Interstate 83 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Interstate 83
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Route information
Maintained by PennDOT, MDSHA, Baltimore DOT
Length	85.3 mi (137.3 km)
Existed	1975–present
Major junctions
South end	East Fayette & North President Streets and Fallsway in Baltimore, MD
	US 1 in Baltimore, MD I-695 near Baltimore, MD US 30 in York, PA I-76 / Penna Turnpike near Camp Hill, PA PA 581 / Capital Beltway in Lemoyne, PA I-283 near Paxtang, PA US 22 near Progress, PA
North end	I-81 / US 322 / Capital Beltway in Harrisburg, PA
Highway system
Main route of the Interstate Highway System Main • Auxiliary • Business

Interstate 83 (I-83) is an important Interstate Highway in the United States. It travels from Baltimore, Maryland, north to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This highway is about 85.3 miles (137.3 kilometers) long. Much of the southern part of I-83, especially south of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, follows the path of an older road called US 111.

I-83 in Maryland

The first part of I-83 in Maryland is called the Jones Falls Expressway, or JFX for short. This section is about 10.2 miles (16.4 kilometers) long. It's a freeway that starts in downtown Baltimore and goes to the northern suburbs.

I-83 then joins another major highway, I-695 (the Baltimore Beltway), for about 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers). After leaving the Beltway, I-83 changes its name to the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway. This part of the road goes north, running next to Maryland Route 45 (York Road). It passes to the west of towns like Timonium and Cockeysville.

I-83 in Pennsylvania

I-83 crosses into Pennsylvania southeast of New Freedom. It goes east of Shrewsbury and heads straight north towards York. The highway goes around the towns of Loganville and Jacobus before reaching the city of York.

North of Pennsylvania Route 295, I-83 is known as the Susquehanna Expressway. It keeps this name as it passes south and west of Valley Green. The highway then continues north towards Harrisburg. South of Harrisburg, I-83 connects with Interstate 76, which is also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

North of I-76, I-83 keeps going north. It passes through New Cumberland before joining Pennsylvania Route 581 in Lemoyne.

Harrisburg Expressway

After joining PA 581, I-83 becomes known as the Harrisburg Expressway. The highway turns east and crosses the Susquehanna River on the John Harris Bridge. This bridge is just south of Harrisburg's downtown area. I-83 finally ends at a major interchange with Interstate 81 in Harrisburg.

Connecting Routes

I-83 has one main connecting route, also called a "spur route." This is Interstate 283. It's a shorter highway that connects I-83 to Interstate 76 and PA 283 southeast of Harrisburg.

Images for kids

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  I-83 seen from the US 40 (Orleans Street) bridge in Baltimore

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  I-83 southbound on the JFX past Northern Parkway in Baltimore

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  Traveling south on I-83 in Baltimore County, with congestion on the northbound side

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  A plaque celebrating the completion of the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway (I-83)

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  A "Pennsylvania Welcomes You" sign as I-83 enters Pennsylvania

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  Road markings on I-83 before the northern end of I-283

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  I-83 (JFX) southbound in Baltimore

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  I-83 northbound on the JFX in Towson

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  A long-distance view of the intersection of Fayette Street, President Street, and I-83

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  I-83 northbound in Lower Allen Township, Pennsylvania

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  I-83 Business northbound entering York