U.S. Highway 87 (US 87) is a north–south
United States highway
The United States Numbered Highway System (often called U.S. Routes or U.S. Highways) is an integrated network of roads and highways numbered within a nationwide grid in the contiguous United States. As the designation and numbering of these hi ...
(though it is signed east–west in
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...
) that runs for 1,998 miles (3,215 km) from northern
Montana
Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columb ...
to southern
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
, making it the longest north-south road to not have a "1" in its number and the third longest north-south road in the country, behind
U.S. 41 and
U.S. 1. Most of the portion from
Billings, Montana
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 census. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Met ...
to
Raton, New Mexico
Raton ( ) is a city and the county seat of Colfax County in northeastern New Mexico. The city is located just south of Raton Pass. The city is also located about 6.5 miles south of the New Mexico–Colorado border and 85 miles west of Texas.
His ...
is co-signed along
Interstates 90 and
25. It is also co-signed along the majority of
Interstate 27
Interstate 27 (I-27) is an Interstate Highway, entirely in the US state of Texas, running north from Lubbock to I-40 in Amarillo. These two cities are the only control cities on I-27; other cities and towns served by I-27 include (from sou ...
in Texas. As of 2004, the highway's northern terminus is in
Havre, Montana
Havre ( ) is the county seat and largest city in Hill County, Montana, United States. Havre is nicknamed the crown jewel of the Hi-Line. It is said to be named after the city of Le Havre in France. As of the 2020 census the population was 9,362 ...
, at
U.S. Highway 2
U.S. Route 2 or U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada. Unlike some routes, whi ...
. Its southern terminus is in
Port Lavaca, Texas
Port Lavaca () is a city in Calhoun County, Texas, Calhoun County, located in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 12,248 at the 2010 census and 11,557 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County and part of the Victoria, Te ...
.
Route description
Texas
In Texas, US 87 is a north–south highway that begins near the
Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast of the United States, also known as the Gulf South, is the coast, coastline along the Southern United States where they meet the Gulf of Mexico. The list of U.S. states and territories by coastline, coastal states that have a shor ...
in
Port Lavaca, Texas
Port Lavaca () is a city in Calhoun County, Texas, Calhoun County, located in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 12,248 at the 2010 census and 11,557 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County and part of the Victoria, Te ...
and heads north through
San Antonio
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
,
Lubbock
Lubbock ( )
is the 10th-most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of government of Lubbock County. With a population of 260,993 in 2021, the city is also the 85th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the northw ...
,
Amarillo
Amarillo ( ; Spanish for " yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall Cou ...
, and
Dalhart to the
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...
border near
Texline.
New Mexico
US 87 continues in a northwesterly direction in
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...
, and is signed by
NMDOT
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT; es, Departamento de Transporte de Nuevo México) is a state government organization which oversees transportation in State of New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexic ...
primarily as an east–west route. It merges with
US 64
U.S. Route 64 (US 64) is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,326 miles (3,743 km) from Nags Head in eastern North Carolina to just southwest of the Four Corners in northeast Arizona. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 1 ...
(and thus the
Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight ...
) in
Clayton, shortly after entering New Mexico. It continues to the northwest until
Des Moines, when it takes a more westerly approach to
Raton. In Raton, it separates from US 64 and merges with
Interstate 25 and
US-85, with which it remains concurrent through
Raton Pass
Ratón Pass is a 7,834 ft (2,388 m) elevation mountain pass on the Colorado–New Mexico border in the western United States. It is located on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Trinidad, Colorado and Raton, New ...
and into Colorado, though it is unsigned on much of the concurrency.
Colorado
US 87 remains concurrent with
Interstate 25 throughout the state of
Colorado
Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...
, which is a rare occurrence for a US highway to have a concurrency with an Interstate in its entirety within state boundaries.
Wyoming
US 87 remains concurrent with Interstate 25 northward until exit 160 east of Glenrock where it joins
US Route 20
U.S. Route 20 or U.S. Highway 20 (US 20) is an east–west United States Numbered Highway that stretches from the Pacific Northwest east to New England. The "0" in its route number indicates that US 20 is a major coast-to-coast route. ...
/
US Route 26
U.S. Route 26 (US 26) is an east–west United States highway that runs from Seaside, Oregon to Ogallala, Nebraska. When the U.S. highway system was first defined, it was limited to Nebraska and Wyoming; by the 1950s, it continued into Idaho and ...
from Glenrock to Casper. In Casper it splits from US-20/26 and rejoins I-25 at exit 186. It then remains concurrent with Interstate 25 northward until its terminus with
Interstate 90. It then follows I-90 west to exit 44 where it runs up to Sheridan. A portion of US-87 has been washed out for several years along this stretch and "temporary" detour signs are posted directing US-87 traffic along
Wyoming Highway 193 through Story. In Sheridan US-87 rejoins Interstate 90 into Montana.
