# Interstate 77

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**Interstate 77** (**I-77**) is a north–south [Interstate Highway](/source/Interstate_Highway) in the [Eastern United States](/source/Eastern_United_States). It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of [West Virginia](/source/West_Virginia) to the rolling farmlands of [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina) and [Ohio](/source/Ohio). It largely supplants the old [U.S. Route 21](/source/U.S._Route_21) (US 21) between [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland), [Ohio](/source/Ohio), and [Columbia, South Carolina](/source/Columbia,_South_Carolina), as an important north–south corridor through the middle [Appalachian Mountains](/source/Appalachian_Mountains). The southern terminus of I-77 is in [Cayce, South Carolina](/source/Cayce,_South_Carolina), in [Lexington County](/source/Lexington_County,_South_Carolina) at the junction with [I-26](/source/Interstate_26).[1] The northern terminus is in Cleveland at the junction with [I-90](/source/Interstate_90). Other major cities that I-77 connects to include Columbia, South Carolina; [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte,_North_Carolina); [Charleston, West Virginia](/source/Charleston,_West_Virginia); and [Akron, Ohio](/source/Akron,_Ohio). The [East River Mountain Tunnel](/source/East_River_Mountain_Tunnel), connecting [Virginia](/source/Virginia) and West Virginia, is one of only two instances in the U.S. where a mountain road tunnel crosses a state line. The other is the [Cumberland Gap Tunnel](/source/Cumberland_Gap_Tunnel), connecting [Tennessee](/source/Tennessee) and [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky).[2] I-77 is a [snowbird](/source/Snowbird_(person)) route to the [Southern U.S.](/source/Southern_U.S.) for those traveling from the [Great Lakes region](/source/Great_Lakes_region).[3]

## Route description

|- |[SC](/source/Interstate_77_in_South_Carolina) |91.05 miles || 146.53 km |- |[NC](/source/Interstate_77_in_North_Carolina) |105.50 miles || 169.79 km |- ||[VA](/source/Interstate_77_in_Virginia) |69.40 miles || 111.69 km |- |[WV](/source/Interstate_77_in_West_Virginia) |187.21 miles || 301.29 km |- |[OH](/source/Interstate_77_in_Ohio) |160.13 miles || 257.70 km |- |Total |610.10 miles || 981.86 km |}

### South Carolina

Main article: [Interstate 77 in South Carolina](/source/Interstate_77_in_South_Carolina)

I-77 begins as an eight-lane highway at I-26 in the far southwestern part of the [Columbia metropolitan area](/source/Columbia_metropolitan_area,_South_Carolina). In the Columbia area, I-77 offers access to [Fort Jackson](/source/Fort_Jackson_(South_Carolina)) before meeting [I-20](/source/Interstate_20) in the northeastern part of the city. This segment of I-77, combined with I-20 and I-26, form a [beltway](/source/Beltway) around Columbia, though it is not officially designated as such.

After leaving the northern Columbia suburb of [Blythewood](/source/Blythewood,_South_Carolina), I-77 narrows to four lanes until it widens to eight lanes at [Rock Hill](/source/Rock_Hill,_South_Carolina) from exit 77 to the North Carolina state line at [I-485](/source/Interstate_485).

The final section of the entire length of I-77 was completed in Columbia in 1995.

### North Carolina

Main article: [Interstate 77 in North Carolina](/source/Interstate_77_in_North_Carolina)

