US route 40 mostly follows the path of the old national road.
The National Road (today's US Route 40) extended as far west as Vandalia, Illinois, by 1852, where construction stopped.
The national road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved road built by the US federal government. It was started in 1811. It began at Cumberland, MD. and ran to Vandalia, ILL, stopping short of its original destination of St.Louis,MO. It was approximately 620 miles long. US 40 now follows mostly the same route.
national road
Cumberland (National) Road
Cumberland Road =)
No
US route 40 mostly follows the path of the old national road.
It was called the Cumberland Road. Later, it became US Route 40.
how the heck do i know
The National road was important because it was the first highway to be built by the government. The road's construction began in 1811 and reached West Virginia in 1818. The road follows much of what is now US-40.
The National Road (today's US Route 40) extended as far west as Vandalia, Illinois, by 1852, where construction stopped.
National Road
National Road
The government wanted to help the pioneers travel west.
National road
so that they could transport goods and help settlers reach the new state. Joining the eastern us and places west of the Appalachian Mountains.