U.S. Highway 395

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U.S. Highway 395 California

On a rainy afternoon in the Mojave Desert, a rainbow crests in the distance beyond U.S. 395 near Adelanto and the Interstate 15 interchange during a particularly wet winter. Photo taken 02/20/05.

Routing

U.S. 395 is a major north-south route that traces the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains for its journey through California and Nevada. U.S. 395 begins at its interchange with Interstate 15 in Hesperia (Exit 141) and travels north along the Three Flags Highway along the Eastern Sierra. The highway enters the state of Nevada to serve Carson City and Reno-Sparks, then reenters California southeast of Hallelujah Junction. From there, U.S. 395 continues north toward Susanville and Alturas, then leads into Oregon and Washington state before reaching the Canadian border.

Much of U.S. 395 is only two lanes wide, but increasing traffic demands have resulted in expansion of U.S. 395 to four lanes in many areas, especially between the California 14 merge near Inyokern and popular resort Mammoth Lakes (Junction California 203).

Business Routes

Only one business loop exists along U.S. 395, and it connects the highway with the city of Ridgecrest in eastern Kern County. It follows South China Lake Boulevard north into Ridgecrest, then turns west along with California 178 to return to U.S. 395 near Inyokern. AASHTO approved the designation of Business U.S. 395 from an application by the state of California on June 7, 1989. While the old alignment of U.S. 395 travels through downtown Inyokern and does not have a business route designation, the path through Ridgecrest was never an old alignment of U.S. 395. It consists of a Kern County-maintained route and California 178.

History

U.S. 395 was truncated at its interchange with Interstate 15 in Hesperia (Exit 141). The route originally started at the intersection of Market Street and 12th Avenue in downtown San Diego. With the construction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 through San Diego and the Inland Empire, U.S. 395 was decommissioned in San Diego and Riverside Counties in the 1980s. For a great deal more on U.S. 395, including the old alignments of the route through San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, visit Three Flags Highway (U.S. 395) by Cameron Kaiser.

The following list provides the opening dates for the various segments of U.S. 395 between Hesperia and the Nevada State Line near Topaz Lake (based on information provided by C.J. Moon). Note that widening of U.S. 395 to four lanes in and around Independence was still underway in September 2009:

