Auxiliary route
I-805
San Diego
Length28 mi
Designatedn/a
States1
Junctions3
About I-805
Also known as Jacob Dekema Freeway.
Interstate 805 is a three-digit auxiliary route of Interstate 5, with an even prefix digit marking it as a loop or bypass. There is a single instance, entirely in San Diego County, California, where Interstate 805 forms an inland bypass of Interstate 5 through the city of San Diego. It leaves Interstate 5 near San Ysidro at the south end, swings inland east of the parent route through the central part of the metropolitan area, and rejoins Interstate 5 north of La Jolla.
The route is officially the Jacob Dekema Freeway, named for the longtime head of the regional division of the California Department of Transportation. It was conceived as an inland alternative to the heavily used coastal Interstate 5, easing travel for residents and for traffic heading to and from the Mexican border, and it carries a large share of north-south traffic on the inland side of San Diego.
Interstate 805 is noted for its engineering, including a tall viaduct where it crosses Interstate 8 in Mission Valley. As a bypass that begins and ends on the same parent route, it fits the loop or bypass role implied by its even prefix digit.
State-by-state mileage
| State | Miles |
|---|---|
| California | 28.0 |
| Total | 28 |
History
Construction began in 1967, with the northern part built before the southern part, and the freeway was completed and opened to traffic in 1975. It was developed specifically as an inland bypass of Interstate 5 to relieve the coastal corridor and improve access across the growing San Diego area.
Major cities and places
San DiegoChula VistaNational City
Notable features
- Mission Valley viaduct at the crossing of Interstate 8
Did you know
- It is an inland bypass of Interstate 5 through San Diego.
- It is officially the Jacob Dekema Freeway.
- It opened to traffic in 1975 after construction from the north.
- The even prefix digit reflects its bypass role.