The longest exit less stretch of Interstate 68 exists between Flintstone (Exit 56) and U.S. 40 Scenic at Exit 62. The drive is highlighted by increasing scenery as the National Freeway enters Green Ridge State Forest. A mileage sign found along the stretch is the first indication of the impending Interstate 68 end at junction Interstate 70. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 approaching Junction Scenic U.S. 40 (Exit 62). Scenic U.S. 40 provides a much more relaxing alternative to Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 through Green Ridge State Forest. Its western terminus is here, at Exit 62, and it extends east from that point to Exit 77 near Sideling Hill. Photo taken 08/07/04.
A partial-cloverleaf interchange facilitates the movements between Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 with U.S. 40 Scenic and Fifteen Mile Creek Road. U.S. 40 Scenic travels well north of the National Freeway between here and Piney Grove. Fifteen Mile Creek Road loops southeast through Green Ridge State Forest to M.V. Smith Road. Photo taken 08/07/04.
M.V. Smith Road flows north from Fifteen Mile Creek Road to meet Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 at Exit 64. M.V. Smith Road continues north of Exit 64 to junction U.S. 40 Scenic (National Pike) near Green Ridge Road. Green Ridge Road ventures north from the National Pike to Inglesmith, Pennsylvania. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Like Exit 62, a partial-cloverleaf interchange exists at Exit 64 with M.V. Smith Road. Dug Hill Road extends southeast from M.V. Smith Road at Fifteen Mile Creek Road within Green Ridge State Forest. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Orleans Road intersects Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east at the next interchange (Exit 68). The north-south road serves the nearby community of Piney Grove. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 eastbound at the Exit 68 diamond interchange with Orleans Road. Orleans Road carries motorists five miles south to Little Orleans and the Potomac River. Orleans Road continues north of U.S. 40 Scenic (National Pike) 1.4 miles to Pennsylvania 26 in southern Fulton County. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Sideling Hill rises along the horizon of Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 east of Piney Grove and Exit 72. The rock cut in the distance carries the National Freeway across the mountain range. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68/U.S. 40 again meets Junction Scenic U.S. 40 at Exit 72. The scenic route from here east will remain close to Interstate 70 but carry a much lower traffic volume, thus allowing drivers to enjoy the scenery of the mountains at a slower pace. Photo taken 08/07/04.
One half mile west of the Exit 72 modified-diamond interchange with U.S. 40 Scenic (National Pike), Swain Road, and High Germany Road. The original alignment of U.S. 40 continues unnumbered east between Exits 72 and 74. Swain Road spurs south from the National Pike to Swain Hollow Road and the Belle Grove Wildlife Management Area. High Germany Road ties into Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 from the north. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Exit 72 leaves the National Freeway for Swain Road south, High Germany Road north, and U.S. 40 Scenic west. Scenic U.S. 40 is perhaps the only alternate U.S. route signed with a "SCENIC" banner, thus making this route unique. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 cross Sideling Hill Creek on the ascent across Sideling Hill. The creek represents the Allegany / Washington County line. Photo taken 08/07/04.
U.S. 40 Scenic leaves Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 again for the National Pike via Mountain Road off-ramp of Exit 74. Mountain Road crosses the Pennsylvania state line to the north from Interstate 68 & U.S. 40. U.S. 40 Scenic dips south along the National Pike to Riser Road before turning northeast to cross Sideling Hill. Photos taken 08/07/04.
A lone off-ramp provides the junction between Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 and Mountain Road & U.S. 40 Scenic (National Pike). There are no return ramps to either direction of the National Freeway at Exit 74. Photo taken 08/07/04.
One of the marvels of highway construction in Maryland, Interstate 68 and U.S. 40 approaches the massive cut at Sideling Hill, which was one the primary obstacles to completing Corridor E. This section fully opened to traffic in 1986. Photos taken 08/07/04.
The National Freeway (Interstate 68 and U.S. 40) passes through the Sideling Hill cut. This cut is amazing for the rich veins of coal prevalent in the cut. A visitor's center located on the east side of the cut has exhibits and displays related to Sideling Hill. Photos taken 08/07/04.
Views of the Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 descent from the Sideling Hill cut. The Sideling Hill Exhibit Center exists near the Sideling Hill pass of Interstate 68 & U.S. 40. Exhibits there educate visitors about the construction of the Sideling Hill cut, the geology of the area, and the wildlife found within the surrounding Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area. A pedestrian bridge allows eastbound travelers access to the exhibit center. Photos taken 08/07/04.
U.S. 40 Scenic (National Pike) returns to Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 for the final time at Exit 77. The designation is replaced with Maryland 144 or U.S. 40 Alternate from here eastward through to Frederick. Photo taken 08/07/04.
U.S. 40 Scenic stems north from adjacent Maryland 144 (National Pike) to end at the Exit 77 diamond interchange. Woodmont Road stems south from Maryland 144 & U.S. 40 Scenic four miles to Exline. Maryland 144 otherwise ventures three miles east into Hancock. Photo taken 08/07/04.
End advisory sign posted two miles ahead of the tri-level stack interchange with Interstate 70 & U.S. 522 on Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 eastbound. These types of end signs are common in both Maryland and Virginia. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Eastbound Interstate 68 meanders to Exit 82, the junction with Interstate 70 and U.S. 522 near Hancock and the Pennsylvania state line. While Interstate 68 ends, U.S. 40 will continue east along Interstate 70 to Exit 9. Photo taken 08/07/04.
This advisory sign indicates that traffic wishing to access westbound Interstate 70 should stay left to exit on Exit 82C. U.S. 522 north merges with Interstate 70 for five miles between Hancock and Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania. The two split at Exit 168 to the north. Creek Road passes underneath the freeway here otherwise. Photo taken 08/07/04.
Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 eastbound default onto Interstate 70 eastbound for Hagerstown, Frederick, and Baltimore. Exit 82C departs for Interstate 70 westbound & U.S. 522 north. Interstate 70 travels north from Hancock 25 miles to junction U.S. 30 and Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) at Breezewood. U.S. 522 migrates northeast from Warfordsburg at the next exit 21 miles to McConnellsburg. Photo taken 10/12/01.
Interstate 68 reaches its eastern terminus at Exit 82A, Junction Eastbound Interstate 70 and U.S. 40 and Southbound U.S. 522. Through traffic is directed straight ahead onto eastbound Interstate 70 for the 25-mile drive to Hagerstown. U.S. 522 splits from Interstate 70 east for Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and Winchester, Virginia. Photo taken 08/07/04.
