List of state highways in South Carolina facts for kids
  
Highway marker of SC 9, SC 34, and SC 121
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Quick facts for kids System information |
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| Formed: | 1922 |
| Length: | 41,414 mi (66,649 km) |
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| South Carolina highways | |
Welcome to the world of roads in South Carolina! This article is about the many important roads called state highways in South Carolina. These roads are like the main veins and arteries of the state, helping people and goods travel from one place to another.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) owns and takes care of all these state highways. They make sure the roads are safe and easy to use for everyone. South Carolina has a huge network of these roads, covering over 41,000 miles!
Primary State Highways
South Carolina's road system has changed a lot over the years. New highways are built, and sometimes older ones are changed or even become local roads. This happens because towns grow, and traffic patterns change.
Primary state highways are the main roads that connect cities and towns across South Carolina. They are numbered, usually with one or two digits, like SC 9 or SC 34. These roads are super important for getting around the state.
Here are a few examples of primary state highways:
- SC 2: This road is 3.940 miles long. It starts in Cayce and ends in West Columbia. It was first created in 1922.
- SC 3: This highway is much longer, at 96.310 miles. It runs from Grays to Swansea. Its current form was established in 1928.
- SC 9: This is one of the longest state highways, stretching 259.570 miles! It goes from Cherry Grove Beach all the way to the North Carolina state line near Fingerville. It has been around since 1922.
- SC 11: This road is 119.850 miles long. It connects Fair Play to Gaffney. It was established in 1922.
- SC 121: This highway is 134.200 miles long. It starts near North Augusta at the Georgia state line and goes up to Rock Hill. It's part of a bigger road system that also goes through Florida and Georgia.
Many other primary routes exist, each playing a role in connecting different parts of South Carolina. Some of these roads have changed their paths or numbers over time, with new versions being created to better serve the state's needs.
Alternate and Special Routes
Besides the main primary highways, South Carolina also has some special kinds of roads. These are called "alternate routes" or "special routes." They help traffic flow smoothly, especially in busy areas.
Alternate Routes
Alternate routes are like different paths for a main highway. They might go through a town's downtown area while the main highway goes around it. These are often called "business routes" because they help people get to shops and businesses.
Here's an example of an active alternate route:
- SC 41 Alt. (Marion): This route is 22.904 miles long. It connects two points on the main SC 41, running between Centenary and Fork. It was established in 1952.
Many other alternate routes have existed in the past but are no longer active. They served specific purposes for a time, like directing traffic through a certain part of a town before new roads were built.
Other Special Routes
South Carolina also uses other special types of routes to manage traffic. These include:
- Connector routes: These are short roads that connect two different highways or parts of the same highway. They help drivers switch between roads easily.
- Truck routes: These roads are specifically designed for large trucks. They help keep heavy truck traffic away from smaller, residential streets or busy downtown areas.
- Spur routes: These are short roads that branch off a main highway, usually leading to a specific destination like a park or a military base.
These special routes ensure that traffic moves efficiently and safely throughout the state, whether it's a family on a road trip or a large truck delivering goods.
