U.S. Route 23 is a long north-south U.S. highway between
Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
, and
Mackinaw City, MichiganMackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...
. It is an original 1926 route which originally reached only as far south as
Portsmouth, OhioPortsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,909 at the 2000 census.-Foundation:...
, and has since been extended.
Route description
|-
|FL
|37.67
|60.66
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|GA
|391.69
|630.74
|-
|NC
|109.22
|175.88
|-
|TN
|78.14
|125.83
|-
|
VAU.S. Route 23 in Virginia runs north-south through the western part of the state. As part of Corridor B of the Appalachian Development Highway System, which follows US 23 from Asheville, North Carolina to Portsmouth, Ohio, it is a completely four-lane divided highway with interchanges at some major...
|60.91
|98.08
|-
|
KYU.S. Route 23 runs north-south through the eastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky, forming the northern part of Corridor B of the Appalachian Development Highway System. It is also known as the "Country Music Highway" and was designated as a National Scenic Byway on June 13,...
|157.76
|253.89
|-
|OH
|234.86
|378.20
|-
|
MIU.S. Highway 23 is a United States Numbered Highway that runs from Jacksonville, Florida to Mackinaw City, Michigan In the US state of Michigan, it is a major north-south highway...
|364.92
|587.63
|-
|
|1435.17
|2309.68
|}
Florida
US 23 is signed along the following unsigned state roads:
- SR 139
State Road 139 is an unsigned state highway in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Most of it is signed as U.S. Highway 23.-Exit list:-References:
...
from downtown JacksonvilleJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
to the Martin Luther King Jr. ParkwayThe Martn Luther King Jr. Parkway is a limited access road running along the eastern and northern edges of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Despite its name, it is not a parkway in the conventional sense, as it has no limits on truck use and is not located near parks or other beautified areas.Upon...
in JacksonvilleJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
- SR 15
State Road 15 is part of the Florida State Road System. It runs from SR 80/SR 880 at Belle Glade north along the east shore of Lake Okeechobee to Okeechobee. Then it runs north to SR 500 at Holopaw, and northwest along SR 500 to Ashton State Road 15 (commonly SR 15) is part of the Florida State...
from the Martin Luther King Jr. ParkwayThe Martn Luther King Jr. Parkway is a limited access road running along the eastern and northern edges of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Despite its name, it is not a parkway in the conventional sense, as it has no limits on truck use and is not located near parks or other beautified areas.Upon...
in JacksonvilleJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
to GeorgiaGeorgia is a state in the United States. One of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution, it had been the last of the Thirteen Colonies to be established, in 1733. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January...
Except in downtown
JacksonvilleJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
, US 23 is concurrent with U.S. Route 1 south of
Alma, GeorgiaAlma is a city in Bacon County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,236 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Bacon County...
. US 23 is also concurrent with U.S. Route 301 between
Homeland, GeorgiaHomeland is a city in Charlton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Homeland is located at ....
and
CallahanCallahan is a town in Nassau County, Florida, United States. The population was 962 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Callahan is located at ....
.
Georgia
Enter from Florida concurrent with US 1 and US 301 at
- Homeland
Homeland is a city in Charlton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Homeland is located at ....
, leave 301 and continue northwest with US1
Waycross, GA Intersect US 82, US 84
Split from US 1 7 miles north of
AlmaAlma is a city in Bacon County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,236 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Bacon County...
- Hazlehurst
Hazlehurst is a city in and the county seat of Jeff Davis County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,787 at the 2000 census.-Demographics:...
intersect US 221U.S. Route 221 is a spur of U.S. Route 21. It runs for 734 miles from Lynchburg, Virginia at U.S. Route 29 to Perry, Florida at US Routes 19/98/ALT 27. Its passes through the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida...
and begin US 341 (Designated Golden Isles Parkway) concurrency
- McRae
McRae is a town in Telfair County, Georgia, United States. Based on the 2000 census, the town has a total population of 2,682. Between 1990 and 2000, the town experienced a population decrease of 10.8%, compared to the state growth during this period of 26.4%. The town is the county seat of...
intersect with US 280U.S. Route 280 is a spur of U.S. Highway 80. It currently runs for 392 miles from Blichton, Georgia at U.S. Highway 80 to Birmingham, Alabama at I-20/I-59. For much of its route, U.S. 280 travels through rural areas and smaller cities in southern Georgia and east central Alabama. Once the...
