U.S. Route 78 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids U.S. Route 78
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Route information
Length	715 mi (1,151 km)
Existed	1926–present
Major junctions
West end	US 70 / US 64 / US 79 at Memphis, Tenn.
	I-240 at Memphis, Tenn. US 45 at Tupelo, Miss. I-20 / I-59 at Birmingham, Ala. I-65 at Birmingham, Ala. I-75 / I-85 at Atlanta, Ga. I-95 at St. George, S.C.
East end	US 17 at Charleston, S.C.
Highway system
United States Numbered Highways List • Bannered • Divided • Replaced

U.S. Route 78 is a long and important highway in the southeastern United States. It stretches all the way from Memphis, Tennessee, in the west, to Charleston, South Carolina, on the Atlantic coast. This highway helps people travel and goods move across five different states. It is about 715 miles (1,151 kilometers) long.

What is U.S. Route 78?

U.S. Route 78 is a major east-west highway. It is part of the United States Numbered Highway System. This system helps connect cities and towns across the country. Route 78 was officially established in 1926. It has been an important route for nearly a century.

Journey Across the States

Route 78 travels through five states. These states are Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Each state offers different landscapes and cities along the way.

Starting in Tennessee

The western end of U.S. Route 78 begins in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is a famous city known for its music and history. Here, Route 78 connects with other major roads like U.S. Route 70 and U.S. Route 64. It also meets Interstate 240, which is a busy highway around Memphis.

Through Mississippi and Alabama

After leaving Tennessee, Route 78 enters Mississippi. It passes through cities like Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo is known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. In Mississippi, Route 78 connects with U.S. Route 45.

Next, the highway crosses into Alabama. It goes through Birmingham, Alabama, which is a large city. In Birmingham, Route 78 meets important interstates. These include Interstate 20, Interstate 59, and Interstate 65. These connections help travelers reach many other parts of the country.

Georgia's Path and Beyond

From Alabama, U.S. Route 78 continues into Georgia. It passes through Atlanta, Georgia, a very big city and a major hub. In Atlanta, Route 78 connects with Interstate 75 and Interstate 85. These interstates are key routes for travel in the Southeast.

Ending in South Carolina

Finally, Route 78 enters South Carolina. It passes through towns like St. George, South Carolina, where it meets Interstate 95. Interstate 95 is a very long highway that runs along the East Coast. The journey ends in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a historic port city on the Atlantic Ocean. Here, Route 78 connects with U.S. Route 17.

Why are Highways Important?

Highways like U.S. Route 78 are very important for many reasons. They help people travel for vacations or to visit family. They also help businesses move goods from one place to another. This includes everything from food to electronics.

Highways also connect different communities. They make it easier for people to commute to work or school. They are a vital part of a country's transportation system. Without them, it would be much harder to get around.

History of Route 78

The U.S. Numbered Highway System was created in 1926. This was a big step in organizing roads across the United States. Before this, many roads were local and not well connected. U.S. Route 78 was one of the original highways in this new system.

Over the years, parts of Route 78 have been improved. Some sections have been upgraded to become faster, four-lane roads. These improvements help make travel safer and more efficient for everyone who uses the highway.