  • Interstate 15 Separation to Phelan Road/Main Street – Circa 1955 (widened March 16th, 2000)
  • Phelan Road/Main Street to Airbase Road – Circa 1955
  • Airbase to Adelanto – Circa 1955 (widened September 17th, 1976)
  • Adelanto to Crippen Avenue – Circa 1955
  • Crippen Avenue to El Mirage Road – Circa 1955 (widened June 17th, 1997)
  • El Mirage Road to 2 Miles North of Kramer Hills – Circa 1955
  • 2 Miles North of Kramer Hills to 2 Miles South of California 58 – Circa 1955 (widened August 16th, 1977)
  • 2 Miles South of California 58 to 1/10 Mile South of California 58 – Circa 1955
  • 1/10 Mile South of California 58 to Beecher Railroad Crossing – Circa 1955 (widened September 29th, 1976)
  • Beecher Railroad Crossing to San Bernardino and Kern Counties Line – Circa 1955
  • San Bernardino and Kern Counties Line to Johannesburg – Circa 1955 (widened May 25th, 1979)
  • Johannesburg to one-half Mile North of Johannesburg – Circa 1955
  • One-halfMile North of Johannesburg to 1.50 Mile South of GX-Rand Railroad Crossing – Circa 1955 (widened January 18th, 1978)
  • 1.50 Mile South of GX-Rand Railroad Crossing to Garlock Road – Circa 1955
  • Garlock Road to 1/5 Mile North of Garlock Road – Circa 1955 (widened May 25th, 1979)
  • 1/5 Mile North of Garlock Road to ½ Mile South of China Lake Road – Circa 1955
  • China Lake Road to Brown Road OH – November 3rd, 1966
  • Brown Road OH to one-half mile North of Brown Road – Circa 1955 (widened November 3rd 1966)
  • One-half Mile North of Brown Road to California 14 – Circa 1955 (widened May 2nd, 1994)
  • California 14 to Kern and Inyo Counties Line – Circa 1947 (widened May 2nd, 1994)
  • Kern and Inyo Counties Line to SIX-85” X 54” CMPA – December 23rd, 1970
  • SIX-85” X 54” CMPA to One Mile North of GX-Narka Springs South Railroad Crossing – December 23rd, 1970 (widened October 31st, 1991)
  • One Mile North of GX-Narka Springs South Railroad to 1.50 Mile North of GX-Narka Springs North Railroad Crossing – December 23rd, 1970
  • One and one-half Mile North of GX-Narka Springs North Railroad Crossing to 0.50 Mile North of Coso Junction – August 19th, 1971
  • One-half Mile North of Coso Junction to two Miles North of Los Angeles Aqueduct – July 11th, 1984
  • Two Miles North of Los Angeles Aqueduct to 3 1/3 Miles South of California 190 – Circa 1953 (widened June 19th, 1987)
  • 3 1/3 Miles South of Junction California 190 to 1/10 Mile South of Los Angeles Aqueduct – Circa 1953 (widened December 22nd, 1993)
  • 1/10 Mile South of Los Angeles Aqueduct to one mile North of Cottonwood Creek Bridge – Circa 1953
  • 1 Mile North of Cottonwood Creek Bridge to four miles North of Cottonwood Power House Road – Circa 1953 (widened March 16th, 1992)
  • Four Miles North of Cottonwood Power House Road to six miles North of Cottonwood Power House Road – Circa 1953 (widened September 13th, 1984)
  • Six Miles North of Cottonwood Power House to one Mile South of Junction California 136 – Circa 1953 (widened March 16th, 1992)
  • One Mile South of Junction California 136 to Junction California 136 – Circa 1953
  • Junction California 136 to 1/10 Mile North of Junction California 136 – Circa 1953 (widened October 12th, 1971)
  • 1/10 Mile North of Junction California 136 to 1 Mile North of Junction California 136 – Circa 1953
  • 1 Mile North of Junction California 136 to 1/10 Mile South of Los Angeles Aqueduct – Circa 1953 (widened September 27th, 1999)
  • 1/10 Mile South of Los Angeles Aqueduct to Thibaut Creek Concrete Pipe – Circa 1948
  • Thibaut Creek Concrete Pipe to Aberdeen Road – October 18th, 1966
  • Aberdeen Road to Big Pine – Circa 1948
  • Big Pine to Junction California 168 East – Circa 1948 (widened September 28th, 1972)
  • Junction California 168 East to One Mile North of Junction California 168 East – Circa 1948 (widened December 5th, 1978)
  • One Mile North of Junction California 168 East to 3 Miles South of Sunland Drive – Circa 1948 (widened July 11th, 1986)
  • Three Miles South of Sunland Drive to one-half Mile South of Via Main Street – Circa 1948 (widened June 23rd, 1982
  • One-half Mile South of Via Main Street to Via Main Street – Circa 1948 (widened December 26th, 1979
  • Via Main Street to South Street – Circa 1948 (widened December 3rd, 1979)
  • South Street to West Elm Street – Circa 1948
  • West Elm Street to Junction U.S. 6 East – Circa 1948 (widened April 4th, 1979)
  • Junction U.S. 6 East to One Mile North of Wye Road – Circa 1948 (widened October 18th, 1979)
  • One Mile North of Wye Road to Brockman Lane – Circa 1948 (widened June 17th, 1971)
  • Brockman Lane to Ed Power Road – Circa 1948 (widened October 13th, 1975)
  • Ed Power Road to Inyo/Mono Counties Line – October 13th, 1975
  • Inyo/Mono Counties Line to Vista Point – August 5th, 1974
  • Vista Point to ¼ Mile North of Sherwin Summit – Circa 1948
  • 0.25 Mile North of Sherwin Summit to 0.25 Mile South of Rock Creek Road – July 27th, 1970 (widened August 18th, 1977)
  • 0.25 Mile South of Rock Creek Road to 2.50 Mile North of McGee Creek Road – July 27th, 1970
  • 2.50 Mile North of McGee Creek Road to One Mile North of Junction California 203 – Circa 1948 (widened October 9th, 1969)
  • One Mile North of Junction California 203 to One-half Mile South of Crestview – Circa 1948 (widened August 14th, 1991)
  • One-half Mile South of Crestview to 0.25 Mile South of Deadman Summit – Circa 1948 (widened October 17th, 1988)
  • One-quarter Mile South of Deadman Summit to 1.50 Mile South of Truck Pull Out – Circa 1948 (widened November 25th, 1980)
  • 1.50 Mile South of Truck Pull Out to End of Truck Pull Out – November 25th, 1980
  • End of Truck Pull Out to South Junction California 158 – Circa 1948 (widened November 25th, 1980)
  • California 158 to One-quarter Mile North of LADWP Aqueduct – June 10th, 1997
  • One-quarter Mile North of LADWP Aqueduct to Old California 120 West – Circa 1936
  • Old California 120 West to 1/10 Mile North of Old California 120 West – Circa 1936 (widened August 5th, 1964)
  • 1/10 Mile North of Old California 120 West to 1 1/3 Mile North Limits Lee Vining – Circa 1936 (widened October 11th, 1986)
  • 1 1/3 Mile North Limits Lee Vining to 3.50 Miles North Limits Lee Vining – Circa 1936
  • 3.50 Miles North Limits Lee Vining to 1/5 Miles South of Junction California 167 – Circa 1936 (widened August 13th, 1993
  • 1/5 Miles South of Junction California 167 to Conway Maintenance Station – Circa 1936
  • Conway Maintenance Station to Chain Off/On Area – Circa 1936 (widened November 16th, 1993)
  • Chain Off/On Area to 1 ½ Mile South of Junction California 270 – Circa 1936 (widened August 26th, 1977)
  • 1.50 Mile South of Junction California 270 to Junction California 182 – Circa 1936
  • Junction California 182 to Bridgeport – Circa 1961
  • Bridgeport to Rickey Ditch Overflow – Circa 1934 (widened December 21st, 1992)
  • Rickey Ditch Overflow to South Bridge Buckeye Creek – Circa 1934
  • South Bridge Buckeye Creek to North Bridge Buckeye Creek – Circa 1934 (widened December 21st, 1992)
  • North Bridge Buckeye Creek to 6 Miles North of North Bridge Buckeye Creek – Circa 1934
  • 6 Miles North of North Bridge Buckeye Creek to ¾ Mile South of Swauger Creek Road – Circa 1934 (widened October 7th, 1968)
  • 0.75 Mile South of Swauger Creek Road to 2/5 Mile North of Devils Gate – Circa 1934 (widened September 22nd, 1978)
  • 2/5 Mile North of Devils Gate to 2 Miles North of Sonora Maintenance Station – Circa 1934
  • 2 Miles North of Sonora Maintenance Station to 0.25 Mile North of West Walker River – Circa 1934 (widened August 29th, 1988)
  • 0.25 Mile North of West Walker River to 0.25 Mile South of Boot leg CG – Circa 1934 (widened September 27th, 1973)
  • 0.25 Mile South of Boot leg CG to 0.25 Mile North of Boot leg CG – Circa 1934
  • 0.25 Mile North of Boot leg CG to 1.50 Mile North of Boot leg CG – Circa 1934 (widened November 10th, 1987)
  • 1.50 Mile North of Boot leg CG to 4 Miles North of Bootleg CG – Circa 1934
  • 4 Miles North of Bootleg CG to 4.50 Miles North of Bootleg CG – Circa 1934 (widened June 10th, 1975)
  • 4.50 Miles North of Bootleg CG to 0.75 Mile South of Mill Creek Bridge – Circa 1934
  • 0.75 Mile South of Mill Creek Bridge to 0.50 Mile North of Mill Creek Bridge – Circa 1934 (widened July 2nd, 1996)
  • 0.50 Mile North of Mill Creek Bridge to 2 1/3 Miles North of Antelope Valley – Circa 1934
  • 2 1/3 Miles North of Antelope Valley to 1/3 Mile North of Coleville – Circa 1934 (widened December 17th, 1997)
  • 1/3 Mile North of Coleville to 0.50 Mile North of Coleville – Circa 1934
  • 0.50 Mile North of Coleville to 1 2/3 Mile North of Coleville – Circa 1934 (widened December 10th, 1976)
  • 1 2/3 Mile North of Coleville to 2 1/3 Miles Junction California 89 West – October 16th, 1980
  • 2 1/3 Miles Junction California 89 West to Nevada State Line – Circa 1934

