U.S. Route 56 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids U.S. Route 56
Route information
Length	640 mi (1,030 km)
Existed	1957–present
Major junctions
West end	I-25 Bus. / US 412 / NM 21 at Springer, NM
	US-50 at Dodge City, KS I-135 / US-81 at McPherson, KS I-335 / Kansas Turnpike near Admire, KS US-75 3 miles east of Scranton, KS US-59 4 miles west of Baldwin City, KS I-35 / US-50 at Gardner, KS US-169 / K-7 at Olathe, KS I-435 / US-50 at Lenexa, KS US-69 at Overland Park, KS I-35 / US-69 / US-169 at Shawnee Mission, KS
East end	US 71 at Kansas City, MO
Location
States:	New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri
Highway system
United States Numbered Highways List • Bannered • Divided • Replaced

U.S. Route 56, often called US 56, is a long road that stretches across the middle of the United States. It runs from Springer, New Mexico in the west all the way to Kansas City, Missouri in the east. This highway is about 640 miles (1,030 kilometers) long. A big part of US 56 follows the path of the famous Santa Fe Trail, which was an important route for trade and travel many years ago.

Exploring U.S. Route 56

US 56 travels through several states, showing off different parts of the country. It starts in New Mexico and then goes through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.

A Quick Stop in Texas

Interestingly, US 56 also touches a tiny corner of Texas. This happens at a small road connection near the border between New Mexico and Oklahoma. It's just a small part of the route, but it means the highway technically passes through five states!

Images for kids

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  Scranton, Kansas on US 56, in 1974