Editing Interstate 70 (section)

==Route description==
{{Lengths table|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa" />}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Utah|UT]]
|{{Convert|231.70|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Colorado|CO]]
|{{Convert|450.18|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Kansas|KS]]
|{{Convert|424.15|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Missouri|MO]]
|{{Convert|250.16|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Illinois|IL]]
|{{Convert|157.33|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Indiana|IN]]
|{{Convert|156.60|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Ohio|OH]]
|{{Convert|225.60|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in West Virginia|WV]]
|{{Convert|14.45|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania|PA]]
|{{Convert|167.92|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 70 in Maryland|MD]]
|{{Convert|93.62|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|Total
|{{Convert|2171.71|mi|km|disp=table}}
|}
===Utah===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Utah}}
I-70 begins at an [[interchange (road)|interchange]] with [[Interstate 15|I-15]] near [[Cove Fort]]. Heading east, I-70 crosses between the Tushar and [[Pahvant Range|Pahvant]] ranges via [[Clear Creek Canyon]] and descends into the [[Sevier Valley]], where I-70 serves [[Richfield, Utah|Richfield]], one of two towns of more than a few hundred people along I-70's path in Utah. The second town with more than a few hundred people served by I-70 is [[Salina, Utah|Salina]]. Upon leaving the valley near Salina, I-70 crosses the {{convert|7923|ft|m|adj=on}} Salina Summit and then crosses a large geologic formation called the [[San Rafael Swell]].
[[File:I70 at San Rafael swell-Green River.jpg|thumb|right|I-70 passes through Spotted Wolf Canyon at the eastern edge of the [[San Rafael Swell]] in Utah.]]
Prior to the construction of I-70, the swell was inaccessible via paved roads and relatively undiscovered. Once this {{convert|108|mi|km|adj=on}} section was opened to traffic in 1970, it became the longest stretch of Interstate Highway with no services and the first highway in the U.S. built over a completely new route since the [[Alaska Highway]].<ref name="utah new">{{cite web |title=Interstate 70 |url=http://members.aol.com/utahhwys/rte070.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312085507/http://members.aol.com/utahhwys/rte070.htm |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=January 30, 2007 |work=Utah Highways |language=en-US}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=November 2013}} It also became the longest piece of Interstate Highway to be opened at one time.<ref name = "why cove fort"/> Although opened in 1970, this section was not formally complete until 1990, when a second steel arch bridge spanning Eagle Canyon was opened to traffic.

Since I-70's construction, the swell has been noted for its desolate beauty. The swell has since been nominated for [[List of national parks of the United States|national park]] or [[National monument (United States)|national monument]] status on multiple occasions. If the swell is granted this status, it arguably would be the first time a national park owes its existence to an Interstate Highway. Most of the exits in this span are rest areas, brake check areas, and [[runaway truck ramp]]s with few traditional freeway exits.

I-70 exits the swell near [[Green River, Utah|Green River]]. From Green River to the Colorado state line, I-70 follows the southern edge of the [[Book Cliffs]].

===Colorado===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Colorado}}
Entering from Utah, I-70 descends into the [[Grand Valley (Colorado–Utah)|Grand Valley]], where it meets the [[Colorado River]], which provides its path up the [[Colorado Western Slope|western slope]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. Here, I-70 serves the [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]] metropolitan area before traversing more mountainous terrain.

[[File:I-70 Glenwood Canyon-terabass.jpg|thumb|left|I-70 at [[Glenwood Canyon]] ]]The last section of I-70 to be completed was the {{Convert|15|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Glenwood Canyon]]. This stretch was completed in 1992 and was an [[engineering]] marvel due to the extremely difficult terrain and narrow space in the [[canyon]], which requires corners that are sharper than normal [[Interstate standards]]. Construction was delayed for many years due to environmental concerns. The difficulties in building the road in the canyon were compounded by the fact the [[Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad]] occupied the south bank, and many temporary construction projects took place to keep [[U.S. Route 6|US&nbsp;6]] open, at the time the only east–west road in the area. Much of the highway is elevated above the [[Colorado River]]. The speed limit in this section is {{Convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} due to the limited sight distance and sharp corners.

