mill St
New York US Highway 11, N Church St
New York US Highway 11, N Jefferson St
New York US Highway 11, N Main St
New York US Highway 11, N Massey St
New York US Highway 11, N Salina St
New York US Highway 11, N State St
New York US Highway 11, Paddock St
New York US Highway 11, Port Watson St
New York US Highway 11, Preston St
New York US Highway 11, Public Sq
New York US Highway 11, S Main St
New York US Highway 11, S Massey St
New York US Highway 11, S Salina St
New York US Highway 11, S State St
New York US Highway 11, Salina St
New York US Highway 11, Sandstone Dr
New York US Highway 11, State St
New York US Highway 11, Upper Front St
New York US Highway 11, US-11
New York US Highway 11, W Main St
New York US Highway 11, Washington St
New York US Highway 11, Wolf St
New York US Highway 15, US-15
New York US Highway 15, US-15 N
New York US Highway 15, US-15 S
New York US Highway 15A, US-15A
New York US Highway 15N, US-15N
New York US Highway 20, Albany Ave
New York US Highway 20, Albany St
New York US Highway 20, Arterial E
New York US Highway 20, Arterial W
New York US Highway 20, Avon E Avon Rd
New York US Highway 20, Broadway
New York US Highway 20, Broadway Rd
New York US Highway 20, Broadway St
New York US Highway 20, Buffalo Rd
New York US Highway 20, Caledonia Avon Rd
New York US Highway 20, Canandaigua Rd
New York US Highway 20, Cayuga St
New York US Highway 20, Central Ave
New York US Highway 20, Cherry Valley Tpke
New York US Highway 20, Church St
New York US Highway 20, Clark Street Rd
New York US Highway 20, Columbia St
New York US Highway 20, Columbia Tpke
New York US Highway 20, E Avon Lima Rd
New York US Highway 20, E Genesee St
New York US Highway 20, E Genesee Street Rd
New York US Highway 20, E Main Rd
New York US Highway 20, E Main St
New York US Highway 20, Eastern Blvd
New York US Highway 20, Fall St
New York US Highway 20, Forman St
New York US Highway 20, Hamilton St
New York US Highway 20, Highway Route 20
New York US Highway 20, John St
New York US Highway 20, Lakefront Dr
New York US Highway 20, Ledyard Ave
New York US Highway 20, Madison Ave
New York US Highway 20, Main Rd
New York US Highway 20, Main St
New York US Highway 20, N Fulton St
New York US Highway 20, Nelson St
New York US Highway 20, Park Pl
New York US Highway 20, Parkway Plz
New York US Highway 20, Routes 5 and 20
New York US Highway 20, S Pearl St
New York US Highway 20, Southwestern Blvd
New York US Highway 20, State Route 5 and 20
New York US Highway 20, State St
New York US Highway 20, Telephone Rd
New York US Highway 20, Transit Rd
New York US Highway 20, US-20
New York US Highway 20, US-20 Conn
New York US Highway 20, W Genesee St
New York US Highway 20, W Genesee Street Rd
New York US Highway 20, W Main Rd
New York US Highway 20, W Main St
New York US Highway 20, Waterloo Geneva Rd
New York US Highway 20, Western Ave
New York US Highway 20, Western Blvd
New York US Highway 20, Western Tpke
New York US Highway 20A, Big Tree Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Big Tree St
New York US Highway 20A, Bristol Valley Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Cuylerville Rd
New York US Highway 20A, E Buffalo St
New York US Highway 20A, E Main St
New York US Highway 20A, E Quaker St
New York US Highway 20A, E South St
New York US Highway 20A, Ernst Pl
New York US Highway 20A, Geneseo Mount Morris Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Hamburg St
New York US Highway 20A, Honeoye Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Lakeville Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Leicester Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Main St
New York US Highway 20A, Quaker Rd
New York US Highway 20A, Richmond Mills Rd
