U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States
, running from Key West, Florida
in the south to Fort Kent, Maine
at the Canadian
border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, 66.06 miles (106.3 km) of it runs through New Jersey
. It enters the state from Pennsylvania
on the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge over the Delaware River
in the state capital of Trenton
, running through the city on the Trenton Freeway. From here, US 1 continues northeast as a surface divided highway
through suburban areas continuing into Middlesex County
and passing through New Brunswick
and Edison
. US 1 merges with US 9 in Woodbridge, and the two routes continue through northern New Jersey as US 1/9
to the George Washington Bridge
over the Hudson River
in Fort Lee
. At this point, the road continues into New York City
along with I-95.
The current alignment of US 1 between Trenton and New Brunswick was chartered as the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike in 1803 and struggled throughout its 100-year existence. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway
across the United States was created and connected Trenton to Newark
within New Jersey. The Lincoln Highway was legislated as Route 13 between Trenton and New Brunswick in 1917 and as part of Route 1 between New Brunswick and Elizabeth
, later extended to Jersey City
. With the creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, US 1 was designated to follow the Lincoln Highway between Trenton and Newark and the current alignment of US 1/9 Truck to Jersey City, where it continued to the Holland Tunnel. In 1927, the Lincoln Highway portion of US 1 became Route 27. The current alignment of US 1 between Trenton and Newark was legislated as Route 26
, Route S26 and Route 25, while the current route north from Jersey City to the George Washington Bridge became Route 1 and Route 6. In subsequent years, US 1 was moved onto its current routing between Trenton and the George Washington Bridge. The state highways running concurrent with US 1 were removed in 1953, around the same time the route was moved to the Trenton Freeway within Trenton and the old alignment became US 1 Alternate, part of which is now US 1 Business
. By 1969, the Trenton Freeway was extended north to Whitehead Road in Lawrence Township, and that segment became Route 174. When the Trenton Freeway was completed north to US 1, the US 1 designation was shifted to the freeway, replacing Route 174.
into New Jersey on the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge. Once in Trenton, US 1 is the Trenton Freeway, which is maintained by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
. US 1 meets Route 29
at a partial diamond interchange
just north of the river. As the road heads through the downtown area with Amtrak
’s Northeast Corridor
running next to the route on the east side, it has a southbound exit and entrance with Warren Street that provides access to the New Jersey State House
. US 1 becomes maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation
and comes to an interchange with the northern terminus of Route 129 as well as the western terminus of Route 33 near the Trenton Transit Center. At this point, the Trenton Freeway turns onto a depressed alignment and comes to an interchange with Perry Street. The route turns northeast has an exit for Olden Avenue as it runs near urban areas. The freeway has a northbound ramp for Mulberry Street before there is a northbound exit and southbound entrance from the median that provides access to US 1 Business
and US 206. Past this interchange, US 1 continues into Lawrence Township
, where the surroundings become more wooded as the freeway has an exit for Whitehead Road. Along this stretch, the freeway closely parallels the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The Trenton Freeway ends at the point US 1 Business merges back into US 1.
Here, US 1 becomes a four-lane divided
surface road with jughandle
s called the Herbert Highway that is lined with suburban businesses. Continuing northeast, the first intersection along this road is with the eastern terminus of CR 546
. After this intersection, the road crosses the Delaware & Raritan Canal again prior to a modified cloverleaf interchange
with I-95
and I-295
. Past this point, US 1 widens to six lanes as it has an interchange providing access to the Quaker Bridge Mall
to the east of the route. A short distance later, there is a cloverleaf interchange with CR 533
. Upon crossing CR 533, the road enters West Windsor Township
. After an interchange with Meadow Road, US 1 continues past corporate parks prior to an interchange with Alexander Road. Following this interchange, the road comes to CR 571
(also signed as CR 526
) at the modified Penns Neck Circle
, which US 1 runs straight through. Past this intersection, the road passes near farmland.
Upon crossing the Millstone River
, US 1 enters Plainsboro Township
, where it passes more business parks and comes to an interchange with Scudders Mill Road. Past Scudders Mill Road, the road runs to the west of the James Forrestal Campus of Princeton University
before passing to the east of Forrestal Village
. An interchange with College Road a short distance later provides access to both places. The route continues into South Brunswick Township
, where it narrows to four lanes and runs through a mix of rural areas and development. US 1 briefly widens back to six lanes as it reaches an intersection with CR 522
. Past CR 522, the surroundings of the four-lane road become more forested, with a few commercial establishments. The road briefly forms the border between South Brunswick Township to the northwest and North Brunswick Township
to the southeast before fully entering North Brunswick Township. Here, the route widens to six lanes again and comes to an interchange with the southern terminus of Route 91
, where US 1 makes a turn to the east-northeast. Immediately after this interchange, the route passes over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and comes to an exit for the south end of Route 26
. The road reaches the northern terminus of US 130
and the southern terminus of Route 171 at an interchange. A short distance later, US 1 has access to Milltown Road through an interchange. The road passes by Rutgers University
college farm before turning northeast and coming to a cloverleaf interchange with Ryders Lane. After this interchange, US 1 crosses into New Brunswick
, where it has an interchange with Route 18/CR 527
.
