Why is there a sign on NC I-40 near Wilmington pointing to Barstow, CA? Here's the story (2024)

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Why is there a sign on NC I-40 near Wilmington pointing to Barstow, CA? Here's the story? ›

After the fourth sign to go up with only "Barstow, Calif. 2,554" on it was stolen, the N.C. Department of Transportation said it would not make another replacement. At I-40's western end, a "Wilmington, NC 2,554" sign is in Barstow. I-40 remains one of the longest in the interstate system.

Its western terminus is at I-15 in Barstow, California, while its eastern terminus is at a concurrency with U.S. Route 117 (US 117) and North Carolina Highway 132 (NC 132) in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, stretching from Barstow, California, to Wilmington, North Carolina.

I-40 became one of the longest continuous highways in the U.S. when it was completed in North Carolina in 1990. The air still smelled like hot asphalt when some 3,000 people gathered to watch then-Gov. James G. Martin cut the ribbon on the section of the road between Raleigh and Wilmington that June.

Between 2021 and 2022, more than 817,000 people left California for somewhere else in the U.S. And nearly 22,900 of them came to North Carolina, according to new numbers from the American Community Survey.

The National Road, in many places known as Route 40, was built between 1811 and 1834 to reach the western settlements. It was the first federally funded road in U.S. history. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson believed that a trans-Appalachian road was necessary for unifying the young country.

Other Fun Facts. State Capitals -- All but four State capitals are directly served by the Interstate System. Those not directly served are Juneau, AK; Dover, DE; Jefferson City, MO; and Pierre, SD.

I-40 traverses through eight states, including: California. Arizona. New Mexico.

Named after Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, the city was formerly known as New Carthage, New Liverpool and Newton.

The highest point is at 2,786 feet (849 m), located at Swannanoa Gap, and the lowest point is at 15 feet (4.6 m), located at the Pender–New Hanover county line.

When was I-40 built in California? ›

“People are moving to North Carolina because it's such a diverse state,” Kay Church, U-Haul of West Charlotte president, said in a news release. “We have mountains and beaches, small towns and big cities. You name it, you can find it in North Carolina.”

The housing crisis, worsening crime and climate concerns are at the forefront of the exodus. The state's housing and rental markets are among the costliest in the country, especially in southern cities like Los Angeles.

Affordability. One of the best attributes of North Carolina is how reasonable the cost of living is for a state with so much to offer. When you consider the presence of affordable housing, lower taxes, and lower rental prices, you will soon find that North Carolina is much more affordable than California.

We're committed to making it easy for companies to do business in North Carolina. That's why our state fosters a pro-business environment, fueled by the lowest corporate income tax in the U.S. along with a favorable legal and regulatory climate, low business costs and qualified talent.