U.S. Highway 395 Highway Guides
Business U.S. 395 - Ridgecrest north
The first reassurance shield for Business U.S. 395 north is an erroneous state route marker. The business route is locally maintained on the north-south leg and part of California 178 on the east-west leg. Overall Business U.S. 395 is well-signed. Photos taken 11/10/08.
Northbound Business U.S. 395 meets its junction with California 178 in Ridgecrest. U.S. 395 avoids Ridgecrest, but Business U.S. 395 connects to the city via a county route from U.S. 395 north to California 178 and via California 178 from downtown Ridgecrest west to U.S. 395. This business route was shown on Rand McNally maps in the late 1990s, but it has disappeared from those maps even though the signage remains. There are at least two erroneous Business California 395 shield assemblies along the county-maintained (north-south) portion of the highway. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Scenes pertaining to U.S. Highway 395
Northbound U.S. 395 freeway entrance shield assembly from northbound California 70 at Hallelujah Junction. In California, this might be the only freeway entrance shield assembly in the entire state, since most of U.S. 395 is two-lane highway or multi-lane divided expressway. The cut-out U.S. 395 shield is commonly used in California for signing U.S. 395 instead of the white on black rectangular shield used elsewhere. Photos taken 09/09/05.
U.S. 395 ends at the junction with Interstate 15 in the city of Hesperia. The southbound direction of the highway defaults onto Interstate 15 southbound via a partial "Y" interchange. A half-diamond interchange with Joshua Street facilitates movements onto Interstate 15 north from U.S. 395 south and Interstate 15 south onto U.S. 395 north. Joshua Street intersects U.S. 395 just north of its departure from Interstate 15 northbound. Pictured here is Joshua Street westbound at junction U.S. 395 and it's associated signage. Photos taken 09/09/05.
Eastbound Joshua Street meets junction U.S. 395 in Hesperia. To the right is the southbound on-ramp to Interstate 15 toward San Bernardino. Straight ahead is the U.S. 395 northbound connection to Interstate 15 via the Joshua Street half-diamond interchange. Photo taken 09/09/05.
Motorists continuing east on Joshua Street cross over Interstate 15 ahead of the northbound on-ramp to Victorville and Barstow. Photo taken 09/09/05.
This photo shows a typical landscape found along northbound U.S. 395 through the eastern Sierra Nevada. Photo taken in 2000 by Jeff Royston.

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Page Updated January 21, 2010.