I-25: The Pan-American Freeway Quiz

Answer:

Interstate 25 (I-25) is a major north-south interstate highway in the United States, connecting New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. It runs through mostly rural areas, except where is passes through the Albuquerque metropolitan area and the Front Range area of Colorado. It is part of one of two major routes through the United States that are part of the Pan-American Highway, which runs from Prudhoe Bay, AK, to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Starting at its southern end, I-25 begins at Exit 114 of I-10 in Las Cruces, NM, just south of New Mexico State University. As it goes north towards Albuquerque, it runs concurrently with a several US highway routes: US-85, US-70, US-380, US-60, and US-66. From Albuquerque, I-25 curves northeast towards Santa Fe. North from Santa Fe, it goes towards Trinidad, CO via Raton Pass, which is at nearly 7,800 feet above sea level. Due to this altitude, winter storms often close this route in winter months. In this area, I-25 also aligns with the route of the Santa Fe Trail, the pre-railroad route that connected St. Louis, MO with Santa Fe, NM in the 19th century.

I-25 enters Colorado 14 miles south of Trinidad, CO. It is the main north-south route through Colorado. It serves all the major cities that are east of the Rocky Mountains: Denver, Colorado Springs, Fr. Collins, Greeley, and Pueblo. On the entirety of I-25 through Colorado, the Rocky Mountains can be viewed to the west.

I-25 enters Wyoming eight miles south of the state capital, Cheyenne. It also is the main north-south route through Wyoming, serving the eastern third of the state. It ends at the junction with I-90 at its exit 58.