U.S. Route 4 in Vermont
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Vermont
, U.S. Route 4
extends for 66.06 miles (106.31 km) between the New York
state line at Fair Haven and the New Hampshire
state line at White River Junction
. It is one of the main arteries between New York and New Hampshire.
. US-4 changes from being signed north–south (in New York) to being signed east- west (in Vermont). The historic routing of US-4 runs nearby as Route 4A
, which later becomes U.S. Route 4 Business as it enters the town of Rutland
.
The 19 miles (30.6 km) US-4 expressway was built in anticipation of the proposed, but never built, Interstate 92
freeway which was supposed to link the population centers of northern New England. As such, this section of freeway meets Interstate Highway standards. The freeway has junctions with Route 22A
in Fair Haven and Route 30
in Castleton
. In West Rutland
, the last numbered exit on the highway, Exit 6, leads to U.S. Route 4 Business, which provides access to the town centers of West Rutland and Rutland
town. The expressway veers south just outside the limits of Rutland city, ending at an at-grade intersection with U.S. Route 7
south of the city.
US-4 overlaps with US-7 north into downtown Rutland, meeting the east end of its business route along the way. US-4 then leaves US-7 along Woodstock Avenue as it heads northeast out of the city. East of Rutland city, US-4 is a two-lane highway, meandering through the Green Mountains
, passing by the town center of Mendon
towards the town of Killington
. In Killington, US-4 joins the Route 100 as they pass through Killington center along the Ottauquechee River
valley until the village of West Bridgewater at the Bridgewater
town line. Route 100 splits off to the south while US-4 continues following the Ottauquechee River east through Bridgewater center into the town of Woodstock. Several miles later, US-4 enters the incorporated village of Woodstock
, where it meets Route 12
and Route 106
. Southbound Route 12 and eastbound US-4 overlap for about 4 miles (6.4 km) along the river and split at the village of Taftsville, in the northwest corner of the town of Hartland
.
US-4 continues following the Ottauquechee River into the town of Hartford
, passing by Quechee Gorge State Park and circling around Deweys Pond heading north to the south bank of the White River
. Here, US-4 has an interchange with Interstate 89
, then turns eastward following the river bank into the village of White River Junction
. In the village, US-4 joins U.S. Route 5 as they cross the White River. At a four-way intersection immediately after the crossing, US-5 continues north, Route 14 begins to the west, and US-4 continues to the east. US-4 crosses the New Hampshire
state line at the Connecticut River
after a quarter of a mile.
The road running from the New York
state line (towards Whitehall, New York
) at Fair Haven eastward through Rutland and Woodstock
to White River Junction
was designated as Route 13 of the New England road marking system in 1922. In late 1926, New England Route 13 was incorporated into the newly established U.S. Highway System as U.S. Route 4
. In the 1960s, construction of the 19 miles (30.6 km) expressway section of US 4 began. The middle segment of the expressway from Exit 5 in Castleton to Exit 6 in West Rutland opened to traffic in 1969. Two years later, the western segment from the New York line in Fair Haven to Exit 5 also opened. The original surface alignment of US 4 was re-designated as Vermont Route 4A
. The construction of the eastern segment (from Exit 6 to the intersection with US 7) was delayed for several years and did not open to traffic until 1986. The original surface alignment east of Exit 6 was redesignated as US 4 Business.
heading north to Main Street in West Rutland center, where it meets the east end of Vermont Route 4A
. US 4 Business then turns east following Main Street into the town of Rutland
. In Rutland town, the road is known as Rutland Road and intersects with Vermont Route 3
at the town center. About 0.3 mile (0.482802 km) later, the road enters the city of Rutland, becoming West Street. US 4 Business briefly shifts north one block to use State Street then returns to West Street after half a mile. The route ends at an intersection with US 4/US 7 in the center of the city.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4 is a long United States highway that runs from East Greenbush, New York, in the west to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the east, traversing through Vermont.In New York, US 4 is signed north–south to reflect its alignment in the state...
extends for 66.06 miles (106.31 km) between the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state line at Fair Haven and the New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
state line at White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
. It is one of the main arteries between New York and New Hampshire.
Route description
Upon crossing into Vermont from New York, U.S. Route 4 immediately expands from a two-lane highway to a four-lane expresswayLimited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
. US-4 changes from being signed north–south (in New York) to being signed east- west (in Vermont). The historic routing of US-4 runs nearby as Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A is an east–west state highway in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. It runs from Fair Haven to West Rutland. VT 4A was the former alignment of U.S. Route 4 before it was relocated to an expressway.-Route description:...
