U.S. Route 212
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2023) |
Route information | |
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Auxiliary route of US 12 | |
Length | 949 mi (1,527 km) |
Existed | 1926–present |
Major junctions | |
West end | Yellowstone National Park |
| |
East end | US 169 / MN 62 in Edina, MN |
Location | |
Country | United States |
States | Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota |
Highway system | |
U.S. Route 212 (US 212) is a spur of
Route description
Montana and Wyoming
While the official western terminus of US 212 is at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park near the Wyoming–Montana state line, some commercially produced maps show the highway within the park itself, contiguous with Northeast Entrance Road, starting from its western end at Tower Junction on the Grand Loop. From the park, US 212 heads east through Cooke City, Montana, then crosses the Wyoming state line and re-emerges into Montana approximately 38 miles (61 km) later. The section of US 212 between Cooke City and Red Lodge is known as the Beartooth Highway. Rising to an elevation of 10,974 feet (3,345 m) above sea level at Beartooth Pass, the highway traces the historical route of Civil War General Philip Sheridan over the Beartooth Mountains. In his book Dateline America published in 1979, the late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt referred to the highway as "the most beautiful drive in America".[1]
Running northeast from the Beartooth Mountains, US 212 joins US 310 before passing into the town of Laurel, Montana. Here US 212 joins Interstate 90 (I-90) eastbound, while US 310 ends. Together, US 212 and I-90 run east through Billings to the town of Crow Agency between mile markers 434 and 510, a distance of 76 miles (122 km).[2]
Within the
South Dakota
US 212 enters South Dakota near the junction of the Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota state lines, and continues southeast to
It continues east, passing the town of Nisland, until connecting with South Dakota Highway 79 (SD 79) south of Newell. It runs north into Newell, then turns generally east again, passing through the town of Faith and entering the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. US 212 then passes through Dupree and North Eagle Butte, finally crossing the Missouri River.
Continuing east, it then intersects (and is co-signed briefly) with US 83 near Gettysburg and then continues eastward, passing through Gettysburg, Seneca, and Faulkton. It intersects with SD 45, where it is cosigned for a brief southern leg, before turning eastward again and passing through Rockham, Zell and Redfield, where it intersects with US 281.
Continuing east, US 212 passes through Clark, before entering Watertown, following 9th Avenue SW. Just east of Watertown, it intersects with I-29 and continues east o the Minnesota state line.
Legally, the South Dakota section of US 212 is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-206.[5]
Minnesota
The 160 miles (260 km) of US 212 in Minnesota are officially designated Minnesota Veterans Memorial Highway. Yellowstone Trail is the original name designation for this same stretch of US 212 from the auto trail days. Yellowstone Trail was one of the first designated names written into law in the state.
The route in Minnesota connects the cities of Montevideo, Granite Falls, Olivia, Glencoe, Norwood Young America, and the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis.
Legally, the Minnesota section of US 212 is defined as Routes 155, 12, 187, and 260 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(86), (118), and (191).[6][7]
Major intersections
- Montana (western segment)
- Northeast Entrance Road at the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park, west of Silver Gate
- Wyoming
- No major intersections
- Montana (eastern segment)
- US 310 north-northwest of Edgar. The highways travel concurrently to Laurel.
- I-90 / US 310 in Laurel. I-90/US 212 travels concurrently to Crow Agency.
- US 87 in Lockwood. The highways travel concurrently to Crow Agency.
- I-94 in Lockwood
- South Dakota
- US 85 in Belle Fourche
- US 83 west of Gettysburg. The highways travel concurrently for approximately 0.9 miles (1.4 km).
- US 281 in Redfield. The highways travel concurrently through Redfield.
- US 81 in Watertown
- I-29 in Watertown
- Minnesota
- US 75 south of Madison
- US 59 west-southwest of Montevideo. The highways travel concurrently to Montevideo.
- US 71 in Olivia. The highways travel concurrently through Olivia.
- I-494 in Eden Prairie
- US 169 in Eden Prairie
See also
- U.S. Roads portal
References
- ^ Kulbacki, Michael; McCauley, Bert; Moler, Steve (July–August 2006). "An Orphaned Highway". Public Roads. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Montana Department of Transportation (2007). Official 2007–2008 Montana Travel Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Helena: Montana Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
- ^ Google Maps estimate.
- ^ "60-1-214. Warrior trail highway". Montana Legislative Services. 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
- ^ "South Dakota Legislature".
- ^ "Sec. 161.114 MN Statutes".
- ^ "Sec. 161.115 MN Statutes".
External links
- Media related to U.S. Route 212 at Wikimedia Commons
Browse numbered routes | ||||
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← WY | → WYO 212 | |||
← MT | → US 287 | |||
← SD 214 |