US Highway 95
The Loneliest Highway in California
Background
US 95 does not garner the title of "The Loneliest Highway in California" without
good reason. It goes through desert for its entire run through California and goes near no
major towns; the biggest it goes through is Needles. However, most of the time there is
only barren desert with few signs of human habitation. The section of US 95 through
California is something of an anomaly: it is only one of three (the others are US 97 and
US 199) US highways to have remained unchanged. In fact, it was extended in 1964 over the
Colorado River with I-10 into Arizona, then heading south to San Luis. Today it goes all
the way from the Mexican border to the Canadian border and is one of the few
highways in the United States to do
so.
Right: US 95 was signed as SR-195 its entire
length in
California in 1939. |
![[US 95 (CA 195) in
1939]](../us_pix/95-map_1939.jpg)
1939 map courtesy of Mike Ballard, printed by H.M
Gousha.
|
US 95
at a Glance
Original Routing
In 1926 US 95 only went through Idaho. Gradually it was extended south, and by the
1950s it ended in Blythe, California. In 1964 it was extended south to San Luis, Arizona.
It enters Canada north of Eastport, Idaho and turns into British Columbia Provincial Route
95. Route 95 extends north to Golden, British Columbia where it ends at Route 1, the
Trans-Canada Highway.
Current Status in California
As mentioned before, US 95 is only one of three US highways that has remained unaltered
since 1964; the other two are US 97 and US 199.
Current Status Outside of California
US 95 has remained unchanged outside of California except where it has been routed with
Interstate Highways.
Intersections With Other California US Highways
- US 80 in Yuma, AZ.
- US 60 and US 70 in Blythe.
- US 91 and US 466 in Las Vegas, NV.
- Co-signed with US 6 from Tonapah, NV to Coaldale, NV.
- US 50 east of Fallon, NV.
- Co-signed with US 40 from approximately Exit 83 on I-80 to Winnemucca, NV.
![[Historic Highways Logo]](../logos/small_hcuh_banner.gif)
Go to the Historic California US Highways Main Page
If you have any questions, comments, or if you would like to send me
any updates or pictures, please contact me at: casey@gbcnet.com.
http://www.gbcnet.com/ushighways/US95/index.html