New York US Highway 20A, South St
New York US Highway 20A, US-20A
New York US Highway 20A, W Buffalo St
New York US Highway 20A, W Quaker St
New York US Highway 44, Baker St
New York US Highway 44, Church St
New York US Highway 44, Columbus Dr
New York US Highway 44, Dutchess Tpke
New York US Highway 44, East-West Arterial
New York US Highway 44, Haight Ave
New York US Highway 44, Main St
New York US Highway 44, Maple St
New York US Highway 44, Mid Hudson Brg
New York US Highway 44, Mill St
New York US Highway 44, Milton Ave
New York US Highway 44, N Elm Ave
New York US Highway 44, Route 44 55
New York US Highway 44, S Elm Ave
New York US Highway 44, Sharon Tpke
New York US Highway 44, State Route 44 55
New York US Highway 44, US-44
New York US Highway 44, Vineyard Ave
New York US Highway 44, Washington St
New York US Highway 62, Bailey Ave
New York US Highway 62, Buffalo St
New York US Highway 62, Center St
New York US Highway 62, E Main St
New York US Highway 62, Ferry Ave
New York US Highway 62, Gowanda State Rd
New York US Highway 62, Ivory Rd
New York US Highway 62, Ivory St
New York US Highway 62, Jamestown St
New York US Highway 62, Legion Dr
New York US Highway 62, Main St
New York US Highway 62, N Main St
New York US Highway 62, Niagara Falls Blvd
New York US Highway 62, Packard Rd
New York US Highway 62, Pierce Ave
New York US Highway 62, Pine Ave
New York US Highway 62, S Main St
New York US Highway 62, S Park Ave
New York US Highway 62, Sandhill Rd
New York US Highway 62, Seager Hill Rd
New York US Highway 62, Sheridan Dr
New York US Highway 62, US-62
New York US Highway 62, W Main St
New York US Highway 62, Walnut Ave
New York US Highway 202, Amawalk Rd
New York US Highway 202, Bear Mountain Bridge Rd
New York US Highway 202, Bear Mountain State Pkwy
New York US Highway 202, Brewster Rd
New York US Highway 202, Briarcliff Peekskill Pkwy N
New York US Highway 202, Briarcliff Peekskill Pkwy S
New York US Highway 202, Conger Ave
New York US Highway 202, Crompond Rd
New York US Highway 202, Danbury Rd
New York US Highway 202, Gurnee Ave
New York US Highway 202, Haverstraw Rd
New York US Highway 202, Lincolndale Rd
New York US Highway 202, Main St
New York US Highway 202, N Broad St
New York US Highway 202, N Division St
New York US Highway 202, N Liberty Dr
New York US Highway 202, Orange Ave
New York US Highway 202, Ramapo Rd
New York US Highway 202, Roa Hook Rd
New York US Highway 202, S Broad St
New York US Highway 202, S Liberty Dr
New York US Highway 202, Saw Mill River Rd
New York US Highway 202, Somerstown Tpke
New York US Highway 202, Tomahawk St
New York US Highway 202, US-202
New York US Highway 202, W Ramapo Rd
New York US Highway 202, Wayne Ave
New York US Highway 202, Westside Ave
New York US Highway 209, Culvert St
New York US Highway 209, E Main St
New York US Highway 209, Kingston Ave
New York US Highway 209, Main St
New York US Highway 209, N Main St
New York US Highway 209, Pike St
New York US Highway 209, S Main St
New York US Highway 209, US-209
New York US Highway 209, US-209 N
New York US Highway 209, US-209 S
New York US Highway 219, Central Ave
New York US Highway 219, E Washington St
New York US Highway 219, Jefferson St
New York US Highway 219, Murray Ave
New York US Highway 219, Parkway Dr
New York US Highway 219, S Cascade Dr
New York US Highway 219, Southern Expy
New York US Highway 219, Southern Expy N
New York US Highway 219, Southern Expy S
New York US Highway 219, US-219
New York US Highway 219, US-219 Bus
New York US Highway 219, US-219 N
New York US Highway 219, US-219 S
New York US Highway 219, W Main St
New York US Highway 219, Washington St
New York US Highway 219, Wildwood Ave
New York US Highway 220, Elmira St