U.S. Route 97

U.S. Route 97 is a major north–south United States highway in the western United States. It begins at a junction with Interstate 5 at Weed, California, and travels north, ending in Okanogan County, Washington, at the Canadian Border, across from Osoyoos, British Columbia, becoming British Columbia Highway 97 upon entering Canada. Major cities that lie on US 97 include Klamath Falls, Oregon; Bend, Oregon; Yakima, Washington; Ellensburg, Washington; and Wenatchee, Washington.

A portion of the highway in California and Oregon is part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

Route description

California

US 97 begins in town of Weed, California. From Weed, the highway continues in a northeasterly direction toward Klamath Falls, Oregon. The California portion of US 97 is approximately 55 miles (89 km) in length, with its southern end at the junction with Interstate 5 and California State Route 265 in Weed, and reaching Oregon after the junction with California State Route 161 (Stateline Rd) just north of the community of Dorris, California.

U.S. Route 97 in California

In the U.S. state of California, U.S. Route 97 (US 97) runs north from I-5 in Weed to the Oregon state line. This is the majority of a shortcut between I-5 and Klamath Falls, Oregon, added to both states' state highway systems in 1931.

Route description

US 97 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System and is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System. However, it is not a scenic highway as defined by Caltrans. As of 2007, it is part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

US 97 begins in Weed at an interchange with Interstate 5. It runs on Weed's Business Loop of Interstate 5, which all of the loop used to be U.S. Route 99. At the junction with California State Route 265, U.S. Route 97 ends its concurrency with the Business Loop and turns right, heading to the northeast into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and later the Klamath National Forest. US 97 passes by Grass Lake as it travels through the mountains before descending into the community of Macdoel. The route continues into the city of Dorris before intersecting with California State Route 161 near Indian Tom Lake before it crosses Oregon state border and leaves California.

U.S. Route 97 in Oregon

In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 97 is a major north–south United States highway which runs through the state of Oregon (among other states). In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Klamath Falls, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Biggs Junction, Oregon and Maryhill, Washington. Other than the northernmost stretch (which is known as the Sherman Highway), US 97 (along with U.S. Route 197) is known as The Dalles-California Highway. In May 2009, Oregon Senate passed a bill to rename U.S. Route 97 as "World War II Veterans Historic Highway".

With the exception of Interstate 5, US 97 is the most important north–south highway corridor in the state. It serves two major population centers (Klamath Falls and Bend), and is the main corridor east of the Cascade Mountains. While much of the highway remains in two-lane undivided configuration, significant sections have been upgraded to expressway or freeway status.

Route description