, US 319U.S. Highway 319 is a spur of U.S. Route 19. It runs for 318 miles from US 1 /State Route 4 in Wadley, Georgia to the John Gorrie Bridge at Apalachicola, Florida. The sections of US 319 in Medart, Florida and from just east of Carrabelle, Florida to its terminus in Apalachicola are jointly...
and US 441U.S. Route 441 is a spur route of U.S. Route 41. It currently runs for 939 miles from U.S. Route 41 in Miami, Florida to U.S. Route 25W in Lake City, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee...
- Eastman
Eastman is a city in Dodge County, Georgia, United States. The population was 5,440 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Dodge County...
leaves US 341 concurrency Designated "Golden Isles Highway' to junction with I-16 near Macon.
- Cochran
Cochran is a city in Bleckley County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,455 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Bleckley County.- History :...
begin US 129-ALT concurrency
- Macon
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, USA. It is among the largest metropolitan areas in Georgia, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. It lies near the geographic center of Georgia, approximately 85 miles south of Atlanta, hence the...
intersect: US 41U.S. Route 41 is a north-south United States Highway that runs from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Miami, Florida. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
, US 80U.S. Route 80 is an east-west United States highway, sometimes known as the Dixie Overland Highway. As the "0" in the route number indicates, it was originally a cross-country route, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. However, the entire segment west of Dallas, Texas, has been decommissioned in...
and leaves US 129-ALT
- Enter metro Atlanta as Moreland Ave, turn right on Ponce de Leon Ave (concurrency with US 29
U.S. Route 29 is a north-south United States highway that runs for 1,036 miles from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. The highway's northern terminus is at Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City, Maryland. Its southern terminus is at U.S. Route 90 and U.S. Route 98 in...
, US 78U.S. Highway 78 is an east-west United States highway that runs for 715 miles from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, South Carolina. Between Memphis and Birmingham, Alabama, it is being upgraded to become Interstate 22....
and US 278U.S. Route 278 is a parallel route of U.S. Route 78. It currently runs for 1,074 miles from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to Wickes, Arkansas at U.S. Highway 71/U.S. Highway 59. It might be notable that it is longer than its parent highway, US Hwy-78. US Hwy-278 passes through the states of...
) then left on Clairemont Ave (transition to Clairmont Road) and turn right and leave metro Atlanta as Buford Highway
- Buford
Buford is a city in Gwinnett and Hall counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 10,668 at the 2000 census.The Gwinnett County portion of Buford is part of the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Hall County portion is part of...
turns right onto GA 20, then left on I-985, GA 365.
- Gainesville
Gainesville is a city in Hall County in Georgia, United States of America. The population was 25,578 at the 2000 census. Census estimates for 2007 show a population of 34,818. The city is the county seat of Hall County. Because of its large number of poultry processing plants, it is often called...
intersect US 129. At I-985 end, continue concurrently with GA 365 north. Signage was missing from Buford Highway north (at turn onto GA-20), but returned at the controlled access end of I-985, continuing north on GA 365.
- Cornelia
Cornelia is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,674 at the 2000 census. It is home to one of the world's largest apple sculptures, which is displayed on top of an obelisk shaped monument...
intersect US 123 and begin US 441 concurrency
- Clayton
Clayton is a city in Rabun County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,019 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Rabun County.-History:...
intersect US 76U.S. Route 76 is an east-west United States highway that runs for 548 miles from southeastern North Carolina to Chattanooga, Tennessee....
- North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties...
state line
Though US 23 roughly parallels
Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north-south Interstate Highway in the midwest and southeastern United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste...
from
MaconMacon is a city located in central Georgia, USA. It is among the largest metropolitan areas in Georgia, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. It lies near the geographic center of Georgia, approximately 85 miles south of Atlanta, hence the...
to
AtlantaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the state of Georgia, as well as the urban core of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States....
