List of state-named roadways in Washington, D.C.

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State-Named Roadways
U.S. states and Puerto Rico
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As the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. has 51 roadways which are named after each state and the territory of Puerto Rico. Many of these roadways are major avenues that serve as the city's principal traffic arteries. Every state-named roadway is an avenue except for California Street and Ohio Drive.

Organization

While streets in Washington, D.C. are generally laid out in a grid pattern, the state-named avenues often form diagonal connections between the city's many traffic circles and squares as envisioned in the L'Enfant Plan for the city. However, avenues named for Arizona, Hawaii, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Puerto Rico connect to no other state-named roadways. Avenues named for Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin continue into neighboring Maryland, often as state highways, but none of the state-named avenues continue into Virginia. Most avenues exist in one or two quadrants, except for Massachusetts and Virginia Avenues, which travel through three of the four quadrants; it is geometrically impossible for a straight street to exist in all four quadrants, though they exist in multiple sections.

List

Name Quadrant(s) Details Total length
(in the District)
Alabama Avenue
SE
 Part-primary road and part-residential street which runs from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in
Benning Ridge
, following a winding path. 		5.0 mi (8.0 km)[1][2]
Alaska Avenue
NW
 Secondary road runs from 16th Street to Kalmia Road and Georgia Avenue in Shepherd Park, built in 1911.[3] 0.8 mi (1.3 km)[4]
Arizona Avenue
NW
 Secondary road in that runs from Canal to Loughboro Roads in
Kent. One of four state-named roadways that does not connect to another state-named roadway. In 1947, Senator Carl Hayden proposed to build a four-lane divided highway called Arizona Avenue through the Glover-Archbold Park, from Canal Street in Georgetown to Wisconsin Avenue in Friendship Heights.[5] Hayden's proposed highway was not built; the path is now the Glover-Archbold Trail and the Massachusetts-39th Trail. Instead Weaver Street and Weaver Place were renamed Arizona Avenue in 1954[6] after a suggestion by the American University Park Citizens' Association.[7]
 0.9 mi (1.4 km)[8][9]
Arkansas Avenue
NW
 Secondary road that runs from 16th Street to Georgia Avenue / Gallatin Street, running along the border in
Petworth and Sixteenth Street Heights
. 		1.0 mi (1.6 km)[10]
California Street
NW
 Residential street in
Burleith.[11]
 0.7 mi (1.1 km)[13][14]
Colorado Avenue
NW
 Residential street that runs from a cul-de-sac in
Brightwood
. 		1.6 mi (2.6 km)[15]
Connecticut Avenue
NW
 Arterial street that runs from K Street in
Maryland State Route 185. The road runs for one block between H and I Streets, between Farragut and Lafayette Square
. 		5.0 mi (8.0 km)[16][17]
Delaware Avenue
NE
 Residential street that is one of the four avenues centered on the Capitol. The street has several intermittent segments: one runs in from Canal to H Streets in Southwest Waterfront. Another section in the same neighborhood exists for one block from Washington Avenue to C Street in front of the Rayburn House Office Building. A stretch north of the Capitol exists between Constitution Avenue and Columbus Circle. The trajectory is occupied by Northeast Corridor and Red Line tracks, except for one block between L and M Streets. 0.9 mi (1.4 km)[18][19][20]
Florida Avenue
NE
 Major street in that was originally known as Boundary Street, the northern boundary of Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the Federal City. In 1890, the city expanded beyond the borders of the original plan, and the street was renamed. The road runs from an intersection with Massachusetts Avenue and 22nd and Q Streets in
Trinidad
. 		4.0 mi (6.4 km)[21][22][23]
Georgia Avenue
NW
 A major north–south artery that carries
Columbia Heights north of Florida Avenue NW, which was the boundary of the Old City and is a continuation of 7th Street NW. Traveling northward, the street passes Howard University and Fort Stevens into Montgomery County, Maryland
, where it carries. The total length of the road is about 24 miles (39 km), of which 5 miles (8.0 km) are in Washington, D.C. Georgia Avenue was originally named 7th Street Extended, and later Brightwood Avenue, before receiving its present name. Prior to this, Potomac Avenue in Southeast Washington was called Georgia Avenue. 		5 miles (8.0 km)
Hawaii Avenue
NE
 Residential street in
territorial delegate Samuel W. King.[25]
 0.6 miles (0.97 km)
Idaho Avenue
NW
 Residential street in McLean Gardens. Runs from Cathedral Avenue to Rodman Street. There is also a discontinuous dead-end Idaho Avenue off of Tilden Street. 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Illinois Avenue
