Editing Interstate 5

{{Short description|Interstate Highway along the West Coast of the United States}}
{{Redirect|I-5||I5 (disambiguation)}}
{{For|the Wedding Present song|Interstate 5 (song)}}
{{Use American English|date = April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox road
|country=USA
|type=I
|route=5
|map={{maplink-road|frame-height=310|from=Interstate 5.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-5 highlighted in red
|length_mi=1381.29
|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa">{{cite web|url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm?redirect|work=Route Log and Finder List|title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2013|date=December 31, 2013|author=Staff|publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]|access-date=March 17, 2014|archive-date=April 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422220808/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table1.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|established= 1956
|history=Completed in 1979
|direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{jct|state=BCN|FH|1|FH|1D}} at the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]] in [[San Diego, California|San Diego, CA]]<!--San Ysidro is a neighborhood within the city of San Diego. We list the CITIES where key junctions are located, not neighborhoods or other sub-entities of cities.-->
|junction=<!-- Major junctions ONLY; Only 5-7 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info; please do not add any more! -->
*{{jct|country=USA|I|8}} in [[San Diego, CA]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|10|US|101}} in [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, CA]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|50}} in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento, CA]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|80}} in Sacramento, CA
*{{jct|country=USA|US|20}} in [[Albany, Oregon|Albany, OR]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|84|dab1= Oregon–Utah|US|30}} in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland, OR]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|101}} in [[Tumwater, Washington|Tumwater, WA]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in [[Seattle|Seattle, WA]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|2}} in [[Everett, Washington|Everett, WA]]
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|province=BC|BC|99}} at the [[Peace Arch Border Crossing| Peace Arch Border Crossing]] in [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine, WA]]
|states=[[California]], [[Oregon]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
}}
'''Interstate&nbsp;5''' ('''I-5''') is the main north–south [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highway]] on the [[West Coast of the United States]], running largely parallel to the [[Pacific coast]] of the contiguous U.S. from [[Mexico]] to [[Canada]]. It travels through the states of [[California]], [[Oregon]], and [[Washington (state)|Washington]], serving several large cities on the West Coast, including [[San Diego]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], and [[Seattle]]. It is the only continuous Interstate highway to touch both the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican]] and [[Canada–United States border|Canadian]] borders. Upon crossing the Mexican border at its southern terminus, the highway continues to [[Tijuana]], Baja California, as [[Mexican Federal Highway&nbsp;1]] (Fed.&nbsp;1). Upon crossing the Canadian border at its northern terminus, it continues to [[Vancouver]] as [[British Columbia Highway&nbsp;99]] (BC&nbsp;99).

I-5 was originally created in 1956 as part of the Interstate Highway System, but it was predated by several [[auto trail]]s and highways built in the early 20th&nbsp;century. The [[Pacific Highway (United States)|Pacific Highway]] was built in the 1910s and 1920s by the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, and was later incorporated into [[U.S. Route 99|U.S. Route&nbsp;99]] (US&nbsp;99) in 1926. I-5 largely follows the route of US&nbsp;99, with the exception of portions south of [[Los Angeles]] and in the [[Central Valley (California)|Central Valley]] of California. The freeway was built in segments between 1956 and 1978, including expressway sections of US&nbsp;99 that were built earlier to bypass various towns along the route. US&nbsp;99 was removed in 1972.

==Route description==
{{lengths table|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa" />}}
|-
|[[Interstate 5 in California|CA]]
|{{convert|796.53|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 5 in Oregon|OR]]
|{{convert|308.14|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|[[Interstate 5 in Washington|WA]]
|{{convert|276.62|mi|km|disp=table}}
|-
|Total
|{{convert|1381.29|mi|km|disp=table}}
|}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 250
| image1            = Interstate5newhallpass.JPG
| caption1          = I-5 in the [[Newhall Pass Interchange]] where it intersects with [[Interstate 210 and State Route 210 (California)|I-210]] and SR&nbsp;14 near [[Santa Clarita, California|Santa Clarita]]
| image2            = Interstate 5 Southbound near Derrick Ave.JPG
| caption2          = I-5 in the Central Valley, looking south near Derrick Avenue in [[Fresno County, California|Fresno County]]
| image3            = I-5 near Shasta.jpg
| caption3          = I-5 southbound, approaching Weed and Mount Shasta
| image4            = I5inPortlandNight.jpg
| caption4          = I-5 running adjacent to the Willamette River and passes by the [[Moda Center]], and [[Oregon Convention Center]] in [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|Downtown Portland]]
| image5            = Seattle I-5 skyline dllu.jpg
| caption5          = I-5 passing through [[Downtown Seattle]]
}}