Upon crossing the Raritan River
on the Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges
, US 1 enters Edison
and continues north into developed suburban areas before turning northeast and meeting CR 514
at an interchange. A short distance later, the route crosses CR 529
at an at-grade intersection. Lined with businesses, the road continues to two close interchanges with CR 531
and I-287
. Past here, US 1 comes to an interchange with CR 501
and then carries three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes. In this area, US 1 passes to the east of the Menlo Park Mall
, with an interchange providing access. The route continues northeast into Woodbridge Township
, where it comes to a partial interchange with the Garden State Parkway
. Following this interchange, US 1 comes to the Woodbridge Center
shopping mall on the east side of the road. US 1 crosses CR 604 prior to merging with US 9.
US 1 and US 9 become concurrent upon merging in Woodbridge Township and continue through developed areas, interchanging with Route 35. Upon entering Union County
, US 1/9 pass through Rahway
and Linden
, interchanging with I-278
in Linden. The road continues into urban Elizabeth
, crossing Route 439 before turning into a freeway prior to meeting Route 81 near Newark Liberty International Airport
. US 1/9 continue along the west end of the airport into Newark
, Essex County
, reaching the Newark Airport Interchange
with I-78
, US 22
, and Route 21. From this interchange, the road continues northeast through industrial areas to an interchange with US 1/9 Truck that provides access to the New Jersey Turnpike
(I-95). US 1/9 continue onto the Pulaski Skyway
, which carries the route over the Passaic River
into Hudson County
, crossing over Kearny
and the Hackensack River
before coming into Jersey City
. Trucks are banned from the Pulaski Skyway and must use US 1/9 Truck to bypass it.
The Pulaski Skyway ends at the Tonnele Circle
with US 1/9 Truck and Route 139, and US 1/9 continue north along at-grade Tonnelle Avenue toward North Bergen
, where the road intersects Route 3 and Route 495. Crossing into Bergen County
, Broad Avenue carries US 1/9 through Fairview and Ridgefield
before heading into Palisades Park
. Here, the two routes join US 46
, and the combined road heads north into Fort Lee
. US 1/9/46 come to an interchange with I-95, US 9W
, and Route 4, where it joins I-95 to head east to the George Washington Bridge
over the Hudson River
. At this point, US 46 ends and I-95 and US 1/9 continue into Manhattan
, New York City
on the Trans-Manhattan Expressway
.
took over ownership of the turnpike. When the charter for the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike expired in 1903, it became a public road. When the first numbered highways were legislated in New Jersey in 1916, the present day US 1 between New Brunswick and Elizabeth was to become a part of Route 1, a route that was to connect Trenton and Elizabeth. Between Trenton and New Brunswick, this route was to follow present-day Route 33 and US 130. In 1922, an extension of Route 1 was legislated to continue north from Elizabeth to the Holland Tunnel
in Jersey City. When the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926, the routing of US 1 in New Jersey was to follow the Lincoln Highway
from the Lower Trenton Bridge
in Trenton to Newark, which was Route 13 between Trenton and New Brunswick and Route 1 north of there. From Newark, the route followed present-day US 1/9 Truck east toward Jersey City, where it was to head to the Holland Tunnel. The Lincoln Highway the first transcontinental highway in the United States created in 1913 to link New York City to San Francisco. Route 13 had been legislated along the Trenton to New Brunswick portion in 1917.
In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
, the alignment of US 1 between Trenton and Newark became Route 27, while the proposed Route 1 Extension became part of Route 25. In addition, Route 26 was designated along the former Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike, while the current US 1 between Route 26 and US 130 became Route S26. North of current US 130, present-day US 1 to Newark also became a part of Route 25. The current US 1/9 between the Tonnele Circle and the George Washington Bridge meanwhile became parts of Route 1 and Route 6. The Route 1 Extension, now designated Route 25, was complete in 1928 with the exception of the Pulaski Skyway. This road was considered the first superhighway in the United States. After the Pulaski Skyway opened in 1932, US 1 along with US 9 was rerouted to use it. By the 1930s, US 1 was routed to use Route 26, Route S26, and Route 25 between Trenton and Newark instead of Route 27. US 1 and US 9 were routed to use the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River instead of the Holland Tunnel by the 1940s, following Route 1 and US 46/Route 6 between the Tonnele Circle and the George Washington Bridge.
The Trenton Freeway, a freeway through the city of Trenton, was first planned in 1950 to provide a bypass of Trenton and a connection to the new Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge. This freeway opened in December 1952 and became part of both US 1 and Route 26. In the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
that followed a month later, all the state highways running concurrent with US 1 were removed. In addition, US 1/9 Truck was designated as a bypass of the Pulaski Skyway (replacing Route 25T) and US 1/9 Business (now Route 139) was designated on the former Route 25 between the Tonnele Circle and the Holland Tunnel. Also, after the US 1 designation was moved to the Trenton Freeway, the former route through Trenton would become US 1 Alternate. During the development of the Interstate Highway System
, New Jersey and Pennsylvania considered having I-95 cross over the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge, and continue north on the existing US 1. The project was opposed due to inadequate highway standards (lack of shoulder ramps, and only two lanes in each direction). During this time, both states sought alternate routes for the proposed I-95. In 1960, New Jersey and Pennsylvania decided to designate the Scudder Falls Bridge
as I-95. By 1969, an extension of the Trenton Freeway from the current left-hand exit to US 1 Business/US 206 to Whitehead Road was completed and received the Route 174 designation. In 1967, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
recommended an extension of the Trenton Freeway from Whitehead Road to the traffic light at Bakers Basin Road and Franklin Corner Road. Once the extension was completed by the 1980s, the route number was then changed from Route 174 to US 1. The former alignment of US 1 along surface streets in Trenton was renumbered to US 1 Business, while the US 1 Alternate was dropped.