, and the two routes come within a few miles in Atlanta, U.S. 23 only intersects with I-75 at the Riverside Drive exit in Macon, Georgia. It crosses back over 75 a few miles south. This is the only place that 23 runs west of 75 until many miles to the north, in
Perrysburg, OhioPerrysburg is a city in Wood County, Ohio, United States, along the Maumee River. The population was 17,042 according to the 2007 census. If combined with the adjacent Perrysburg Township, it would have a total population of 30,747 making it the most populous city in Wood County. It is a suburb of...
(near
ToledoToledo is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio within the Great Lakes Region and the county seat of Lucas County. Named after Toledo, Spain, it is located on the western end of Lake Erie, on the Michigan border. It is the principal city in the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the 2000 census,...
).
Along the city limit and then fully within the city of Atlanta, it is known as Moreland Avenue (concurrent with Georgia 42), running for several miles in a perfectly straight and due north/south line, which is also the
FultonFulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat is Atlanta, the state capital since 1868 and the principal city of the Atlanta metropolitan area. At the 2000 United States Census, the population was 816,006...
/
DeKalbDeKalb County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population of the county was 686,712. In 2008, its population was estimated to have risen to 739,956. Its county seat is the city of Decatur...
county line.
North Carolina
The highway runs concurrent with
U.S. 441U.S. Route 441 is a spur route of U.S. Route 41. It currently runs for 939 miles from U.S. Route 41 in Miami, Florida to U.S. Route 25W in Lake City, Tennessee. Between its termini, US 441 passes through the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee...
between the Georgia state line and Dillsboro, then with
U.S. 74U.S. Route 74 is an east-west United States highway that runs for 524 miles from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It traverses southwestern North Carolina as the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, a divided, partially-restricted highway. From west of Shelby to...
through
WaynesvilleWaynesville is a town in and the county seat of in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest town in Haywood County and the largest in Western North Carolina west of Asheville. Waynesville is located about or 50 km southwest of Asheville between the Great Smoky and Blue...
as the
Great Smoky Mountains ExpresswayThe Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is a four-lane divided highway in southwestern North Carolina, which runs between Interstate 40 near Canton in the east to the Nantahala National Forest near Needmore in the west. It traverses western Haywood, northern Jackson, and eastern Swain counties,...
, followed by
U.S. 19U.S. Route 19 is a north-south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting Lake Erie with the Gulf of Mexico....
through Canton and Enka-Candler. North of
AshevilleAsheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and continues to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Asheville's population as of 2007 was 73,875...
, the highway follows
I-26Interstate 26 is a nominally east-west main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. I-26 runs from the junction of U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee, generally southeastward to U.S. Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina...
to the Tennessee state line.
Tennessee
US 23 runs concurrently with the newly-upgraded I-26 from the North Carolina state line past Johnson City and Kingsport. Just west of Kingsport, I-26 stops but US 23 continues to run north to the Virginia State Line.
Virginia
US 23 extends for through extreme
Southwest VirginiaSouthwest Virginia, often abbreviated as SWVA, is a mountainous region of Virginia in the westernmost part of the commonwealth. Southwest Virginia has been defined alternatively as all Virginia counties on the Appalachian Plateau, all Virginia counties west of the Eastern Continental Divide, or...
with the southern point beginning at
Weber CityWeber City is an incorporated town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol –Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined...
and the northern point ending at
PoundPound is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,089 as recorded in the 2000 census.-Geography:Pound is located at ....
. It runs concurrent with US 58 and US 421 from
Gate CityGate City is a town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,159 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County....
to
DuffieldDuffield is a town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 62 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol –Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
. It crosses the
Clinch RiverThe Clinch River rises in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell, VA and flows southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley, gathering various tributaries including the Powell River before joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee.-Course:...
near
ClinchportClinchport is a town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 77 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol –Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
. From Duffield to
Big Stone GapBig Stone Gap is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,856 at the 2000 census.-History:The community was formerly known as "Three Forks." The Powell River runs through the town...
, it passes through the Jefferson National Forest. The entire route is a four-lane divided highway. The stretch of highway is known as the crooked road and is a symbol of the highway's importance to country music.
US 23 passes through the following cities and counties in Virginia as well: Gate City in
Scott CountyScott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 23,403. Its county seat is Gate City....
,
NortonNorton is an independent city within the confines of Wise County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,904, making it the smallest city in the state by population...