[[File:Eisenhower Tunnel Colorado West Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|I-70 at the portal of the [[Eisenhower Tunnel]]. The traffic signal is controlled from a command center and used for incident management.]]The [[Eisenhower Tunnel]], the highest vehicular tunnel in North America and the longest tunnel built under the Interstate program, passes through the [[Continental Divide]].

[[File:I-70-Looking Southeast.jpg|thumb|right|I-70 as it turns north at [[Copper Mountain (Colorado)|Copper Mountain]], approximately {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} from [[Vail Pass]]]] Because of the rugged and narrow terrain of the [[Rocky Mountains]], I-70 is one of few roads connecting Colorado's ski resorts with [[Denver]].

Descending through the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, one can see the Denver skyline on a clear day. This can fool truckers and other unsuspecting drivers because one must still traverse {{convert|10|mi|km}} of steep grade road before reaching the city. A series of signs warns truckers of the steep grade. As I-70 leaves the foothills, it goes through Denver and intersects [[Interstate 25|I-25]], serving as the central east–west artery through the city. Leaving Denver, I-70 levels out and traverses the wide plains through eastern Colorado. East of Denver, I-70 makes a broad turn to the south-southeast for {{convert|30|mi|km}}, before reaching [[Limon, Colorado|Limon]] and resuming its eastward journey toward Kansas.

===Kansas===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Kansas}}
Coming from Colorado, I-70 enters the prairie, farmlands, and rolling hills of Kansas. This portion of I-70 was the first segment to start being paved and to be completed in the Interstate Highway System. It is given the nickname "Main Street of Kansas", as the Interstate extends from the western border to the eastern border of the state, covering {{convert|424|mi|km}} and passing through most of the state's principal cities in the process.

[[File:Quality-i70.jpg|thumb|left|I-70 crossing on the [[Intercity Viaduct]] over the Kansas River from Kansas to Missouri in Kansas City]]
In [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]], I-70 intersects with the north terminus of [[Interstate 135|I-135]]. In [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]], I-70 intersects [[Interstate 470 (Kansas)|I-470]], twice. At the eastern intersection, the [[Kansas Turnpike]] merges, with I-70 becoming a [[toll road]]. This is one of only two sections of I-70 that are tolled. (The other is part of the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]].) I-70 carries this designation from Topeka to Kansas City, the eastern terminus of the turnpike. About halfway between Topeka and [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]], I-70 passes through [[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]] (home to the [[University of Kansas]]). The tolled portion of the turnpike ends near [[Bonner Springs, Kansas|Bonner Springs]], just west of Kansas City. There is also a third auxiliary route in Topeka, [[Interstate 335 (Kansas)|I-335]], which runs from I-470 south to meet up with I-35 in the [[Flint Hills]] town of [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]]. Just past the Bonner Springs Toll Plaza, I-70 crosses [[Interstate 435|I-435]] for the first time, which allows travelers to bypass the downtown traffic via I-435, which encircles the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]]. Further down the highway in Kansas City, approximately {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} before the 18th Street Expressway, I-70 is intersected again by another auxiliary route. This route, [[Interstate 635 (Kansas–Missouri)|I-635]], runs from [[Interstate 35|I-35]] at its southern terminus up to [[Interstate 29|I-29]], just about {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} across the [[Missouri River]], at its northern terminus. From I-635 to just past the [[U.S. Route 169|US&nbsp;169]] (7th Street) exit, I-70 runs adjacent [[Union Pacific Railroad]]'s Armourdale Yard. Here, [[Interstate 670 (Kansas–Missouri)|I-670]] (also designated "Alternate&nbsp;70" on some signs) diverges, providing a more direct route that rejoins I-70 proper a few miles east in Missouri. The highway passes over the former stockyards and railyard when it crosses the [[Kansas River]] on the [[Intercity Viaduct]] into [[Downtown Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite map|publisher=Rand McNally|title=The 2014 Road Atlas|year=2014|page=58}}</ref>