, which later becomes U.S. Route 4 Business as it enters the town of Rutland
Rutland (town), Vermont
Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2010 census. Rutland completely surrounds the city of Rutland, which is incorporated separately from the town of Rutland.-History:...
.
The 19 miles (30.6 km) US-4 expressway was built in anticipation of the proposed, but never built, Interstate 92
East-West Highway (New England)
The East–West Highway is a long-proposed east–west highway corridor in northern New England, intended to link remote northern communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont with markets in the Maritimes, Quebec, and upper New York State.-History:...
freeway which was supposed to link the population centers of northern New England. As such, this section of freeway meets Interstate Highway standards. The freeway has junctions with Route 22A
Vermont Route 22A
Vermont Route 22A is a state highway in western Vermont, United States. It is the northward continuation of New York State Route 22A. Its southern end is at the New York state line in Fair Haven and its northern end is in Ferrisburgh at U.S. Route 7...
in Fair Haven and Route 30
Vermont Route 30
Vermont Route 30 is a north–south state highway in Vermont, United States. Considered one of Vermont's most scenic roadways, it runs from Brattleboro, Vermont in the south to Middlebury, Vermont in the north...
in Castleton
Castleton, Vermont
Castleton is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. Castleton is about to the west of Rutland, and about east of the New York/Vermont state border. The town had a population of 4,717 at the 2010 census. Castleton State College is located there, with roots dating to 1787...
. In West Rutland
West Rutland, Vermont
West Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2010 census. The town center, located in the south central portion of the town and where about 87% of the population resides, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
, the last numbered exit on the highway, Exit 6, leads to U.S. Route 4 Business, which provides access to the town centers of West Rutland and Rutland
Rutland (town), Vermont
Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2010 census. Rutland completely surrounds the city of Rutland, which is incorporated separately from the town of Rutland.-History:...
town. The expressway veers south just outside the limits of Rutland city, ending at an at-grade intersection with U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
south of the city.
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, passing by the town center of Mendon
Mendon, Vermont
Mendon is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,059 at the 2010 census. The town was originally chartered under the name Medway, changed its name to Parkerstown, and became Mendon in 1827....
towards the town of Killington
Killington, Vermont
Killington is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 811 at the 2010 census. Killington Ski Resort is located here....
. In Killington, US-4 joins the Route 100 as they pass through Killington center along the Ottauquechee River
Ottauquechee River
The Ottauquechee River is a river in eastern Vermont in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound....
valley until the village of West Bridgewater at the Bridgewater
Bridgewater, Vermont
Bridgewater is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 980 at the 2000 census. Bridgewater contains the hamlets of Bridgewater Village, Bridgewater Corners, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater Center...
town line. Route 100 splits off to the south while US-4 continues following the Ottauquechee River east through Bridgewater center into the town of Woodstock. Several miles later, US-4 enters the incorporated village of Woodstock
Woodstock (village), Vermont
Woodstock is an incorporated village in the town of Woodstock in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 977 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, where it meets Route 12
Vermont Route 12
Vermont Route 12 is a north-south state highway in Vermont that runs from Weathersfield to Morrisville.-Route description:Route 12 begins at the New Hampshire state line on the Connecticut River in the town of Weathersfield. It continues north along the west bank of the Connecticut River,...
and Route 106
Vermont Route 106
Vermont Route 106 is a state highway in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It runs north from VT 11 in Springfield to US Route 4 in Woodstock....
. Southbound Route 12 and eastbound US-4 overlap for about 4 miles (6.4 km) along the river and split at the village of Taftsville, in the northwest corner of the town of Hartland
Hartland, Vermont
Hartland is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,223 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles , of which 45.0 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is water...
.
US-4 continues following the Ottauquechee River into the town of Hartford
Hartford, Vermont
Hartford is a town in Windsor County in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is located on the New Hampshire border, at the intersection of Interstates 89 and 91. It is the site of the confluence of the White River and the Connecticut River; the Ottauquechee River also flows through the town...
, passing by Quechee Gorge State Park and circling around Deweys Pond heading north to the south bank of the White River
White River (Vermont)
The White River is a river in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River.The White River rises at Skylight Pond south of Bread Loaf Mountain near the crest of the Green Mountains. The river flows east to the town of Granville, where it receives the outflow from the...