I-5 is a major [[Interstate Highway]] that spans {{convert|1,381|mi|km}} and runs north–south through the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] states of [[California]], [[Oregon]], and [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. It connects several major metropolitan areas as well as agricultural regions, seaports, and freight destinations. The freeway ranges from four lanes in some rural sections to 22 lanes in [[Orange County, California]], where it had been widened and reconstructed.<ref name="LATimes-Weikel">{{cite news |last=Weikel |first=Dan |date=July 5, 2004 |title=The Road More Heavily Traveled |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-05-me-thefive5-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=January 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201073320/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-05-me-thefive5-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===California===
{{main|Interstate 5 in California}}

The southern terminus of I-5 is at the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]] at the [[San Ysidro Port of Entry]], the busiest land border crossing in the [[Western Hemisphere]]; the crossing handles a daily average of 70,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians crossing northbound and connects with [[Mexican Federal Highway 1]] in [[Tijuana]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sweeney |first=Don |date=November 25, 2018 |title=5 things to know about massive San Ysidro border checkpoint closed by caravan protest |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article222172450.html |work=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |accessdate=December 13, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523034746/https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article222172450.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The freeway splits in [[San Diego]]'s [[San Ysidro, San Diego|San Ysidro]] neighborhood, with I-5 traveling northwest through [[Chula Vista, California|Chula Vista]] and [[National City, California|National City]] on the John J. Montgomery Freeway and [[Interstate 805|I-805]] serving the eastern neighborhoods.<ref name="CA-Names">{{cite web |author=Caltrans Office of Highway System Information and Performance |date=January 2021 |title=2020 Named Freeways, Highways, Structures and Other Appurtenances in California |pages=8–15 |url=https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/place-names/web-2020-named-freeways-final-a11y.pdf |publisher=[[California Department of Transportation]] |accessdate=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217064734/https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/place-names/web-2020-named-freeways-final-a11y.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> I-5 follows the shore of [[San Diego Bay]] and intersects [[California State Route 15|State Route&nbsp;15]] (a continuation of [[Interstate 15|I-15]]) near [[Naval Station San Diego]]. The freeway then travels around [[downtown San Diego]] and [[San Diego International Airport]] before reaching a junction with [[Interstate 8|I-8]].<ref name="google">{{google maps |title=Overview of Interstate 5 |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.5427538,-117.0292493/49.0020791,-122.7560176/@40.4396594,-129.1964226,3484765m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1 |accessdate=December 15, 2021}}</ref>

I-5 bisects the [[University of California, San Diego]] campus, merging with I-805 nearby, and follows the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific coastline]] through the [[North County (San Diego area)|northern suburbs]] of San Diego. Between [[Oceanside, California|Oceanside]] and [[San Clemente, California|San Clemente]], an {{convert|18|mi|km|adj=mid}} stretch of the San Diego Freeway passes through [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]] before entering [[Orange County, California|Orange County]]. At [[Dana Point, California|Dana Point]], I-5 turns inland and heads north through [[Mission Viejo, California|Mission Viejo]] to the [[El Toro Y]] interchange in [[Irvine, California|Irvine]], where [[Interstate 405 (California)|I-405]] splits and carries the San Diego Freeway designation.<ref name="CA-Names"/> I-5 continues northwest as the [[Santa Ana Freeway]] through several Orange County and [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]] suburbs and passes near [[Disneyland]] in [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Nathan |date=April 21, 2016 |title=How the 5 Freeway Made Orange County Suburban |url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/how-the-5-freeway-made-orange-county-suburban |publisher=[[KCET]] |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216065924/https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/how-the-5-freeway-made-orange-county-suburban |url-status=live }}</ref> The freeway intersects [[Interstate 605|I-605]] in [[Downey, California|Downey]] and [[Interstate 710|I-710]] in [[Commerce, California|Commerce]] before reaching the city of [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="google"/> Southern Californians often refer to I-5 as "the 5" or as the Santa Ana Freeway in the Los Angeles area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Edgar |first=Deirdre |date=September 19, 2012 |title=Southern California freeways are a number, not a name |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-xpm-2012-sep-19-la-me-rr-southland-freeways-are-a-number-not-a-name-20120919-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216065843/https://www.latimes.com/la-xpm-2012-sep-19-la-me-rr-southland-freeways-are-a-number-not-a-name-20120919-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Nathan |date=November 10, 2015 |title=The 5, the 101, the 405: Why Southern Californians Love Saying 'the' Before Freeway Numbers |url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/the-5-the-101-the-405-why-southern-californians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers |publisher=KCET |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820000300/https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/the-5-the-101-the-405-why-southern-californians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the [[East Los Angeles Interchange]] near [[downtown Los Angeles]], I-5 intersects [[U.S. Route 101|US&nbsp;101]] and begins a short [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with [[Interstate 10|I-10]] on a section of the [[Golden State Freeway]].<ref name="CA-Names"/> The freeway splits from {{nowrap|I-10}} and turns northwest to follow the [[Los Angeles River]] through [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] and into [[Burbank, California|Burbank]]. I-5 then leaves the river and travels across the [[San Fernando Valley]], later crossing the [[Newhall Pass]] through the [[Santa Susana Mountains]] to reach the [[Santa Clarita Valley]]; the [[Newhall Pass interchange]] with [[California State Route 14|State Route&nbsp;14]] is notable for having separate lanes for truck traffic. The freeway passes the city of [[Santa Clarita, California|Santa Clarita]] and ascends into the [[Sierra Pelona Mountains]], where the northbound and southbound lanes separate and cross sides for approximately {{convert|5|mi|km}}. The northbound ascent includes a continuous 5&nbsp;percent [[Grade (slope)|grade]] for {{convert|5|mi|km}}.<ref name="LAT-Grapevine">{{cite news |last=Condon |first=Lee |date=July 22, 2000 |title=Motorists Face Wrath of the Grapevine |page=A3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90653386/motorists-face-wrath-of-the-grapevine/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216072731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90653386/motorists-face-wrath-of-the-grapevine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After passing [[Pyramid Lake (Los Angeles County, California)|Pyramid Lake]], I-5 makes several turns as it follows a series of narrow valleys to reach the second-highest point of its entire length, [[Tejon Pass]] (elevation {{convert|4144|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}) in the [[Tehachapi Mountains]].<ref name="google"/><ref name="LAT-Grapevine"/>

