U.S. Route 421 in Indiana
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 421 enters Indiana from Kentucky, proceeding northwest to Indianapolis, joining Interstate 465
, then continuing northwest to Michigan City.
US 421 winds through the southern part of Indiana as it runs from Madison, in the southeastern part of the state, to Indianapolis (the capital). North of Greensburg, US 421 intersects and merges with I-74 west, through the Shelbyville area en route to Indianapolis. Originally, US 421 followed Southeastern Ave. into downtown Indianapolis, where it merged with US 40 (Washington St.
) to West St., then turned north, following West St., Northwestern Ave. (later MLK Dr.), and Michigan Rd. up to the northwest side of the city. US 421 went past a famous Indianapolis landmark, the Pyramids. North of Indianapolis, US 421 continues to the north-northwest, providing a direct highway link between Indianapolis and Michigan City. US 421 ends at its junction with US 20 on the south side of Michigan City. Originally, the highway's end was a few miles north at the junction with US 12 near the shores of Lake Michigan.
. After crossing the Ohio River US 421 has a short concurrency with State Road 56
(SR 56). After the concurrency with SR 56 ends US 421 becomes a four-lane highway. US 421 has an intersection
with State Road 62
(SR 62). North of Madison US 421 becomes a two-lane highway, heading north then northeast. US 421 heads towards Versailles
, passing through intersection with State Road 250
(SR 250). In Versailles US 421 has a concurrency
with State Road 129
, that ends at U.S. Route 50
(US 50). US 421 heads west west out of Versailles concurrenct with US 50. West of Varsailles US 421 heads northwest, towards Greensburg
. US 421 passes through Osgoo
and Napoleon
, passing through intersections with State Road 350
(SR 350) and State Road 48
(SR 48). US 421 enters Greensburg on the southeast side of town and heads to the northwest side of town. In Greensburg US 421 passes through a concurrency with State Road 46
(SR 46) and an intersection with State Road 3
(SR 3). On the northwest side of Greensburg US 421 enters Interstate 74
(I-74). I-74/US 421 heads northwest towards Indianapolis
, passing near Shelbyville
. Near Shelbyville I-74/US 421 has interchanges
with State Road 44
(SR 44) and State Road 9
(SR 9). I-74/US 421 enters Indianapolis on the southeast side of the city. US 421 heads north and west around Indianapolis, concurrenct with Interstate 465
.
(SR 32), State Road 47
(SR 47), State Road 38
(SR 38), State Road 29
(SR 29), and a concurrency with State Road 28
(SR 28). US 421 and SR 28 enter Frankfort
heading west, the concurrency end when US 421 heds north concurrenct with State Road 38
(SR 38)/State Road 39
(SR 39). US 421/SR 38/SR 39 heads northwest out of Frankfort, 5 miles (8 km) SR 38 heads due west. US 421/SR 39 heads northwest towards Delphi
passing through an intersection with State Road 26
(SR 26). In Delphi US 421/SR 39 are concurrenct with State Road 25
(SR 25). US 421/SR 39 heads northwest out of Delphi passing through Pittsburg
. West of Pittsburg US 421/SR 39 heads due north towards Monticello
. In Monticello the concurrency with SR 39 ends with SR 39 heading east on U.S. Route 24
and US 421 heads west on US 24. US 24/US 421 heads north towards Reynolds
, where US 24 heads west and US 421 heads due north. US 421 heads north towards Michigan City
, passing through Monon
, Wanatah
, and Westville
. US 421 has intersections with State Road 16
(SR 16), State Road 114
(SR 114), State Road 143
(SR 143), State Road 8
(SR 8), and U.S. Route 30
(US 30). US 421 has concurrency with State Road 14
(SR 14), State Road 10
(SR 10), U.S. Route 6
(US 6), and State Road 2
(SR 2). US 421 has interchanges with Interstate 80
/Interstate 90 and Interstate 94
. US 421 northern terminus is at U.S. Route 20
(US 20) in Michigan City.
was SR 29. This is the reason for SR 129 and State Road 229
(SR 229) have concurrency or terminus at US 421. US 421 from Reynolds to Michigan City was State Road 43
(SR 43). This is the reason for SR 143 having the eastern terminus at US 421.
