Where Does U.S. Route 7 Start and End?

The United States Numbered Highway System dates back to 1926. This massive development in U.S. transportation infrastructure designated and numbered roads and highways across the country. New England has some of the oldest U.S. Highways, which were originally created as the New England road marking system in 1922. Today, U.S. Route 7 is a U.S. numbered highway in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It runs 308 miles through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Its roots trace all the way back to the early 20th century. Where does U.S. Route 7 start and end? Let’s explore the details.

Where Does U.S. Route 7 Start?

U.S. Route 7 starts at Interstate 95 in the town of Norwalk, Connecticut. Interstate 95 runs east to west, and both the eastbound and westbound lanes have interchanges leading to the northbound U.S. Route 7.

With a population of 91,184, Norwalk is the sixth-most populous city in Connecticut. It is on the north shore of the Long Island Sound, just across the water from Long Island. Norwalk is just 14 miles west of Bridgeport, CT, and 30 miles northeast of New York, NY. It is a part of both the Bridgeport metropolitan area and the New York metropolitan area.

Where Does U.S. Route 7 End?

U.S. Route 7 ends at the Canada–United States border in Highgate, Vermont. Just before the border station, U.S. Route 7 feeds into Interstate 89. After the border station, Interstate 89 becomes Quebec Route 133.

Highgate is in Franklin County, which is in the northwestern corner of Vermont. It has a population of 3,472.

What Cities Does U.S. Route 7 Pass Through?

U.S. Route 7 passes through dozens of cities and towns on its route through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Let’s explore the cities and towns that U.S. Route 7 passes through in each of these states.

Cities U.S. Route 7 Passes Through in Connecticut

U.S. Route 7 begins its journey north from the coastal town of Norfolk, Connecticut. It runs through Connecticut for 78 miles before continuing into Massachusetts. Here is a list of the Connecticut cities U.S. Route 7 passes through:

• Norfolk
• Wilton
• Ridgefield
• Redding
• Danbury
• Brookfield
• New Milford
• Kent
• Cornwall
• Sharon
• Salisbury
• Canaan
• North Canaan

Cities U.S. Route 7 Passes Through in Massachusetts

U.S. Route 7 enters Massachusetts in the Ashley Falls neighborhood of Sheffield. It runs through Massachusetts for 54 miles before continuing into Vermont. Here is a list of the Massachusetts cities U.S. Route 7 passes through:

• Sheffield
• Great Barrington
• Stockbridge
• Lee
• Lennox
• Pittsfield
• Lanesborough
• New Ashford
• Williamstown

Cities U.S. Route 7 Passes Through in Vermont

U.S. Route 7 enters Vermont in Pownal, in the far southwestern corner of the state. It runs through Vermont for 176 miles before ending at the Canada–United States border. Here is a list of the Vermont cities U.S. Route 7 passes through:

• Pownal
• Bennington
• Shaftsbury
• Glastenbury
• Sunderland
• Manchester
• Dorset
• Mt Tabor
• Danby
• Wallingford
• Clarendon
• Rutland
• Pittsford
• Brandon
• Leicester
• Salisbury
• Middlebury
• New Haven
• Waltham
• Ferrisburgh
• Charlotte
• Shelburne
• South Burlington
• Burlington
• Winooski
• Colchester
• Milton
• Georgia
• St Albans City
• Swanton
• Highgate

Notable Landmarks Along U.S. Route 7

The Housatonic River

Around 38 miles north of where U.S. Route 7 starts in Norwalk, CT, it meets the Housatonic River in New Milford, CT. The Housatonic River is a 149-mile-long river in Connecticut and Massachusetts. U.S. Route 7 runs alongside or near the Housatonic River for 70 miles until reaching the river’s source in Pittsfield, MA.

Kent Falls State Park

In Kent, CT, U.S. Route 7 passes through Kent Falls State Park. Kent Falls is a stunning 250-foot waterfall on Falls Brook, which is a tributary of the Housatonic River. Falls Brook flows into the Housatonic River just west of U.S. Route 7. Additionally, the Appalachian Scenic Trail runs along the Housatonic River in this area.

October Mountain State Forest

In Lenox, MA, U.S. Route 7 passes through October Mountain State Forest. At 16,460 acres, it is the largest state forest in Massachusetts.

Lake Champlain

In northwestern Vermont, near the Canada–United States border, U.S. Route 7 runs alongside the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. Across the lake, one can see the Adirondack Park in New York.

Conclusion

U.S. Route 7 is a 308-mile-long highway in the Northeastern United States. It passes through the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. U.S. State Route 7 starts in the town of Norwalk, Connecticut, on the Long Island Sound. It ends at the Canada–United States border crossing 3.5 miles north of the town of Highgate, Vermont. U.S. Route 7 passes through some stunning natural areas along its route through New England including the Housatonic River, Kent Falls State Park, October Mountain State Forest, and Lake Champlain.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © vermontalm/Shutterstock.com