There had been plans to create a west–east spur of the New Jersey Turnpike called Route 92. It was to begin just north of the intersection of Ridge Road and U.S. Route 1 in South Brunswick and terminate at the mainline of the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) at Exit 8A in Monroe Township
. This proposal was cancelled on December 1, 2006, after the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
decided to use funds to widen the mainline turnpike instead.
By the 1990s, many traffic lights along the segment of US 1 in West Windsor and Plainsboro were removed and replaced with exit ramps and overpasses. As a result, the traffic lights at Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro Road, Alexander Road, and Meadow Road were eliminated. This was followed by building ramps to replace the traffic light at US 130 and US 1 located North Brunswick Township, completed in 2003. An environmental impact study has been conducted by Rutgers University’s Transportation Policy Institute and Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution to improve US 1 through the Penns Neck area. This project would eliminate the Penns Neck Circle where US 1 meets Washington Road (CR 571) and move US 1 onto a new freeway alignment in the area. In addition, CR 571 is planned to be realigned to intersect US 1 further to the north. In 2009, the segment of US 1 between I-287 in Edison and the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge was rebuilt to include new ramps at several intersections and removed access to a couple of roads in a $53.9 million project that was intended to alleviate traffic and make this section safer.
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Roads
!Notes
|-
|colspan=5 align="center"|Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge over Delaware River
|-
|rowspan=18|Mercer
|rowspan=8|Trenton
|0.10
|
|Northbound exit, southbound entrance
|-
|
|Warren Street - Capitol Complex
|Southbound exit and entrance
|-
|0.76
| - South Broad Street, Chambersburg
|Southbound exit, northbound entrance
|-
|0.90
| - Train Station
|
|-
|1.34
|Perry Street
|
|-
|2.37
|
|
|-
|2.72
|Mulberry Street
|Northbound exit and entrance
|-
|2.87
|
|Northbound exit, southbound entrance
|-
|rowspan=6|Lawrence Township
|3.75
|
|
|-
|5.24
|
|Southbound exit, northbound entrance
|-
|colspan=5 align="center"|North end of freeway section
|-
|5.98
|
|
|-
|6.76
|, Philadelphia
|I-295 Exit 67
|-
|7.55
|Quaker Bridge Mall
|Interchange
|-
|rowspan=4|West Windsor Township
|8.10
|
|Interchange
|-
|9.45
|Meadow Road – Carnegie Center
|Interchange
|-
|10.86
|Alexander Road – Princeton
, Princeton Junction
|Interchange
|-
|11.21
|
|Penns Neck Circle
|-
|rowspan=15|Middlesex
|rowspan=3|Plainsboro Township
|12.47
|
|Interchange
|-
|12.93
|Forrestal Road
|Interchange
|-
|13.70
|College Road – Forrestal Center, Forrestal Village
|Interchange
|-
|South Brunswick Township
|16.47
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|North Brunswick Township
|22.90
|
|Interchange
|-
|23.05
|
|Interchange
|-
|24.64
|
|Interchange
|-
|New Brunswick
|27.19
|
|Interchange
|-
|rowspan=5|Edison Township
|28.54
|
|Interchange
|-
|29.06
|
|
|-
|31.66
|
|Interchange
|-
|31.96
|
|I-287 Exit 1
|-
|32.73
|
|Interchange
|-
|rowspan=2|Woodbridge Township
|34.55
|
|GSP Exit 130; access to Parkway northbound only and from Parkway southbound only
|-
|35.89
|
|Interchange, south end of US 9 overlap
|-
|colspan=5 align="center"|U.S. Route 1/9
continues northward through New Jersey to George Washington Bridge
over Hudson River
The following state highway was also formerly designated as a bannered spur of US 1:
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, running from Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
in the south to Fort Kent, Maine
Fort Kent, Maine
Fort Kent is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,097 in the 2010 census. Fort Kent is home to an Olympic biathlete training center, an annual CAN-AM dogsled race, and the Fort Kent Blockhouse, built in reaction to the Aroostook War and in modern times designated...
at the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, 66.06 miles (106.3 km) of it runs through New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. It enters the state from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
on the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge over the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in the state capital of Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, running through the city on the Trenton Freeway. From here, US 1 continues northeast as a surface divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
through suburban areas continuing into Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
and passing through New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
and Edison
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
. US 1 merges with US 9 in Woodbridge, and the two routes continue through northern New Jersey as US 1/9
U.S. Route 1/9
U.S. Route 9 is a U.S. highway in the northeast United States, running from Laurel, Delaware north to the Canadian border near Champlain, New York...
to the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
over the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
in Fort Lee
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 35,345. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, the borough is the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge...
. At this point, the road continues into New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
along with I-95.
