U.S. 340 begins at U.S. 11 north of Greenville and follows the South Fork of the Shenandoah River between Stuarts Draft and Front Royal via Waynesboro, Elkton, Shenandoah, and Luray. From Front Royal, U.S. 340 heads northeast to Berryville, then crosses into West Virginia and Maryland (at Harpers Ferry) before ending at Frederick.
U.S. 340 North
U.S. 340 begins its northerly journey at its intersection with U.S. 11 north of Greenville near Interstate 64-81 Exit 213. From here, U.S. 340 parallels the south fork of the Shenandoah River, while U.S. 11 parallels the north fork of the Shenandoah River. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 211 East and U.S. 340 North
After merging, U.S. 211 east and U.S. 340 north will follow the expressway together until Luray, where the two routes divide. A business route (Business U.S. 211) serves downtown Luray, while the bypass carries U.S. 211 and U.S. 340 past Luray Caverns toward their split at an interchange. This mileage sign also provides distances to the Skyline Drive (in Shenandoah National Park) and Warrenton via U.S. 211. U.S. 340 will also intersect Skyline Drive, but not until reaching Front Royal to the north. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The first instance of Business U.S. 211 serves downtown Luray. This picture shows eastbound U.S. 211 and northbound U.S. 340 as they approach the cutoff for Business U.S. 211. Notably, Business U.S. 340 does not begin at this intersection; instead, Business U.S. 340 follows the old alignment of U.S. 340 from downtown Luray south to Stanley and Alma and then west back to U.S. 340. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Eastbound U.S. 211 and northbound U.S. 340 reach Business U.S. 211 east into Luray. Other instances of Business U.S. 211 exist in Washington, Virginia, and Warrenton. The town of Luray is the seat of Page County at elevations that range from 800 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Luray is home to approximately 4,587 people. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Eastbound U.S. 211 and northbound U.S. 340 reach Luray Caverns. One of several cavern attractions along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Luray Caverns is one of the most spectacular caverns in the region. It is perhaps best known for a pipe organ that is built into the stalactites and stalagmites in one of the larger underground chambers. If you have a couple hours to spare, the cavern tour is well worth the time. Other caverns in the area include Shenandoah Caverns and Endless Caverns. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 211 and U.S. 340 routes divide at a diamond interchange just east of Luray Caverns and north of downtown Luray. At this interchange, Business U.S. 340 rejoins its parent route, and U.S. 340 resumes its northerly trajectory toward Front Royal and Winchester. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Use U.S. 340 north to reach Front Royal, Business U.S. 340 south to reach downtown Luray, and U.S. 211 east to reach Skyline Drive/Shenandoah National Park. Note that substandard signage is used for this expressway interchange. Only shields (not green guide signs) are used to indicate that the upcoming right turn is a ramp offering the continuation of northbound U.S. 340 to Business U.S. 340 south. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Eastbound U.S. 211/Lee Highway and northbound U.S. 340 split. U.S. 340 and Business U.S. 340 pass underneath the U.S. 211 expressway. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 340-522 North and Virginia 55 West
This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 340-522 and westbound Virginia 55 is located after westbound Virginia 55 merges with the two U.S. routes. The sign provides the distance to Cedarville (two miles), Winchester (19 miles via U.S. 522), and Berryville (via U.S. 340). Photo taken 06/06/04.
Northbound U.S. 340-522 and Westbound Virginia 55 cross the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 340-522 continue north, while Virginia 55 splits west toward Strasburg. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 340-522 North
After that bridge, Virginia 55 splits west toward Strasburg, while the two U.S. routes cross the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and continue north toward Cedarville and Ninevah. Photo taken 06/06/04.
After the bridges, U.S. 340-522 north approach their junction with Interstate 66, an east-west freeway that connects Interstate 81 near Strasburg with the nation's capital (Washington, D.C.). This shield reflects an older standard that includes the state name. Shields such as this one are somewhat commonly found on approach routes to Interstate 66; several of them exist east of here, in Arlington County. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Northbound U.S. 340-522 reach the onramp to Interstate 66 east to the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. Photo taken 06/06/04.
A cloverleaf loop ramp provides access from northbound U.S. 340-522 onto westbound Interstate 66. The western terminus of Interstate 66 is only six miles west of this interchange, so the shield assembly also includes a "To Interstate 81" trailblazer. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 211 West and U.S. 340 South
Westbound U.S. 211 and southbound U.S. 340 are now merged as they continue around the town of Luray and approach Luray Caverns. New Market, the western terminus of U.S. 211, is 14 miles from here. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The Luray bypass next approaches Luray Caverns, which is situated northwest of the highway. U.S. 211 west and U.S. 340 south continue straight ahead, while a right turn leads to the Luray Caverns parking area. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next intersection along westbound after the Luray Caverns entrance is the return of Business U.S. 211 from downtown Luray. Photo taken 06/06/04.
After Business U.S. 211 rejoins U.S. 211-340, this set of reassurance shields is posted just west of Luray. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Westbound U.S. 211 and southbound U.S. 340 divide, with U.S. 340 making a left to head south toward Waynesboro and Stuarts Draft. U.S. 211 continues west along the divided highway toward Massanutten Mountain and New Market. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Use U.S. 211 west to reach New Market and Timberville; turn left (south) on U.S. 340 to reach Stanley and Shenandoah. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Westbound U.S. 211 and southbound U.S. 340 split at this intersection. To reach Interstate 81, continue west along U.S. 211. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 340 South
Now much further south of Luray, U.S. 340 passes through Elkton and Waynesboro before reaching its southern terminus. No end signs are present as U.S. 340 south approaches its end at the intersection with U.S. 11. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Southbound U.S. 340 reaches its southern terminus at this traffic signal at U.S. 11 north of Greenville. A right turn along U.S. 11 north connects U.S. 340 with Interstate 81, less than a mile away. Photo taken 06/06/04.