I-77 through North Carolina begins at the South Carolina state line at [Pineville](/source/Pineville,_North_Carolina). It narrows to six lanes on the North Carolina side south of [Charlotte](/source/Charlotte,_North_Carolina) and then widens to 8 and 10 lanes through downtown before entering the North Carolina [Piedmont](/source/Piedmont_(United_States)) region. In Charlotte, it intersects [I-85](/source/Interstate_85) as well as intersecting each of the loops of [I-485](/source/Interstate_485) and [I-277](/source/Interstate_277_(North_Carolina)) (twice). North of Charlotte, it skirts [Lake Norman](/source/Lake_Norman) where it narrows again to four lanes before passing through [Huntersville](/source/Huntersville,_North_Carolina), [Cornelius](/source/Cornelius,_North_Carolina), [Davidson](/source/Davidson,_North_Carolina), and [Mooresville](/source/Mooresville,_North_Carolina). At [Statesville](/source/Statesville,_North_Carolina), 40 miles (64 km) north of I-85, it intersects [I-40](/source/Interstate_40) and [US 70](/source/U.S._Route_70). Next, it crosses over [US 421](/source/U.S._Route_421) in [Yadkin County](/source/Yadkin_County,_North_Carolina) and continues on through [Elkin](/source/Elkin,_North_Carolina). The final intersection in the state is with a discontinuous section of [I-74](/source/Interstate_74) near [Mount Airy](/source/Mount_Airy,_North_Carolina).

I-77 in Charlotte is also known as the Bill Lee Freeway; this designation stretches from exit 6 (South Tryon Street/Woodlawn Road) in Charlotte to exit 33 (US 21 north), near Mooresville. A 6-mile (9.7-kilometre) portion south of the city is called the General Younts Expressway. When I-77 crosses over I-85 (which runs in an east–west direction through the interchange), the northbound lanes are to the west of the southbound lanes.

North Carolina completed its section of I-77 in 1975.

### Virginia

Main article: [Interstate 77 in Virginia](/source/Interstate_77_in_Virginia)

I-77 through Virginia passes through two tunnels: the [Big Walker](/source/Big_Walker_Mountain_Tunnel) and [East River](/source/East_River_Mountain_Tunnel) mountain tunnels. For 8 miles (13 km), I-77 and [I-81](/source/Interstate_81) overlap near [Wytheville](/source/Wytheville,_Virginia). This is a [wrong-way concurrency](/source/Wrong-way_concurrency), where two roads run concurrent with each other but are designated in opposite directions. For its entire length in Virginia, I-77 is either parallel to or [concurrent](/source/Concurrency_(road)) with [US 52](/source/U.S._Route_52). It will have a concurrency with [I-74](/source/Interstate_74) throughout the state.

On March 31, 2013, there was a nearly 100-car pileup on I-77 near [Fancy Gap](/source/Fancy_Gap,_Virginia); as a result of that crash, electronic variable speed limit signs are now in place along that stretch of I-77. The speed limit can be adjusted according to driving conditions at any given time.

### West Virginia

Main article: [Interstate 77 in West Virginia](/source/Interstate_77_in_West_Virginia)

I-77 enters [West Virginia](/source/West_Virginia) through the [East River Mountain Tunnel](/source/East_River_Mountain_Tunnel). At milepost 9, I-77 becomes cosigned with the [West Virginia Turnpike](/source/West_Virginia_Turnpike) for the next 88 miles (142 km), a [toll road](/source/Toll_road) between [Princeton](/source/Princeton,_West_Virginia) and [Charleston](/source/Charleston,_West_Virginia). It is concurrent with [I-64](/source/Interstate_64) to Charleston at [Beckley](/source/Beckley,_West_Virginia). The speed limit is 70 mph (110 km/h) for most of the length, with a 60-mile per hour (97-kilometre per hour) limit for the section between [Marmet](/source/Marmet,_West_Virginia) and the toll plaza near [Pax](/source/Pax,_West_Virginia).

It enters Charleston via the Yeager Bridge before splitting off at a four-level junction with I-64. 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the city center, it junctions with [I-79](/source/Interstate_79), before proceeding north to [Ripley](/source/Ripley,_West_Virginia) and [Parkersburg](/source/Parkersburg,_West_Virginia).