The freeway then traverses the narrow [[Grapevine, California|Grapevine Canyon]] and descends for {{convert|12|mi|km}} into the [[San Joaquin Valley]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rasmussen |first=Cecilia |date=March 8, 1993 |title=L.A. Scene: The City Then and Now |page=B3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90653293/la-scene-the-city-then-and-now/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216072723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90653293/la-scene-the-city-then-and-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Wheeler Ridge, California|Wheeler Ridge]] near the south end of the valley, [[California State Route 99|State Route&nbsp;99]] splits from the freeway to serve [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]] and other major cities in the [[Central Valley (California)|Central Valley]], while I-5 stays to the west. Now named the West Side Freeway,<ref name="CA-Names"/> I-5 travels northwest along the edge of the Central Valley through farmland and avoids populated areas. The freeway is connected to several of the valley's main cities, including [[Fresno, California|Fresno]], [[Merced, California|Merced]], and [[Modesto, California|Modesto]], by other highways.<ref name="google"/>

Near [[Tracy, California|Tracy]], [[Interstate 580 (California)|I-580]] splits from I-5 to provide the first of several connections to the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]; [[Interstate 205 (California)|I-205]] northeast of Tracy also provides a connection through I-580. The freeway continues north through [[Stockton, California|Stockton]] to [[Sacramento]], where it follows the [[Sacramento River]] through the southern suburbs and along the edge of [[Downtown Sacramento|downtown]]. I-5 intersects two transcontinental highways in the Sacramento area: [[U.S. Route 50|US&nbsp;50]] (and unsigned [[Interstate 305 (California)|I-305]]) south of downtown and [[Interstate 80|I-80]] in the northern suburbs. After an unsigned concurrency with State Route&nbsp;99 in northern Sacramento, the freeway turns west to pass the [[Sacramento International Airport|city's airport]] and resumes its northwestern path at [[Woodland, California|Woodland]]. It then intersects [[Interstate 505|I-505]], another Bay Area connector, near [[Dunnigan, California|Dunnigan]].<ref name="google"/>

The freeway continues north along the western edge of the [[Sacramento Valley]], passing through farmland and several small towns before reaching the end of the valley at [[Red Bluff, California|Red Bluff]]. I-5 then traverses the rugged [[Shasta Cascade]] region, passing through [[Redding, California|Redding]] and crossing [[Shasta Lake]] before beginning its ascent towards [[Mount Shasta]]. The freeway follows the Sacramento River upstream to the southwestern slopes of the mountain and turns northwest to reach [[Weed, California|Weed]], where it intersects [[U.S. Route 97|US&nbsp;97]], a major highway serving the [[Inland Northwest]] region. I-5 continues through [[Yreka, California|Yreka]] in the [[Shasta Valley]] and follows the [[Klamath River]] into the [[Siskiyou Mountains]], where it crosses into Oregon.<ref name="google"/>

