About America's Oldest Road / Highway
There are hundreds of historic places along this 1,300 mile highway
A highway is defined as a major and significant, well-constructed road that is capable of carrying reasonably heavy to extremely heavy traffic. Highways are roadways that have a higher speed limit than other roads. They are broader and usually have multiple lanes for traffic. But highways can also be two-lane roads with wider shoulders.
Kings Highway, also known as The King's Highway or the King's Road, was built from 1650 to 1735 decades before the United States became a country. The historic highway is the oldest road in America. The Texas Department of Transportation notes Kings Highway as the oldest highway in the United States. The Free Library defines it as the oldest road in continuous use in America.
Incorporating the Boston Post Road (which opened in 1673), the route traveled over 1,300 miles, from Boston, Massachusetts to Charles Town, South Carolina. The entire length of The Kings Highway did not become a continuous wagon road until about 1735. Before 1735, it was basically just a trail.
The road was originally a Native American footpath that was widened and improved by the colonists in the 1600s. It became an important trade route, connecting the New England colonies with New York City and the southern colonies. Kings Highway was the first route to completely link the 13 colonies together with one another; however it was not the most popular and soon after construction, it was not the only route available.
By 1750 the entire road was in place. The road's 1,300 miles (2,100 km) connected Charleston, South Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts. Later, it would be extended to Savannah, Georgia. The King’s Highway was the most important road in colonial America and served as the major transportation route for the colonies.
It played a vital role in the American Revolution as a military route and was used by George Washington's army during the war. Kings Highway was also used by early colonists for trade and transportation of goods. Ironically it played a critical role in the independence of the U.S. from England after it was ordered to be built by Charles II of England. The road traversed diverse landscapes, including forests, plains, rivers, and mountains.
A documentary film titled "Kings Highway Film" was created about the King’s Highway and many of the landmarks along the road. Along the route, there are numerous communities today with a King Street, King’s Road, or King Avenue, all remaining from the days when it was called the Kings Highway. There are also numerous historical landmarks, colonial settlements, and preserved sites that offer insights into America's colonial past and heritage.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers even wrote a song about King's Highway, titled "Kings Highway" with the chorus line "Lover I await the day, Good fortune comes our way, And we'll ride down the King's Highway, Yeah yeah."
Kings Highway played a crucial role in shaping the social, economic, and cultural landscape of colonial America. As a vital transportation artery, it facilitated trade, communication, and travel between diverse colonial settlements along the eastern seaboard. Today, Kings Highway stands as a testament to America's colonial heritage and the enduring legacy of its early road networks.