North of Charleston, I-77 is known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

### Ohio

Main article: [Interstate 77 in Ohio](/source/Interstate_77_in_Ohio)

Entering from [West Virginia](/source/West_Virginia) at [Marietta](/source/Marietta,_Ohio), I-77 passes through rolling Appalachian terrain.

The [interchange](/source/Interchange_(road)) with I-70 at Cambridge is (or at least at one time was) thought to be the largest interchange in the world, covering over 300 acres (120 ha).

I-77 continues north through [Canton](/source/Canton,_Ohio) and then Akron, where it connects with I-76. The interchange with I-80, the Ohio Turnpike, between Akron and Cleveland was completed in December 2001;[4][5] previously, traffic had to exit at [State Route 21](/source/Ohio_State_Route_21) (SR 21) to access the turnpike. I-77 ends at I-90 in Cleveland.

I-77 is also known as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway in Ohio[6] and the Willow Freeway in [Greater Cleveland](/source/Greater_Cleveland).[7]

## Junction list

**South Carolina[8]**- in [Cayce](/source/Cayce,_South_Carolina)
- in Cayce
- in [Columbia](/source/Columbia,_South_Carolina)
- on the [Woodfield](/source/Woodfield,_South_Carolina)–[Dentsville](/source/Dentsville,_South_Carolina) CDP line
- in Dentsville
- south of [Blythewood](/source/Blythewood,_South_Carolina)
- on the [Lesslie](/source/Lesslie,_South_Carolina)–[Rock Hill](/source/Rock_Hill,_South_Carolina) line
- in Rock Hill
- north of [Fort Mill](/source/Fort_Mill,_South_Carolina). The highways travel concurrently to [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte,_North_Carolina).
**North Carolina[8]**- in Charlotte
- in Charlotte
- in Charlotte
- in Charlotte
- in Charlotte
- in [Huntersville](/source/Huntersville,_North_Carolina)
- in [Cornelius](/source/Cornelius,_North_Carolina). The highways travel concurrently to [Mooresville](/source/Mooresville,_North_Carolina).
- southeast of [Troutman](/source/Troutman,_North_Carolina)
- in [Statesville](/source/Statesville,_North_Carolina)
- in Statesville
- north of Statesville
- west-northwest of [Hamptonville](/source/Hamptonville,_North_Carolina)
- south-southeast of [Jonesville](/source/Jonesville,_North_Carolina). The highways travel concurrently to [Elkin](/source/Elkin,_North_Carolina).
- west-southwest of [Pine Ridge](/source/Pine_Ridge,_Surry_County,_North_Carolina). The highways travel concurrently to the [Virginia](/source/Virginia) state line north-northwest of Pine Ridge.
**Virginia[8]**- in [Woodlawn](/source/Woodlawn,_Carroll_County,_Virginia)
- in [Fort Chiswell](/source/Fort_Chiswell,_Virginia). The highways travel concurrently to [Wytheville](/source/Wytheville,_Virginia).
- in Fort Chiswell. The highways travel concurrently to Wytheville.
- west of [Bland](/source/Bland,_Virginia)
- in [Rocky Gap](/source/Rocky_Gap,_Virginia)
- north-northwest of Rocky Gap. The highways travel concurrently to [Bluefield, West Virginia](/source/Bluefield,_West_Virginia).
**West Virginia[8]**- east-southeast of [Princeton](/source/Princeton,_West_Virginia)
- south-southeast of [Camp Creek](/source/Camp_Creek,_West_Virginia)
- southeast of [Crab Orchard](/source/Crab_Orchard,_West_Virginia). The highways travel concurrently to [Charleston](/source/Charleston,_West_Virginia).
- southeast of [Snow Hill](/source/Snow_Hill,_Kanawha_County,_West_Virginia). The highways travel concurrently to Charleston.
- northeast of Charleston
- in [Ripley](/source/Ripley,_West_Virginia). The highways travel concurrently to [Silverton](/source/Silverton,_West_Virginia).
- east of [Parkersburg](/source/Parkersburg,_West_Virginia)
**Ohio[8]**- in [Marietta](/source/Marietta,_Ohio)
- south-southeast of [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge,_Ohio)
- east of Cambridge
- northeast of Cambridge
- in [Newcomerstown](/source/Newcomerstown,_Ohio)
- in [New Philadelphia](/source/New_Philadelphia,_Ohio). The highways travel concurrently to south-southeast of [Strasburg](/source/Strasburg,_Ohio).
- in [Canton](/source/Canton,_Ohio). I-77/US 62 travels concurrently through Canton.
- south of [Akron](/source/Akron,_Ohio)
- in Akron. I-76 and I-77 travel concurrently through Akron.
- West of Akron
- in [Richfield](/source/Richfield,_Ohio)
- on the Richfield–[Brecksville](/source/Brecksville,_Ohio) line
- on the [Independence](/source/Independence,_Ohio)–[Brooklyn Heights](/source/Brooklyn_Heights,_Ohio) line
- in [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland)
- in Cleveland
- in Cleveland

