Interstate 81

Interstate 81 (abbreviated I-81) is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island (near Fishers Landing, New York) at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main Ontario freeway connecting Detroit via Toronto to Montreal.

I-81 is the longest odd-numbered (and therefore the longest north-south) Interstate highway in which the number does not end with a 5, and the third longest Interstate highway in which the number does not end with a 0 or 5 after I-94 and I-64. Interstate 81 largely traces the paths created down the length of the Appalachian Mountains by migrating animals, American Indians, and early settlers. It also follows a major corridor for troop movements during the Civil War. These trails and roadways gradually evolved into U.S. Route 11. Interstate 81 parallels much of the older Route 11. Being mostly rural, it is heavily used as a trucking corridor, often as a bypass of the busier Interstate 95 to the east.

Interstate 81 in Virginia

Interstate 81 (I-81) is an 855-mile (1,376 km) long highway. In the U.S. state of Virginia, I-81 runs for 324.92 miles (522.91 km), making it longer in Virginia than in any other state. It stretches from the Tennessee state line near Bristol to the West Virginia state line near Winchester. For most of its length, U.S. Route 11 parallels I-81.

I-81 runs concurrently with Interstate 77 in Wytheville, Virginia for about 10 miles (16 km) in a notable example of a wrong-way concurrency: both I-81 south and I-77 north share the same roadbed there. The same also happens here with Interstate 74.

Route description

Interstate 81 enters Bristol, Virginia from Tennessee and runs primarily along the mountains of western Virginia. In some areas the road actually rises above the clouds.

Future

The state has proposed to widen its entire portion of I-81 to a minimum of three or four lanes in each direction to accommodate increased truck traffic and to toll non-passenger vehicles. Some sections of the new Virginia I-81 may completely separate car and truck traffic. Between exits 315 and 317 the state has proposed to widen it to 4 lanes for this 2 mile portion in Winchester, Virginia.

Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania

Interstate 81 is an 854.89-mile-long (1,375.81 km) northsouth Interstate Highway, stretching from Dandridge, Tennessee to Fisher's Landing, New York at the United States/Canadian border. In the state of Pennsylvania, I-81 runs for 232.63 miles (374.38 km) from the Maryland state line near Greencastle to the New York state line near Hallstead and is called the American Legion Memorial Highway.

Route description

Maryland to Interstate 78

I-81 enters Pennsylvania at the Maryland state line about 13 miles (21 km) south of Chambersburg. In Chambersburg at mile marker 16, it meets with a major highway; U.S. Route 30 (the Chambersburg Pike to Gettysburg). About a mile north of Carlisle at exit 52, it meets with U.S. Route 11, which takes passengers to the Pennsylvania Turnpike/ Interstate 76, since I-81 has no direct interchange with I-76. The stretch of US 11 connecting I-81 to I-76 is known locally as the "Miracle Mile" since it contains plenty of traveler services including restaurants, gas stations, lodging, truck stops, shops, etc. From here, I-81 travels in an almost precisely eastwest direction for the next 37 miles (until exit 89). At mile marker 59, it has an interchange with the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 581. I-81 becomes the Capital Beltway from exit 59 to exit 70. As passengers approach exit 67, a major complex interchange is seen. The interchange consists of U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 322; U.S. Route 322 merges with Interstate 81. Exit 70 is the eastern terminus of the US 322 concurrency and the northern terminus of Interstate 83, and is located in Colonial Park. For the entire segment between the Mason–Dixon line and Interstate 78, I-81 runs through the Great Valley. North of Harrisburg between Interstate 83/U.S. Route 322 and Interstate 78, the highway passes near Hershey and Fort Indiantown Gap.

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Latest News for: interstate 81

VDOT seeks input on I-81 improvement plan

The Daily Progress Charlottesville 03 Apr 2025
VDOT is looking for public input on the 325 miles of Interstate 81 in the state ahead of planned improvements to the highway ... .

VSP: One dead in Staunton crash involving tractor-trailer on Va. 262

News Leader - Staunton 01 Apr 2025
The fatality took place near the Interstate 81 off-ramp ... Both I-81 northbound lanes remain open, VDOT said.

Scranton zoners approve city\u2019s first solar farm

The Scranton Times-Tribune 01 Apr 2025
... 6,500 panels on 14 acres of a mountain in the northern part of the city between Interstate 81 and the Morgan Highway.

VSP: Staunton woman dies in crash with tractor-trailer

News Leader - Staunton 01 Apr 2025
at the intersection of the northbound off-ramp from Interstate 81 (exit 225) and Va. 262 ... 262 when it was unable to avoid a tractor-trailer that had exited I-81 northbound and was attempting to turn on to Va.

Lane restrictions, closures planned on Route 315

The Citizens' Voice 31 Mar 2025
Exit 175 on Interstate 81 northbound will be closed ... Continue on Interstate 81 northbound to Exit 178 ... Right lane closure of Route 315 northbound between the Oak Street intersection and the on-ramp to Interstate 81 Northbound.

Millions brace severe storms as Midwest and South are battered and 200,000 people are left ...

The Daily Mail 30 Mar 2025
Monday's severe weather is expected to affect the bustling Interstate 81, 85 and 95 corridors from New Orleans to Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York City, as reported Accuweather.

Strong tornadoes, damaging winds, huge hail: Millions brace for severe storms

Usatoday 30 Mar 2025
100 million at risk for severe weather this weekend ... "Monday's severe weather will affect the very busy Interstate 81, 85 and 95 corridors from New Orleans to Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City," Accuweather said.

I-81 exits have changed in Broome County. See the list and what's still to come

Press Connects 28 Mar 2025
The New York State Department of Transportation is in the process of converting its exit signs to reflect mile-based numbers along Interstate 81 in Broome County ... Interstate 481 to I-81.

PennDOT: Diesel fuel cleanup starting next week on I-78 in Lebanon County

Lebanon Daily News 28 Mar 2025
... Tuesday, April 1, on eastbound Interstate 78 in Lebanon County. Officials said the work location is at the ramp from southbound Interstate 81 to eastbound I-78, at mile marker 0.6 on eastbound I-78.

CNY company loses second shot at big I-81 deal, but could save taxpayers millions anyway

The Post-Standard 28 Mar 2025
A local construction company may have lost a $251 million bid on part of the I-81 project ... That change affects every contract in New York state that uses federal funding.More about the Interstate 81 project.

Drunk driver went wrong-way on I-81 for more than 4 miles before being caught, deputies say

The Post-Standard 25 Mar 2025
A man driving the wrong way while under the influence of alcohol led deputies on a chase on Interstate 81 for more than four miles on Sunday, deputies said.

Route 309/115 ramp to I-81 will be closed

The Citizens' Voice 25 Mar 2025
The ramp from Route 309/115 southbound to Interstate 81 northbound will be closed through the end of the week between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Work is weather dependent. The detour is Route 315 northbound to the Pittston on-ramp ....

Planners seek community input on I-81 Newville interchange study

Penn Live 25 Mar 2025
The Exit 37 Study is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of the transportation system around Exit 37 as residents and visitors access and travel Interstate 81,” said ...
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