===Oregon===
{{main|Interstate 5 in Oregon}}

I-5 enters Oregon near [[Siskiyou Summit]], which sits at {{convert|4310|ft|m}} and is the highest point on the highway.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=LaLande |first=Jeff |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Siskiyou Pass |url=https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/siskiyou_pass/ |encyclopedia=[[The Oregon Encyclopedia]] |accessdate=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216080630/https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/siskiyou_pass/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fattig |first=Paul |date=October 30, 2012 |title=ODOT plans to use rock salt for I-5 ice melt |url=http://mailtribune.com/archive/odot-plans-to-use-rock-salt-for-i-5-ice-melt |work=[[Mail Tribune]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810193416/https://mailtribune.com/archive/odot-plans-to-use-rock-salt-for-i-5-ice-melt |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |accessdate=December 16, 2021}}</ref> From the summit, I-5 descends by {{convert|2,300|ft|m}} over {{convert|6|mi|km}} at a 6&nbsp;percent grade to reach the [[Rogue Valley]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 2005 |title=Respect the Siskiyou Pass |url=https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/Documents/siskiyoupass.pdf |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063232/http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/Documents/siskiyoupass.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The freeway passes through [[Ashland, Oregon|Ashland]] and [[Medford, Oregon|Medford]], running parallel to [[Oregon Route 99]], and turns west to follow the [[Rogue River (Oregon)|Rogue River]] to [[Grants Pass, Oregon|Grants Pass]], where it intersects [[U.S. Route 199|US&nbsp;199]]. I-5 then turns north and crosses a series of passes in the [[Klamath Mountains]] to reach the Umpqua Valley, where it follows the [[South Umpqua River]] to [[Roseburg, Oregon|Roseburg]].<ref name="google"/><ref name="OR-Map">{{cite map |date=April 2019 |title=Oregon 2019–2021 Official State Map |url=https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Map_Official_State_Front.pdf |inset= Portland and Vicinity|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717135748/https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Map_Official_State_Front.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The highway enters the [[Willamette Valley]] near [[Cottage Grove, Oregon|Cottage Grove]] and forms the boundary between the cities of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] and [[Springfield, Oregon|Springfield]]. After crossing the [[Willamette River]], I-5 intersects [[Oregon Route 126]], which carries [[Interstate 105 (Oregon)|I-105]], and [[Oregon Route 569]]; both highways provide connections to Eugene and Springfield. I-5 then travels due north through farmland on the east side of the Willamette River, passing a junction with [[U.S. Route 20|US&nbsp;20]] in [[Albany, Oregon|Albany]], and bisects eastern [[Salem, Oregon|Salem]] near the [[Oregon State Capitol|state capitol campus]].<ref name="OR-Map"/> It is connected to downtown Salem by [[Oregon Route 22]] and the [[Oregon Route 99E Business|Salem Parkway]], which joins I-5 as the freeway crosses the [[45th parallel north|45th&nbsp;parallel]] near [[Keizer, Oregon|Keizer]].<ref name="google"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=K. Williams |date=July 10, 2011 |title=The beauty of halfwayism |page=5D |work=[[Statesman Journal]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21727397/cities-on-the-45th-parallel-n/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217081406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21727397/cities-on-the-45th-parallel-n/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From Salem, I-5 turns northeast and passes [[Woodburn, Oregon|Woodburn]] before crossing the Willamette River on the [[Boone Bridge (Oregon)|Boone Bridge]] in [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]], at the south end of the [[Portland metropolitan area, Oregon|Portland metropolitan area]]. The freeway travels through the southern suburbs of [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], intersecting [[Interstate 205 (Oregon–Washington)|I-205]] in [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]] and [[Oregon Route 217]] in [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]] before entering the city proper. I-5 then turns northeast to follow [[Barbur Boulevard]] (part of Route&nbsp;99W) and navigate the [[Terwilliger curves]]. The freeway continues north through the [[South Waterfront, Portland, Oregon|South Waterfront]] neighborhood, crossing under the [[Portland Aerial Tram]] and the western approach to the [[Ross Island Bridge]] (carrying [[U.S. Route 26|US&nbsp;26]]) before reaching an interchange with [[Interstate 405 (Oregon)|I-405]].<ref name="google"/><ref name="OR-Map"/>

I-5 and I-405 form a complete loop around [[downtown Portland]], with I-5 crossing the Willamette River on the [[Marquam Bridge]] to run along the eastern riverfront. The freeway has interchanges with several major bridges crossing the Willamette, as well as the western terminus of [[Interstate 84 (Oregon–Utah)|I-84]] near the [[Oregon Convention Center]]. From the I-84 interchange to a second junction with I-405 near the [[Fremont Bridge (Portland, Oregon)|Fremont Bridge]], I-5 is concurrent with [[U.S. Route 30|US&nbsp;30]], which continues west towards [[Astoria, Oregon|Astoria]].<ref name="OR-Map"/> Through [[North Portland, Oregon|North Portland]], the freeway runs below street level until it crosses the [[Columbia Slough]] to bisect [[Delta Park]]. {{nowrap|I-5}} continues across [[Hayden Island, Portland, Oregon|Hayden Island]] to the [[Interstate Bridge]], a pair of [[vertical-lift bridge]]s which carry the highway over the [[Columbia River]] into Washington state.<ref name="google"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Macuk |first=Anthony |date=September 19, 2021 |title=Keeping the Interstate 5 Bridge up and running |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2021/sep/19/keeping-the-interstate-5-bridge-up-and-running/ |work=[[The Columbian]] |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217081417/https://www.columbian.com/news/2021/sep/19/keeping-the-interstate-5-bridge-up-and-running/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Washington===
{{main|Interstate 5 in Washington}}