(an
independent cityAn independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity.Independent cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other nation-state.-United States:In the United States, an independent city...
),
WiseWise is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,255 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wise County. It was originally incorporated as the town of Gladeville in 1874. The town's name was changed to Wise in 1924. Wise is named after Virginia governor Henry A...
in
Wise CountyWise County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. In 1856, the county was formed from land taken from Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties. It was named after Henry A. Wise, who was the Governor of Virginia at the time. As of 2006, the population was 41,905, making it the largest...
and
Pound, VirginiaPound is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,089 as recorded in the 2000 census.-Geography:Pound is located at ....
, also located in
Wise County, VirginiaWise County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. In 1856, the county was formed from land taken from Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties. It was named after Henry A. Wise, who was the Governor of Virginia at the time. As of 2006, the population was 41,905, making it the largest...
Kentucky
- US 23 enters Kentucky near Jenkins
Jenkins is a city in Letcher County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2000 census. Jenkins is also the birthplace of country music star Gary Stewart and U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers.-Geography:...
in Letcher CountyLetcher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 25,277. Its county seat is Whitesburg. The county is named for Robert P...
.
- It then enters Pike County
Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 68,736. Its county seat is Pikeville. Pike is Kentucky's largest county in terms of land area. Pike County is the 11th largest county in Kentucky in terms of population preceded by Bullitt County and...
and combines with US 460, US 119, and KY 80, just south of PikevillePikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,295 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:...
.
- In Pikeville, US 119 splits from US 23.
- In Floyd County
Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1800. As of 2000, the population was 42,441. Its county seat is Prestonsburg. The county is named for Colonel John Floyd .- History :...
KY 80 splits from US 23 near PrestonsburgPrestonsburg is a city in and the county seat of Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. It lies in the eastern part of the state, along the banks of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. It was founded in 1797 by Col. John Preston—for whom it was named—along with Solomon Stratton, Matthias...
.
- It then continues into Johnson County
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1843. As of 2000, the population was 23,445. Its county seat is Paintsville...
where US 460 splits from US 23 in PaintsvillePaintsville is a city in Johnson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 4,132 at the 2000 census, making it the 98th largest city in Kentucky. It is the county seat of Johnson County....
.
- US 23 follows the west bank of the Big Sandy River
The Big Sandy River may refer to one of the following rivers in the United States:*The Big Sandy River , on the border between Kentucky and West Virginia*The Big Sandy River , a tributary of the Tennessee River...
in Lawrence CountyLawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 15,569. Its county seat is Louisa. The county is named for James Lawrence. It is the home of country music star Ricky Skaggs. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States...
.
- In Boyd County
Boyd County is located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1860. Its are found at the northeastern edge of the state the near the Ohio River and Big Sandy River, nestled in the verdant rolling hills of Appalachia. The county seat is Catlettsburg. Its largest municipality is the city...
, it junctions with Interstate 64Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with U.S. 40 and U.S...
near CatlettsburgCatlettsburg is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States. It is the county seat of Boyd County. The city population was 1,960 at the 2000 census. However, the city's postal zip code serves a greater population of 10,029. Catlettsburg is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan...
and passes through downtown AshlandAshland is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. The population was 21,981 at the 2000 census. Ashland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649....
.
- US 23 then passes through the cities of Russell
Russell is a city in Greenup County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 3,645 at the 2000 census. Russell is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649. Russell has close...
, RacelandRaceland is a city in Greenup County, Kentucky, in the Ohio River valley. The population was 2,355 at the 2000 census.Raceland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, GreenupGreenup is a city in Greenup County, Kentucky, at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Sandy Rivers. The population was 1,198 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Greenup County. Greenup is named in honor of Christopher Greenup....
, and South ShoreSouth Shore is a city in Greenup County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,226 at the 2000 census. It is located along the Ohio River across from Portsmouth, Ohio, at the mouth of Tygarts Creek...
in Greenup CountyGreenup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1804. As of 2000, the population was 36,891. Its county seat is Greenup. The county is named in honor of Christopher Greenup....
.
- Finally, it crosses the Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States....
and enters Portsmouth, OhioPortsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,909 at the 2000 census.-Foundation:...
.