(US 12) near Lake Michigan
. Then INDOT moved the northern terminus of US 421 south to US 20, on the south side of Michigan City.
Interstate 465
Interstate 465 , also known as the USS Indianapolis Memorial Highway, is the beltway circling Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is roughly rectangular in shape and has a perimeter of approximately 53 miles . It lies almost completely within the boundaries of Marion County, except for two...
, then continuing northwest to Michigan City.
US 421 winds through the southern part of Indiana as it runs from Madison, in the southeastern part of the state, to Indianapolis (the capital). North of Greensburg, US 421 intersects and merges with I-74 west, through the Shelbyville area en route to Indianapolis. Originally, US 421 followed Southeastern Ave. into downtown Indianapolis, where it merged with US 40 (Washington St.
Washington Street (Indianapolis)
Washington Street is the primary east-west street in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The street follows the route of the National Road for almost all of its length in the city of Indianapolis. For a time, its entire length was designated as U.S...
) to West St., then turned north, following West St., Northwestern Ave. (later MLK Dr.), and Michigan Rd. up to the northwest side of the city. US 421 went past a famous Indianapolis landmark, the Pyramids. North of Indianapolis, US 421 continues to the north-northwest, providing a direct highway link between Indianapolis and Michigan City. US 421 ends at its junction with US 20 on the south side of Michigan City. Originally, the highway's end was a few miles north at the junction with US 12 near the shores of Lake Michigan.
Madison to Indianapolis
US 421 enter Indiana from Kentucky over the Ohio RiverOhio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. After crossing the Ohio River US 421 has a short concurrency with State Road 56
Indiana State Road 56
State Road 56 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a route that travels the south central part of the state from west to east.-Route description:...
(SR 56). After the concurrency with SR 56 ends US 421 becomes a four-lane highway. US 421 has an intersection
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
with State Road 62
Indiana State Road 62
State Road 62 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route that runs from the Illinois state line in the southwest corner of Indiana to the Louisville, Kentucky area, then northeast toward the Cincinnati, Ohio area.-Route description:...
(SR 62). North of Madison US 421 becomes a two-lane highway, heading north then northeast. US 421 heads towards Versailles
Versailles, Indiana
Versailles is a town in Johnson Township, Ripley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,113 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Ripley County.-Geography:Versailles is located at...
, passing through intersection with State Road 250
Indiana State Road 250
State Road 250 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a secondary route that runs from U.S. Route 50 in Brownstown eastward toward the Ohio River at State Road 156 in Patriot in southeast Indiana. Towns include Uniontown, Paris Crossing, Canaan, and East Enterprise...
(SR 250). In Versailles US 421 has a concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with State Road 129
Indiana State Road 129
State Road 129 is a north–south road in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Indiana. It traverses Switzerland and Ripley counties connecting Vevay to Batesville.-Route description:...
, that ends at U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 50 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, U.S. Route 50 is a major east–west route. It enters Indiana from Illinois and leaves Indiana into Ohio.- Route description :...
(US 50). US 421 heads west west out of Versailles concurrenct with US 50. West of Varsailles US 421 heads northwest, towards Greensburg
Greensburg, Indiana
Greensburg is a city in Decatur County, Indiana, United States. The population was counted at 11,492 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Decatur County....
. US 421 passes through Osgoo
Osgood, Indiana
Osgood is a town in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,624 at the 2010 census. In 1999, the community received a $23 million bequest from the Gilmore and Golda Reynolds Foundation, which was established by two lifelong Osgood residents to assist the town...
and Napoleon
Napoleon, Indiana
Napoleon is a town in Jackson Township, Ripley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 234 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Napoleon is located at ....
