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About U.S. Highway 40
U.S. Highway 40 is one of the original routes designated in 1926 which ran from coast to coast. Beginning in Altantic City, New Jersey, it's original western terminus was at San Francisco, but now it ends at the Interstate 80 interchange at Park City, Utah. The route westward from there has been replaced by Interstate 80. Highway 40 passes through Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado, covering 2,285 miles.
Highway 40 follows the route of previously existing highways and routes. The National Road was built in 1906 running from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia Illinios. The Victory Highway ran from Kansas City, Missouri to San Francisco and was built after World War I. Part of the Lincoln Highway in California, and part of the Oregon Trail in Kansas are also part of Highway 40 now.
What to See along Highway 40
U.S. Highway 40 is available on UntraveledRoad westward from Vernal, Utah into Colorado, near Steamboat Springs. Portions of the historic alignments are also included in and around Wells, Nevada and Wendover on the Utah-Nevada border.
Dinosaur National Monument
Harper's Corner Scenic Drive begins on U.S. Highway 40 and heads north to a stunning overlook of the Canyon of Lodore, where the Green River passes through the Uinta Mountains. Though there were no dinosaur remains in this area, it was added to Dinosaur National Monument for it's scenic beauty.
The Salt Flats and Bonneville Speedway
Old Highway 40 crosses the Salt Flats in western Utah, a long stretch of roadway that travels some 40 miles over the flat country. The original alignment is extant, although in bad condition. The famous raceway where land speed records have been set is just a few miles off the highway.