Interstate 68 - Definition and Overview

Interstate 68 is an interstate highway in the United States. It runs from Morgantown, West Virginia at Interstate 79 to Hancock, Maryland at Interstate 70, completely replacing the pre-2002 U.S. Highway 48.

Length

Major Cities along the route

• Morgantown, West Virginia
• Cumberland, Maryland

Intersections with other Interstates

• Interstate 79 in Morgantown, West Virginia
• Interstate 70 near Hancock, Maryland

Notes

• The main reason for Interstate 68's construction was to create, in conjunction with Interstate 79 between Morgantown and Washington, Pennsylvania, a free bypass for the I-70 portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

• A 340-foot (104 m) deep cut in the top of Sideling Hill was made to allow the highway to pass through six miles (10 km) west of Hancock. This exposed a syncline, a trough-shaped fold in the rock of Sideling Hill. An exhibit center was built at the site, and it opened in 1991. This cut is one of the most impressive rock exposures in the northeastern United States.

• Interstate 68 designation was originally applied to US 50 from Interstate 95/Capital Beltway to Annapolis, Maryland. This section now carries the secret I-595 designation.

Reference

• 2005 Rand McNally "The Road Atlas 2005" - newest feature- interstate mileage by state