Federal Aid Highway Act

United States [1956]

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June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 established the Interstate Highway System in the United States. This act funded the creation of over 40,000 miles of highways, setting standards for their construction and operation, with individual states managing their respective sections.1

The system's roots trace back to earlier federal road programs, but it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower's World War II experiences that solidified the vision for a comprehensive national highway network, inspired by Germany's Autobahn. The system was designed to enhance national defense, improve economic activity, and increase safety. By the 1990s, all 50 states had access to these highways, which are identified by the prefix "I" before their number.1

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Route 66
Rise and demise of the route
Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, a few segments of Route 66 had already been superseded by newer, wider, and safer roads. The act authorized federal funding for an Interstate Highway System of such roads, and, despite an appeal by the state of Missouri on behalf…
Read More
Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, a few segments of Route 66 had already been superseded by newer, wider, and safer roads. The act authorized federal funding for an Interstate Highway System of such roads, and, despite an appeal by the state of Missouri on behalf…
Read More

road
The United States and Canada
Following this committee’s recommendations, the Federal Aid Highway Act and the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 provided funding for an accelerated program of construction. A federal gasoline tax was established, the funds from which, with other highway-user payments, were placed in a Highway Trust Fund. The federal-state ratio for funding…
Read More
Following this committee’s recommendations, the Federal Aid Highway Act and the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 provided funding for an accelerated program of construction. A federal gasoline tax was established, the funds from which, with other highway-user payments, were placed in a Highway Trust Fund. The federal-state ratio for funding…
Read More