The Kentucky portion of the route is mainly four-lane divided, but is wider in some cities.
Ohio
- US 23 crosses the Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States....
from KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is a Southern state situated in the Upland South, although the state is infrequently placed, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a...
and enters PortsmouthPortsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,909 at the 2000 census.-Foundation:...
.
- US 23 goes through the towns of Lucasville
Lucasville is a census-designated place in Scioto County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,588 at the 2000 census. The village of Lucasville was laid out by Captain John Lucas in June 1819 and recorded August 7, 1819. Captain Lucas built the first tavern in the village and kept it until...
, WaverlyWaverly is a village in and the county seat of Pike County, Ohio, United States. The population was at 4,433 at the 2000 census. The town was formed in 1829, as the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal along the west bank of the Scioto River brought new growth to the area. In 1861 the county...
, PiketonPiketon is a village in Pike County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The village is best known for the uranium enrichment plant located there . The population was 1,907 at the 2000 census...
, ChillicotheChillicothe is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Ross County. The municipality is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River...
, and CirclevilleCircleville is a city in and the county seat of Pickaway County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The population was 13,485 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, before reaching ColumbusColumbus is the capital and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is the county seat of Franklin County, although parts of the city also extend into Delaware and Fairfield counties...
.
- US 23 mostly follows High Street in Columbus, which was the original route. However, it now bypasses the central business district and northern Columbus neighborhoods by following the one-way pair 4th Street (northbound) and 3rd/Summit Street (southbound) between the downtown area and Hudson Street, and Indianola Avenue north before returning to its original course on High Street at Morse Road.
- US 23 follows High Street northbound from Columbus, going through Worthington
Worthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 14,125 at the 2000 census. The city was founded in 1803 by the Scioto Company led by James Kilbourne, who was later elected to the United States House of Representatives. The city was named in honor of Thomas...
, skirting the village of Lewis CenterLewis Center is an unincorporated community in northwestern Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, located between Columbus and Delaware. Its ZIP code is 43035. Although Lewis Center is a small community, its ZIP code encompasses a number of shopping centers and retail...
, entering DelawareThe City of Delaware is in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Delaware County. The municipality is located near the center of the state of Ohio, about 20 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. Delaware was founded in 1808, incorporated in 1816. It is part of the Columbus Metropolitan Area....
at the Cheshire Road intersection.
- After US 23 intersects the northern terminus of Ohio State Route 315 and passes a retail district, it becomes a limited access expressway
An expressway is a divided highway for high-speed traffic with at least partial control of access. The degree of access allowed varies between countries and even between regions within the same country. In some jurisdictions, expressways are divided arterial roads with limits on the frequency of...
, bypassing downtown Delaware, before resuming as a freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
with at-grade crossings north of the city.
- At Waldo
Waldo is a village in Marion County, Ohio, United States. The population was 332 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waldo is located at ....
, US 23 again becomes a freeway. It continues as a freeway throughout most of Marion CountyMarion County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 66,217. Its county seat is the city of Marion and is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, an officer in the Revolutionary War....
, then resumes at-grade crossings with a mix of some freeway-style junctions which are otherwise signalized after the MorralMorral is a village in Marion County, Ohio, United States. The population was 388 at the 2000 census.-History:When the promoters of the Columbus and Toledo Railroad Company, present day CSX, announced its route would include Salt Rock Township, Samuel Morral I and Jacob Neff, each of whom owned the...
interchange.
- US 23 coincides with divided State Route 15, until it takes a different route at the Carey
Carey is a village in Wyandot County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,901 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Carey is located at ....
exit. SR 15 continues on to FindlayFindlay is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Ohio, United States. Located in northwestern Ohio, the city lies approximately 50 miles south of Toledo. The population was 38,967 at the 2000 census. It is home to the University of Findlay. The city's official nickname is "Flag City,...
, and is designed to allow most traffic to bypass the northern stretch of US 23 by offering a fast connection to Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north-south Interstate Highway in the midwest and southeastern United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste...
.
- US 23 continues north through Carey, Fostoria
Fostoria is a city in Hancock, Seneca, and Wood counties in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is approximately 40 miles south of Toledo and 90 miles north of Columbus. The population was 13,931 at the 2000 census. The city is named for Charles Foster, the 35th governor of Ohio and...