The current alignment of US 1 between Trenton and New Brunswick was chartered as the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike in 1803 and struggled throughout its 100-year existence. In 1913, the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
across the United States was created and connected Trenton to Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
within New Jersey. The Lincoln Highway was legislated as Route 13 between Trenton and New Brunswick in 1917 and as part of Route 1 between New Brunswick and Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, later extended to Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. With the creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, US 1 was designated to follow the Lincoln Highway between Trenton and Newark and the current alignment of US 1/9 Truck to Jersey City, where it continued to the Holland Tunnel. In 1927, the Lincoln Highway portion of US 1 became Route 27. The current alignment of US 1 between Trenton and Newark was legislated as Route 26
New Jersey Route 26
Route 26 is a state highway in New Jersey, United States, running along Livingston Avenue from U.S. Route 1 in North Brunswick Township northeast to Nassau Street at the to the border of New Brunswick. Prior to the 1953 renumbering, the route continued southwest along US 1 to Trenton...
, Route S26 and Route 25, while the current route north from Jersey City to the George Washington Bridge became Route 1 and Route 6. In subsequent years, US 1 was moved onto its current routing between Trenton and the George Washington Bridge. The state highways running concurrent with US 1 were removed in 1953, around the same time the route was moved to the Trenton Freeway within Trenton and the old alignment became US 1 Alternate, part of which is now US 1 Business
U.S. Route 1 Business (Trenton, New Jersey)
U.S. Route 1 Business is a four-lane surface road that provides an alternate to the Trenton Freeway northeast of Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey. The route is long and runs between US 1 in Trenton and Lawrence Township. On the border of Trenton and Lawrence Township, US 1 Business...
. By 1969, the Trenton Freeway was extended north to Whitehead Road in Lawrence Township, and that segment became Route 174. When the Trenton Freeway was completed north to US 1, the US 1 designation was shifted to the freeway, replacing Route 174.
Mercer County
U.S. Route 1 crosses the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
into New Jersey on the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge. Once in Trenton, US 1 is the Trenton Freeway, which is maintained by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is a bistate, public agency charged with providing safe, dependable and efficient river crossings between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The DRJTBC was established under legislation enacted in the two states in 1934. The federal Compact for the...
. US 1 meets Route 29
Route 29 (New Jersey)
Route 29 is a state highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It runs from an intersection with Interstate 295 in Hamilton Township in Mercer County, where it continues as Interstate 195, to Route 12 in Frenchtown, Hunterdon County...
at a partial diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
just north of the river. As the road heads through the downtown area with Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
’s Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
running next to the route on the east side, it has a southbound exit and entrance with Warren Street that provides access to the New Jersey State House
New Jersey State House
The New Jersey State House is located in Trenton and is the house of government for the U.S. state of New Jersey. After the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, it is the second oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States...
. US 1 becomes maintained by the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
and comes to an interchange with the northern terminus of Route 129 as well as the western terminus of Route 33 near the Trenton Transit Center. At this point, the Trenton Freeway turns onto a depressed alignment and comes to an interchange with Perry Street. The route turns northeast has an exit for Olden Avenue as it runs near urban areas. The freeway has a northbound ramp for Mulberry Street before there is a northbound exit and southbound entrance from the median that provides access to US 1 Business
U.S. Route 1 Business (Trenton, New Jersey)
U.S. Route 1 Business is a four-lane surface road that provides an alternate to the Trenton Freeway northeast of Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey. The route is long and runs between US 1 in Trenton and Lawrence Township. On the border of Trenton and Lawrence Township, US 1 Business...
and US 206. Past this interchange, US 1 continues into Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
Area residents often refer to all of Lawrence Township as Lawrenceville. Lawrenceville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lawrence Township...
, where the surroundings become more wooded as the freeway has an exit for Whitehead Road. Along this stretch, the freeway closely parallels the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The Trenton Freeway ends at the point US 1 Business merges back into US 1.
Here, US 1 becomes a four-lane divided
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
surface road with jughandle
Jughandle
A jughandle is a type of ramp or slip road that changes the way traffic turns left at at-grade intersections. Instead of a standard left turn being made from the left lane, left-turning traffic uses a ramp on the right side of the road...
s called the Herbert Highway that is lined with suburban businesses. Continuing northeast, the first intersection along this road is with the eastern terminus of CR 546
County Route 546 (New Jersey)
County Route 546, abbreviated CR 546, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway begins at the Washington Crossing Bridge at Titusville, New Jersey and extends from Route 29 in Hopewell Township to U.S...
. After this intersection, the road crosses the Delaware & Raritan Canal again prior to a modified cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with I-95
Interstate 95 in New Jersey
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway that traverses the full extent of the East Coast of the United States, from Florida to Maine...
and I-295
Interstate 295 (Delaware-New Jersey)
Interstate 295 in New Jersey and Delaware is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, designated as a bypass around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The route begins at a junction with Interstate 95 south of Wilmington, Delaware, and runs to another junction with I-95 north of Trenton, New Jersey...
. Past this point, US 1 widens to six lanes as it has an interchange providing access to the Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall is a two-level, major shopping center located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, on U.S. Route 1 near Interstate 295. The mall opened in 1975, and has over 120 retail establishments. Owned by Simon Property Group, the mall's anchor stores include J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor,...
to the east of the route. A short distance later, there is a cloverleaf interchange with CR 533
County Route 533 (New Jersey)
County Route 533 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from the White Horse Circle, in Hamilton Township to County Route 527 in Bound Brook. Route 533 shares a major concurrency with U.S...
. Upon crossing CR 533, the road enters West Windsor Township
West Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
. After an interchange with Meadow Road, US 1 continues past corporate parks prior to an interchange with Alexander Road. Following this interchange, the road comes to CR 571
County Route 571 (New Jersey)
County Route 571, abbreviated CR 571, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Route 37 in Toms River Township to Route 27 in the Borough of Princeton.-Ocean County:...