The highway enters [[Vancouver, Washington|Vancouver]] at the north end of the Interstate Bridge and immediately intersects [[Washington State Route 14]] near the [[Fort Vancouver National Historic Site]]. The freeway passes near downtown Vancouver and continues north through the city's suburbs before being rejoined by I-205 at [[Salmon Creek, Washington|Salmon Creek]]. I-5 travels north along the Columbia River to [[Kelso, Washington|Kelso]] and [[Longview, Washington|Longview]], where it switches to following the [[Cowlitz River]] between the [[Willapa Hills]] and Cascade foothills. The freeway then turns northwest to traverse a [[prairie]] and the adjacent cities of [[Chehalis, Washington|Chehalis]] and [[Centralia, Washington|Centralia]] while concurrent with [[U.S. Route 12|US&nbsp;12]].<ref name="google"/><ref name="WSDOT-Map">{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |accessdate=December 17, 2021}}</ref>

I-5 continues north to a junction with [[U.S. Route 101|US&nbsp;101]] in [[Tumwater, Washington|Tumwater]], near [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]] and the [[Washington State Capitol|state capitol campus]]. The freeway skirts the southeast side of downtown Olympia and turns east to cross [[Joint Base Lewis–McChord]] (formerly [[Fort Lewis (Washington)|Fort Lewis]] and [[McChord Field|McChord Air Force Base]]). I-5 then turns north to enter [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] but bends east to intersect [[Interstate 705|I-705]], a short spur into [[downtown Tacoma]]. The freeway turns north again after leaving Tacoma and its [[Port of Tacoma|nearby seaport]] near [[Fife, Washington|Fife]] to traverse the suburbs of [[King County, Washington|South King County]]. I-5 intersects its eastern bypass of [[Seattle]], [[Interstate 405 (Washington)|I-405]], in [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] near [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport]].<ref name="WSDOT-Map"/>

The freeway generally follows the [[Green River (Duwamish River tributary)|Green]] and [[Duwamish River|Duwamish]] rivers into Seattle, passing [[Boeing Field]] and the [[Industrial District, Seattle|industrial district]] in the process. I-5 intersects [[Interstate 90|I-90]] near Seattle's [[Chinatown–International District, Seattle|Chinatown–International District]] on the south side of [[downtown Seattle]]. The freeway turns northwest and bisects downtown Seattle in a trench, with some sections covered by [[Freeway Park]] and the [[Washington State Convention Center]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dorpat |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Dorpat |date=May 5, 2012 |title=Clearing the path for Seattle's I-5 ditch, 1961 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/clearing-the-path-for-seattle-s-i-5-ditch-1961/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217084258/https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/clearing-the-path-for-seattle-s-i-5-ditch-1961/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It then turns north to intersect [[Washington State Route 520]] near [[Eastlake, Seattle|Eastlake]] and crosses the [[Ship Canal Bridge]] over [[Portage Bay]], which lies between [[Lake Union]] and [[Lake Washington]]. I-5 continues through northern Seattle, passing the [[University District, Seattle|University District]] near the [[University of Washington]] campus and [[Green Lake (Seattle)|Green Lake]] before leaving the city.<ref name="WSDOT-Map"/> The section between downtown Seattle and [[Northgate, Seattle|Northgate]] includes a set of [[reversible lane|reversible express lanes]] that add extra capacity in the peak direction of travel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=July 22, 2019 |title=A driver can dream: Can I-5 express lanes be more nimble? |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/a-driver-can-dream-can-i-5-express-lanes-be-more-nimble/ |work=[[The Everett Herald]] |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128103107/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/a-driver-can-dream-can-i-5-express-lanes-be-more-nimble/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

I-5 continues through the northern suburbs of Seattle and turns northeasterly in [[Lynnwood, Washington|Lynnwood]], where it is rejoined by I-405, which serves the [[Eastside (King County, Washington)|Eastside]] region. The freeway travels north through [[Everett, Washington|Everett]], skirting the city's downtown and intersecting [[U.S. Route 2|US&nbsp;2]], and leaves the [[Seattle metropolitan area]] for the rural [[Skagit Valley]]. I-5 descends into the valley and travels through [[Mount Vernon, Washington|Mount Vernon]] and [[Burlington, Washington|Burlington]] before climbing into the [[Chuckanut Mountains]], where it turns west towards [[Bellingham Bay]] (part of the [[Salish Sea]]). The freeway travels around downtown [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]] and turns northwest to continue across the rural [[Fraser Lowland]]. I-5 terminates at the [[Peace Arch Border Crossing]] on the [[Canada–United States border|Canadian border]], adjacent to the [[Peace Arch|eponymous monument]], in [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]]. The highway becomes [[British Columbia Highway 99]], which continues northwest to [[Vancouver]].<ref name="WSDOT-Map"/>