, and RisingsunRisingsun is a village in Wood County, Ohio, United States. The population was 620 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Risingsun is located at ....
.
- West of Woodville
Woodville is a village in Sandusky County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2000 census. The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Woodville as a Tree City USA.-History:...
, US 23 intersects with US 20, where it has a coincidental route for several miles.
- US 23 then joins I-75 near Perrysburg
Perrysburg is a city in Wood County, Ohio, United States, along the Maumee River. The population was 17,042 according to the 2007 census. If combined with the adjacent Perrysburg Township, it would have a total population of 30,747 making it the most populous city in Wood County. It is a suburb of...
, then follows I-475Interstate 475 is an Interstate Highway in Ohio that is a western bypass of Toledo, Ohio. The southern terminus is I-75 near Perrysburg. The northern terminus is I-75 near downtown Toledo...
around the west side of ToledoToledo is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio within the Great Lakes Region and the county seat of Lucas County. Named after Toledo, Spain, it is located on the western end of Lake Erie, on the Michigan border. It is the principal city in the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the 2000 census,...
, passing through SylvaniaSylvania is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,670 at the 2000 census. Sylvania is a suburb of Toledo.-Geography:Sylvania is located at ....
before entering MichiganMichigan is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigama, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. In the portion where I-75 and US 23 overlap, this is a wrong-way concurrency, with southbound I-75 concurrent with northbound US 23, and northbound I-75 concurrent with southbound US 23 in this stretch.
US 23 passes near the birthplace of
U.S. PresidentThe President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in the United States by influence and recognition...
Rutherford B. HayesRutherford Birchard Hayes was an American politician, lawyer, military leader and the 19th President of the United States . Hayes was elected President by one electoral vote after the highly disputed election of 1876...
in
DelawareThe City of Delaware is in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Delaware County. The municipality is located near the center of the state of Ohio, about 20 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. Delaware was founded in 1808, incorporated in 1816. It is part of the Columbus Metropolitan Area....
, as well as near the home of
U.S. PresidentThe President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in the United States by influence and recognition...
Warren G. HardingWarren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack or stroke in 1923. A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate and later as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S...
in
MarionMarion is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Marion County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately 50 miles north of Columbus.The population was 35,318 at the 2000 census...
.
Michigan
US 23 is a
freewayA freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by preventing access to and from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic through the use of grade separations and...
bypass for Interstate 75 west of
Detroit, MichiganDetroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario, Detroit is the only major U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded...
, and then the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway along the shore of
Lake HuronLake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the east by Ontario, Canada and on the west by Michigan, USA. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it based on the Huron people inhabiting the region.-Geography:Lake Huron is the second...
to its end at Mackinaw City.
US 23 junctions with I-69 while co-routed with I-75 in
Flint, MichiganFlint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, 66 miles northwest of Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 124,943, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the Flint/Tri-Cities...
.
US 23 junctions with I-75 south of
Flint, MichiganFlint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, 66 miles northwest of Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 124,943, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the Flint/Tri-Cities...
and breaks off from I-75 south of
StandishStandish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
, becoming a two-lane road. U.S. 23 then goes north following
Lake HuronLake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the east by Ontario, Canada and on the west by Michigan, USA. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it based on the Huron people inhabiting the region.-Geography:Lake Huron is the second...
and ends at an intersection with I-75 south of
Downtown Mackinaw CityMackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...
.
US 23 junctions with I-96 north of
Brighton, MichiganBrighton is a city in Livingston County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,701. Brighton forms part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton Urban Area...
.
US 23 junctions with
US 12U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east-west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost 2500 miles...
(formerly
M-23M-23 was an early designation for the east-west state trunkline highway in the southern part of the US state of Michigan that became US 112 when the US Highway system came into existence in the mid-1920s. It extended from the Michigan/Indiana state line just north of Elkhart, Indiana, going due...
) south of
Ann ArborAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. It is the state's seventh largest city with a population of 114,024 as of the 2000 Census, of which 36,892 are university or college students...
.