NW
 Street in
Petworth
. Begins at Rock Creek Church Road, passes through Grant and Sherman Circles, and ends at Georgia Avenue and Longfellow Street. 		1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Indiana Avenue
NW
 Street in
Center Leg Freeway
. A short, noncontiguous portion of Indiana Avenue near the intersection of First Street and C Street is all that remains of the original route. 		0.3 miles (0.48 km)
Iowa Avenue
NW
 Street in Sixteenth Street Heights. Runs from 14th and Emerson Streets to Georgia Avenue and Varnum Street. There is also a nearby stretch from Piney Branch Road to Gallatin Road near 16th Street. 0.6 miles (0.97 km)
Kansas Avenue
NE
 A key thoroughfare that runs from through
Columbia Heights
. It runs parallel to New Hampshire Avenue. 		2.6 miles (4.2 km)
Kentucky Avenue
SE
 A street that begins at East Capitol Street SE in
RFK Stadium
. 		0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Louisiana Avenue
NE
 The northern counterpart to Washington Avenue. Though only a few blocks from the capitol, was not in L’Enfant’s original plan. Runs from 2nd Street and Constitution Avenue to Columbus Circle. In the 19th century, much of present-day Indiana Avenue was named Louisiana Avenue. 0.4 miles (0.64 km)
Maine Avenue
SW
 A diagonal avenue that begins Independence Avenue and 17th Street, runs along the
Interstate 395
, and ends at 6th and M Streets. 		1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Maryland Avenue
NE
 Along with Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey Avenues, Maryland Avenue is one of four avenues centered on the
U.S. Capitol. It exists in several intermittent sections, including one running from 12th Street SW one block in a cul-de-sac in a development built over railroad tracks, from 7th to 1st Streets SW, in front of the Capitol, and as a major street running from 1st Street NE through Capitol Hill and the Starburst Intersection to Carver Langston. The portion from Constitution Avenue NE to Bladensburg Road NE once carried U.S. 1. There are plans to make the section along the railroad tracks continuous within the Federal Center Southwest neighborhood. Until 1992, an entrance to the National Arboretum existed at the easternmost terminus of Maryland Avenue.[26]
 2.8 miles (4.5 km)
Massachusetts Avenue
NW
 Major traffic-carrying artery. One of only two avenues in the District to go through three of the four quadrants and only state-named roadway to touch two of the District's borders. The largest segment begins at 19th Street SE in the
Greenway
to Southern Avenue. 		10 miles (16 km)
Michigan Avenue
NE
 Major street that begins at Warder Street near the
Maryland State Route 500). Formerly named Bunker Hill Road, after nearby Fort Bunker Hill
. 		2.8 miles (4.5 km)
Minnesota Avenue
NE
 Major street that begins at Good Hope Road in
Anacostia, runs parallel to the Anacostia River and the Anacostia Freeway, and ends at Sheriff and Benning Roads in Deanwood. A shorter segment (0.4 miles) exists near the Deanwood Metro station
. 		3.5 miles (5.6 km)
Mississippi Avenue
SE
 Street that runs from South Capitol Street in Congress Heights to Southern Avenue in Oxon Run Park, generally parallel to Alabama Avenue. One of four state-named roadways that does not connect to another state-named roadway. Before 1908, it was named Hamilton Road.[27] 2.4 miles (3.9 km)
Missouri Avenue
NW
 Street that runs from Military Road and 14th Street in
Brightwood to North Capitol Street and Riggs Road in Petworth. Until 1937, it was named Concord Avenue.[28] In the mid-19th century, Missouri Avenue was located near the Capitol Building.[29]
 1.4 miles (2.3 km)
Montana Avenue
NE
 Street in
Langdon
that runs from Rhode Island Avenue to Bladensburg Road. There is also a discontinuous dead-end Montana Avenue off of Franklin Street, between 5th and 6th streets. 		1 mile (1.6 km)
Nebraska Avenue
NW
 A thoroughfare that runs from Oregon Avenue in
Chevy Chase, passes several circles and American University, and transitions to Loughboro Road at an intersection with Chain Bridge Road. Named Chain Bridge Road until 1906.[30]
A short non-contiguous section, which lies southwest of the main route of Nebraska Avenue extends off MacArthur Boulevard NW and connects with Sherier Place NW. 		3.5 miles (5.6 km)
Nevada Avenue
NW
 Street in Chevy Chase that winds from Western Avenue to Broad Branch Road. 1 mile (1.6 km)
New Hampshire Avenue
NW
 Street in Northwest Washington. Begins at F St NW in
Maryland State Route 650
. The southern section is 1.9 miles, and the northern section has 2.8 miles in D.C. and an additional 20+ miles in Maryland. 		4.7 miles (7.6 km)
New Jersey Avenue
NW
 Along with Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, one of four avenues centered on the U.S. Capitol. Segmented into two sections: one runs from Florida Avenue in
Navy Yard
. 		2.5 miles (4.0 km)
New Mexico Avenue
NW
