Paralleling the South Platte River, U.S. 138 heads northeast from U.S. 6 in Sterling, Colorado to U.S. 30 near Big Springs, Nebraska. Within Deuel County, U.S. 138 extends 11.47 miles from the state line near Julesburg.
U.S. 138 was established in 1926 as an original U.S. route as the only branch of U.S. 38. Decommissioned in 1931, U.S. 38 was designated between Greeley, Colorado, and Omaha, Nebraska, via today's U.S. 34 from Greeley to Fort Morgan and U.S. 6 from Fort Morgan to Omaha. Despite the renumbering of U.S. 38 in favor of creating a transcontinental U.S. 6, U.S. 138 retains its number.
The "Colorado Loop" of the Lincoln Highway travels southwest from Big Springs, Nebraska to Denver via U.S. 138 and U.S. 6, then returns to the Lincoln Highway via U.S. 287, Colorado State Highway 1, Interstate 25, WY 223, and U.S. 85 to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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| U.S. 138 runs alongside a Union Pacific Railroad line northeast from Julesburg, Colorado to a folded diamond interchange (Exit 101) with Interstate 80. 09/05/05 |
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| Interstate 80 heads west from U.S. 138 to Chappell and Sidney in the Nebraska Panhandle. 09/05/05 |
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| Beyond Sidney, Interstate 80 continues to the Wyoming capital city of Cheyenne. 09/05/05 |
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| U.S. 138 overtakes Pine Street from the north end of L-25B through the Big Springs business district. 09/05/05 |
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| Leaving Big Springs, U.S. 138 continues north to U.S. 30. U.S. 30 travels east to Brule in Keith County and North Platte in Lincoln County. 04/22/17 |
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| The final reassurance marker for U.S. 138 stands near Chestnut Street by the Big Springs village line. 04/22/17 |
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| Shifting northeast from North Fork Road, U.S. 138 lowers to cross a wash at Trailer House Gulch. 09/05/05 |
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| The Alternate Route for I-80 follows U.S. 138 north to U.S. 30 east. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 concludes at U.S. 30 across from Road 207 at Big Springs Junction. Originally the route converged with U.S. 30 east at a wye intersection. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 30 bee lines west to Chappel and east to Brule en route to Ogallala. Road 207 heads 10.1 miles north to U.S. 26 toward Lewellen. 04/22/17 |
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| Since replaced, an end shield for U.S. 138 east precedes U.S. 30. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 travels 71.1 miles northeast from U.S. 6 in Sterling to U.S. 30 at Big Springs Junction. 09/05/05 |
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| Staying north of I-80, U.S. 30 leads west to Sidney and Pine Bluffs, Wyoming 04/22/17 |
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| North from U.S. 138, Road 207 connects with U.S. 26 southwest of Lake McConaughy, a reservoir along the North Platte River. U.S. 26 east combines with U.S. 30 into Ogallala. 09/05/05 |
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| The first confirming marker for U.S. 138 stands just south of U.S. 30 at Big Springs Junction. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 and L-25B connect U.S. 30 with Interstate 80 south of Big Springs. 09/05/05 |
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| The Big Springs village center lies 1.9 miles south of U.S. 30 along U.S. 138. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 drops nearly 200 feet in elevation south from Big Springs Junction across Trailer House Gulch. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 spans a wash across Trailer House Gulch. 09/05/05 |
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| The grain elevator in Big Springs comes into view along U.S. 138 south at North Fork Road. The comparably lush South Platte River valley offers trees that are not found on much of Nebraska's open prairie. 09/05/05 |
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| Westbound U.S. 138 enters Big Springs along Pine Street. The village of around 400 which was founded in 1884 and incorporated in 1917. 04/22/17 |
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| Several historic trails, such as the Oregon Trail and California Trail, passed through or near Big Springs. The historic Lincoln Highway was previously acknowledged at the north entrance to the village. 09/05/05 |
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| Pine Street leads U.S. 138 south into the Big Springs business district beyond Fourth Street. 09/05/05 |
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| U.S. 138 turns southwest from Pine Street ahead of 1st and Railroad Streets. Pine Street extends south across the Union Pacific Railroad as part of L-25B. 04/22/17 |
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| Unmarked from U.S. 138, Link 25B runs 1.10 miles south from Big Springs to Interstate 80 at Exit 107. 04/22/17 |
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| U.S. 138 doubles as an Alternate Route for Interstate 76 southwest from I-80 to U.S. 385 in Julesburg, Colorado. 04/22/17 |
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| The distance sign for North Platte referencing the eastbound entrance ramp for I-80 on U.S. 138 west was revised to show 79 miles instead of 76 in a replacement. 09/05/05 |
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| A folded diamond interchange joins U.S. 138 with I-80 adjacent to a Union Pacific Railroad line near the siding of Barton. 04/22/17 |
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| The town of Julesburg, Colorado lies five miles southwest of I-80 along U.S. 138/385. 09/05/05 |
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| This confirming marker for U.S. 138 posted west of the exchange with I-80 was replaced with an erroneous N-138 shield. 09/05/05 |
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| The Sedgwick County, Colorado seat of Julesburg appears along the horizon as U.S. 138 advances southwest. 09/05/05 |
Photo Credits:09/05/05, 04/22/17 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 80
U.S. 30
Link 25B
Page Updated 03-01-2024.
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