History
Florida
US 23 was extended into Florida along U.S. Route 1 in 1951. When the 20th Street Expressway was built around downtown
JacksonvilleJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, and is the county seat of Duval County. Since 1968, as a result of the consolidation of the city and county government, and a corresponding expansion of the city limits to include almost the entire county, Jacksonville became the...
, U.S. Route 1 was moved but US 23 remained. It has never changed its route in Florida, though at one time it was planned to extend south, maybe to
Fort MyersFort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 48,208 in the 2000 census. According to 2008 estimates, the population is 68,689....
via US 17,
SR 19State Road 19 is a Florida State Road in Putnam, Marion, and Lake counties. It runs from Groveland to Palatka. It provides access to areas in Ocala National Forest, like Pittman.-Route description:...
,
SR 33State Road 33 is a road running through Lake and Polk counties in Florida.-Route Description:State Road 33 begins as a Lake County Road in Okahumpka, passes beneath Florida's Turnpike and continues south through rural farmland for about before reaching Mascotte. It then continues as SR 33/SR 50...
, US 98, US 17, and SR 31.
Kentucky
In the mid to late 20th century when the coal industry declined in Eastern Kentucky, it was said the three "R's" of the region were "reading, writing and Route 23 to
ColumbusColumbus is a city in Hickman County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 229 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Columbus is located at ....
", as the
OhioOhio is a Midwestern state of the United States. The thirty-fourth largest state by area in the U.S., it is the seventh-most populous with nearly 11.5 million residents...
capital became a popular out-migration destination for unemployed miners and their families.
U. S. route 23 in Kentucky runs for , (231.9 km) from the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States....
to Pound Gap on the
VirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents. The geography and climate of the state are shaped by the Blue...
border and is known as "The Country Music Highway". At each county line a road sign designates the highway and names the country music artists from the county. From the north to south, the counties are:
- Greenup County
Greenup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1804. As of 2000, the population was 36,891. Its county seat is Greenup. The county is named in honor of Christopher Greenup....
: Billy Ray CyrusBilly Ray Cyrus is a Grammy Award-nominated American country music singer, songwriter and actor, best known for his #1 single "Achy Breaky Heart." Cyrus, a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart...
- Boyd County
Boyd County is located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1860. Its are found at the northeastern edge of the state the near the Ohio River and Big Sandy River, nestled in the verdant rolling hills of Appalachia. The county seat is Catlettsburg. Its largest municipality is the city...
: The JuddsThe Judds were a Grammy Award-winning American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter, Wynonna. The Judds signed with RCA Records in 1983 and were one of the most popular country music duos of the decade, recording more than ten studio albums and charting many hit singles on the...
- Lawrence County
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 15,569. Its county seat is Louisa. The county is named for James Lawrence. It is the home of country music star Ricky Skaggs. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States...
: Ricky SkaggsFor the punk rock musician, see Ricky Scaggs.Richard Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:Ricky Skaggs started playing music after he was given a mandolin...
- Johnson County
Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1843. As of 2000, the population was 23,445. Its county seat is Paintsville...
: Loretta LynnLoretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter; she was one of the leading country vocalists and songwriters during the 1960s and is revered as a country music cultural icon....
, Crystal GayleCrystal Gayle is an American country singer best known for a series of country-pop crossover hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." She accumulated 18 No. 1 country hits during the 1970s and 1980s...
, Hylo BrownHylo Brown was a bluegrass and country music singer, guitarist and bass player.-Biography:Frank "Hylo" Brown was born in River, Kentucky and began his career as a performer on radio station WCMI in Ashland, Kentucky in 1939. Soon, he moved to WLOG in Logan, West Virginia and their "Saturday...
- Floyd County
Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1800. As of 2000, the population was 42,441. Its county seat is Prestonsburg. The county is named for Colonel John Floyd .- History :...
: Dwight YoakamDwight David Yoakam is an American singer-songwriter and actor, most famous for his country music. Active since the early 1980s, he has recorded more than twenty albums and compilations, and has charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.-Early life:Yoakam was born...
- Pike County
Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 68,736. Its county seat is Pikeville. Pike is Kentucky's largest county in terms of land area. Pike County is the 11th largest county in Kentucky in terms of population preceded by Bullitt County and...
: Patty LovelessPatty Loveless is an American country music singer....
- Letcher County
Letcher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 25,277. Its county seat is Whitesburg. The county is named for Robert P...
