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It's true that odd-numbered highways generally run north/south, while even-numbered ones run east/west, but the significance of the number largely depends on whether the road is a part of the Federal Highway System or the Interstate Highway System. The Federal Highway System, made up of "US Highway" routes, was adopted in 1924. Generally, the roads follow these rules: - US highways are numbered sequentially from east to west and from north to south.
- Principal routes end in "O" for east/west routes and "1" for north/south routes.
- Highways with three digits are branch highways or spur routes.
The interstate numbering system was introduced in 1956, when President Eisenhower signed a bill creating the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. With a few exceptions, interstates follow these numbering conventions: - Interstates are numbered sequentially from west to east and from south to north (the opposite of US highways).
- Numbers that ended in "5" are typically major routes that cross the country.
With Eisenhower's Interstate bill, the fate of the Route 66 Diner and the Mom and Pop
store was sealed. According to Charles Kuralt, "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."
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