Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 (I-40) is a significant east–west transcontinental highway in the United States. As part of the Interstate Highway System, it connects various regions across the country, stretching 2,556.61 miles (4,114.46 km) from Barstow, California to Wilmington, North Carolina.
Route Description
The highway originates in the Mojave Desert in California and traverses through diverse landscapes, including the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico. It passes through several major cities such as Flagstaff, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Smith and Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh, and Wilmington in North Carolina.
State-by-State Breakdown
- California: Starting at Barstow, I-40 traverses the arid landscapes of the Mojave Desert.
- Arizona: The highway crosses the scenic Colorado Plateau and serves the city of Flagstaff.
- New Mexico: Passing through the southern Rocky Mountains, it connects major urban centers like Albuquerque.
- Texas: In the Texas Panhandle, I-40 features a speed limit of 75 mph (121 km/h) and connects with US 287 towards Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Oklahoma: Here, the highway runs 331 miles (533 km) from Texas to Arkansas, cutting through Oklahoma City.
- Arkansas: I-40 spans 284.69 miles (458.16 km) across the state, linking Fort Smith and Little Rock.
- Tennessee: The highway supports major cities like Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, with a speed limit of 70 mph (110 km/h).
- North Carolina: Ending at Wilmington, it passes through key cities such as Asheville, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
I-40 plays a crucial role in the national transport infrastructure, connecting multiple highways and facilitating commerce and travel across the southern United States. It has several business routes to accommodate local traffic in the western states.
Additionally, the highway has a single welcome center in Amarillo, Texas, located near the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.