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{{Short description|Interstate Highway from South Carolina to Ohio}}
{{Infobox Interstate|article_route=77|type=Main|map=Interstate 77 map.png|route_type=reg|direction_a=South|direction_b=North|length_mi=611|length_km=984|year_established=|terminus_a=[[Image:I-26.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 26|I-26]] near [[Columbia, SC]]|terminus_b=[[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90|I-90]] in [[Cleveland, OH]]|junction=[[Image:I-20.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 20|I-20]] near [[Columbia, SC]]<br>[[Image:I-85.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 85|I-85]] in [[Charlotte, NC]]<br>[[Image:I-40.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]] in [[Statesville, NC]]<br>[[Image:I-81.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 81|I-81]] near [[Wytheville, VA]]<br>[[Image:I-64.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 64|I-64]] near [[Beckley, WV]]<br>[[Image:I-70.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 70|I-70]] in [[Cambridge, OH]]<br>[[Image:I-80.svg|20px]] [[Image:OhioTurnpike.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 80|I-80]] in [[Richfield, Ohio|Richfield, OH]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
|commons=category
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox road
| country = USA
| route = 77
| type = I
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=290|type=line|from=Interstate 77.map}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = I-77 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 610.10
| length_ref = <ref name="fhwa">{{Cite web |last=Starks |first=Edward |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |access-date=August 8, 2023 |work=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920000348/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| direction_a = South
| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=SC|I|26}} in [[Cayce, South Carolina|Cayce, SC]]
| junction =
* {{Jct|state=SC|I|20}} in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia, SC]]
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|85}} in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte, NC]]
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|40}} in [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville, NC]]
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|74}} near [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mt. Airy, NC]]
* {{Jct|state=VA|I|81}} between [[Fort Chiswell, Virginia|Fort Chiswell]] and [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]], VA
* {{Jct|state=WV|I|64}} between [[Beckley, West Virginia|Beckley]] and [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]], WV
* {{Jct|state=WV|I|79}} near [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston, WV]]
* {{Jct|state=OH|I|70}} in [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge, OH]]
* {{Jct|state=OH|I|76|SR|8}} in [[Akron, Ohio|Akron, OH]]
* {{Jct|state=OH|I|80|OHTP}} in [[Richfield, Ohio|Richfield, OH]]
| direction_b = North
| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=OH|I|90}} in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, OH]]
| states = [[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]], [[West Virginia]], [[Ohio]]
}}
}}
'''Interstate&nbsp;77''' ('''I-77''') is a north–south [[Interstate Highway]] in the [[Eastern United States]]. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of [[West Virginia]] to the rolling farmlands of [[North Carolina]] and [[Ohio]]. It largely supplants the old [[U.S. Route&nbsp;21]] (US&nbsp;21) between [[Cleveland, Ohio]], and [[Columbia, South Carolina]], as an important north–south corridor through the middle [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The southern terminus of I-77 is in [[Cayce, South Carolina]], in [[Lexington County, South Carolina|Lexington County]] at the junction with [[Interstate 26|I-26]].<ref>{{Cite map|title=Cayce, SC|publisher=City of Cayce|url=https://caycesc.gov/files/Cayce%20City%20Limits%20Map.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707202629/https://caycesc.gov/files/Cayce%20City%20Limits%20Map.pdf|archive-date=July 7, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=January 28, 2024}}</ref> The northern terminus is in Cleveland at the junction with [[Interstate 90|I-90]]. Other major cities that I-77 connects to include Columbia, South Carolina; [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]; [[Charleston, West Virginia]]; and [[Akron, Ohio]]. The [[East River Mountain Tunnel]], connecting [[Virginia]] and West Virginia, is one of only two instances in the U.S. where a mountain road tunnel crosses a state line. The other is the [[Cumberland Gap Tunnel]], connecting [[Tennessee]] and [[Kentucky]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=AppalachianMagazine |date=December 18, 2015 |title=Virginia & West Virginia's Shared Tunnel |url=http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/18/virginia-west-virginias-shared-tunnel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713233054/http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/18/virginia-west-virginias-shared-tunnel/ |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |magazine=Appalachian Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> I-77 is a [[Snowbird (person)|snowbird]] route to the [[Southern U.S.]] for those traveling from the [[Great Lakes region]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wighton |first1=Doug |date=December 29, 2014 |title=Road trip: the alternate route to Florida |url=https://www.thestar.com/autos/2014/12/29/road_trip_the_alternate_route_to_florida.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105606/https://www.thestar.com/autos/2014/12/29/road_trip_the_alternate_route_to_florida.html |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |access-date=March 20, 2018 |website=[[Toronto Star]] |language=en |issn=0319-0781 |oclc=137342540}}</ref>
'''Interstate 77''' (abbreviated '''I-77''') is an [[interstate highway]] in the eastern [[United States]]. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of [[West Virginia]] to the rolling farmlands of [[North Carolina]] and [[Ohio]]. It largely supplants the old [[U.S. Highway 21]] between [[Cleveland, Ohio]], and [[Columbia, South Carolina]], as one of the best north-south corridors through the middle [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachians]]. The southern terminus of Interstate 77 is in Columbia at the junction with [[Interstate 26]]. The northern terminus is in Cleveland at the junction with [[Interstate 90]].