Montana
US 87 remains concurrent with Interstate 90 westward until Billings, where it breaks off and heads north. Between
Crow Agency
Crow Agency ( cro, awaasúuchia) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Big Horn County, Montana, United States and is near the actual location for the Little Bighorn National Monument and re-enactment produced by the Real Bird family known as Ba ...
and Billings, US 87 and I-90 are merged with
US 212
U.S. Route 212 (US 212) is a spur of US 12. It runs for from Yellowstone National Park to Minnesota Highway 62 at Edina, Minnesota. It does not intersect US 12 now, but it once had an eastern terminus at US 12 in St. Paul, Minnesot ...
. It intersects with (and briefly merges with)
US 12
U.S. Route 12 (US 12) is an east–west United States highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan, for almost . The highway has mostly been superseded by Interstate 90 (I-90) and I-94, but unlike most U.S. routes that ...
in
Roundup and continues north with a slight bend to the northwest until, at
Grass Range it takes a sharp turn to the west at an intersection with
Montana State Highway 200. US 87 remains concurrent with Montana State Highway 200 until Great Falls. In
Lewistown, it merges with
US 191
U.S. Route 191 (US 191) is a spur of U.S. Route 91 that has two branches. The southern branch runs for from Douglas, Arizona on the Mexican border to the southern part of Yellowstone National Park. The northern branch runs for from the nort ...
and remains heading generally west. Some ten miles (16 km) out of Lewistown, it breaks with US 191 and merges with
Montana State Highway 3, heading generally northwest and merging briefly with
US 89
U.S. Route 89 (US 89) is a north–south United States Numbered Highway with two sections, and one former section. The southern section runs for from Flagstaff, Arizona, to the southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The northern section ...
before breaking with all three in
Great Falls. US 87 heads northeast then east to
Fort Benton and then generally northeast to its terminus with
US 2
U.S. Route 2 or U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada. Unlike some routes, whi ...
about two miles (3 km) west of
Havre.
History
US 87 originally ran northwest out of
Great Falls, Montana towards the eastern border of
Glacier National Park. US 87 ran to the Canadian Border at the
Piegan Border Crossing. This was changed in 1934, when
US Route 89 was diverted to US 87's routing to Glacier Park. US 87 ended in Great Falls until circa 1945 when it was extended to its current northern terminus in
Havre, Montana
Havre ( ) is the county seat and largest city in Hill County, Montana, United States. Havre is nicknamed the crown jewel of the Hi-Line. It is said to be named after the city of Le Havre in France. As of the 2020 census the population was 9,362 ...
.
U.S. Route 185 was formed in 1926, and extended from US 85 in
Cheyenne
The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...
north to
Orin
ORiN (Open Robot/Resource interface for the Network) is a standard network interface for FA (factory automation) systems. The Japan Robot Association proposed ORiN in 2002, and the ORiN Forum develops and maintains the ORiN standard.
Background ...
. It became part of a southern extension and realignment of US 87 in 1936.
Major intersections
;Texas
: in
Port Lavaca
: in
Victoria
Victoria most commonly refers to:
* Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia
* Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada
* Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory
* Victoria, Seychelle ...
: in Victoria
: in
Cuero. The highways travel concurrently to southwest of Cuero.
: in
San Antonio
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
: in San Antonio. I-10/US 87 travels concurrently to
Comfort
Comfort (or being comfortable'')'' is a sense of physical or psychological ease, often characterized as a lack of hardship. Persons who are lacking in comfort are uncomfortable, or experiencing discomfort. A degree of psychological comfort c ...
. US 87/US 90 travels concurrently through San Antonio.
: in San Antonio
: in San Antonio. I-35/US 87 travels concurrently through San Antonio.
: on the
Balcones Heights–San Antonio city line
: in
Fredericksburg. The highways travel concurrently through Fredericksburg.
: northwest of
Mason. The highways travel concurrently to
Brady
Brady may refer to:
People
* Brady (surname)
* Brady (given name)
* Brady (nickname)
* Brady Boone, a ring name of American professional wrestler Dean Peters (1958–1998)
Places in the United States
* Brady, Montana, a census-designated plac ...
.
: in Brady. The highways travel concurrently to Brady.
: northwest of Brady
: in
Eden
: in
San Angelo
San Angelo ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Tom Green County, Texas, United States. Its location is in the Concho Valley, a region of West Texas between the Permian Basin to the northwest, Chihuahuan Desert to the southwest, Osage Pl ...
. The highways travel concurrently through San Angelo.
: in San Angelo
: in
Big Spring
: south of
Los Ybanez. The highways travel concurrently to
Lamesa.
: in
Tahoka
: in
Lubbock
Lubbock ( )
is the 10th-most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of government of Lubbock County. With a population of 260,993 in 2021, the city is also the 85th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the northw ...
. The highways travel concurrently to south of
Kress.
: in Lubbock
: in Lubbock
: in Lubbock
: in
Plainview
: north-northwest of
Tulia. The highways travel concurrently to south-southeast of
Happy.
: in
Canyon. The highways travel concurrently to
Amarillo
Amarillo ( ; Spanish for " yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall Cou ...
.