(also signed as CR 526
County Route 526 (New Jersey)
County Route 526 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Hightstown Road in West Windsor Township to Lanes Mill Road in Lakewood Township....
) at the modified Penns Neck Circle
Penns Neck Circle
Penns Neck Circle is a traffic circle in West Windsor Township, New Jersey. It is located at the junction of U.S. 1 and Washington Road. It is a major intersection, as Washington Road is one of three connections between Route 1 and Princeton, New Jersey....
, which US 1 runs straight through. Past this intersection, the road passes near farmland.
Middlesex County
Millstone River
The Millstone River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The Millstone River begins in western Monmouth County and flows northward through southern Somerset County into the Raritan River at Manville. Almost three quarters of its length is paralleled by...
, US 1 enters Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
, where it passes more business parks and comes to an interchange with Scudders Mill Road. Past Scudders Mill Road, the road runs to the west of the James Forrestal Campus of Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
before passing to the east of Forrestal Village
Forrestal Village
Forrestal Village is a , mixed-use retail and office complex in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey along Route 1. It is just north of Princeton University's Forrestal campus, and is named for James Forrestal. The center is anchored by Can Do Fitness and a Westin hotel...
. An interchange with College Road a short distance later provides access to both places. The route continues into South Brunswick Township
South Brunswick Township, New Jersey
South Brunswick Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417....
, where it narrows to four lanes and runs through a mix of rural areas and development. US 1 briefly widens back to six lanes as it reaches an intersection with CR 522
County Route 522 (New Jersey)
County Route 522 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from U.S. 1 in South Brunswick Township to Main Street in Freehold Borough.-Middlesex County:...
. Past CR 522, the surroundings of the four-lane road become more forested, with a few commercial establishments. The road briefly forms the border between South Brunswick Township to the northwest and North Brunswick Township
North Brunswick Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:At the 2010 census, there were 40,742 people, 13,635 households and 9,367 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,018.3 per square mile . There were 13,932 housing units at an average density of 1,158.8 per square mile...
to the southeast before fully entering North Brunswick Township. Here, the route widens to six lanes again and comes to an interchange with the southern terminus of Route 91
New Jersey Route 91
Route 91 is a long spur state highway in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The route runs as a spur of U.S. Route 1 along Jersey Avenue in North Brunswick Township to Van Dyke Avenue in the city of New Brunswick. At Van Dyke Avenue, Route 91 ends as a state route, and Jersey Avenue continues as...
, where US 1 makes a turn to the east-northeast. Immediately after this interchange, the route passes over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and comes to an exit for the south end of Route 26
New Jersey Route 26
Route 26 is a state highway in New Jersey, United States, running along Livingston Avenue from U.S. Route 1 in North Brunswick Township northeast to Nassau Street at the to the border of New Brunswick. Prior to the 1953 renumbering, the route continued southwest along US 1 to Trenton...
. The road reaches the northern terminus of US 130
U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where...
and the southern terminus of Route 171 at an interchange. A short distance later, US 1 has access to Milltown Road through an interchange. The road passes by Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
college farm before turning northeast and coming to a cloverleaf interchange with Ryders Lane. After this interchange, US 1 crosses into New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
, where it has an interchange with Route 18/CR 527
County Route 527 (New Jersey)
County Route 527 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Main Street in Toms River Township to Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. It is the second longest county highway in New Jersey after Route 519. It was first given the number 527 in 1954...
.
Upon crossing the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
on the Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges
Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges
The Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges are a pair of bridges on U.S. Route 1 in the U.S. state of New Jersey spanning the Raritan River. The bridges connect Edison on the north with New Brunswick on the south....
, US 1 enters Edison
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
and continues north into developed suburban areas before turning northeast and meeting CR 514
County Route 514 (New Jersey)
County Route 514 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from US 202 in East Amwell Township to Bayway Avenue in Elizabeth...
at an interchange. A short distance later, the route crosses CR 529
County Route 529 (New Jersey)
County Route 529 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Woodbridge Avenue in Edison to Mountain Boulevard in Watchung.-Route description:...
at an at-grade intersection. Lined with businesses, the road continues to two close interchanges with CR 531
County Route 531 (New Jersey)
County Route 531 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 13.61 miles from Woodbridge Avenue in Edison, Middlesex County, through Somerset County to Passaic Valley Road in Long Hill Township, Morris County.-Route description:Route 531 begins at CR 514 in Edison...
and I-287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
. Past here, US 1 comes to an interchange with CR 501
County Route 501 (New Jersey)
County Route 501 is a county highway in New Jersey in two sections spanning Middlesex, Hudson and Bergen Counties. The southern section runs from South Plainfield to Perth Amboy, the northern section runs from Bayonne to Rockleigh, and the two sections are connected by New York State Route 440...
and then carries three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes. In this area, US 1 passes to the east of the Menlo Park Mall
Menlo Park Mall
Menlo Park Mall is a two-level super regional shopping mall, located on U.S. Route 1 and Parsonage Road in Edison, New Jersey, United States. The mall has a gross leasable area of 1,232,000 ft² . Menlo Park Mall is currently owned by the Simon Property Group.-History:Menlo Park Shopping Center...
, with an interchange providing access. The route continues northeast into Woodbridge Township
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
-Communities:Many distinct communities exist within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places, but they are all unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the Township that,...