==Route description==
The [[East River Mountain Tunnel]] is one of only two instances in the United States where a mountain ''road'' tunnel crosses a state line. The other one is the [[Cumberland Gap Tunnel]], connecting [[Tennessee]] and [[Kentucky]].
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2023}}

{{Lengths table|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa" />}}
== Route description ==
{{lengths table}}
|-
|-
|[[Interstate 77 (South Carolina)|SC]]
|[[Interstate 77 in South Carolina|SC]]
|{{Convert|91.05|mi|km|disp=table}}
|90
|145
|-
|-
|[[Interstate 77 (North Carolina)|NC]]
|[[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|NC]]
|{{Convert|105.50|mi|km|disp=table}}
|105
|169
|-
|-
||[[Interstate 77 (Virginia)|VA]]
||[[Interstate 77 in Virginia|VA]]
|{{Convert|69.40|mi|km|disp=table}}
|67
|108
|-
|-
|[[Interstate 77 (West Virginia)|WV]]
|[[Interstate 77 in West Virginia|WV]]
|{{Convert|187.21|mi|km|disp=table}}
|187
|301
|-
|-
|[[Interstate 77 (Ohio)|OH]]
|[[Interstate 77 in Ohio|OH]]
|{{Convert|160.13|mi|km|disp=table}}
|162
|261
|-
|-
|Total
|Total
|{{Convert|610.10|mi|km|disp=table}}
|611
|984
|}
{| class="infobox" width="230px"
!style="background: #ccf;"|<big>Major cities</big><br><small>'''Bolded cities''' are officially-designated [[control city|control cities]] for signs</small>
|-
|
*'''[[Charleston, South Carolina]]''' (via I-26)
*'''[[Columbia, South Carolina]]'''
*[[Rock Hill, South Carolina]]
*'''[[Charlotte, North Carolina]]'''
*'''[[Statesville, North Carolina]]'''
*[[Elkin, North Carolina]]
*[[Fort Chiswell, Virginia]]
*'''[[Wytheville, Virginia]]'''
*'''[[Bluefield, West Virginia]]'''
*'''[[Beckley, West Virginia]]'''
*'''[[Charleston, West Virginia]]'''
*'''[[Parkersburg, West Virginia]]'''
*'''[[Marietta, Ohio]]'''
*'''[[Canton, Ohio]]'''
*'''[[Akron, Ohio]]'''
*'''[[Cleveland, Ohio]]'''
|}
|}
===South Carolina===
{{Main|Interstate 77 in South Carolina}}
[[File:Southern terminus of I-77 at I-26 in Columbia, South Carolina.jpg|right|thumb|I-77 southbound ends at I-26]]
I-77 begins as an eight-lane highway at I-26 in the far southwestern part of the [[Columbia metropolitan area, South Carolina|Columbia metropolitan area]]. In the Columbia area, I-77 offers access to [[Fort Jackson (South Carolina)|Fort Jackson]] before meeting [[Interstate 20|I-20]] in the northeastern part of the city. This segment of I-77, combined with I-20 and I-26, form a [[beltway]] around Columbia, though it is not officially designated as such.


After leaving the northern Columbia suburb of [[Blythewood, South Carolina|Blythewood]], I-77 narrows to four lanes until it widens to eight lanes at [[Rock Hill, South Carolina|Rock Hill]] from exit&nbsp;77 to the North Carolina state line at [[Interstate 485|I-485]].
=== South Carolina ===
{{main|Interstate 77 in South Carolina}}


The final section of the entire length of I-77 was completed in Columbia in 1995.
I-77 begins as a six-lane highway at I-26 in the far southeastern part of the Columbia metropolitan area. The Columbia skyline is visible from this interchange. In the Columbia area, I-77 offers easy access to [[Fort Jackson]] before meeting I-20 in the northeastern part of the city. This segment of I-77, combined with I-20 and I-26, form a beltway around Columbia, though it is not officially designated as such. In the Columbia area, the control city for northbound traffic is Charlotte, North Carolina, while the control city for southbound traffic is Charleston, South Carolina.