: north of Canyon. The highways travel concurrently to Amarillo.
: in Amarillo. US 87/US 287 travels concurrently through Amarillo.
: in Amarillo
: in Amarillo. The highways travel concurrently to
Dumas.
: in
Hartley. The highways travel concurrently to
Dalhart.
: in Dalhart
;New Mexico
: in
Clayton. US 64/US 87 travels concurrently to
Raton.
: in Raton. I-25/US 87 travels concurrently to southeast of
Glenrock, Wyoming
Glenrock is a town in Converse County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 2,576 at the 2010 census.
History
Glenrock, known as Deer Creek Station, had its beginning as a mail and stage station along the Oregon Trail. The station served ...
. US 85/US 87 travels concurrently to
Fountain, Colorado
The City of Fountain is a home rule municipality located in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 29,802 at the 2020 United States Census, a +15.31% increase since the 2010 United States Census. Fountain is a part of ...
.
;Colorado
: in
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmos ...
. The highways travel concurrently to
Walsenburg
The City of Walsenburg is the Statutory City that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Huerfano County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 3,049 at the 2020 census, down from 3,068 in 2010.
History
Walsenbur ...
.
: in
Pueblo
In the Southwestern United States, Pueblo (capitalized) refers to the Native tribes of Puebloans having fixed-location communities with permanent buildings which also are called pueblos (lowercased). The Spanish explorers of northern New Spain ...
. The highways travel concurrently through Pueblo.
: in
Fountain
A fountain, from the Latin "fons" (genitive "fontis"), meaning source or spring, is a decorative reservoir used for discharging water. It is also a structure that jets water into the air for a decorative or dramatic effect.
Fountains were ori ...
.
: in
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is a home rule municipality in, and the county seat of, El Paso County, Colorado, United States. It is the largest city in El Paso County, with a population of 478,961 at the 2020 United States Census, a 15.02% increase since ...
. The highways travel concurrently through Colorado Springs.
: in Colorado Springs. The highways travel concurrently to
Castle Rock.
: in
Denver
Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...
: in Denver
: in Denver. The highways travel concurrently through Denver.
: in Denver. The highways travel concurrently through Denver.
: in Denver
: in Denver
: southeast of
Twin Lakes
: on the Twin Lakes–
Sherrelwood–
Welby line
: in
Loveland
;Wyoming
: south-southwest of
Cheyenne
The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...
: southwest of Cheyenne
: in Cheyenne. The highways travel concurrently to
Ranchettes.
: west-southwest of
Dwyer Junction. The highways travel concurrently to the
Casper
Casper may refer to:
People
* Casper (given name)
* Casper (surname)
* Casper (Maya ruler) (422–487?), ruler of the Mayan city of Palenque
* Tok Casper, first known king of Maya city-state Quiriguá in Guatemala, ruling beginning in 426
* David ...
–
Hartrandt city line.
: in
Orin
ORiN (Open Robot/Resource interface for the Network) is a standard network interface for FA (factory automation) systems. The Japan Robot Association proposed ORiN in 2002, and the ORiN Forum develops and maintains the ORiN standard.
Background ...
. US 20/US 87 travels concurrently to the Casper–Hartrandt city line.
: in Casper. The highways travel concurrently to north-northeast of
Buffalo.
: in Buffalo
: north-northeast of Buffalo. I-90/US 87 travels concurrently to
Lockwood.
: in
Sheridan. The highways travel concurrently to northeast of
Ranchester.
;Montana
: in
Crow Agency
Crow Agency ( cro, awaasúuchia) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Big Horn County, Montana, United States and is near the actual location for the Little Bighorn National Monument and re-enactment produced by the Real Bird family known as Ba ...
. The highways travel concurrently to Lockwood.
: in Lockwood
: north of
Klein. The highways travel concurrently to
Roundup.
: in
Lewistown. The highways travel concurrently to west-northwest of
Moore.
: south-southeast of
Armington. The highways travel concurrently to
Great Falls.
: northeast of
Herron
See also
Related routes
*
U.S. Highway 187 (decommissioned)
*
U.S. Highway 287
Bannered and suffixed routes
*
U.S. Route 87 Business in
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne ( or ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming, as well as the county seat of Laramie County, Wyoming, Laramie County, with 65,132 residents, per the 2020 US Census. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne ...
*
U.S. Route 87 Business in
Wheatland, Wyoming
Wheatland is a town in and the county seat of Platte County in southeastern Wyoming, United States. The population was 3,627 at the 2010 census.
History
Before the late 19th century, the area around the future site of Wheatland was a flat, ar ...
*
U.S. Route 87 Business in
Casper, Wyoming
*
U.S. Route 87 Business in
Buffalo, Wyoming
Buffalo is a city in Johnson County, Wyoming, United States. The city is located almost equidistant between Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore. The population was 4,415 at the 2020 census, down from 4,585 at the 2010 census. It is the county ...
*
U.S. Route 87 Bypass in
Great Falls, Montana
References
External links
Endpoints of U.S. Highway 87
{{s-end
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