, passing through intersections with State Road 350
Indiana State Road 350
State Road 350 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west state highway in the southeastern corner of Indiana. The road's western terminus is at U.S. Route 421 in Osgood. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 50 in Aurora.-Route description:...
(SR 350) and State Road 48
Indiana State Road 48
State Road 48 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west state highway running through southern Indiana. It has three distinct and separate sections. The western terminus of SR 48 is at State Road 63 and the eastern terminus at U.S. Route 50.- Western section :The western section...
(SR 48). US 421 enters Greensburg on the southeast side of town and heads to the northwest side of town. In Greensburg US 421 passes through a concurrency with State Road 46
Indiana State Road 46
State Road 46 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west state highway in the southern half of Indiana.-Route description:The western terminus of SR 46 is at U.S. Route 40 in central Vigo County, just east of Terre Haute...
(SR 46) and an intersection with State Road 3
Indiana State Road 3
State Road 3 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a discontinuous state road running through east central Indiana from near the Michigan state line to near the Ohio River...
(SR 3). On the northwest side of Greensburg US 421 enters Interstate 74
Interstate 74 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, Interstate 74 traverses central parts of the state from west to east. It connects Champaign in Illinois with Indianapolis in the center of the state, and Indianapolis with Cincinnati in Ohio...
(I-74). I-74/US 421 heads northwest towards Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, passing near Shelbyville
Shelbyville, Indiana
Shelbyville is a city in Addison Township, Shelby County, Indiana, United States. The population was 17,951 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Shelby County...
. Near Shelbyville I-74/US 421 has interchanges
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
with State Road 44
Indiana State Road 44
State Road 44 in the U.S. State of Indiana begins in the west at State Road 37 in Martinsville and runs eastward to the Ohio state line in Union County. It passes through the following towns:- Route description :...
(SR 44) and State Road 9
Indiana State Road 9
State Road 9 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a long north–south state highway in the eastern portion of Indiana. Its southern terminus is near Columbus at State Road 46, and the northern terminus is at the Michigan/Indiana border between Howe, Indiana, and Sturgis, Michigan, where it...
(SR 9). I-74/US 421 enters Indianapolis on the southeast side of the city. US 421 heads north and west around Indianapolis, concurrenct with Interstate 465
Interstate 465
Interstate 465 , also known as the USS Indianapolis Memorial Highway, is the beltway circling Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is roughly rectangular in shape and has a perimeter of approximately 53 miles . It lies almost completely within the boundaries of Marion County, except for two...
.
Indianapolis to Michigan City
US 421 is concurrenct with I-465, until the northwest side of the city. US 421 leaves I-465 headsing northwest. US 421 becomes a two-lane highway, heading through an intersection with State Road 32Indiana State Road 32
State Road 32 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west highway in central Indiana that crosses the entire state, covering a distance of about .-Route description:...
(SR 32), State Road 47
Indiana State Road 47
State Road 47 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a state highway in west-central and central Indiana. Although State Road 47 is signed as a north–south highway, it runs more east–west.-Route description:...
(SR 47), State Road 38
Indiana State Road 38
State Road 38 in the U.S. State of Indiana serves as a connection between Lafayette in the west and Richmond in the east.-Route description:State Road 38 begins in Lafayette with State Road 25 and U.S. Route 52. There is an interchange with Interstate 65 at exit 168. It proceeds east-southeast...
(SR 38), State Road 29
Indiana State Road 29
-Route description:The southern terminus of State Road 29 is at U.S. Route 421 and State Road 28 just south of the small town of Boyleston. Going north, it passes through Michigantown in Clinton County, then along the eastern border of Carroll County where it passes through Burlington. Its...
(SR 29), and a concurrency with State Road 28
Indiana State Road 28
State Road 28 is an east–west road in central Indiana in the United States that crosses the entire state from east to west, covering a distance of about and passing about to the north of the state capitol of Indianapolis.-Route description:...