, where it comes to a partial interchange with the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
. Following this interchange, US 1 comes to the Woodbridge Center
Woodbridge Center
Woodbridge Center is a two-level, major shopping mall located in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey at the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9. The land that Woodbridge Center now stands on used to be the location of the old clay pits in Woodbridge. The mall, owned by General Growth...
shopping mall on the east side of the road. US 1 crosses CR 604 prior to merging with US 9.
US 1/9 concurrency
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, US 1/9 pass through Rahway
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...
and Linden
Linden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
, interchanging with I-278
Interstate 278
Interstate 278 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in New Jersey and New York, United States. The road runs from U.S. Route 1/9 in Linden, New Jersey to the Bruckner Interchange in the New York City borough of the Bronx...
in Linden. The road continues into urban Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, crossing Route 439 before turning into a freeway prior to meeting Route 81 near Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
. US 1/9 continue along the west end of the airport into Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Essex County
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
, reaching the Newark Airport Interchange
Newark Airport Interchange
The Newark Airport Interchange is a massive interchange of Interstate 78, U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, Route 21, and Interstate 95 at the northern edge of Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.-Description:...
with I-78
Interstate 78 in New Jersey
Interstate 78 is an east–west route stretching from Union Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania to New York City. In New Jersey, I-78 is called the Phillipsburg–Newark Expressway and the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike...
, US 22
U.S. Route 22 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 22 is a U.S. highway stretching from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. In New Jersey, the route runs for from the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge over the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, Warren County to Interstate 78 , US 1/9, and Route 21 at the Newark...
, and Route 21. From this interchange, the road continues northeast through industrial areas to an interchange with US 1/9 Truck that provides access to the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
(I-95). US 1/9 continue onto the Pulaski Skyway
Pulaski Skyway
The General Pulaski Skyway is a four-lane freeway composed of connected bridges in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey, carrying the designation of U.S. Route 1/9 for most of its length. The landmark structure has a total length of with the longest bridge spanning...
, which carries the route over the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
into Hudson County
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
, crossing over Kearny
Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It was named after Civil War general Philip Kearny. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 40,684. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark....
and the Hackensack River
Hackensack River
The Hackensack River is a river, approximately 45 miles long, in the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey, emptying into Newark Bay, a back chamber of New York Harbor. The watershed of the river includes part of the suburban area outside New York City just west of the lower Hudson River,...
before coming into Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. Trucks are banned from the Pulaski Skyway and must use US 1/9 Truck to bypass it.
The Pulaski Skyway ends at the Tonnele Circle
Tonnele Circle
The Tonnele Circle is an intersection in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. It is named after Tonnele Avenue, the north-south road that runs through it. Entrances and exits are, listed clockwise from north:*Tonnele Avenue north...
with US 1/9 Truck and Route 139, and US 1/9 continue north along at-grade Tonnelle Avenue toward North Bergen
North Bergen, New Jersey
North Bergen is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 60,773. Originally founded in 1843, the town was much diminished in territory by a series of secessions. Situated on the Hudson Palisades, it is one...
, where the road intersects Route 3 and Route 495. Crossing into Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, Broad Avenue carries US 1/9 through Fairview and Ridgefield
Ridgefield, New Jersey
There were 4,020 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone...
before heading into Palisades Park
Palisades Park, New Jersey
Palisades Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 19,622....
. Here, the two routes join US 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
, and the combined road heads north into Fort Lee
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 35,345. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, the borough is the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge...
. US 1/9/46 come to an interchange with I-95, US 9W
U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W is a north–south U.S. Highway in the states of New Jersey and New York. It begins on Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey as it crosses the US 1 & 9, US 46, and the Interstate 95 approaches to the George Washington Bridge, where it heads north up the west...
, and Route 4, where it joins I-95 to head east to the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
over the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
. At this point, US 46 ends and I-95 and US 1/9 continue into Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on the Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
The Trans-Manhattan Expressway or George Washington Bridge Expressway is a highway in New York City that is part of the Interstate Highway System. Though few of the millions who use it or live near it have ever heard the name, it is probably one of the shortest, busiest, and most congested named...
.
History
What is now US 1 between Trenton and New Brunswick was originally chartered as the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike in 1803. Throughout its history, the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike faced stiff competition from canals such as the Delaware & Raritan Canal and railroads such as the Camden and Amboy Railroad. In the later part of the 19th century, the turnpike company folded and the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
took over ownership of the turnpike. When the charter for the Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike expired in 1903, it became a public road. When the first numbered highways were legislated in New Jersey in 1916, the present day US 1 between New Brunswick and Elizabeth was to become a part of Route 1, a route that was to connect Trenton and Elizabeth. Between Trenton and New Brunswick, this route was to follow present-day Route 33 and US 130. In 1922, an extension of Route 1 was legislated to continue north from Elizabeth to the Holland Tunnel
Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel is a highway tunnel under the Hudson River connecting the island of Manhattan in New York City with Jersey City, New Jersey at Interstate 78 on the mainland. Unusual for an American public works project, it is not named for a government official, politician, or local hero or...
in Jersey City. When the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926, the routing of US 1 in New Jersey was to follow the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
from the Lower Trenton Bridge
Lower Trenton Bridge
The Lower Trenton Toll Supported Bridge, commonly called the Lower Free Bridge, Warren Street Bridge or Trenton Makes Bridge, is a two-lane through truss bridge over the Delaware River between Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania, owned by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission...
in Trenton to Newark, which was Route 13 between Trenton and New Brunswick and Route 1 north of there. From Newark, the route followed present-day US 1/9 Truck east toward Jersey City, where it was to head to the Holland Tunnel. The Lincoln Highway the first transcontinental highway in the United States created in 1913 to link New York City to San Francisco. Route 13 had been legislated along the Trenton to New Brunswick portion in 1917.
