Before the fast paced interstate highways that we know today came about, there used to be another system of highways and roads known as the United States Highway system, Some of these passages are still used today in certain travel routes.

The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1925 created the U.S. Highways and instead of using names such as the Lincoln Highway, they used a uniformed number system and have been maintained since then by state or local governments. Now, the Interstate Highway System has greatly replaced the U.S. Highways, ever since the Interstate Highway Act in 1956.

When it comes to famous highways, U.S. or Interstate, one of the most famous one that comes to mind is Route 66, which is also known as Will Rogers Highway. Route 66 was established November 11, 1926, but road signs didn't go up until the following year. It originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, totaling 2,448 miles. Another historic route that isn't mentioned near as often, is U.S. Route 99 in California. Route 99 was the main north-south highway on the West Coast until 1964 when it was replaced for the most part by Interstate 5. This was a major route during the 1930s because of the Dust Bowl.

During the change from the United State Highway System to the Interstate Highway System, a lot of names were changes and a good number of highways were taken off the map; especially in California. The history of the highway system is an impression of the Progressive Era and how it shaped our nation by having automobiles and not having to rely on transportation by train as in the 19th century.