===North Carolina===
After leaving the northern Columbia suburb of Blythewood, I-77 narrows to four lanes until [[Rock Hill, South Carolina|Rock Hill]]. From Exit 75 near Rock Hill to the North Carolina state line, the highway widens to eight lanes following a recent widening project. The final exit in South Carolina, Exit 90, takes motorists to Carowinds, an amusement park that was built along the North and South Carolina state line.
{{Main|Interstate 77 in North Carolina}}
[[File:I-77-US21-Woodlawn-BillyGraham-OverheadSign.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Woodlawn Road and Billy Graham Parkway overhead sign in Charlotte, North Carolina]]
I-77 through North Carolina begins at the South Carolina state line at [[Pineville, North Carolina|Pineville]]. It narrows to six lanes on the North Carolina side south of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] and then widens to 8 and 10&nbsp;lanes through downtown before entering the North Carolina [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region. In Charlotte, it intersects [[Interstate 85|I-85]] as well as intersecting each of the loops of [[Interstate 485|I-485]] and [[Interstate 277 (North Carolina)|I-277]] (twice). North of Charlotte, it skirts [[Lake Norman]] where it narrows again to four lanes before passing through [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]], [[Cornelius, North Carolina|Cornelius]], [[Davidson, North Carolina|Davidson]], and [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]]. At [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville]], {{Convert|40|mi|km}} north of I-85, it intersects [[Interstate 40|I-40]] and [[U.S. Route 70|US&nbsp;70]]. Next, it crosses over [[U.S. Route 421|US&nbsp;421]] in [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]] and continues on through [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]]. The final intersection in the state is with a discontinuous section of [[Interstate 74|I-74]] near [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]].


I-77 in Charlotte is also known as the Bill Lee Freeway; this designation stretches from exit&nbsp;6 (South Tryon Street/Woodlawn Road) in Charlotte to exit&nbsp;33 (US&nbsp;21 north), near Mooresville. A {{Convert|6|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} portion south of the city is called the General Younts Expressway. When I-77 crosses over I-85 (which runs in an east–west direction through the interchange), the northbound lanes are to the west of the southbound lanes.
=== North Carolina ===
{{main|Interstate 77 in North Carolina}}{{peacock}}
Interstate 77 through [[North Carolina]] begins at the South Carolina state line at [[Pineville, North Carolina|Pineville]] within sight of the [[Carowinds|Carowinds theme park]]. It then belies its true scenic nature as it travels through the industrial southern side of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] past the tall banking spires of that city's downtown before breaking through into the scenic rolling foothills of [[Piedmont (United States)|piedmont]] North Carolina. In Charlotte it intersects [[Interstate 85]] as well as intersecting each of the loops of [[Interstate 485]] (once in the south, as well as a planned intersection with I-485's uncompleted northern section) and [[Interstate 277 (North Carolina)|Interstate 277]] (twice). North of Charlotte, it skirts scenic [[Lake Norman]], while passing through [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]], [[Cornelius, North Carolina|Cornelius]], [[Davidson, North Carolina|Davidson]] and [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]]. Forty miles north of Interstate 85, at [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville]] it intersects [[Interstate 40]]. The final intersection is with a discontinuous section of [[Interstate 74]] near [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]] within sight of the looming wall of the Southern Blue Ridge that Interstate 77 will climb shortly after leaving the state of North Carolina.


North Carolina completed its section of I-77 in 1975.
Interstate 77 in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] is also known as the "Bill Lee Freeway"; this designation stretches from Exit 6 (South Tryon Street/Woodlawn Road) in Charlotte to Exit 33 (US 21 North), near [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]]. A 6-mile (9.6-km) portion south of the city is called the "General Younts Expressway". The junction between I-77 and I-85 in Charlotte is a rather odd configuration. When I-77 crosses over I-85 (which runs in an east-west fashion through the interchange), the northbound lanes are to the west of the southbound lanes. Likewise, southbound I-77 is to the east of northbound I-77. The lanes return to their proper positions north and south of this interchange.


===Virginia===
As Interstate 77 crosses over [[Lake Norman]] in northern [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina]], spectacular views of the largest man-made lake in North Carolina can be seen. In fact, I-77 splits Lake Norman into two noncontiguous sections.
{{Main|Interstate 77 in Virginia}}
[[File:I77NCline.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I-77 entering North Carolina from Virginia]]
I-77 through Virginia passes through two tunnels: the [[Big Walker Mountain Tunnel|Big Walker]] and [[East River Mountain Tunnel|East River]] mountain tunnels. For {{Convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}}, I-77 and [[Interstate 81|I-81]] overlap near [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]]. This is a [[wrong-way concurrency]], where two roads run concurrent with each other but are designated in opposite directions. For its entire length in Virginia, I-77 is either parallel to or [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with [[U.S. Route 52|US&nbsp;52]]. It will have a concurrency with [[Interstate 74|I-74]] throughout the state.


