I-22

About I-22

Also known as Corridor X.

From Memphis, TN area (I-269) to Birmingham, AL (I-65)

Interstate 22 is a roughly 211-mile route connecting the Birmingham, Alabama, area with the Memphis, Tennessee, region, running through northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. Its signed mainline runs between a junction with I-269 and US 78 near the Tennessee line and a junction with I-65 in Birmingham. The route gives the Birmingham metro a direct freeway link toward Memphis and the broader Mid-South.

The corridor crosses rural and small-town country for much of its length, passing through or near Tupelo, Mississippi, and the hill country of northwestern Alabama before descending into the Birmingham area. It carries a mix of long-distance freight and regional travel and was built to upgrade the older US 78 corridor to Interstate standards.

State-by-state mileage

State	Miles
Mississippi	115.6
Alabama	95.9
Total	211.5

History

The corridor was developed for years as Corridor X under the Appalachian Development Highway Program before being signed as I-22. The Interstate designation was applied in stages as segments were completed, with the route reaching full Interstate status in 2016 once the final connections were finished.

Because the route follows the long-planned US 78 upgrade, much of its construction predates the I-22 shields, and the number was assigned to a corridor that had been under development for decades.

Major cities and places

Did you know

• Carries two states, Mississippi and Alabama, on its signed mainline.
• Built as an upgrade of the US 78 corridor, long known as Corridor X.
• Reached full Interstate status in 2016 after the final segments opened.
• Provides Birmingham with a direct freeway connection toward Memphis.