## Auxiliary routes

- [I-277](/source/Interstate_277_(North_Carolina)) – [Charlotte, North Carolina](/source/Charlotte,_North_Carolina)
- [I-277](/source/Interstate_277_(Ohio)) – [Akron, Ohio](/source/Akron,_Ohio)

## References

1. [*Cayce, SC*](https://caycesc.gov/files/Cayce%20City%20Limits%20Map.pdf). City of Cayce. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220707202629/https://caycesc.gov/files/Cayce%20City%20Limits%20Map.pdf) July 7, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 28, 2024.

1. AppalachianMagazine (December 18, 2015). ["Virginia & West Virginia's Shared Tunnel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180713233054/http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/18/virginia-west-virginias-shared-tunnel/). *Appalachian Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/18/virginia-west-virginias-shared-tunnel/) on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.

1. Wighton, Doug (December 29, 2014). ["Road trip: the alternate route to Florida"](https://www.thestar.com/autos/2014/12/29/road_trip_the_alternate_route_to_florida.html). *[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star)*. [ISSN 0319-0781](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0319-0781). [OCLC 137342540](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/137342540). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105606/https://www.thestar.com/autos/2014/12/29/road_trip_the_alternate_route_to_florida.html) March 20, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 20, 2018.

1. Exner, Rich (December 2, 2001). ["Turnpike ramps to I-77 open tomorrow"](http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200F2DBD5A1CF6B647%20)&p_docid=0F2DBD5A1CF6B647&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=0F2DBD5A1CF6B647&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=R5DH53BMMTIxMzY2NjI4OC43MzgyMTY6MToxMjoxOTguMzAuMjI4LjA&&p_multi=CPDB). *[The Plain Dealer](/source/The_Plain_Dealer)*. [ISSN 2641-4058](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2641-4058). Retrieved June 16, 2008.

1. ["Ohio Turnpike, I-77 Interchange Opens To Traffic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081015015456/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/1100039/detail.html). *[WEWS-TV](/source/WEWS-TV)*. December 3, 2001. Archived from [the original](http://www.newsnet5.com/news/1100039/detail.html) on October 15, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.

1. ["5533.37 Vietnam Veterans' of America highway"](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5533.37). *LAWriter - Ohio Laws and Rules*. [Ohio Revised Code](/source/Ohio_Revised_Code). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111001055547/http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5533.37) October 1, 2011 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Willow Freeway"](http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WF1). *[The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History](/source/The_Encyclopedia_of_Cleveland_History)*. [Case Western Reserve University](/source/Case_Western_Reserve_University). June 20, 1997. ISBN 0-253-31303-1. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100612182225/http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WF1) June 12, 2010 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Rand McNally (2014). *The Road Atlas*. Walmart ed. Chicago: [Rand McNally](/source/Rand_McNally). pp. 74, 79, 81, 92, 106, 112. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Interstate 77](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_77) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_77?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.