I-55

About I-55

From LaPlace, LA (I-10) to Chicago, IL (US 41)

Interstate 55 is a major north-south route running about 964 miles from the New Orleans area at LaPlace, Louisiana, north through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri to Chicago, Illinois. It crosses the Mississippi Delta region, passes through Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee, then continues up through southeastern Missouri and St. Louis before crossing Illinois to its end in Chicago. The route closely parallels the Mississippi River corridor for much of its length.

The southern section links New Orleans and Jackson, while the route serves Memphis at the junction of several states and then runs north through St. Louis, where it crosses the Mississippi River. Across Illinois it follows a historic corridor toward Chicago, including alignment associated with the old US 66. The route ties together a string of major river and rail cities along the central spine of the country.

Interstate 55 carries substantial freight traffic between the Gulf Coast, the mid-South, and the upper Midwest, in addition to heavy commuter use near New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, and Chicago. It functions as one of the principal north-south freight and travel corridors east of the Mississippi River.

State-by-state mileage

State	Miles
Louisiana	65.8
Mississippi	290.4
Tennessee	12.3
Arkansas	15.3
Missouri	210.5
Illinois	313.8
Total	908.1

History

Interstate 55 was established in 1957 as one of the original Interstate routes. In Illinois it followed and replaced much of the US 66 alignment between St. Louis and Chicago, and the full corridor between LaPlace and Chicago was completed over the following years.

Major cities and places

Did you know

• Established in 1957 and runs through six states.
• Closely parallels the Mississippi River corridor for much of its length.
• Follows much of the historic US 66 alignment in Illinois.
• Serves the major river cities of Memphis, St. Louis, and New Orleans.