===Missouri===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Missouri}}
[[File:I-70 Western Missouri.jpg|thumb|right|I-70 in [[Saline County, Missouri]]]]
After crossing the [[Intercity Viaduct]], I-70 enters Missouri. It encounters a loop of freeways, called the [[Downtown Loop (Kansas City)|Downtown Loop]], which contains I-70 as well as [[Interstate 35|I-35]], [[Interstate 670 (Kansas–Missouri)|I-670]], [[U.S. Route 24|US&nbsp;24]], [[U.S. Route 40|US&nbsp;40]], [[U.S. Route 71|US&nbsp;71]], and [[U.S. Route 169|US&nbsp;169]]. In the southern part of this loop, I-670 cuts directly through the downtown while I-70 bypasses the taller buildings a few blocks north near the [[Missouri River]]. Westbound I-670 is also designated Alternate I-70. Most of the Interstates in this loop are in their second mile, so all exits (no matter which Interstate the road carries) are numbered 2 and suffixed with every letter of the alphabet except for I, O, and Z, leading to the loop's nickname, the Alphabet Loop.

The section of I-70 in [[Downtown Kansas City]] is approximately the southern city limits of "City of Kansas" when it was incorporated in 1853. The first two auto bridges in Missouri mark the city's original boundaries with the [[Buck O'Neil Bridge]] (US&nbsp;169) being the west boundary while the [[Heart of America Bridge]] ([[Missouri Route 9|Route&nbsp;9]]) is the east boundary. Another intersection of note is the second traverse of [[Interstate 435|I-435]]. This is primarily notable because it immediately precedes the [[Truman Sports Complex]] (home of both [[Arrowhead Stadium|Arrowhead]] and [[Kauffman Stadium|Kauffman]] stadiums) and also because the entrance ramps from I-435 northbound onto I-70 eastbound also serve as the exit ramps from I-70 into the Truman Sports Complex parking lots. This section of the Interstate is marked as the "[[George Brett]] Super Highway", named after the [[Kansas City Royals]] third-base player who played the entirety of his career (1973–1993) at Kauffman Stadium. The last Interstate intersection in the immediate Kansas City metro area is with [[Interstate 470 (Missouri)|I-470]] in [[Independence, Missouri|Independence]].

After passing Kansas City, I-70 traverses the length of Missouri, west to east. It passes through the largest city between Kansas City and St. Louis, [[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]], which is about halfway between the two major cities and the home of the [[University of Missouri]]. The terrain is rolling with some hills and bluffs near rivers. I-70 also crosses the Missouri River twice (as did the original US&nbsp;40)—at [[Rocheport, Missouri|Rocheport]], about {{convert|15|mi|km}} west of Columbia, and at [[St. Charles, Missouri|St. Charles]], about {{convert|20|mi|km}} northwest of St. Louis. Most of the highway on this stretch is four lanes. Various proposals have been made to widen it (at an estimated cost of $3.5&nbsp;billion) including turning it into a toll road.<ref name="mo70widening">{{cite news |date=February 8, 2006 |title=Missouri official calls for rebuilding I-70 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2006/02/06/daily24.html |access-date=January 30, 2007 |work=[[Kansas City Business Journal]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112142246/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2006/02/06/daily24.html |url-status=live }}</ref> I-70 eventually gets into [[Greater St. Louis]], and US&nbsp;40 splits to the south, along with [[U.S. Route 61|US&nbsp;61]], which does not have a [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with I-70. In late 2009, the intersecting road was upgraded to [[Interstate standards]] along with the completion of the overhaul of [[Interstate 64|I-64]].<ref name="I-64">{{cite web | url = http://www.modot.org/stlouis/major_projects/route4061.htm | title = Route 40/61 Corridor Projects | access-date = January 30, 2007 | publisher = [[Missouri Department of Transportation]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311231823/http://www.modot.org/stlouis/major_projects/route4061.htm | archive-date = March 11, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> After this interchange, I-70 intersects two auxiliary routes, [[Interstate 270 (Missouri–Illinois)|I-270]] and [[Interstate 170|I-170]]. After passing several [[bedroom communities]] in north [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]], I-70 enters the city limits of St. Louis. It turns east to cross the [[Mississippi River]] on the [[Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge]], connecting with an extension of [[Interstate 44|I-44]], which takes the former I-70 route through [[Downtown St. Louis]] to meet [[Interstate 55|I-55]] at its connection to the [[Poplar Street Bridge]].