 Street in Wesley Heights. Runs from 42nd Street and Tunlaw Road to Nebraska Avenue. Named Tunlaw Street until 1906.[30] 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
New York Avenue
NE
 Major avenue whose main section runs from 15th Street near the
John Hanson Highway. From 6th Street to Maryland, it carries U.S. Route 50. A smaller one-block section exists on the west side of the White House in Foggy Bottom
. 		5.3 miles (8.5 km)
North Carolina Avenue
NE
 Street that runs from E Street and New Jersey Avenue in
Capitol Hill to 16th and C Streets in Kingman Park
. 		1.6 miles (2.6 km)
North Dakota Avenue
NW
 A residential road in
Manor Park that is not as long or as heavily used as South Dakota Avenue. Runs from an intersection with Kansas Avenue and Blair Road to an intersection with Sheridan and 3rd Streets. Originally continued northwest to Georgia Avenue, but a Senate bill eliminated that portion in 1912.[31]
 0.4 miles (0.64 km)
Ohio Drive
SW
 A road that loops around West Potomac and East Potomac Parks between the Lincoln, Jefferson and FDR memorials. In the 19th century, Ohio Avenue was a street in the Federal Triangle area. Formerly Riverside Drive, the road was renamed Ohio Drive in 1950.[32] 5.1 miles (8.2 km)
Oklahoma Avenue
NE
 Street in Kingman Park that runs from 21st Street to Benning Road. One of four state-named roadways that does not connect to another state-named roadway. 0.4 miles (0.64 km)
Oregon Avenue
NW
 Street in North
Chevy Chase that runs from Military Road, along the west side of Rock Creek Park to Western Avenue. Until 1938, it was named Daniel Road.[33] The original Oregon Avenue was in Shaw and was renamed Swann Street NW in 1938.[33]
 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Pennsylvania Avenue
SE
 Along with Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, one of four avenues that radiates from the
Southeast, crossing the Anacostia River over the John Philip Sousa Bridge into the Fairlawn neighborhood. Pennsylvania Avenue continues about 2 miles to Southern Avenue where it crosses into Prince George's County, Maryland and continues as Maryland Route 4
. 		6.1 miles (9.8 km)
Puerto Rico Avenue
NE
 A short road along the Metro tracks which stretches for about five blocks from Taylor Street to the intersection of 6th and Buchanan Streets. At one time street signs named the street ""Porto Rico Avenue"". 0.4 miles (0.64 km)
Rhode Island Avenue
NE
 A major artery that begins at M Street and Connecticut Avenue in
Downtown, goes through Logan Circle, exits the District in Woodridge, and continues for a couple miles in Maryland. For much of its length, it carries U.S. 1
. 		4.7 miles (7.6 km)
South Carolina Avenue
SE
 Street that runs from 2nd and F Streets into Independence Avenue,15th Street, and Massachusetts Avenue. 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
South Dakota Avenue
NE
 A thoroughfare in that runs from Riggs Road in
Fort Lincoln
. A short non-contiguous section, which lies northwest of the main route of South Dakota Avenue extends off New Hampshire Avenue and terminates at a cul-de-sac. 		3.6 miles (5.8 km)
Tennessee Avenue
NE
 The counterpart to Kentucky Avenue. The road begins at Lincoln Park and ends at 15th Street. 0.6 miles (0.97 km)
Texas Avenue
SE
 Street in Benning Ridge that is segmented into three sections: from Ridge Road to East Capitol Street, from Nash Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, and from 29th to 27th Streets. 1.4 miles (2.3 km)
Utah Avenue
NW
 Street in
Upper Chevy Chase
that runs from 27th Street to Western Avenue. 		1 mile (1.6 km)
Vermont Avenue
NW
 The counterpart to Connecticut Avenue. The road begins at
Logan Circles, and ends at Florida Avenue near Howard University
. 		1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Virginia Avenue
SE
 One of only two avenues to go through three of the four quadrants, which exists in several intermittent segments. One runs in
Southeast Freeway
and the CSX tracks. 		2.5 miles (4.0 km)
Washington Avenue
SW
 Street which like its counterpart, Louisiana Avenue, is near the Capitol but not in L’Enfant’s parade. The avenue was originally occupied by a canal, but now runs from Independence Avenue and E Street, and serves as a connection between Capitol Hill and Interstate 395. At one time, it was called Canal Street, while a street named Washington Drive existed along a part of the National Mall. Along with Adams Drive, it was converted to a dirt path from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. 0.4 miles (0.64 km)
West Virginia Avenue
NE
 Street running from K Street NE to New York Avenue NE. It runs through the
Trinidad and Ivy City neighbourhoods. It forms the eastern boundary for Gallaudet University and the western boundary for Mount Olivet Cemetery
. 		1.3 miles (2.1 km)
Wisconsin Avenue
NW
 Major artery in that begins at
Burleith.[30] In 1906, Tenley Road was renamed Wisconsin Avenue.[30]
 4.3 miles (6.9 km)
Wyoming Avenue
NW
 Residential street in Kalorama that runs from Kalorama Road to 18th Street. 0.8 miles (1.3 km)

