Interstate 84 (west) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | |
| Length | 769.62 mi (1,238.58 km) |
| Existed | 1956 (as I-80N)–present |
| Major junctions | |
| West end |   I-5 / US 30 in Portland, OR |
 I-82 near Hermiston, OR
 I-86 near Burley, ID I-15 near Ogden, UT |
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| East end |  I-80 in Echo, UT |
| Highway system | |
| Main route of the Interstate Highway System Main • Auxiliary • Business |
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Interstate 84, or I-84, is a very long highway in the western United States. It stretches for about 770 miles (1,240 kilometers)! This important road connects three states: Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. It is part of the Interstate Highway System, a big network of roads across the country.
I-84 starts in Portland, Oregon, where it connects with Interstate 5. It then travels east, crossing through Idaho, and finally ends in Echo, Utah, where it meets Interstate 80. It's interesting to know that there is also another highway called Interstate 84 in the eastern part of the country, but it's a completely different road!
Contents
Journey Through the States
I-84 takes drivers on an exciting journey through diverse landscapes. It passes through major cities and wide-open spaces.
Oregon: The Starting Point
The western end of I-84 is in Portland, Oregon. This city is known for its beautiful parks and bridges. As the highway leaves Portland, it follows the stunning Columbia River Gorge. This area is famous for its tall cliffs and many waterfalls. It's a very scenic part of the drive.
Connecting to Other Highways
In Oregon, I-84 connects with Interstate 82 near Hermiston, Oregon. This connection helps travelers reach different parts of the Pacific Northwest. The highway also runs alongside or close to U.S. Route 30 for much of its path in Oregon.
Idaho: Across the Gem State
After Oregon, I-84 enters Idaho. Here, the landscape changes to wide plains and farmlands. The highway passes through Boise, Idaho, which is the capital city of Idaho. Boise is a lively city with a beautiful river running through it.
Important Idaho Connections
In Boise, I-84 connects with Interstate 184. This short highway helps drivers get into the heart of the city. Further east in Idaho, near Burley, Idaho, I-84 meets Interstate 86. This connection is important for travelers heading towards Pocatello, Idaho and Yellowstone National Park.
Utah: The Eastern End
The final state I-84 travels through is Utah. The scenery here becomes more mountainous and rugged. The highway passes near Ogden, Utah, a city known for its history as a railroad hub.
Meeting I-15 and I-80
Near Ogden, I-84 connects with Interstate 15. I-15 is a major north-south highway that runs through many western states. Finally, I-84 ends in a small place called Echo, Utah. Here, it merges into Interstate 80, which is another very long highway that crosses the entire country.
History of I-84
The highway we know as I-84 today wasn't always called that. It has an interesting past.
Early Days as I-80N
When this highway was first planned in 1956, it was called Interstate 80N. The "N" stood for "North." This was because it was considered a northern branch of the main Interstate 80. The idea was to show its connection to the larger I-80 route.
Changing the Name
Over time, the system of using "N" or "S" for branches of interstates was changed. To make the highway system easier to understand, many of these "branch" names were updated. So, in 1980, Interstate 80N was officially renamed Interstate 84. This new name helped avoid confusion and made it clear that it was a main interstate route on its own.
Images for kids
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The western end of I-84 in Portland
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The eastern end of I-84 in Echo, Utah