: Gary StewartGary Stewart may refer to:* Gary Stewart , country musician* Gary L. Stewart, imperator of AMORC from 1987 to 1990* Gary Stewart , politician in Ontario...
During the past few years the highway has been widened to four or more lanes through its entire length within Kentucky and is one of the more scenic routes in Kentucky. It is six lanes in parts of the city of
PikevillePikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,295 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:...
. In 2002, it was offically named a
National Scenic BywayA National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
.
Ohio
Originally known as the Columbus-Sandusky Turnpike, the road was laid out about 1820. Within four years it was noted as having frequent use, although it was in poor condition. As a result, on February 10, 1824,
James KilbourneJames Kilbourne was an American surveyor and politician from Ohio.Kilbourne was born in New Britain, Connecticut, and moved his family to Ohio in 1803, when he founded the city of Worthington, Ohio. In 1805 he was appointed United States surveyor of public lands...
of the
Ohio House of RepresentativesThe Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. ....
introduced a
petitionA petition is a request to change something, most commonly made to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
to revise and correct the state road leading from Columbus and
WorthingtonWorthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 14,125 at the 2000 census. The city was founded in 1803 by the Scioto Company led by James Kilbourne, who was later elected to the United States House of Representatives. The city was named in honor of Thomas...
to
DelawareThe City of Delaware is in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Delaware County. The municipality is located near the center of the state of Ohio, about 20 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. Delaware was founded in 1808, incorporated in 1816. It is part of the Columbus Metropolitan Area....
,
NortonNorton is a city in Summit and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 11,523 at the 2000 census.The Summit County portion of Norton is part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion in Wayne County is part of the Wooster Micropolitan Statistical...
and further north. Kilbourne believed that the
Sandusky BaySandusky Bay is a body of water situated in between Erie, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties in the U.S. state of Ohio and just to the south of Lake Erie. Sandusky Bay runs from Muddy Creek Bay to Cedar Point, which is part of Sandusky....
was the perfect place for a harbor to open up the Ohio marketplace to
New EnglandNew England is a region of the United States. It is located at the northeastern corner of the US, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Canada and the state of New York, consisting of the modern U.S...
. He fought relentlessly to establish roads from the capital to
SanduskySandusky pronounced [suhn-duhs-kee, san-] is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. The municipality is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east.The population was...
. He laid out a southern extension of the road to tie
PortsmouthPortsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,909 at the 2000 census.-Foundation:...
on the Ohio River to the central and northern parts of the state. As a result of Kilbourne's efforts, the State of Ohio chartered the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike Company on January 31, 1826. The following year the federal government gave in trust to the state of Ohio for the turnpike company to finance road improvements and development.
An 1820 map of Ohio shows the turnpike leading from Columbus to Worthington, through Delaware into
Marion CountyMarion County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 66,217. Its county seat is the city of Marion and is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, an officer in the Revolutionary War....
. The southern portion of the improved road was built and in use by 1828. The Columbus-Sandusky Turnpike, also sometimes known as Kilbourne Highway, was completed to Sandusky in 1834. Although the Turnpike was much needed and well traveled, the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike Company did not have the funds to maintain the road. Early maps show the route as "Mud Pike." Angry at the poor, muddy condition of the road, particularly in the rainiest seasons, travelers occasionally destroyed tollgates. The Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike Company was disbanded February 28, 1843 when the Ohio legislature repealed the act that incorporated it. Two years later an act was passed that established the road as a public
highwayA highway is a main road for travel by the public between important destinations, such as cities and states. Highway designs vary widely and can range from a two-lane road without margins to a multi-lane, grade separated motorway. In English and U.S...
.
Drug taskforce
Law enforcement officials from Ohio and Kentucky set up the "US Route 23 Drug Taskforce" in 1996 to patrol the highway for drug trafficking, attempting to halt a major artery of drug networks bringing high quality cannabis (outdoor sativa) grown in Kentucky, North, for distribution in Ohio and elsewhere. Signs can be spotted along Route 23 from Columbus, Ohio to Portsmouth, Ohio warning traffickers that efforts have been taken to prevent their actions.
Some random police stings have been set up at portions of the highway.
External links