The [[1985 World Series]] between the [[Kansas City Royals]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals]] was nicknamed the "I-70 Series" because St. Louis and Kansas City are the two endpoints of I-70 in [[Missouri]], and the highway passes within sight of both the Royals' [[Kauffman Stadium]] and, at the time, the Cardinals' [[Busch Stadium]].

===Illinois===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Illinois}}
After crossing the [[Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge]], I-70 merges with I-55, while I-64 splits off I-55. When the routes intersect I-270, I-55 stays on its own pavement using the mileposts from the Poplar Street Bridge, while I-70 heads east on I-270's pavement using I-270's mileposts. Because of this arrangement, when I-55/I-70 intersects I-270 from the southeast, the exit number is 20 and, in the opposite direction, it is exit&nbsp;15.

I-70 was rerouted from the Poplar Street Bridge to the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge north of Downtown St. Louis, which opened in February 2014.

I-70 passes through numerous [[county seat]]s in Illinois, among them [[Vandalia, Illinois|Vandalia]], the state capital from 1818 to 1839. It [[concurrency (road)|runs concurrently]] with [[Interstate 57|I-57]] around [[Effingham, Illinois|Effingham]] and then proceeds east toward Indiana.

===Indiana===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Indiana}}
{{See also|U.S. Route 40 in Indiana}}
[[File:View of downtown Indianapolis from I-70.jpg|thumb|right|I-70 near its junction with [[Interstate 65|I-65]], east of [[Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana]]]]
I-70 enters Indiana just to the west of [[Terre Haute, Indiana|Terre Haute]] and then crosses the [[Wabash River]] before skirting the city's south side. After passing through miles of gently rolling terrain in rural west-central Indiana, the freeway approaches the major [[Indianapolis metropolitan area]].

The main entrance to [[Indianapolis International Airport]] was relocated to I-70's exit&nbsp;68 on November 11, 2008. Upon nearing the [[central business district]] of Indiana's capital city, the visages of [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] and the [[JW Marriott Indianapolis]] hotel, with the city's skyline as their backdrop, now dominate the view to the north from the freeway. After passing just to the south of the world headquarters for [[Eli Lilly and Company]], I-70 and [[Interstate 65|I-65]] have a brief [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] through the eastern side of [[Downtown Indianapolis]]. The junction points of these two major routes are known locally as the "South Split" and "North Split", respectively.

The [[Interstate 465|I-465]] beltway provides access to [[Fishers, Indiana|Fishers]] via [[Interstate 69 in Indiana|Interstate 69]], which is concurrent with I-465 at the eastern interchange with I-70. [[Interstate 74|I-74]] meets I-70 at the western interchange with I-465, eastern access to I-74 can take place via its concurrency around the southern portion of the I-465 loop.

After passing through much of the near northeast side of [[Indianapolis]], I-70 again encounters the I-465 beltway, which carries a multitude of unsigned U.S. Highways and Indiana state roads. I-70 continues on nearly due east from this point, first traveling through suburban [[Indianapolis]] and then transitioning into rural east central Indiana, where it passes just to the south of [[New Castle, Indiana|New Castle]]. Upon reaching the [[Richmond, Indiana|Richmond]] area, [[U.S. Route 35|US&nbsp;35]] joins I-70 just before both routes leave Indiana together and enter Ohio.

