Site Navigation Delaware District of Columbia Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia     Westbound - Frederick to Pennsylvania (Exits 54 through 1A) Interstate 70 West Now entering the vicinity of Frederick, Interstate 70 approaches Exit 54, Junction Maryland 355/Market Street. In addition, Interstate 70 approaches several major routes that converge here: Interstate 270 from Washington, U.S. 340 from West Virginia, and U.S. 15 from Gettysburg. U.S. 40 separates from Interstate 70 at Frederick. To emphasize the importance of these routes, each of them is a freeway when they meet Interstate 70, including U.S. 40. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40 at Exit 54, Junction Maryland 355/Market Street south. Maryland 355 follows Urbana Pike along the former alignment of U.S. 240, which was replaced by the much larger Interstate 270 around 1972. Since both U.S. 140 and 240 have been decommissioned, only U.S. 340 remains as a child route of U.S. 40. Photo taken 06/01/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 53B, Junction U.S. 40 west to U.S. 15 north. U.S. 40 follows a very short freeway that basically connects Interstate 270 with U.S. 15; Interstate 270 reaches its northern terminus at Interstate 70, so the remainder of the freeway is designated as U.S. 40. Use Exit 53B to reach the official northern terminus of U.S. 340 at its interchange with U.S. 40. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 and U.S. 40 split here at Exit 53B, as U.S. 40 turns north briefly along the U.S. 15 freeway, then exits the city of Frederick via West Patrick Street (which is designated as Maryland 144 east of U.S. 15). This begs the question of why U.S. 40 doesn't occupy all of Patrick Street if the whole route is state-maintained, and the answer is that the very brief freeway connector between Interstate 270 and U.S. 15 is designated as U.S. 40. The next exit along westbound is Exit 53A, Junction Interstate 270 south. Photo taken 08/07/04. The right lane of Interstate 70 becomes exit only for southbound Interstate 270. Interstate 270 starts out as a rural road as it departs Frederick, but it quickly gains prominence upon entering Montgomery County. With a connection to the proposed Inter-County Connector (Interstate 370) and a light rail system, Interstate 270 becomes a dual freeway with local and express lanes as it approaches the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495). At one time Interstate 270 (former Interstate 70S) was planned for extension southeast into the District of Columbia to end at Interstate 66, but that never came to pass and probably will not ever be constructed that far south. Photo taken 06/01/04. Although some could argue that Interstate 270 travels east-west, it is mostly a northwest-southeast route and could be labeled north-south or east-west. Maryland opted to call it north-south, which makes sense considering how far south Washington is from here. This is a little odd considering that Interstate 270 used to be Interstate 70S, and Interstate 70S was supposed to be a southern branch of east-west Interstate 70. Photo taken 08/07/04. Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 53A, Junction Interstate 270 south to Washington, D.C. Photo taken 06/01/04. The next exit along westbound is the U.S. 340 freeway, which heads southwest to Sandy Hook as a freeway, then converts into a divided highway (with cross traffic) upon crossing the Potomac River. U.S. 340 crosses the Potomac River and enters Virginia for one-half mile, then enters West Virginia, passing by Harpers Ferry on its way to Charles Town. South of Charles Town, U.S. 340 re-enters Virginia and heads south to Front Royal and Luray before culminating at U.S. 11 south of Staunton. This exit also connects to southbound U.S. 15, which hitches a ride with U.S. 340 briefly then strikes south en route to Leesburg, Virginia, skipping West Virginia altogether. Photo taken 08/07/04. U.S. 340 is signed as westbound by Maryland but north-south in West Virginia and Virginia), and it reaches its northern terminus at U.S. 40 just a mile north of here. However, this exit only provides access to southbound U.S. 15-340; to reach northbound U.S. 15, use Exit 53B. Photo taken 08/07/04. Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 52, Junction U.S. 15-340 South to Sandy Hook and Point of Rocks. Photo taken 06/01/04. The final Frederick area exit of Interstate 70 westbound is the Exit 49 half-diamond interchange with U.S. 40 Alternate (Old National Pike). A partial "Y" interchange links U.S. 40 (Baltimore National Pike) with Interstate 70 at Exit 48 for westbound return traffic. However as indicated by the yellow sign here, no direct access is provided to Interstate 70 west from U.S. 40 Alternate. Photo taken 08/07/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 49, Junction Alternate U.S. 40 to Braddock Heights and Middletown. Use this exit to reach Washington Monument and Gathland State Parks. Photo taken 06/01/04. Between Frederick and Hagerstown, U.S. 40 splits into regular U.S. 40 via Myersville and Alternate U.S. 40 via Boonsboro. Both routes are scenic, especially when U.S. 40 reaches Greenbrier State Park and the Appalachian Trail at the Frederick-Washington County line. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 49, Junction Alternate U.S. 40. This is the only instance where both U.S. 40 and Alternate U.S. 40 both exist away from the freeway; Maryland 144 does not reemerge until downtown Hagerstown along West Washington Street. Photo taken 06/01/04. This mileage sign along westbound provides the distance to Hagerstown (21 miles), Hancock/Junction Interstate 68 (49 miles), and Breezewood/Junction Interstate 76/Pennsylvania Turnpike (75 miles). Photo taken 06/01/04. An arch bridge graces the summit of Braddock Mountain as Interstate 70 witnesses its first gain in elevation of the Appalachian Mountains. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 reaches Braddock Mountain at the height of 985 feet, which is a high elevation for an eastern freeway. However, Braddock Mountain does not compare to the 11,013 feet elevation of Interstate 70 when it passes through the mile-long Eisenhower Tunnel in central Colorado. Photo taken 06/01/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 42, Junction Maryland 17, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04. Interstate 70 descends from Braddock Mountain toward Myersville. The landscape opens to reveal South Mountain in the distance. Photo taken 08/07/04. Use Maryland 17 (Exit 42) to reach Gambrill, Gathland, and Greenbrier State Parks. Photo taken 06/01/04. Maryland 17 meanders from Brunswick at the Potomac River north via Burkittsville, Middletown, Myersville, and Wolfsville before terminating at the Appalachian Trail/Frederick-Washington County Line. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 42, Junction Maryland 17. Photo taken 06/01/04. This mileage sign provides the distance to Exit 35, Junction Maryland 66 (six miles), the city of Hagerstown, and the city of Hancock (which is located just south of the point along the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line where Interstate 70 crosses). Photo taken 06/01/04. The next exit along westbound is a Maryland Welcome Center/Rest Area, next right. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at the Welcome Center. Use this exit to obtain a free Maryland state map and a guidebook listing the state's attractions. A companion welcome center is located on the opposite side of the freeway for eastbound traffic. Photo taken 06/01/04. Immediately after the welcome center, Interstate 70 crosses the Appalachian Trail and Greenbrier State Park. The next exit along westbound is Exit 35, Junction Maryland 66, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 35, Junction Maryland 66 north to Smithsburg and south to Boonsboro. The clouds in the distance are gathering to form a thunderstorm that resulted in a severe thunderstorm warning during the afternoon hours on this day. Photo taken 06/01/04. For Maryland's Correctional Facilities, use Exit 29, Maryland 65 south. Photo taken 06/01/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 32, Junction U.S. 40, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04. Use Exit 32B/U.S. 40 west to reach the historic downtown of Hagerstown. Photo taken 06/01/04. This older, button copy sign is used for the exit from westbound Interstate 70 to U.S. 40 west. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 32B, Junction U.S. 40 west into Hagerstown. The next exit is Exit 32A, Junction U.S. 40 east. Photo taken 06/01/04. The second ramp for this cloverleaf interchange is the connection from westbound Interstate 70 to eastbound U.S. 40. Photo taken 06/01/04. Mileage sign with the Interstate 70 control points of Hancock (junction Interstate 68) and Breezewood (junction Interstate 76). Cumberland is featured for Interstate 68 west. Photo taken 08/07/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 29, Junction Maryland 65/Potomac Street, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04. A mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits: Exit 29, Junction Maryland 65; Exit 28, Junction Maryland 632/Downsville Pike; Exit 26, Junction Interstate 81; and Exit 24, Junction Maryland 63. Maryland 65 is a north-south route that heads south toward the Maryland 34 bridge over the Potomac River; in addition, it reaches its northern terminus at Alternate U.S. 40 (intersection of Potomac Street and Frederick Street). Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 29, Junction Maryland 65 north into downtown Hagerstown and south to Sharpsburg. Like other clustered route numbers in Maryland, the area around Hagerstown is home to Maryland 65/Potomac Street, Maryland 64/Jefferson Boulevard, Maryland 60/Leitersburg Pike, Maryland 58/Cearfoss Pike, and Maryland 68. Photo taken 08/07/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 28, Junction Maryland 632/Downsville Pike, followed by Exit 26, Junction Interstate 81; Exit 24, Junction Maryland 63; and Exit 18, Junction Maryland 68 (not Interstate 68). Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 28, Junction Maryland 632/Downsville Pike. Photo taken 06/01/04. Interstate 70 westbound reassurance shield posted between Maryland 632 and Interstate 81. The neutered shield features series EM Highway Gothic Font, unusual for highway shields in the state of Maryland. A highway travel advisory sign illuminates in the distance for a traffic back-up on Interstate 70 near Hancock. Photo taken 08/07/04. The next exit along westbound is Exit 26, Junction Interstate 81, 1.50 miles. Photo taken 06/01/04. Use Interstate 81 south to reach Williamsport and Martinsburg and north to reach Chambersburg. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 approaches Exit 26, Junction Interstate 81, one mile. Photo taken 06/01/04. Use Interstate 81 north to Exit 10 to reach the Hagerstown Airport. Photo taken 06/01/04. Interstate 81 is a major corridor in the northeast, connecting Ontario in the north with Interstate 40 in eastern Tennessee, following U.S. 11 for its entire length. There is no exit from Interstate 70 to U.S. 11; use Interstate 81 or Exit 28/Maryland 632 to reach U.S. 11. Photo taken 06/01/04. Westbound Interstate 70 at Exit 26, Junction Interstate 81 north to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and south to Roanoke, Virginia. Photo taken 08/07/04. Now on the collector/distributor roadway of Exit 26 from Interstate 70 westbound to Interstate 81. Exit 26B leaves the freeway for Interstate 81 northbound to Hagerstown, Chambersburg, and Harrisburg. Three interchanges serve Hagerstown on Interstate 81 north of Interstate 70. Photo taken 06/01/04. Traffic to Interstate 81 southbound departs Interstate 70 west for Martinsburg, West Virginia; Winchester, Virginia; and Roanoke, Virginia. Interstate 81 crosses the Potomac River into the Mountain State within four miles. Photo taken 08/07/04. One mile west of the Exit 24 diamond interchange with Maryland 63 (Greencastle Pike) near the community of Huyett. Maryland 63 travels 1.5 miles north from Interstate 70 to junction U.S. 40 (National Pike) at Huyett itself. The state highway continues north from there to Troupe Springs and Cearfoss before meeting Pennsylvania 163 at the state line. Photo taken 08/07/04. Another button copy guide sign for Exit 24 posted on Interstate 70 westbound. Maryland 63 (Greencastle Pike) derives its name from the connection to Pennsylvania 163 and Greencastle, Pennsylvania. The state highway merges with U.S. 11 (Potomac Street) 2.2 miles to the south in Williamsport. Photo taken 08/07/04. Cedar Ridge Road travels over Interstate 70 beyond the Exit 24 interchange with Maryland 63. Posted ahead of the over crossing is a mileage sign for the next exit at Clear Spring and first indication of junction Interstate 68. Photo taken 08/07/04. Maryland 68 crosses paths with Interstate 70 at the Exit 18 diamond interchange. The state highway follows Clear Spring Road from its end at U.S. 40 (National Pike) in Clear Spring southeast to Pinesburg and Williamsport. Photo taken 08/07/04. A sign is posted at the Ashton Road under crossing for Exit 18 advising motorists to remain on Interstate 70 west for Interstate 68 (National Freeway) and to not take Maryland 68. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 westbound at the ramp departure of Exit 18 for Maryland 68 (Clear Spring Road). A small guide sign reminds Interstate 68 bound motorists to continue straight. Maryland 68 ends at the Mill Street intersection with U.S. 40 (National Pike) in adjacent Clear Spring to the north. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 draws closer to the Potomac River at the community of Big Pool. There Maryland 56 (Big Pool Road) interchanges with the freeway at Exit 12. Photo taken 08/07/04. Maryland 56 (Big Pool Road) loops west from Maryland 68 (Clear Spring Road) to Big Pool and Interstate 70. From Exit 12 the state highway turns northward to U.S. 40 near its intersection with Indian Springs Road. Use Indian Springs Road north for the community of Indian Springs. Photo taken 08/07/04. This guide sign touts the benefits of Interstate 68 for long distance travelers to Ohio and points west along the Interstate 70 corridor. Interstate 68 ends at Interstate 79 in Morgantown south of Washington, Pennsylvania. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 hugs the Chesapeake And Ohio Canal National Historic Park along the Potomac River between Big Pool and Hancock (Exit 3). A second guide sign reminds motorists of the pending westbound beginning of Interstate 68 at Exit 1. Photo taken 08/07/04. A mileage sign exists after the Exit 9 partial "Y" interchange with U.S. 40 on Interstate 70 westbound. U.S. 40 cosigns with Interstate 70 west to Interstate 68 at Exit 1A. This is where Interstate 70 turns north into Pennsylvania and U.S. 40 continues west along with Interstate 68 toward Cumberland. Photo taken 08/07/04. Maryland 615 (Millstone Road) parallels Interstate 70 and U.S. 40 westbound closely east of Hancock. The state highway comprises the original routing of U.S. 40 and is accessible via ramps from Exit 5. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 and U.S. 40 west at the Exit 5 off-ramp to Maryland 615 (Millstone Road). Maryland 615 intersects Maryland 456 (Hollow Road) before turning north toward the Pennsylvania state line. Photo taken 08/07/04. The Sideling Hill Exhibit Center resides along Interstate 68 and U.S. 40 (National Freeway) just west of their departure from Interstate 70 at Sideling Hill itself. A guide sign touts the attraction ten miles east along Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound at the Exit 5 eastbound ramp under crossing near Hancock. Photo taken 08/07/04. A left-hand exit carries drivers off Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound into Hancock via Maryland 144 (old U.S. 40). The state route follows Main Street along the Potomac River into Hancock between Exit 3 and U.S. 522. Photo taken 08/07/04. Drawing to within one half mile of the Exit 3 interchange with Maryland 144 (Main Street) near Hancock. Maryland 144 is the number assigned to various segments of original U.S. 40 in Maryland west of Baltimore. Photo taken 08/07/04. The topography of the Potomac River valley necessitated the use of a left-hand off-ramp for Maryland 144 west from Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound at Exit 3. The state highway again interacts with U.S. 40 at the Exit 77 interchange of Interstate 68 via the Western Pike. Photo taken 08/07/04. U.S. 522 interchanges with Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 at the Exit 1B tri-level stack interchange north of Hancock. The federal highway travels south above the town and across the Potomac River into Morgan County, West Virginia. Photo taken 08/07/04. Auxiliary guide sign including the West Virginia control points of Berkley Springs for U.S. 522 south (Exit 1B) and Morgantown for Interstate 68 (Exit 1A). Berkeley Springs lies six miles to the southwest. Photo taken 08/07/04. The Sideling Hill rock cut for the National Freeway draws into view as Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound near the Exit 1B left-hand off-ramp to U.S. 522 south. The federal route is signed with the control city of Winchester, Virginia. That city lies 47 miles to the south at the confluence of U.S. 11-50 and Interstate 81. Photo taken 08/07/04. U.S. 522 northbound joins Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound via the Exit 1B stack interchange. The federal highway continues northward with Interstate 70 five miles to Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 westbound at the ramp departure of Exit 1B for U.S. 522 southbound. The federal route reaches the Mountain State in 1.25 miles near Potomac Airpark and River Road. 0.75 miles separate the off-ramp from U.S. 522's junction with Maryland 144 (Main Street) otherwise. Photo taken 08/07/04. 0.50-mile diagrammatical overhead for the Exit 1A interchange with Interstate 68's eastern terminus. Known as the National Freeway for the highway in which it replaced (National Highway), Interstate 68 cosigns with U.S. 40 west from Hancock to Keysers Ridge via Cumberland in the Maryland high country. Photo taken 08/07/04. A second guide sign advises motorists of the upcoming left-hand off-ramp for Interstate 68 & U.S. 40 westbound on Interstate 70 west & U.S. 522 north. The city of Cumberland lies 38 miles to the west along the Potomac River in Allegeny County. Photo taken 08/07/04. The westbound beginning of Interstate 68 leaves Interstate 70 with U.S. 40 for Sideling Hill, Cumberland, and Morgantown, West Virginia. Interstate 68 replaced U.S. 48 east of its split with U.S. 40 in Garrett County in the mid 1980s. The freeway ends at Interstate 79 presently but plans are underway to extend Interstate 68 northwest to Interstate 70 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Photo taken 08/07/04. Exit 1A gore point sign for Interstate 68 west on Interstate 70 & U.S. 40 west and U.S. 522 north. The first exit for westbound travelers is Exit 77 with Maryland 144 (Western Pike) near Sideling Hill. Photo taken 08/07/04. Interstate 70 west & U.S. 522 northbound reassurance shields posted after their departure of the Exit 1A tri-level stack interchange. The Pennsylvania state line lies a short distance ahead. The Warfordsburg Road (original U.S. 522) overpass is visible in the distance. Photo taken 08/07/04. Page Updated October 25, 2006.