==History==
{{imageframe|width=100|content=[[File:US&nbsp;99 (1961).svg|100px]]|caption=The shield for US&nbsp;99|align=left}}
[[File:Dead-Man's Curve in Lebec, California, 2010.jpg|thumb|right|A section of the 1915 Ridge Route in [[Lebec, California]], abandoned when US&nbsp;99 (later upgraded to I-5) was constructed over the Tejon Pass in order to make the travel straighter and safer.]]
An extensive section of this highway (over {{convert|600|mi|km|abbr=on}}), from approximately Stockton, California, to Portland, Oregon, follows the track of the [[Siskiyou Trail]].<ref name="siskiyou">{{cite web|url=http://www.museumsiskiyoutrail.org |title=Museum of the Siskiyou Trail |publisher=Museumsiskiyoutrail.org |access-date=November 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415171721/http://www.museumsiskiyoutrail.org/ |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> This trail was based on an older network of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] footpaths connecting the [[Pacific Northwest]] with California's Central Valley. By the 1820s, trappers from the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] were the first non-Native Americans to use the route of today's I-5 to move between today's Washington state and California. During the second half of the 19th century, mule trains, stagecoaches, and the [[Central Pacific Railroad|Central Pacific railroad]] also followed the route of the Siskiyou Trail.<ref name="siskiyou" /> By the early 20th century, pioneering automobile roads were built along the path of the Siskiyou Trail, notably the [[Pacific Highway (United States)|Pacific Highway]]. The Pacific Highway ran from [[British Columbia]] to San Diego, California, and was the immediate predecessor of much of US&nbsp;99. The route of US&nbsp;99 was in turn used as a basis for much of the route of today's I-5.

A major deviation from the old US&nbsp;99 route is the Westside Freeway portion of I-5 in California's Central Valley. To provide a faster and more direct north–south route through the state, the decision was made to build a new freeway to the west and bypass Fresno, Bakersfield, and the rest of population centers in the area instead of upgrading the existing highway (which was re-designated as part of SR&nbsp;99).<ref name="cahighways_5"/>
This re-route through California's Central Valley was the last section of I-5 to be constructed, with the final segment dedicated and opened to traffic near Stockton, California, on October 12, 1979. Representatives from both Canada and Mexico attended the dedication to commemorate the first contiguous freeway connecting the North American countries.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dot.ca.gov/interstate/timeline.htm |author= Staff |publisher= [[California Department of Transportation]] |title= Timeline of Notable Events of the Interstate Highway System in California |access-date= March 2, 2014 |archive-date= March 6, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140306100816/http://www.dot.ca.gov/interstate/timeline.htm |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Engellenner |first=Jon |date=October 13, 1979 |title=1,000 See I-5 Opened From Border To Border |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705592/1000-see-i-5-opened-from-border-to/ A1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705593/i-5-opened-cont/ A12] |work=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705592/1000-see-i-5-opened-from-border-to/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705592/1000-see-i-5-opened-from-border-to/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It cost an estimated $2.3&nbsp;billion in 1979 dollars (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|2300000000|1979}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} to construct all of I-5.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 12, 1979 |title=Interstate 5 Finished, End Of Traffic Lights |page=3 |work=[[Napa Valley Register|Napa Register]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705583/interstate-5-finished-end-of-traffic/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217091211/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90705583/interstate-5-finished-end-of-traffic/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

This direct route also bypasses [[San Francisco]] and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area. Original plans called for a loop Interstate with a directional suffix, I-5W.<ref name="cahighways_5">{{cite web |url= http://www.cahighways.org/001-008.html#005 |work= California Highways |title= Routes 1-8 |access-date= September 19, 2009 |archive-date= November 20, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101120105136/http://cahighways.org/001-008.html#005 |url-status= live }}{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=March 2014}}</ref> This route now roughly corresponds to I-580 from I-5 south of Tracy to Oakland, I-80 from Oakland to [[Vacaville, California|Vacaville]], and I-505 from Vacaville to I-5 near Dunnigan. I-5W and most of the other Interstates around the country with directional suffixes were eventually renumbered or eliminated. Nevertheless, San Francisco is still listed as a [[control city]] on northbound I-5 between SR&nbsp;99 and I-580.

