⁴ᴷ Road Trip #1034 - US-2 E - Vermont Mile 12-27 - North Hero/Grand Isle

Road Trip #1034 - US Highway 2 East - Vermont Mile 12-27 - North Hero/Grand Isle

We continue through Grand Isle County, passing through the towns of North Hero and Grand Isle on US Highway 2.

U.S. Route 2 (US 2) is a major part of the United States Numbered Highway System and is divided into two separate segments. The eastern segment stretches from Rouses Point, New York, to Houlton, Maine. Within Vermont, US 2 covers a distance of 150.518 miles (242.235 km), beginning at the New York state line in Alburgh and ending at the New Hampshire state line in Guildhall. In New York, US 2 extends just 0.87 miles (1.40 km) further, reaching an intersection with US 11 in Rouses Point. As it travels through Vermont, US 2 passes through Burlington and Montpelier, paralleling Interstate 89 (I-89) between these two cities. The route from Burlington to Montpelier was originally developed as a toll road in the early 19th century, later becoming part of the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway in 1919, and eventually designated as US 2 in 1926.

Even though the section of the highway from Alburgh to Burlington runs north–south, US 2 is signed as an east–west route throughout Vermont. This makes it the longest east–west signed highway in the state, despite its varying orientation. At nearly 460 miles (740 km) overall, US 2 holds the distinction of being the longest highway of any classification—whether Interstate, U.S. Route, or state highway—to pass through Vermont.

The road's history dates back to 1805, when the state of Vermont chartered the Winooski Turnpike, a 36-mile (58 km) toll road connecting Burlington and Montpelier. This road followed the relatively flat banks of the Winooski River, and traffic began using it a few years after the charter. In 1852, the Winooski Turnpike ceased to be a toll road and became a publicly owned route. The path of this old turnpike was eventually incorporated into the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway, which was organized in 1919 to connect Portland, Maine, with Portland, Oregon. In Vermont, the highway ran from Vermont Route 129 (VT 129) near Alburgh to VT 18 east of St. Johnsbury.

Before it became part of US 2, the current route was included in several interstate roads that were part of the 1922 New England road marking system. The section from Danville to the state line was designated Route 15, from Montpelier to Danville it was Route 18, the Burlington to Montpelier portion followed Route 14, and the Alburgh to Burlington segment was part of Route 30. When the U.S. Highway System was first planned in 1925, US 2 was routed along the Roosevelt Highway from Alburgh to Montpelier. Both the Roosevelt Highway and US 2 connected Montpelier to St. Johnsbury, but the Roosevelt Highway took a direct route via Route 18, while US 2 initially followed Route 25 (now US 302) to Wells River, overlapping US 5 northward to St. Johnsbury. From there, the Roosevelt Highway continued southeast toward Portland along modern VT 18, while US 2 continued east along old Route 15 to Bangor, Maine. The original plan for US 2 was finalized on November 11, 1926, without any changes. By the mid-1930s, US 2 was shifted to its current alignment, taking over the Roosevelt Highway between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury, and the former alignment became part of US 302.

Originally, Rouses Point, New York, and Alburgh, Vermont, were connected by a ferry across the Richelieu River. The ferry operated from the center of Rouses Point to Windmill Point in Vermont, where it linked to VT F-1, an east–west road leading to Alburgh. When US 2 was established, it followed this ferry route and VT F-1 to the New York state line, where the highway initially ended. In 1937, a new tolled swing bridge was constructed across the Richelieu River, extending US 2 from Rouses Point to Alburgh. This swing bridge remained in place until September 22, 1987, when it was replaced by a permanent toll-free bridge, further improving the connection between the two states.

US 2 remains a vital transportation route across northern Vermont, serving as a historic and scenic connector between key cities and rural areas. From its early days as a toll road to its present role as a major U.S. highway, it has been a critical part of the region's infrastructure, evolving alongside the state’s development and reflecting its rich transportation history.

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[donavanjohnson]

Nice trip thru north hero and grand isle along us highway 2 East

[RoadTripTelevisionNJ]

I thought Ethan Allen was a company that sold furniture. LOL. 😁😂🤣😜🤪😄😃👍
BTW - Nice video, once again. 😃👍

[RichardFelstead]

Nice video. From the "infamous" city of Albury NSW Australia.

[waltersaul]

The rain gives you one more reason why Vermont is the Green Mountain State! Rather reminiscent of the Northwest!

[RoadsOfAsiaBen]

Great drive! Has any of your vehicles, current or in the past, was affected by Takata airbag recall where the airbag would sent sharp object upon impact leading to injuries or death?

[thebigk]

I noticed a sight error in the picture.... It supposed to be US 2 East, but it says US 11 North.