In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
In 1927, New Jersey's state highways were renumbered. The old system, which had been defined in sequence by the legislature, was growing badly, as several routes shared the same number, and many unnumbered state highways had been defined...
, the alignment of US 1 between Trenton and Newark became Route 27, while the proposed Route 1 Extension became part of Route 25. In addition, Route 26 was designated along the former Trenton and New Brunswick Turnpike, while the current US 1 between Route 26 and US 130 became Route S26. North of current US 130, present-day US 1 to Newark also became a part of Route 25. The current US 1/9 between the Tonnele Circle and the George Washington Bridge meanwhile became parts of Route 1 and Route 6. The Route 1 Extension, now designated Route 25, was complete in 1928 with the exception of the Pulaski Skyway. This road was considered the first superhighway in the United States. After the Pulaski Skyway opened in 1932, US 1 along with US 9 was rerouted to use it. By the 1930s, US 1 was routed to use Route 26, Route S26, and Route 25 between Trenton and Newark instead of Route 27. US 1 and US 9 were routed to use the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River instead of the Holland Tunnel by the 1940s, following Route 1 and US 46/Route 6 between the Tonnele Circle and the George Washington Bridge.
The Trenton Freeway, a freeway through the city of Trenton, was first planned in 1950 to provide a bypass of Trenton and a connection to the new Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge. This freeway opened in December 1952 and became part of both US 1 and Route 26. In the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering
On January 1, 1953, the New Jersey Department of Transportation renumbered many of the State Routes. A few rules were followed in deciding what to renumber:...
that followed a month later, all the state highways running concurrent with US 1 were removed. In addition, US 1/9 Truck was designated as a bypass of the Pulaski Skyway (replacing Route 25T) and US 1/9 Business (now Route 139) was designated on the former Route 25 between the Tonnele Circle and the Holland Tunnel. Also, after the US 1 designation was moved to the Trenton Freeway, the former route through Trenton would become US 1 Alternate. During the development of the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
, New Jersey and Pennsylvania considered having I-95 cross over the Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge, and continue north on the existing US 1. The project was opposed due to inadequate highway standards (lack of shoulder ramps, and only two lanes in each direction). During this time, both states sought alternate routes for the proposed I-95. In 1960, New Jersey and Pennsylvania decided to designate the Scudder Falls Bridge
Scudder Falls Bridge
The Scudder Falls Bridge is a girder bridge that carries Interstate 95 over the Delaware River, connecting Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with Ewing Township in Mercer County, New Jersey. This bridge, which was constructed from 1958 to 1959, is maintained by the Delaware...
as I-95. By 1969, an extension of the Trenton Freeway from the current left-hand exit to US 1 Business/US 206 to Whitehead Road was completed and received the Route 174 designation. In 1967, the New Jersey Department of Transportation
New Jersey Department of Transportation
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation...
recommended an extension of the Trenton Freeway from Whitehead Road to the traffic light at Bakers Basin Road and Franklin Corner Road. Once the extension was completed by the 1980s, the route number was then changed from Route 174 to US 1. The former alignment of US 1 along surface streets in Trenton was renumbered to US 1 Business, while the US 1 Alternate was dropped.
There had been plans to create a west–east spur of the New Jersey Turnpike called Route 92. It was to begin just north of the intersection of Ridge Road and U.S. Route 1 in South Brunswick and terminate at the mainline of the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) at Exit 8A in Monroe Township
Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Monroe Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,999. Monroe was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the...
. This proposal was cancelled on December 1, 2006, after the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
New Jersey Turnpike Authority
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is a state agency responsible for maintaining the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway...
decided to use funds to widen the mainline turnpike instead.
By the 1990s, many traffic lights along the segment of US 1 in West Windsor and Plainsboro were removed and replaced with exit ramps and overpasses. As a result, the traffic lights at Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro Road, Alexander Road, and Meadow Road were eliminated. This was followed by building ramps to replace the traffic light at US 130 and US 1 located North Brunswick Township, completed in 2003. An environmental impact study has been conducted by Rutgers University’s Transportation Policy Institute and Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution to improve US 1 through the Penns Neck area. This project would eliminate the Penns Neck Circle where US 1 meets Washington Road (CR 571) and move US 1 onto a new freeway alignment in the area. In addition, CR 571 is planned to be realigned to intersect US 1 further to the north. In 2009, the segment of US 1 between I-287 in Edison and the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge was rebuilt to include new ramps at several intersections and removed access to a couple of roads in a $53.9 million project that was intended to alleviate traffic and make this section safer.