On March 31, 2013, there was a nearly 100-car pileup on I-77 near [[Fancy Gap, Virginia|Fancy Gap]]; as a result of that crash, electronic variable speed limit signs are now in place along that stretch of I-77. The speed limit can be adjusted according to driving conditions at any given time.
=== Virginia ===
[[Image:I77NCline.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I-77 entering North Carolina from Virginia]]
[[Image:Pilot Mt from I-77 near Fancy Gap.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]] in the distant haze, from I-77 near [[Fancy Gap, Virginia]].]]
{{main|Interstate 77 in Virginia}}


===West Virginia===
Interstate 77 through Virginia passes through two tunnels. The [[Big Walker Mountain Tunnel]] and the [[East River Mountain Tunnel]] provide quick interstate access with minimal environmental disruption. For eight miles, Interstate 77 [[Wrong-way concurrency|overlaps]] with [[Interstate 81]] near [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]].
{{Main|Interstate 77 in West Virginia}}
[[File:East River Mt Tunnel.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Northbound at the East River Mountain Tunnel, at the border of Virginia and West Virginia]]
I-77 enters [[West Virginia]] through the [[East River Mountain Tunnel]]. At milepost&nbsp;9, I-77 becomes cosigned with the [[West Virginia Turnpike]] for the next {{Convert|88|mi|km}}, a [[toll road]] between [[Princeton, West Virginia|Princeton]] and [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]]. It is concurrent with [[Interstate 64|I-64]] to Charleston at [[Beckley, West Virginia|Beckley]]. The speed limit is {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} for most of the length, with a {{convert|60|mph|km/h|adj=on}} limit for the section between [[Marmet, West Virginia|Marmet]] and the toll plaza near [[Pax, West Virginia|Pax]].


It enters Charleston via the Yeager Bridge before splitting off at a four-level junction with I-64. {{Convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} north of the city center, it junctions with [[Interstate 79|I-79]], before proceeding north to [[Ripley, West Virginia|Ripley]] and [[Parkersburg, West Virginia|Parkersburg]].
The highway passes through "Virginia's Technology Corridor" despite its very rural and isolated settings. Outside of [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]], there is little in the way of development.


North of Charleston, I-77 is known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
=== West Virginia ===
{{main|Interstate 77 in West Virginia}}
{{seealso|List of roads in Charleston, West Virginia}}
Interstate 77 enters from [[Virginia]] through the [[East River Mountain Tunnel]]. At milepost 9, Interstate 77 becomes co-signed with the [[West Virginia Turnpike]] for the next 88 miles (142 km), a [[toll road]] between [[Princeton, West Virginia|Princeton]] and [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]]. It is concurrent with [[Interstate 64]] to Charleston at [[Beckley, West Virginia|Beckley]]. The speed limit is 70 MPH for most of the length, with a 60 MPH limit for the section between [[Marmet, West Virginia|Marmet]] and the second toll plaza.


===Ohio===
It enters Charleston via the Yeager Bridge and passes by the state capitol complex before splitting off at a four-level junction with Interstate 64 in the downtown. Two miles north of the city center, it junctions with [[Interstate 79]] before proceeding northward towards [[Ripley, West Virginia|Ripley]] and [[Parkersburg, West Virginia|Parkersburg]]. It leaves the state at [[Williamstown, West Virginia|Williamstown]] for [[Ohio]].
{{Main|Interstate 77 in Ohio}}
[[File:I-90i-71junction.jpg|200px|right|thumb|I-90 near the [[Interstate 71|I-71]] to I-77 interchange in [[Cleveland, Ohio]]]]
Entering from [[West Virginia]] at [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]], I-77 passes through rolling Appalachian terrain.


The [[Interchange (road)|interchange]] with I-70 at Cambridge is (or at least at one time was) thought to be the largest interchange in the world, covering over {{convert|300|acre|ha}}.
North of Charleston, Interstate 77 is known as the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway". Within the city limits of Charleston, it is labeled as the "Nurse Veterans Memorial Highway" although not signed or mentioned as such. The toll-free section south of Princeton to Virginia is known as the "[[Hugh Ike Shott]] Memorial Highway" although no signage exists to identify it as such. In practice, none of these terms are used by the general public.


I-77 continues north through [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]] and then Akron, where it connects with I-76. The interchange with I-80, the Ohio Turnpike, between Akron and Cleveland was completed in December 2001;<ref>{{cite news |last=Exner |first=Rich |date=December 2, 2001 |title=Turnpike ramps to I-77 open tomorrow |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200F2DBD5A1CF6B647%20)&p_docid=0F2DBD5A1CF6B647&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=0F2DBD5A1CF6B647&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=R5DH53BMMTIxMzY2NjI4OC43MzgyMTY6MToxMjoxOTguMzAuMjI4LjA&&p_multi=CPDB |access-date=June 16, 2008 |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |language=en-US |issn=2641-4058}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 3, 2001 |title=Ohio Turnpike, I-77 Interchange Opens To Traffic |url=http://www.newsnet5.com/news/1100039/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015015456/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/1100039/detail.html |archive-date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=June 16, 2008 |work=[[WEWS-TV]] |language=en-US}}</ref> previously, traffic had to exit at [[Ohio State Route 21|State Route&nbsp;21]] (SR&nbsp;21) to access the turnpike. I-77 ends at I-90 in Cleveland.
=== Ohio ===
[[Image:Picture 1223.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I-77 approaching [[Downtown Cleveland|downtown]] [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] ]]
Entering from [[West Virginia]] at [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]], Interstate 77 passes through rolling Appalachian terrain.


