US 40 AT A GLANCE
Original Routing
US 40 started in San Francisco at the intersection of Harrison and 10th
Streets and went over the Bay Bridge to Oakland. From there it followed the general route
of I-80 to the Nevada state line. Originally, it took a fairly circuitutous course between
the Bay Area and Sacramento, following a zig-zag pattern of eastwest and northsouth
streets. From Sacramento, most of US 40 is buried under I-80, but many sections do remain,
both as frontage roads and the main streets through bypassed town. There is a
particulararily nice original routing over the Donner Pass which serves as an excellent
contrast with the modern I-80.
Outside of California, US 40 followed the general routing of I-80 to Salt Lake City.
Like in California, most is now buried under the Interstate, but quite a few free standing
sections remain. From Salt Lake City east, US 40 has generally followed the present
routing all the way to Atlantic City, NJ.
Current Status Outside of California
US 40 has been severely truncated, with about one third of its routing having been
decommissioned. Its western terminus is now at Salt Lake City at a very unexceptional
interchange with I-15. In fact, there is no marking denoting the end of this historic
highway.
Current Status in California
US 40 was one of the first US highways to have been completely decommissioned in
California and has ceased to be a signed highway since 1964. Despite this, a substantial
portion of the old routing remains, although its last incarnation from the 1950s is now
I-80. A monument remains in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco commemorating the western
terminus of the Lincoln Highway, which US 40 had succeeded.
Intersections With Other US Highways
- US 101 in San Francisco
- Co-routed with US 50 from US 101 to the eastern approach of the Bay Bridge in Oakland
(1934-1964)
- US 40A at Davis and at Reno, NV
- Co-routed with US 99W from Davis to Sacramento
- US 99 in Sacramento
- Co-routed with US 99E from Sacramento to Roseville
- US 395 in Reno, NV

US 40 GUIDE
The US 40 Guide will have detailed descriptions of its old routings and
what remains today.

US 40 PHOTO ALBUM
Future

OTHER US 40 PAGES
Since US 40 was such an important road, there are several web pages dealing with it.
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