===Ohio===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Ohio}}
I-70 enters [[Ohio]] just east of the interchange with US&nbsp;40 at [[Richmond, Indiana]]. Immediately to the east of this border, travelers notice a unique teal-blue arch that spans the width of the freeway, with a "Welcome to Ohio" greeting sign above the eastbound lanes. A sign thanking travelers for visiting Ohio is mounted on the other side of the arch for westbound travelers. Continuing eastbound, I-70 intersects [[Interstate 75|I-75]] north of [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], followed by [[Interstate 675 (Ohio)|I-675]] on the east side of Dayton. [[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield]] is the next city, the site of [[Buck Creek State Park]].

[[File:I-71 I-70 Columbus OH (crop).jpg|thumb|left|I-70 and I-71 intersection in Columbus, Ohio]]
I-70 then encounters [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]. Columbus is bounded by [[Interstate 270 (Ohio)|I-270]] and is roughly centered on the intersection of I-70 and [[Interstate 71|I-71]], which share the same asphalt through a notoriously congested {{convert|1.5|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch locally known as the "South Innerbelt" or, more commonly, "The Split". This stretch has I-71 concurrent with I-70, where I-71 enters and exits from opposite sides of I-70, causing traffic getting on I-70 from I-71 northbound to have to cross four lanes of I-70 traffic to continue on I-71. A similar issue is present for southbound I-71 traffic as well. The Split is being reconstructed ($1.4&nbsp;billion) and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026. [[Interstate 670 (Ohio)|I-670]] connects [[John Glenn Columbus International Airport]] with I-270, I-71, and I-70. East of Columbus, I-70 passes through [[Zanesville, Ohio|Zanesville]] and on to [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge]], where it intersects [[Interstate 77|I-77]]. Continuing on toward [[West Virginia]], I-70 intersects [[Interstate 470 (Ohio–West Virginia)|I-470]] just east of [[St. Clairsville, Ohio|St. Clairsville]]. I-470 is primarily used for through traffic and to avoid The Winter Festival of Lights traffic during the [[Christmas season]] from [[Oglebay Park]]. In March 1995, a hole (from a former coal mine) opened up on the eastbound side of I-70 in [[Guernsey County, Ohio|Guernsey County]] near [[Old Washington, Ohio|Old Washington]] and caused traffic to be rerouted onto US&nbsp;40 between Old Washington and Cambridge for several months.

===West Virginia===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in West Virginia}}
[[File:Fort Henry Bridge looking towards Ohio, in Wheeling, West Virginia - 20040706.jpg|thumb|right|Crossing the [[Ohio River]] ([[Fort Henry Bridge]]) at Wheeling, West Virginia]]
The portion of I-70 in West Virginia crosses the [[Ohio River]] at [[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling]] and runs through the [[Wheeling Tunnel]]. I-70 has only one throughlane in each direction at the tunnel. A major interchange was planned but never completed on the east side of the Wheeling Tunnel. Upon merging with I-470, I-70 goes uphill toward Dallas Pike. This part of the road is called "Two Mile Hill", which is known locally for the many accidents at the bottom of the hill. I-70 has brought major development in [[Ohio County, West Virginia|Ohio County]], the only county the route passes through in West Virginia, in the past few years. On the north side of the highway, a former strip mine was developed into a retail area called [[The Highlands (Wheeling, West Virginia)|The Highlands]]. This stretch of I-70 is the shortest that I-70 is in any state, traveling only {{convert|15|mi|km}} from the Ohio River to the Pennsylvania border.

===Pennsylvania===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania}}
{{See also|Interstate 79|Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|Pennsylvania Turnpike}}
[[File:Allegheny Mountain Tunnel.JPG|left|thumb|I-70/I-76 at the [[Allegheny Mountain Tunnel]]]]
I-70 was initially envisioned to go through [[Downtown Pittsburgh]] but now goes south of it. Its originally planned route was later incorporated into [[Interstate 376|I-376]], as well as parts of I-76 and [[Interstate 79|I-79]]. I-70 also overlaps I-79 near the Pittsburgh suburb of [[Washington, Pennsylvania|Washington]] for {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}}.