I-77 is also known as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway in Ohio<ref>{{Cite web |title=5533.37 Vietnam Veterans' of America highway |url=http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5533.37 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001055547/http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5533.37 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |website=LAWriter - Ohio Laws and Rules |publisher=[[Ohio Revised Code]]}}</ref> and the Willow Freeway in [[Greater Cleveland]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Willow Freeway |encyclopedia=[[The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History]] |publisher=[[Case Western Reserve University]] |url=http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WF1 |url-status=live |date=June 20, 1997 |language=en-US |isbn=0-253-31303-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612182225/http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WF1 |archive-date=June 12, 2010}}</ref>
The interchange with I-70 at Cambridge is (or at least at one time was) thought to be the largest interchange in the world, covering over 300 acres of land.

Other major interstate highways I-77 connects with in Ohio are I-76, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), and I-90.
The interchange with the Ohio Turnpike was completed in the early 2000s, providing direct access-previously traffic had to exit at [[Ohio State Route 21]] to get to the Turnpike.

Interstate 77 is also known as the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway" in Ohio.


==History==
==History==
{{Empty section|date=August 2023}}
In [[South Carolina]], the southern terminus of Interstate 77 near [[Columbia, South Carolina]] was originally the interchange with [[South Carolina Highway 12|SC 12]] (Percival Road) with mile markers signed accordingly. In 1986, an interstate spur to be named [[Interstate 326 (South Carolina)|Interstate 326]] between [[South Carolina Highway 760|SC 760]] ([[Fort Jackson]] Boulevard) and [[Interstate 26]] was planned. The decision to extend Interstate 77 from SC 12 and SC 760 (five miles between the two roads) was made before I-326 was opened, so the southern portion was never signed as such and the mile markers for Interstate 77 were adjusted accordingly when the extension was opened in 1995. (Prior to this, southbound traffic on I-77 was detoured, by "Temporary I-77" signage, via I-20 and I-26 to bypass Columbia.) Because of this, SC 12 and Interstate 77 run parallel for a stretch of three miles from Exit 15 until Exit 12. This added a northbound exit only at the 13-mile point at Decker Boulevard.


==Junction list==
The part of [[Interstate 94 (Michigan)|Interstate 94]] from [[Detroit, MI|Detroit]] northeast to [[Port Huron, Michigan]] was originally planned as I-77 in 1957; the current I-77 was I-79.<ref>[[:Image:Interstate Highway plan August 14, 1957.jpg|Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways]], [[August 14]], [[1957]]</ref> When the current [[Interstate 79]] was added in [[Pennsylvania]], the I-77 designation was moved to its current route, but the I-77 in Michigan also remained in the 1958 numbering plan.<ref>[[:Image:Interstate Highway plan June 27, 1958.jpg|Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways]], [[June 27]], [[1958]]</ref> It soon became part of I-94.
;South Carolina