(SR 28). US 421 and SR 28 enter Frankfort
Frankfort, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,662 people, 6,279 households, and 4,175 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,240.5 people per square mile . There were 6,682 housing units at an average density of 1,299.6 per square mile...
heading west, the concurrency end when US 421 heds north concurrenct with State Road 38
Indiana State Road 38
State Road 38 in the U.S. State of Indiana serves as a connection between Lafayette in the west and Richmond in the east.-Route description:State Road 38 begins in Lafayette with State Road 25 and U.S. Route 52. There is an interchange with Interstate 65 at exit 168. It proceeds east-southeast...
(SR 38)/State Road 39
Indiana State Road 39
State Road 39 in the U.S. State of Indiana is the name of two distinct north–south highways in the state of Indiana.-Southern section:Located in south-central Indiana, the shorter southern section of State Road 39 begins at State Road 56 west of Scottsburg. It runs north and passes through...
(SR 39). US 421/SR 38/SR 39 heads northwest out of Frankfort, 5 miles (8 km) SR 38 heads due west. US 421/SR 39 heads northwest towards Delphi
Delphi, Indiana
Delphi is a city in and the county seat of Carroll County, Indiana, United States. Located twenty minutes northeast of Lafayette, it is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
passing through an intersection with State Road 26
Indiana State Road 26
State Road 26 is an east–west road in central Indiana in the United States that crosses the entire state from east to west, covering a distance of about .-Route description:...
(SR 26). In Delphi US 421/SR 39 are concurrenct with State Road 25
Indiana State Road 25
State Road 25 is a highway in the U. S. state of Indiana. Although it is designated a north–south road, in practice it travels generally northeast from its southern terminus at State Road 32 to its northern terminus at State Road 15 in Warsaw.- Waynetown to Lafayette :SR 25 heads north...
(SR 25). US 421/SR 39 heads northwest out of Delphi passing through Pittsburg
Pittsburg, Indiana
Pittsburg is an unincorporated town in Tippecanoe Township, Carroll County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. West of Pittsburg US 421/SR 39 heads due north towards Monticello
Monticello, Indiana
Monticello is a city in White County, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,378 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of White County....
. In Monticello the concurrency with SR 39 ends with SR 39 heading east on U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 24 in Indiana
U.S. Route 24 In Indiana, US 24 runs east from the Illinois state line to Huntington. At Huntington, US 24 turns northeast and runs to Fort Wayne; it then overlaps Interstate 69 and Interstate 469 to bypass the city before entering Ohio at the state line east of Fort Wayne...
and US 421 heads west on US 24. US 24/US 421 heads north towards Reynolds
Reynolds, Indiana
Reynolds is a town in Honey Creek Township, White County, Indiana, United States. The population was 533 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Reynolds is located at ....
, where US 24 heads west and US 421 heads due north. US 421 heads north towards Michigan City
Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston. Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, located at 317 Detroit St., is named after the founder....
, passing through Monon
Monon, Indiana
Monon is a town in Monon Township,White County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,777 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, Wanatah
Wanatah, Indiana
Wanatah is a town in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,048 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wanatah is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, Wanatah has a total area of .-Demographics:...
, and Westville
Westville, Indiana
Westville is a town in New Durham Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,853 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. US 421 has intersections with State Road 16
Indiana State Road 16
State Road 16 is an east–west road in Northern Indiana. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 41 in Ade, Indiana. Its eastern terminus is at State Road 5 north of Huntington, Indiana.- Route description :...
(SR 16), State Road 114
Indiana State Road 114
State Road 114 in the U.S. State of Indiana consists of three discontinuous east–west routes, between the Illinois border and U.S. Route 421, State Road 17 and State Road 25, and State Road 14 and U.S. Route 24.- Western section :...
(SR 114), State Road 143
Indiana State Road 143
State Road 143 in the U. S. State of Indiana is a very short route in the northern Indiana county of Pulaski.-Route description:State Road 143 serves the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in northwestern Pulaski County. It runs directly east to U.S. Route 421, covering a total of and...