The {{convert|38|mi|km}} of I-70 between [[Washington, Pennsylvania|Washington]] and [[New Stanton, Pennsylvania|New Stanton]] is a [[Interstate Highway standards|substandard]] section of the highway. This section of I-70 used to be [[Pennsylvania Route&nbsp;71]] (PA&nbsp;71). It is characterized by sharp curves, limited sight distance, narrow shoulders, and lack of merge lanes at interchanges. Traffic on cloverleaf ramps must weave in the right throughlane of traffic due to the lack of a third lane for entering and exiting traffic. Other on- and offramps effectively function as [[right-in/right-out]] interchanges, forcing vehicles to weave in and out of the exit lane. The speed limit on this stretch is {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.

From New Stanton to [[Breezewood, Pennsylvania|Breezewood]], I-70 overlaps [[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|I-76]] and the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]]. This is one of only two tolled sections of I-70 (the other is in Kansas, where the portion of the [[Kansas Turnpike]] east of Topeka is signed I-70).

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| header            = I-70 at the Breezewood exit
| header_align      = center
| footer_align      = left/right/center
| image1            = Breezewood Exit.jpg
| width1            = 200
| caption1          = Exit split from I-76
| image2            = 2015-12-14 11 20 01 View east along Interstate 70 at the end of the non-freeway multiplex with westbound U.S. Route 30 in Breezewood, Pennsylvania.jpg
| width2            = 200
| caption2          = Interchange with US&nbsp;30
}}

Drivers on I-70 near Breezewood have to leave the freeway and travel a few blocks on [[U.S. Route 30|US&nbsp;30]] past several [[traffic-light]]s before returning to the freeway.<ref>{{cite news |first= Manuel |last= Roig-Franzia |title= The Town That Stops Traffic: Travelers Encounter Way Station as Way of Life in Breezewood |newspaper= [[Washington Post]] |date= November 22, 2001 |page= B1}}</ref> This stretch of I-70 is one of the few [[List of gaps in Interstate Highways|gaps]] on the Interstate Highway System.

I-70 continues on almost due south to the Maryland border after leaving I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) at Breezewood. This section is posted at {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and is heavily patrolled. After the border, it meets [[Interstate 68|I-68]]'s eastern end and turns east toward Baltimore and [[Washington DC]].

===Maryland===
{{Main|Interstate 70 in Maryland}}
[[File:I70WBexit1A.jpg|thumb|right|Westbound I-70 in Hancock, Maryland]]
In [[Maryland]], I-70 runs from the [[Pennsylvania]] state line near [[Hancock, Maryland|Hancock]] east across the central portion of the state toward [[Baltimore]], following the route of the [[National Road]], now known as [[U.S. Route 40|US&nbsp;40]]. It is a major east–west highway in the state, serving the cities of [[Hagerstown, Maryland|Hagerstown]] and [[Frederick, Maryland|Frederick]] and bypassing [[Ellicott City, Maryland|Ellicott City]]. East of Frederick, the route was originally designated '''Interstate&nbsp;70N''' ('''I-70N'''). The highway serves [[Washington DC]], via [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]], which was once designated '''Interstate&nbsp;70S''' ('''I-70S'''). Uniquely, I-70 indirectly serves a branch of the [[Washington Metro]] at [[Shady Grove station]] via [[Interstate 370|I-370]], which only connects to I-270.

I-70 was planned to end at [[Interstate 95|I-95]] in Baltimore, but, due to local opposition, it was only built to [[Maryland Route 122|MD&nbsp;122]]. The section east of [[Interstate 695 (Maryland)|I-695]] is now [[Maryland Route 570|MD&nbsp;570]].<ref name="Baltimore Maryland HLR 2023">{{Maryland  HLR|year=2022|county1=Baltimore|pages1=117|access-date=November 3, 2023}}</ref>