: {{jct|country=USA|I|26}} in [[Cayce, South Carolina|Cayce]]
== Major intersections ==
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21|US|176|US|321}} in Cayce
[[Image:IMG 29931.JPG|right|thumb|300px|The southern terminus of I-77 at I-26]]
*[[Interstate 26]] near [[Columbia, South Carolina]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|76|US|378}} in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|20}} on the [[Woodfield, South Carolina|Woodfield]]–[[Dentsville, South Carolina|Dentsville]] CDP line
*[[Interstate 20]] near [[Columbia, South Carolina]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} in Dentsville
*[[Interstate 485]] in Charlotte, which is the city's outerbelt
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} south of [[Blythewood, South Carolina|Blythewood]]
*[[Interstate 277 (North Carolina)|Interstate 277]] in Charlotte, which is the outerbelt of the city's downtown area
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} on the [[Lesslie, South Carolina|Lesslie]]–[[Rock Hill, South Carolina|Rock Hill]] line
*[[Interstate 85]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} in Rock Hill
*[[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|Interstate 40]] in [[Statesville, North Carolina]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} north of [[Fort Mill, South Carolina|Fort Mill]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].
*[[Interstate 74]] for 4 miles (6.4 km) near [[Mount Airy, North Carolina]]
;North Carolina
*[[Interstate 81]] for 9 miles (14.5 km) around [[Wytheville, Virginia]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|485}} in Charlotte
*[[Interstate 64]] in [[Beckley, West Virginia]]. They stay joined until [[Charleston, West Virginia]].
: {{jct|country=USA|I|277|dab1=North Carolina|US|74}} in Charlotte
*[[Interstate 79]] in [[Charleston, West Virginia]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|29}} in Charlotte
*[[Interstate 70]] in [[Cambridge, Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|277|dab1=North Carolina}} in Charlotte
*[[Interstate 277 (Ohio)|Interstate 277]] in [[Akron, Ohio]] (a connector route to [[Interstate 76 (east)|Interstate 76]] on the south side of Akron)
: {{jct|country=USA|I|85}} in Charlotte
*[[Interstate 76 (east)|Interstate 76]] in [[Akron, Ohio]] (I-76 runs concurrently with I-77 for a few miles in downtown Akron)
: {{jct|country=USA|I|485}} in [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]]
*[[Interstate 271]] in [[Richfield, Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} in [[Cornelius, North Carolina|Cornelius]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]].
*[[Interstate 80]] in [[Richfield, Ohio|Richfield]]/[[Brecksville, Ohio|Brecksville]], [[Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} southeast of [[Troutman, North Carolina|Troutman]]
*[[Interstate 480 (Ohio)|Interstate 480]] in [[Independence, Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|70}} in [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville]]
*[[Interstate 490 (Ohio)|Interstate 490]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|40}} in Statesville
*[[Interstate 90]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} north of Statesville
: {{jct|country=USA|US|421}} west-northwest of [[Hamptonville, North Carolina|Hamptonville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|21}} south-southeast of [[Jonesville, North Carolina|Jonesville]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]].
: {{jct|country=USA|I|74}} west-southwest of [[Pine Ridge, Surry County, North Carolina|Pine Ridge]]. The highways travel concurrently to the [[Virginia]] state line north-northwest of Pine Ridge.
;Virginia
: {{jct|country=USA|US|58|US|221}} in [[Woodlawn, Carroll County, Virginia|Woodlawn]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|81|US|11}} in [[Fort Chiswell, Virginia|Fort Chiswell]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in Fort Chiswell. The highways travel concurrently to Wytheville.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} west of [[Bland, Virginia|Bland]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in [[Rocky Gap, Virginia|Rocky Gap]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} north-northwest of Rocky Gap. The highways travel concurrently to [[Bluefield, West Virginia]].
;West Virginia
: {{jct|country=USA|US|460}} east-southeast of [[Princeton, West Virginia|Princeton]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|19}} south-southeast of [[Camp Creek, West Virginia|Camp Creek]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|64}} southeast of [[Crab Orchard, West Virginia|Crab Orchard]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|60}} southeast of [[Snow Hill, Kanawha County, West Virginia|Snow Hill]]. The highways travel concurrently to Charleston.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|79}} northeast of Charleston
: {{jct|country=USA|US|33}} in [[Ripley, West Virginia|Ripley]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Silverton, West Virginia|Silverton]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|50}} east of [[Parkersburg, West Virginia|Parkersburg]]
;Ohio
: {{jct|country=USA|state=OH|SR|7}} in [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|70}} south-southeast of [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|40}} east of Cambridge
: {{jct|country=USA|US|22}} northeast of Cambridge
: {{jct|country=USA|US|36}} in [[Newcomerstown, Ohio|Newcomerstown]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|250}} in [[New Philadelphia, Ohio|New Philadelphia]]. The highways travel concurrently to south-southeast of [[Strasburg, Ohio|Strasburg]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|30|US|62}} in [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]]. I-77/US&nbsp;62 travels concurrently through Canton.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|277|dab1=Ohio|US|224}} south of [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]]
: {{jct|state=OH|I|76|SR|8}} in Akron. I-76 and I-77 travel concurrently through Akron.
: {{Jct|state=OH|SR|21}} West of Akron
: {{jct|country=USA|I|271}} in [[Richfield, Ohio|Richfield]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|80}} on the Richfield–[[Brecksville, Ohio|Brecksville]] line
: {{jct|country=USA|I|480|dab1=Ohio}} on the [[Independence, Ohio|Independence]]–[[Brooklyn Heights, Ohio|Brooklyn Heights]] line
: {{jct|country=USA|I|490|dab1=Ohio}} in [[Cleveland]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|422}} in Cleveland
: {{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in Cleveland
<ref name="randmcnally">{{cite book |author=Rand McNally |title=The Road Atlas |publisher=[[Rand McNally]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-528-00771-2 |edition=Walmart |location=Chicago |pages=74, 79, 81, 92, 106, 112}}</ref>


==Auxiliary routes==
==Auxiliary routes==
*[[Interstate 277 (North Carolina)|I-277]] - [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
* [[Interstate 277 (North Carolina)|I-277]] – [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
*[[Interstate 277 (Ohio)|I-277]] - [[Akron, Ohio]]
* [[Interstate 277 (Ohio)|I-277]] – [[Akron, Ohio]]
{{3di|77}}
{{I-77 aux}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{interstates}}
{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}
{{Commons category|Interstate 77}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|921197}}