. Here, US-4 has an interchange with Interstate 89
Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
, then turns eastward following the river bank into the village of White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
. In the village, US-4 joins U.S. Route 5 as they cross the White River. At a four-way intersection immediately after the crossing, US-5 continues north, Route 14 begins to the west, and US-4 continues to the east. US-4 crosses the New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
state line at the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
after a quarter of a mile.
History
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state line (towards Whitehall, New York
Whitehall (village), New York
Whitehall is a village located in the town of Whitehall in Washington County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) at Fair Haven eastward through Rutland and Woodstock
Woodstock (village), Vermont
Woodstock is an incorporated village in the town of Woodstock in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 977 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
to White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
was designated as Route 13 of the New England road marking system in 1922. In late 1926, New England Route 13 was incorporated into the newly established U.S. Highway System as U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4
U.S. Route 4 is a long United States highway that runs from East Greenbush, New York, in the west to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the east, traversing through Vermont.In New York, US 4 is signed north–south to reflect its alignment in the state...
. In the 1960s, construction of the 19 miles (30.6 km) expressway section of US 4 began. The middle segment of the expressway from Exit 5 in Castleton to Exit 6 in West Rutland opened to traffic in 1969. Two years later, the western segment from the New York line in Fair Haven to Exit 5 also opened. The original surface alignment of US 4 was re-designated as Vermont Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A is an east–west state highway in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. It runs from Fair Haven to West Rutland. VT 4A was the former alignment of U.S. Route 4 before it was relocated to an expressway.-Route description:...
. The construction of the eastern segment (from Exit 6 to the intersection with US 7) was delayed for several years and did not open to traffic until 1986. The original surface alignment east of Exit 6 was redesignated as US 4 Business.
Exit list (Fair Haven to Rutland freeway segment)
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland | Fair Haven | 0.000 | U.S. Route 4 continues into New York | ||
| 0.150 | 1 | To Vermont Welcome Center | |||
| 1.676 | 2 | ||||
| 2.573 | 3 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance. | |||
| Castleton Castleton, Vermont Castleton is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. Castleton is about to the west of Rutland, and about east of the New York/Vermont state border. The town had a population of 4,717 at the 2010 census. Castleton State College is located there, with roots dating to 1787... |
5.449 | 4 | |||
| 7.758 | 5 | To Castleton State College Castleton State College Castleton State College is a public liberal arts college located in Castleton in the U.S. state of Vermont. Castleton has an enrollment of 2000 students and offers more than 30 undergraduate programs as well as master’s degrees in education... |
|||
| West Rutland West Rutland, Vermont West Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2010 census. The town center, located in the south central portion of the town and where about 87% of the population resides, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place... |
14.899 | 6 | , Rutland Business District | ||
| Town of Rutland Rutland (town), Vermont Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2010 census. Rutland completely surrounds the city of Rutland, which is incorporated separately from the town of Rutland.-History:... |
18.829 | At-grade intersection; US 4 joins US 7 eastbound and leaves westbound | |||
Rutland to White River Junction
Rutland business loop
U.S. Route 4 Business is a 4.371 miles (7 km) alternate route of US 4 serving the city of Rutland and running north of US 4. It begins at Exit 6 of the US 4 expressway in West RutlandWest Rutland, Vermont
West Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2010 census. The town center, located in the south central portion of the town and where about 87% of the population resides, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
heading north to Main Street in West Rutland center, where it meets the east end of Vermont Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A
Vermont Route 4A is an east–west state highway in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. It runs from Fair Haven to West Rutland. VT 4A was the former alignment of U.S. Route 4 before it was relocated to an expressway.-Route description:...
. US 4 Business then turns east following Main Street into the town of Rutland
Rutland (town), Vermont
Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2010 census. Rutland completely surrounds the city of Rutland, which is incorporated separately from the town of Rutland.-History:...
. In Rutland town, the road is known as Rutland Road and intersects with Vermont Route 3
Vermont Route 3
Vermont Route 3 is a north–south state highway in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. It runs from the town of Rutland to Pittsford.-Route description:...
at the town center. About 0.3 mile (0.482802 km) later, the road enters the city of Rutland, becoming West Street. US 4 Business briefly shifts north one block to use State Street then returns to West Street after half a mile. The route ends at an intersection with US 4/US 7 in the center of the city.