Longest / Oldest US highway that has NEVER been re-routed

[MBHockey13]

Or should I say, is there a U.S. (Federal) highway that has never been re-routed in its entire existence?

Even in one state? For example, has US-62 remained on the same roads since it started in New York?

[corco]

(Federal)

US-310, maybe?

US-197 in Oregon, maybe? 197 in Washington used to extend to the US-97 junction along SR 14. That's the only one that I can think of as remotely possible in WA/OR/ID.

[NE2]

Never? Does a new bridge 25 feet away from the old one count? A curve straightening? Does it count only if the old road stays around for local access?

[florida]

I'd have to go with US 221 & US 23 in FL.

[roadfro]

Hmm... the vast majority of US highway alignments in Nevada haven't changed since each highway was established. However, each one has experienced at least one realignment, generally in a city or town, that that messes it up--even US 6 was rerouted in Ely at some point.

[DandyDan]

This depends on what degree you mean by "re-routed".  In Nebraska, while the general route of most of the US highways haven't changed, because pretty much all the bigger cities of Nebraska have had bypasses built and even the tiny villages get bypassed if the highway gets converted to a divided highway, I would only guess that the only ones that haven't changed are US 138 and US 159.  And the US 159 route gets a slight modification sometime in the next couple years when the new Rulo bridge opens.

[national highway 1]

US 201 in Maine?

[US71]

Or should I say, is there a U.S. (Federal) highway that has never been re-routed in its entire existence?

Even in one state? For example, has US-62 remained on the same roads since it started in New York?

Not in Arkansas, nor Oklahoma.

Also, to echo NE2: what about straightening curves or shifting the alignment a few hundred feet to a new bridge? Do we count these?

[hbelkins]

I think it would definitely depend on the definition of rerouting. If you're talking about a new alignment adjacent to or near the old one, or onto a completely different alignment.

In Kentucky, the only possible qualifiers are US 25E, US 27 and US 45. All have had new alignments constructed, but they are adjacent to the old routings. US 27 may have had some reroutings in Lexington and in Northern KY, and US 45 in Paducah, however.

[agentsteel53]

US-197 in Oregon, maybe?

I wouldn't be surprised if Heimrich St.-Main St.-NE 5th St.-Court St. in Dufur, OR is old US 197.

http://goo.gl/maps/8XQjX

not too far north, there are several segments of Old Dufur Road, some of which may be old US-30 but the vast majority of which appear to be old US-197.

also, I noted some fairly minor curve straightenings here and there.

[NE2]

US 48 certainly qualifies

[MBHockey13]

Or should I say, is there a U.S. (Federal) highway that has never been re-routed in its entire existence?

Even in one state? For example, has US-62 remained on the same roads since it started in New York?

Not in Arkansas, nor Oklahoma.

Also, to echo NE2: what about straightening curves or shifting the alignment a few hundred feet to a new bridge? Do we count these?

I don't think there are any formal rules. I'm just a roadgeek - not a tyrant! 

I think it there is a new bridge or a straightening, it's the same general path, so it would count. I just mean that it used to be on road A and now it's on road B, or they built a brand new alignment and moved the US route onto there. I suppose if you can still drive on the old alignment, then it doesn't count as having never been re-routed.

[NE2]

I suppose if you can still drive on the old alignment, then it doesn't count as having never been re-routed.

So if there are houses along the realignment that needed the old road kept for driveway access, it doesn't count, but if there were no houses and thus they could rip it up, it counts?

[corco]

Maybe what you want to get at is that the road is still along its original right of way, and then allow for that right of way to be expanded but not abandoned? So if a road is widened to four lanes along an expanded version of its old right of way, it's not a realignment, but if it's moved off of its old right of way it's a realignment?

[agentsteel53]

Maybe what you want to get at is that the road is still along its original right of way, and then allow for that right of way to be expanded but not abandoned? So if a road is widened to four lanes along an expanded version of its old right of way, it's not a realignment, but if it's moved off of its old right of way it's a realignment?

what if, around a curve, it barely sneaks inside the old ROW purchase as the curve radius is increased?

[kphoger]

What if we answer 'no' to ALL of the exceptions?  Are there any that actually use the same exact path?

[agentsteel53]

What if we answer 'no' to ALL of the exceptions?  Are there any that actually use the same exact path?

the only one I can think of offhand is US-160 in New Mexico.  both US-8 in Michigan and US-220 in New York have been realigned.

what are some other routes which exist only for a very short distance in a given state?

[Takumi]

US 340's second time through Virginia.

[Duke87]

Has any part of US 5 in Vermont ever been realigned? That seems like it could be a candidate.

Everything in Connecticut has moved at least once, as has everything in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

[agentsteel53]

Has any part of US 5 in Vermont ever been realigned? That seems like it could be a candidate.

at one point, US-5 was in New Hampshire, according to Robert Droz's site. 

[xonhulu]

US-310, maybe?

US-197 in Oregon, maybe? 197 in Washington used to extend to the US-97 junction along SR 14. That's the only one that I can think of as remotely possible in WA/OR/ID.

There is an older grade up the hill in Tygh Valley, but that may pre-date the establishment of US 197 (it was OR 23 prior to that).

If you want a US Highway that I'm very sure has never been re-routed, look no further than US 48 in WV/VA! 

EDIT:  Looks like NE2 already made this reference.  Guess I should learn to read all the responses before I make mine!

[mcdonaat]

US 80 in Louisiana - only realigned due to Interstate construction, and for a grand total of 1 1/2 miles. In Monroe, US 80 was widened and place about eight blocks north of the original road, but the highway is still the same as the thirties, with the exception of it hopping on I-20 in Delta, and moving due to I-220 construction.

US 11 has been shifted onto I-59 for a short jog, but is still the same route.

[Beeper1]

I don't think US-2 in New Hampshire has ever really changed. 

[Mapmikey]

Probably the closest Virginia comes to having a US route with real distance not to have been re-routed is US 301.


Mapmikey

[hbelkins]

what are some other routes which exist only for a very short distance in a given state?

US 60 and 62 in Illinois.