{{Interstates}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Interstate 77| ]]
[[Category:Interstate 77| ]]
[[Category:Charlotte, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Charleston, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|77]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|77]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in North Carolina|77]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in Ohio|77]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in South Carolina|77]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in West Virginia|77]]
[[Category:Wood County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]
[[Category:Jackson County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]
[[Category:Kanawha County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]
[[Category:Fayette County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]
[[Category:Raleigh County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]
[[Category:Mercer County, West Virginia|Interstate Highway 77]]

Latest revision as of 13:08, 23 November 2024

Interstate 77 marker
Interstate 77
Map
I-77 highlighted in red
Route information
Length610.10 mi[1] (981.86 km)
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-26 in Cayce, SC
Major intersections
North end I-90 in Cleveland, OH
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesSouth Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio
Highway system

Interstate 77 (I-77) is a north–south Interstate Highway in the Eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S. Route 21 (US 21) between Cleveland, Ohio, and Columbia, South Carolina, as an important north–south corridor through the middle Appalachian Mountains. The southern terminus of I-77 is in Cayce, South Carolina, in Lexington County at the junction with I-26.[2] The northern terminus is in Cleveland at the junction with I-90. Other major cities that I-77 connects to include Columbia, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Charleston, West Virginia; and Akron, Ohio. The East River Mountain Tunnel, connecting Virginia and West Virginia, is one of only two instances in the U.S. where a mountain road tunnel crosses a state line. The other is the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, connecting Tennessee and Kentucky.[3] I-77 is a snowbird route to the Southern U.S. for those traveling from the Great Lakes region.[4]

Route description

[edit]
Lengths
  mi[1] km
SC 91.05 146.53
NC 105.50 169.79
VA 69.40 111.69
WV 187.21 301.29
OH 160.13 257.70
Total 610.10 981.86

South Carolina

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 77 in South Carolina
I-77 southbound ends at I-26

I-77 begins as an eight-lane highway at I-26 in the far southwestern part of the Columbia metropolitan area. In the Columbia area, I-77 offers access to Fort Jackson before meeting I-20 in the northeastern part of the city. This segment of I-77, combined with I-20 and I-26, form a beltway around Columbia, though it is not officially designated as such.

After leaving the northern Columbia suburb of Blythewood, I-77 narrows to four lanes until it widens to eight lanes at Rock Hill from exit 77 to the North Carolina state line at I-485.

The final section of the entire length of I-77 was completed in Columbia in 1995.

North Carolina

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 77 in North Carolina
Woodlawn Road and Billy Graham Parkway overhead sign in Charlotte, North Carolina

I-77 through North Carolina begins at the South Carolina state line at Pineville. It narrows to six lanes on the North Carolina side south of Charlotte and then widens to 8 and 10 lanes through downtown before entering the North Carolina Piedmont region. In Charlotte, it intersects I-85 as well as intersecting each of the loops of I-485 and I-277 (twice). North of Charlotte, it skirts Lake Norman where it narrows again to four lanes before passing through Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and Mooresville. At Statesville, 40 miles (64 km) north of I-85, it intersects I-40 and US 70. Next, it crosses over US 421 in Yadkin County and continues on through Elkin. The final intersection in the state is with a discontinuous section of I-74 near Mount Airy.

I-77 in Charlotte is also known as the Bill Lee Freeway; this designation stretches from exit 6 (South Tryon Street/Woodlawn Road) in Charlotte to exit 33 (US 21 north), near Mooresville. A six-mile (9.7 km) portion south of the city is called the General Younts Expressway. When I-77 crosses over I-85 (which runs in an east–west direction through the interchange), the northbound lanes are to the west of the southbound lanes.

North Carolina completed its section of I-77 in 1975.

Virginia

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 77 in Virginia
I-77 entering North Carolina from Virginia

I-77 through Virginia passes through two tunnels: the Big Walker and East River mountain tunnels. For eight miles (13 km), I-77 and I-81 overlap near Wytheville. This is a wrong-way concurrency, where two roads run concurrent with each other but are designated in opposite directions. For its entire length in Virginia, I-77 is either parallel to or concurrent with US 52. It will have a concurrency with I-74 throughout the state.

On March 31, 2013, there was a nearly 100-car pileup on I-77 near Fancy Gap; as a result of that crash, electronic variable speed limit signs are now in place along that stretch of I-77. The speed limit can be adjusted according to driving conditions at any given time.

