For nearly a century, travelers have followed the call of U.S. Route 6—the “Grand Army of the Republic Highway.” Stretching once from Cape Cod to the Pacific, it promised an unbroken path through small towns, farmland, deserts, and mountain passes. But many today ask: does it still exist from coast to coast?

From Sea to Shining Sea

When Route 6 debuted in 1926, it was America’s longest transcontinental highway—over 3,600 miles linking Provincetown, Massachusetts, to Long Beach, California. It tied together local roads, connecting coal towns in Pennsylvania, prairie farms in Iowa, and the Rockies’ mining settlements into one continuous route.

A Change in the Map

In 1964, California re-numbered its state highways, and the western portion of U.S. 6 was officially truncated at Bishop. The coast-to-coast designation disappeared from federal maps—but not from travelers’ hearts. Across the remaining 3,200 miles, signs for Historic U.S. Route 6 mark the old alignment, maintained by local associations and volunteers who keep its story alive.

Why the Road Still Matters

Driving Route 6 today is a journey through living history. You pass through Barnstable’s maritime heritage in Massachusetts, industrial legacies in Moline and Muncie, high-plains towns of Nebraska, and Colorado’s red-rock canyons before reaching California’s Sierra Nevada. Though the official end lies east of the Pacific, the sense of continuity endures. Travelers often extend their trip all the way to Long Beach, following the original path as a tribute to America’s first true transcontinental byway.

Tips for Modern Explorers

• Look for “Historic U.S. 6” signs through states like Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada.
• Pair paper maps with GPS apps—some modern sections diverge slightly.
• Join Route 6 preservation groups or forums before you go; they share current detours and community events.
• Don’t rush—its charm lives in diners, thrift stores, and small-town museums along the way.

The Spirit of a Continuous Journey

While Route 6 no longer officially runs from ocean to ocean, its story remains whole. Every traveler who follows its winding path helps keep the connection intact—from the Atlantic dunes of Cape Cod to the Pacific breezes of Long Beach. In that sense, yes—U.S. Route 6 still goes coast to coast. It just does so in the hearts of those who drive it.