By the early 21st century, sections of I-5 had deteriorated due to a maintenance backlog as well as high traffic volumes. Several bridges in Oregon were reconstructed or repaired to accommodate use by heavy freight vehicles.<ref name="LATimes-Weikel"/>

On May 23, 2013, a [[I-5 Skagit River bridge collapse|bridge span collapsed]] over the [[Skagit River]] in [[Mount Vernon, Washington]], sending two cars into the water and requiring traffic in both directions to bypass the crossing.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.komonews.com/news/local/I-5-Skagit-River-bridge-collapse-caused-by-oversize-load-208813861.html |title= 'Horrified' trucker watches I-5 bridge collapse behind him |first= Manuel |last= Valdes |publisher= [[KOMO-TV]] |location= Seattle |quote= Officials warned it could be weeks before things returned to normal along the heavily travelled corridor. |date= May 24, 2013 |access-date= May 24, 2013 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130608000441/http://www.komonews.com/news/local/I-5-Skagit-River-bridge-collapse-caused-by-oversize-load-208813861.html |archive-date= June 8, 2013 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Washington State Department of Transportation]] used a temporary structure to restore access across the river while a permanent bridge replacement was built. That process was completed September 15, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/skagitriverbridgereplacement/ |title= I-5–Skagit River Bridge Replacement |author= Staff |publisher= [[Washington State Department of Transportation]] |access-date= November 29, 2013 |archive-date= December 3, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203065833/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/skagitriverbridgereplacement/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>

On December 18, 2017, an [[Amtrak]] train [[2017 Washington train derailment|derailed on an overpass]] crossing I-5 near Tacoma, Washington, and blocked several lanes of traffic.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/amtrak-train-derails-in-washington-state-onto-interstate-5-at-least-3-dead |title= Amtrak train derails in Washington state onto Interstate 5; at least 6 dead |first= Katherine |last= Lam |publisher= [[Fox News]] |date= December 18, 2017 |access-date= December 18, 2017 |archive-date= December 18, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171218161229/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-derails-in-washington-state-blocks-interstate-5.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

