U.S. Route 1 in Massachusetts, section of U.S. Highway in Massachusetts, United States
U.S. Route 1 in Massachusetts is a long road running from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire border, passing through dozens of towns along the way. It crosses Boston over major bridges, including the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge and the Tobin Bridge, and shifts between wide modern lanes and older stretches lined with local shops and small buildings.
The road started in 1805 as the Newburyport Turnpike, built for stagecoaches and mail carriers, and was paved and numbered NE 1 in 1926 before joining the U.S. Route system in 1928. From the 1950s through the 1990s, it was rerouted and modernized several times as Interstate highways took over much of the long-distance traffic it once carried.
The road is known for its colorful roadside signs and themed restaurants that date back to the mid-20th century and still attract visitors today. Driving along it, you can spot traces of an American travel culture built around family outings and casual roadside entertainment.
The road shifts between fast highway sections and slower town stretches, so it helps to adjust your pace depending on where you are. Parking is available throughout, from street spots in residential areas to larger lots near restaurants and roadside stops.
Near Saugus, a large orange dinosaur statue once stood outside the Hilltop Steakhouse, a restaurant also known for its glowing neon cactus sign visible from the road. The restaurant has since closed, but many locals still remember these landmarks as a normal part of growing up in the area.
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