West Virginia

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 77 in West Virginia
Northbound at the East River Mountain Tunnel, at the border of Virginia and West Virginia

I-77 enters West Virginia through the East River Mountain Tunnel. At milepost 9, I-77 becomes cosigned with the West Virginia Turnpike for the next 88 miles (142 km), a toll road between Princeton and Charleston. It is concurrent with I-64 to Charleston at Beckley. The speed limit is 70 mph (110 km/h) for most of the length, with a 60-mile-per-hour (97 km/h) limit for the section between Marmet and the toll plaza near Pax.

It enters Charleston via the Yeager Bridge before splitting off at a four-level junction with I-64. Two miles (3.2 km) north of the city center, it junctions with I-79, before proceeding north to Ripley and Parkersburg.

North of Charleston, I-77 is known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

Ohio

[edit]
Main article: Interstate 77 in Ohio
I-90 near the I-71 to I-77 interchange in Cleveland, Ohio

Entering from West Virginia at Marietta, I-77 passes through rolling Appalachian terrain.

The interchange with I-70 at Cambridge is (or at least at one time was) thought to be the largest interchange in the world, covering over 300 acres (120 ha).

I-77 continues north through Canton and then Akron, where it connects with I-76. The interchange with I-80, the Ohio Turnpike, between Akron and Cleveland was completed in December 2001;[5][6] previously, traffic had to exit at State Route 21 (SR 21) to access the turnpike. I-77 ends at I-90 in Cleveland.

I-77 is also known as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway in Ohio[7] and the Willow Freeway in Greater Cleveland.[8]

History

[edit]

Junction list

[edit]
South Carolina
I-26 in Cayce
US 21 / US 176 / US 321 in Cayce
US 76 / US 378 in Columbia
I-20 on the Woodfield–Dentsville CDP line
US 1 in Dentsville
US 21 south of Blythewood
US 21 on the Lesslie–Rock Hill line
US 21 in Rock Hill
US 21 north of Fort Mill. The highways travel concurrently to Charlotte, North Carolina.
North Carolina
I-485 in Charlotte
I-277 / US 74 in Charlotte
US 29 in Charlotte
I-277 in Charlotte
I-85 in Charlotte
I-485 in Huntersville
US 21 in Cornelius. The highways travel concurrently to Mooresville.
US 21 southeast of Troutman
US 70 in Statesville
I-40 in Statesville
US 21 north of Statesville
US 421 west-northwest of Hamptonville
US 21 south-southeast of Jonesville. The highways travel concurrently to Elkin.
I-74 west-southwest of Pine Ridge. The highways travel concurrently to the Virginia state line north-northwest of Pine Ridge.
Virginia
US 58 / US 221 in Woodlawn
I-81 / US 11 in Fort Chiswell. The highways travel concurrently to Wytheville.
US 52 in Fort Chiswell. The highways travel concurrently to Wytheville.
US 52 west of Bland
US 52 in Rocky Gap
US 52 north-northwest of Rocky Gap. The highways travel concurrently to Bluefield, West Virginia.
West Virginia
US 460 east-southeast of Princeton
US 19 south-southeast of Camp Creek
I-64 southeast of Crab Orchard. The highways travel concurrently to Charleston.
US 60 southeast of Snow Hill. The highways travel concurrently to Charleston.
I-79 northeast of Charleston
US 33 in Ripley. The highways travel concurrently to Silverton.
US 50 east of Parkersburg
Ohio
SR 7 in Marietta
I-70 south-southeast of Cambridge
US 40 east of Cambridge
US 22 northeast of Cambridge
US 36 in Newcomerstown
US 250 in New Philadelphia. The highways travel concurrently to south-southeast of Strasburg.
US 30 / US 62 in Canton. I-77/US 62 travels concurrently through Canton.
I-277 / US 224 south of Akron
I-76 / SR 8 in Akron. I-76 and I-77 travel concurrently through Akron.
SR 21 West of Akron
I-271 in Richfield
I-80 on the Richfield–Brecksville line
I-480 on the Independence–Brooklyn Heights line
I-490 in Cleveland
US 422 in Cleveland
I-90 in Cleveland

[9]

Auxiliary routes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. ^ Cayce, SC (PDF) (Map). City of Cayce. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  3. ^ AppalachianMagazine (December 18, 2015). "Virginia & West Virginia's Shared Tunnel". Appalachian Magazine. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Wighton, Doug (December 29, 2014). "Road trip: the alternate route to Florida". Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. OCLC 137342540. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  5. ^ Exner, Rich (December 2, 2001). "Turnpike ramps to I-77 open tomorrow". The Plain Dealer. ISSN 2641-4058. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  6. ^ "Ohio Turnpike, I-77 Interchange Opens To Traffic". WEWS-TV. December 3, 2001. Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  7. ^ "5533.37 Vietnam Veterans' of America highway". LAWriter - Ohio Laws and Rules. Ohio Revised Code. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
  8. ^ "Willow Freeway". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. June 20, 1997. ISBN 0-253-31303-1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010.
  9. ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 74, 79, 81, 92, 106, 112. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.
[edit]
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