The I-5 corridor forms part of the West Coast Electric Highway, a partnership between the states of California, Oregon, and Washington to build and maintain a network of [[charging station]]s for [[electric vehicle]]s. The pact was formed in 2009 and the first charging stations—spaced {{convert|25 to 50|mi|km}} apart—opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |last=Voelcker |first=John |date=January 9, 2015 |title=West Coast Electric Highway Serves Thousands Of Electric-Car Drivers |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather/west-coast-electric-highway-serves-thousands-electric-car-150635981.html |work=Yahoo News |accessdate=September 19, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173132/https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather/west-coast-electric-highway-serves-thousands-electric-car-150635981.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, the three states also broke ground on a similar charging network for [[electric truck]]s along I-5 called the West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Susan |date=May 24, 2019 |title=Truckers Can Expect an Electrified West Coast Corridor |url=https://www.trucks.com/2019/05/24/truckers-electrified-west-coast-corridor/ |website=Trucks.com |accessdate=September 19, 2022 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125233018/https://www.trucks.com/2019/05/24/truckers-electrified-west-coast-corridor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The program is a collaboration of nine utilities and two agencies representing municipal utilities, and aims to enable electric freight and delivery trucks to operate along the entire West Coast corridor.<ref>{{cite press release |date=April 21, 2021 |title=Daimler Trucks North America, Portland General Electric open first-of-its-kind heavy-duty electric truck charging site |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/portland-north-america-technology-business-b5b9ce85d1ec61c3a78eb554a035c5dc |publisher=[[Daimler Truck|Daimler Trucks North America]] |via=Associated Press |accessdate=September 19, 2022 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921005813/https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/portland-north-america-technology-business-b5b9ce85d1ec61c3a78eb554a035c5dc |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Junction list==
<!-- INTERSTATE AND U.S. HIGHWAY JUNCTIONS ONLY. DO NOT ADD ANY STATE HIGHWAY JUNCTIONS HERE. IF YOU WISH TO ADD THOSE JUNCTIONS, PLEASE DO SO INSIDE THE INFOBOXES OF EITHER [[Interstate 5 in California]], [[Interstate 5 in Oregon]], OR [[Interstate 5 in Washington]]. -->
[[File:Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 interchange, seen from Columbia Center (2022).jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the I-5 and [[Interstate 90 in Washington|I-90]] interchange in Seattle, seen from the [[Columbia Center]].]]
[[File:SanYsidroBorderCrossingByPhilKonstantin.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the former San Ysidro border crossing on the Mexican border, marking where I-5 continues south at Fed.&nbsp;1]]
[[File:Peace Arch, U.S.-Canada border.jpg|thumb|The [[Peace Arch]] monument on the Canadian border, marking where I-5 continues north as BC&nbsp;99]]
;California<ref name="RandMcNally">{{cite book |author=Rand McNally |year=2014 |title=The Road Atlas |edition=Walmart |location=Chicago |publisher=Rand McNally |pages=12, 14–15, 84, 108 |isbn=978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref>
*{{jct|state=BCN|FH|1}} at the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]] in [[San Diego]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|805}} in San Diego
*{{jct|country=USA|I|8}} in San Diego
*{{jct|country=USA|I|805}} in San Diego
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=California}} in [[Irvine, California|Irvine]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|605}} on the [[Downey, California|Downey]]–[[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]] line
*{{jct|country=USA|I|710}} in [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|101}} in [[Los Angeles]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|10}} in Los Angeles. The highways travel concurrently through the [[Boyle Heights, Los Angeles|Boyle Heights]] neighborhood.
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=California}} in Los Angeles
*{{jct|country=USA|I|210|dab1=California}} in Los Angeles
*{{jct|country=USA|I|580|dab1=California}} southwest of [[Vernalis, California|Vernalis]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|205|dab1=California}} south-southwest of [[Lathrop, California|Lathrop]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|305|dab1=California|US|50}} in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|80}} in Sacramento
*{{jct|country=USA|I|505}} south-southeast of [[Dunnigan, California|Dunnigan]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|97}} in [[Weed, California|Weed]]
;Oregon<ref name="OR-Map"/>
*{{jct|country=USA|US|199}} east of [[Grants Pass, Oregon|Grants Pass]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|105|dab1=Oregon}} on the [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]]–[[Springfield, Oregon|Springfield]] city line
*{{jct|country=USA|US|20}} in [[Albany, Oregon|Albany]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|205|dab1=Oregon–Washington}} in [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|26}} in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=Oregon}} in Portland
*{{jct|country=USA|I|84|dab1=Oregon–Utah|US|30}} in Portland. I-5/US&nbsp;30 travels concurrently through Portland.
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=Oregon|US|30}} in Portland
;Washington<ref name="RandMcNally"/>
*{{jct|country=USA|I|205|dab1=Oregon–Washington}} on the [[Salmon Creek, Washington|Salmon Creek]]–[[Mount Vista, Washington|Mount Vista]] CDP line
*{{jct|country=USA|US|12}} south-southeast of [[Napavine, Washington|Napavine]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Grand Mound, Washington|Grand Mound]].
*{{jct|country=USA|US|101}} in [[Tumwater, Washington|Tumwater]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|705}} in [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=Washington}} in [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in [[Seattle]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|405|dab1=Washington}} in [[Lynnwood, Washington|Lynnwood]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|2}} in [[Everett, Washington|Everett]]
*{{jct|province=BC|BC|99}} at the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] in [[Blaine, Washington|Blaine]]

==Auxiliary routes==
* [[San Diego]], California—[[Interstate 805|I-805]]
* [[Los Angeles]], California—[[Interstate 105 (California)|I-105]] (not directly connected)
* Los Angeles and [[Orange County, California]]—[[Interstate 405 (California)|I-405]]
* Los Angeles and Orange County, California—[[Interstate 605|I-605]]
* [[Tracy, California]]—[[Interstate 205 (California)|I-205]]
* [[Sacramento, California]]—[[Interstate 305 (California)|I-305]] (unsigned)
* [[Zamora, California]]—[[Interstate 505|I-505]]
* [[Eugene, Oregon]]—[[Interstate 105 (Oregon)|I-105]]
* [[Portland, Oregon]]—[[Interstate 405 (Oregon)|I-405]]
* Portland, Oregon, and [[Vancouver, Washington]]—[[Interstate 205 (Oregon–Washington)|I-205]]
* [[Tacoma, Washington]]—[[Interstate 705|I-705]]
* [[Seattle]], Washington—[[Interstate 405 (Washington)|I-405]]

I-5 will have a complete set of auxiliary routes (i.e. 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905), with the completion of [[Interstate 905|I-905]] in [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]]. Currently, [[Interstate 80|I-80]] and [[Interstate 90|I-90]] are the only two Interstates to have complete sets of auxiliary routes.

Several routes, including [[Interstate 305 (Oregon)|I-305]] and [[Interstate 505 (Oregon)|I-505]] in Oregon, were planned but left unbuilt due to [[highway revolt|local opposition]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Interstate 5}}
{{Wikivoyage|Interstate 5}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*{{osmrelation-inline}}
*[http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-005.html Interstate 5] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605032227/http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-005.html |date=June 5, 2012 }} at the Interstate Guide

{{interstates}}
{{I-5 aux}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I05}}
[[Category:Interstate 5| ]]
[[Category:Interstate Highway System|05]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 99|Interstate 05]]
[[Category:Roads with a reversible lane|05]]