Major intersections
{| class=wikitable!County
!Location
!Mile
!Roads
!Notes
|-
|colspan=5 align="center"|Trenton–Morrisville Toll Bridge over Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
|-
|rowspan=18|Mercer
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
|rowspan=8|Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
|0.10
|
|Northbound exit, southbound entrance
|-
|
|Warren Street - Capitol Complex
New Jersey State House
The New Jersey State House is located in Trenton and is the house of government for the U.S. state of New Jersey. After the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, it is the second oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States...
|Southbound exit and entrance
|-
|0.76
| - South Broad Street, Chambersburg
Chambersburg, New Jersey
Chambersburg was a municipality that existed in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, from 1872 to 1888. Chambersburg is now a section of Trenton....
|Southbound exit, northbound entrance
|-
|0.90
| - Train Station
|
|-
|1.34
|Perry Street
|
|-
|2.37
|
|
|-
|2.72
|Mulberry Street
|Northbound exit and entrance
|-
|2.87
|
|Northbound exit, southbound entrance
|-
|rowspan=6|Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
Area residents often refer to all of Lawrence Township as Lawrenceville. Lawrenceville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lawrence Township...
|3.75
|
|
|-
|5.24
|
|Southbound exit, northbound entrance
|-
|colspan=5 align="center"|North end of freeway section
|-
|5.98
|
|
|-
|6.76
|, Philadelphia
|I-295 Exit 67
|-
|7.55
|Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall is a two-level, major shopping center located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, on U.S. Route 1 near Interstate 295. The mall opened in 1975, and has over 120 retail establishments. Owned by Simon Property Group, the mall's anchor stores include J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor,...
|Interchange
|-
|rowspan=4|West Windsor Township
West Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
|8.10
|
|Interchange
|-
|9.45
|Meadow Road – Carnegie Center
|Interchange
|-
|10.86
|Alexander Road – Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, Princeton Junction
Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Princeton Junction is also a New Jersey Transit and Amtrak station on the Northeast Corridor line.Princeton Junction is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within West Windsor Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey...
|Interchange
|-
|11.21
|
|Penns Neck Circle
Penns Neck Circle
Penns Neck Circle is a traffic circle in West Windsor Township, New Jersey. It is located at the junction of U.S. 1 and Washington Road. It is a major intersection, as Washington Road is one of three connections between Route 1 and Princeton, New Jersey....
|-
|rowspan=15|Middlesex
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
|rowspan=3|Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
|12.47
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|Interchange
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|12.93
|Forrestal Road
|Interchange
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|13.70
|College Road – Forrestal Center, Forrestal Village
Forrestal Village
Forrestal Village is a , mixed-use retail and office complex in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey along Route 1. It is just north of Princeton University's Forrestal campus, and is named for James Forrestal. The center is anchored by Can Do Fitness and a Westin hotel...
|Interchange
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|South Brunswick Township
South Brunswick Township, New Jersey
South Brunswick Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417....
|16.47
|
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|rowspan=3|North Brunswick Township
North Brunswick Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:At the 2010 census, there were 40,742 people, 13,635 households and 9,367 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,018.3 per square mile . There were 13,932 housing units at an average density of 1,158.8 per square mile...
|22.90
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|Interchange
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|23.05
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|Interchange
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|24.64
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|Interchange
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|New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
|27.19
|
|Interchange
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|rowspan=5|Edison Township
|28.54
|
|Interchange
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|29.06
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|31.66
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|Interchange
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|31.96
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|I-287 Exit 1
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|32.73
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|Interchange
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|rowspan=2|Woodbridge Township
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
-Communities:Many distinct communities exist within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places, but they are all unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the Township that,...
|34.55
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|GSP Exit 130; access to Parkway northbound only and from Parkway southbound only
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|35.89
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|Interchange, south end of US 9 overlap
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|colspan=5 align="center"|U.S. Route 1/9
U.S. Route 1/9
U.S. Route 9 is a U.S. highway in the northeast United States, running from Laurel, Delaware north to the Canadian border near Champlain, New York...
continues northward through New Jersey to George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
over Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
Related routes
There are two remaining bannered spurs of US 1 in the state of New Jersey:- U.S. Route 1 BusinessU.S. Route 1 Business (Trenton, New Jersey)U.S. Route 1 Business is a four-lane surface road that provides an alternate to the Trenton Freeway northeast of Trenton in Mercer County, New Jersey. The route is long and runs between US 1 in Trenton and Lawrence Township. On the border of Trenton and Lawrence Township, US 1 Business...
in TrentonTrenton, New JerseyTrenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913... - U.S. Route 1-9 TruckU.S. Route 1-9 Truck (Jersey City, New Jersey)U.S. Route 1/9 Truck is a United States highway in the northern part of New Jersey that stretches from the eastern edge of Newark to the Tonnelle Circle in Jersey City. It is the alternate road for U.S. Route 1/9 that trucks must use because they are prohibited from using the Pulaski Skyway, which...
in Jersey CityJersey City, New JerseyJersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
The following state highway was also formerly designated as a bannered spur of US 1:
- Route 139 in Jersey CityJersey City, New JerseyJersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
was formerly U.S. Route 1-9 Business.
External links
- An enlarged view of road jurisdiction at the confluence of US 1, US 206, NJ 29, NJ 33 and NJ 129 near Trenton
- An enlarged view of road jurisdiction at the confluence of the New Jersey Turnpike, I 95, NJ 3, NJ 495 and US 1 near Secaucus / North Bergen
- An enlarged view of road jurisdiction at the Fort Lee approaches to the George Washington Bridge
- New Jersey Roads: U.S. Route 1
- Steve Anderson US 1 Freeway (New Jersey)
- Speed Limits for State Roads
- Penns Neck Bypass Study