The longest continuous trip you can make on a single highway in Texas is along U.S. Highway 83, spanning an exact distance of 783.5 miles.
Journeying Through the Heart of Texas on U.S. 83
U.S. Highway 83 offers the most extensive single-road journey within Texas. This monumental highway stretches from the northern border with Oklahoma, traversing much of the state, all the way down to the Mexican border at Brownsville. Its considerable length provides a unique perspective on the diverse landscapes and regions of Texas, making it a prominent route for travelers seeking to experience the vastness of the state.
Understanding Texas's Grand Scale
To put the length of U.S. Highway 83 into perspective, it's helpful to consider the overall dimensions of Texas. The state itself is immense, offering vast distances for travel in every direction.
- North to South: The approximate distance across Texas from its northernmost to southernmost points is around 880 miles, giving or taking a few miles. This indicates that U.S. 83 covers a significant portion, though not the entirety, of the state's maximum north-south span.
- East to West: When considering a straight-line distance, Texas extends approximately 773 miles from its eastern to western borders.
This context highlights how U.S. Highway 83, at 783.5 miles, is an extraordinary route, nearly equaling the state's straight-line east-west dimension and covering a substantial part of its north-south expanse.
Key Distances in Texas
| Route/Dimension | Length (Miles) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 83 | 783.5 | Longest continuous highway trip from Oklahoma border to Mexican border |
| Texas (North-South) | ~880 | Approximate distance across the state's full north-south span |
| Texas (East-West) | 773 | Straight-line distance across the state's full east-west span |
