U.S. 95, which traverses a portion of the Mojave Desert parallel to the Colorado River between Blythe and the Nevada state line, has the distinction of being the only route to enter and exit the Golden State without returning. Every other route, including U.S. 395, that enters California is destined to end in California. Much of U.S. 95 in California traverses desolate parts of the desert, and even the two main destinations of Blythe and Needles are fairly small compared to other Southern California cities.
U.S. 95 begins in San Luis, Arizona, at the Mexican Border, and it continues north to Eastport, Idaho, at the Canadian Border. U.S. 95 was extended in phases to the south, as its original end was at U.S. 40 (Interstate 80) in Winnemucca, Nevada. U.S. 95 is relatively unique in that it was not eliminated in the 1964 California U.S. Highway Purge, and the only freeway segments are the portions of U.S. 95 that overlap with I-10 and I-40.
U.S. 95 California Guides
- North
- Arizona state line near Blythe to Riverside-San Bernardino County Line
- Riverside-San Bernardino County Line to Five Mile Road
- Five Mile Road to Nevada state line
- South
U.S. 95 was initially designated along a short route in Idaho as part of the original U.S. Highway System in 1926. It was extended south from Weiser, Idaho, first to Winnemucca, Nevada, by 1937. Subsequent extensions followed to Blythe by 1939-1940 and replacing Arizona State Route 95 south of Quartzsite to San Luis. Prior to 1939, the route of U.S. 95 in the Golden State was designated as SR 195, perhaps in anticipation of its ultimate numerical designation. SR 195 was later applied to a short alignment connecting SR 86 and SR 111 in the Coachella Valley.
 scenes |
 | Map showing the Colorado River resorts along both U.S. 95 and SR 62 south to El Golfo, Mexico on the south side of the Vidal Junction Cafe building. 03/14/09 |
Photo Credits:
03/14/09 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 10
Interstate 40
Page Updated 08-02-2009.