References

  1. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Alabama Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  2. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Alabama Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  3. ProQuest 145086471
    .
  4. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Alaska Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  5. ^ Rogers, Harold B. (December 21, 1947). "Hayden Bill Asks Developing Arizona Avenue: Four-lane Freeway Would Be Built from Canal Road". Washington Evening Star. p. 33.
  6. ^ "Weaver Street Change to Arizona Ave. OK'd". Washington Evening Star. January 12, 1954. p. 1.
  7. ^ "AU Park Unit Backs Public Works, Urges Tax Criticism Delay". Washington Evening Star. December 8, 1953. p. 33.
  8. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Arizona Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  9. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Arizona Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  10. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Arkansas Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  11. ^
    ProQuest 144270485
    .
  12. ProQuest 144802071
    .
  13. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "California Street" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  14. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "California Street" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  15. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Colorado Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  16. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Connecticut Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  17. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Connecticut Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  18. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Delaware Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  19. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Delaware Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  20. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Delaware Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  21. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Florida Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  22. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Florida Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  23. ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Florida Avenue" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  24. ProQuest 151185438
    .
  25. ProQuest 151112733
    .
  26. ^ Dan Malouff. "Open the arboretum's Maryland Avenue gate, says Eleanor Holmes Norton". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  27. ^ "Changes Ordered in Street Names". Washington Evening Star. April 9, 1908. p. 4.
  28. ^ "District Building Sale is Weighed by Budget Bureau". Washington Evening Star. February 24, 1937. p. 21.
  29. ISBN 9780520271333
    .
  30. ^
    ProQuest 144623117
    .
  31. ProQuest 145182577
    .
  32. ProQuest 152291948
    .
  33. ^ a b "Collins Will Ask Senate to Kill Firemen's Bill". Washington Evening Star. May 26, 1938. p. B1.

External links

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