(SR 143), State Road 8
Indiana State Road 8
State Road 8 in the U.S. State of Indiana consists of two disconnected segments that were never connected.-Western segment:The western segment of State Road 8 connects State Road 2 and U.S. Route 231 in Hebron with State Road 17 near Plymouth...
(SR 8), and U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 in Indiana
In the state of Indiana, U.S. Route 30 is an east–west four-lane divided highway across northern Indiana. It runs from the Illinois state line at Dyer to east of Fort Wayne at the Ohio state line. This is a distance of 151.8 miles ....
(US 30). US 421 has concurrency with State Road 14
Indiana State Road 14
State Road 14 is an east–west road in northern Indiana. Its western terminus is at U.S. Route 41 in Enos, and its eastern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne....
(SR 14), State Road 10
Indiana State Road 10
State Road 10 is an east–west road in northwest Indiana. Its western terminus is at the Illinois state line west of Lake Village. Its eastern terminus is at State Road 19 south of Etna Green.-Route description:...
(SR 10), U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 in Indiana
U.S. Route 6 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway that runs from California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. In Indiana, it is a mostly rural, two-lane route that travels in the northern part of the state. However, some four-lane stretches may be found in Lake and Porter counties. For...
(US 6), and State Road 2
Indiana State Road 2
State Road 2 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route running from the Illinois border at Illinois Route 17 east to the outskirts of South Bend, Indiana at the U.S. Route 20/U.S. Route 31 freeway, also known as the St. Joseph Valley Parkway...
(SR 2). US 421 has interchanges with Interstate 80
Interstate 80 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, Interstate 80 consists entirely of the following two routes:* The Borman Expressway, from the Illinois state line to Lake Station, Indiana, running concurrently with Interstate 94....
/Interstate 90 and Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the northwest portion of the state.-Route description:The route between the Illinois border and Lake Station at its junction with the Indiana Toll Road is known as the Borman Expressway and is a heavily traveled route...
. US 421 northern terminus is at U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 in Indiana
U.S. Route 20 in Indiana is a main east–west highway that is parallel to the Indiana Toll Road. The western terminus of US 20 is at the Illinois state line and the eastern terminus is at the Ohio state line. US 20 through Whiting, East Chicago, and Gary is concurrent with...
(US 20) in Michigan City.
History
Before US 421 was commissioned in Indiana, the route from Madison to BoylestonBoyleston, Indiana
Boyleston is an unincorporated town in Michigan Township, Clinton County, Indiana.-History:Lewis N. Boyle of Indianapolis platted the town of Boyleston on November 17, 1875 along the Lake Erie and Western Railroad....
was SR 29. This is the reason for SR 129 and State Road 229
Indiana State Road 229
State Road 229 is a north–south state highway in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Indiana.-Route description:The southern terminus of State Road 229 is at State Road 48 in the town of Napoleon in central Ripley County. Going east, the road is concurrent with State Road 48 for...
(SR 229) have concurrency or terminus at US 421. US 421 from Reynolds to Michigan City was State Road 43
Indiana State Road 43
-Southern section:This winding, two-lane section of State Road 43 connects Indiana State Road 46 in Owen County near McCormick's Creek State Park with Indiana State Road 54 in eastern Greene County. It covers a distance of .-Northern section:...
(SR 43). This is the reason for SR 143 having the eastern terminus at US 421.
Madison
US 421 passed through downtown Madison and heads northwest out of Madison a new route was built east of the old route. The old route was number State Road 107 until it was decommissioned.Indianapolis
US 421 enter Indinaapolis on the southeast side of the city and went through downtown. US 421 was routed on Southeastern Ave., Washington Street, ML King Jr. Blvd, anf Michigan Road.Michigan City
US 421 went through Michigan City to U.S. Route 12U.S. Route 12 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, U.S. Route 12 is a historical east–west arterial highway that runs along the Lake Michigan shoreline. In the early 1920s, it was the most important route between Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. Most of the route has since been supplanted by Interstate 94...
(US 12) near Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
. Then INDOT moved the northern terminus of US 421 south to US 20, on the south side of Michigan City.