View source for U.S. Route 12

{{Short description|Numbered Highway in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox road
| country = USA
| type = US
| route = 12
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|type=line|from=U.S. Route 12.map}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = US&nbsp;12 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 2482
| length_ref = 
| established = {{start date|1926|11|11}}<ref name=mcnichol74>{{cite book |last = McNichol |first = Dan |year = 2006 |title = The Roads that Built America: The Incredible Story of the US Interstate System |location = New York |publisher = Sterling |isbn = 1-4027-3468-9 |oclc = 63377558 |page = 74 }}</ref>
| direction_b = East
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = {{Jct|country=USA|US|101}} at [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen, WA]]
| junction =
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|5}} near [[Chehalis, Washington|Chehalis, WA]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|15}} at [[Helena, Montana|Helena, MT]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|94}} at various locations
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|29|US|81}} at [[Summit, South Dakota|Summit, SD]]
*{{Jct|state=MN|I|35W}} at [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis, MN]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|35E|US|10|US|52|dab1=Minnesota}} at [[St Paul, Minnesota|St Paul, MN]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|39|I|90}} at [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison, WI]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|55}} at [[Hodgkins, Illinois|Hodgkins, IL]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|65|I|90}} at [[Gary, Indiana|Gary, IN]]
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|69}} at [[Coldwater, Michigan|Coldwater, MI]]
| terminus_b = Cass Avenue in [[Detroit|Detroit, MI]]
| states = [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Idaho]], [[Montana]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Minnesota]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]]
| previous_type = US
| previous_route = 11
| next_type = US
| next_route = 13
}}
'''U.S. Route&nbsp;12''' or '''U.S. Highway&nbsp;12''' ('''US&nbsp;12''') is an east–west [[United States Numbered Highway]], running from [[Aberdeen, Washington]], to [[Detroit, Michigan]], for almost {{convert|2500|mi|km}}. The highway has mostly been superseded by [[Interstate&nbsp;90]] (I-90) and [[Interstate 94|I-94]], but, unlike most U.S. Highways that have been superseded by an [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]], US&nbsp;12 remains intact as an important link for local and regional destinations. The highway's western terminus in Aberdeen is at an intersection with [[U.S. Route 101|US&nbsp;101]], while the highway's eastern terminus in [[Downtown Detroit]] is at the corner of Michigan and Cass avenues, near [[Campus Martius Park]].

==Route description==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2013}}
{{Lengths table}}
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Washington|WA]]
|{{Convert|431<!--430.80-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite report |author=Staff |publisher=[[Washington State Department of Transportation]] |url=https://wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/roadway/pdf/HwyLog2006.pdf |title=State Highway Log |year=2006 |access-date=March 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410164014/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/TDO/PDF_and_ZIP_Files/HwyLog2006.pdf |archive-date=April 10, 2008 }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Idaho|ID]]
|{{Convert|174<!--174.410-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Idaho Transportation Department|author-link=Idaho Transportation Department|url=http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/milepointlog/logs/usHW/US_12_MPLog.pdf|title=Milepost Log, US 12|access-date=June 3, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204024509/http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/milepointlog/logs/usHW/US_12_MPLog.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Montana|MT]]
|{{Convert|598<!--597.576-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite book |author = Road Inventory and Mapping Section  |title = Montana Road Log |date = 2013 |publisher = [[Montana Department of Transportation]] |location = Helena |pages = 11–12, 19–20, 59–62, 143–144, 157–159 |url = http://www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/docs/brochures/2013_roadlog.pdf |access-date = November 27, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200101223835/http://www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/docs/brochures/2013_roadlog.pdf |archive-date = January 1, 2020 }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in North Dakota|ND]]
|{{Convert|87<!--87.470-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite map |title=North Dakota Route and Mileage Map |url=https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/planning/docs/2014CDRS_Reduced.pdf |author=North Dakota Department of Transportation |author-link=North Dakota Department of Transportation |year=2014 |location=Bismarck |publisher=North Dakota Department of Transportation |access-date=August 30, 2018 |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113060204/http://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/planning/docs/2014CDRS_Reduced.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in South Dakota|SD]]
|{{Convert|319<!--319.24-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref name="State Highway Data Viewer">{{Cite web |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bfb29217d19d4d14b8d0e7329cbfa45e |title=State Highway Data Viewer |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=experience.arcgis.com |publisher=[[South Dakota Department of Transportation]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104232150/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bfb29217d19d4d14b8d0e7329cbfa45e |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Minnesota|MN]]
|{{Convert|193<!--192.798-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/logpoint/statelpt.pdf |title=Statewide Trunk Logpoint Listing |publisher=Minnesota Department of Transportation |access-date=December 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914220734/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/logpoint/statelpt.pdf |archive-date=September 14, 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin|WI]]
|{{Convert|339<!--339.40-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite web |last= Bessert |first= Chris |title= Highways 10-19 |work= Wisconsin Highways |url= http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/listings/WiscHwys10-19.html#US-012 |access-date= June 11, 2007 |archive-date= January 8, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080108194611/http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/listings/WiscHwys10-19.html#US-012 |url-status= live }}{{self-published source|date= January 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Illinois|IL]]
|{{Convert|85<!--85.14-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |publisher=[[Illinois Department of Transportation]] |access-date=November 8, 2007 |year=2007 |archive-date=August 17, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040817202107/http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Indiana|IN]]
|{{Convert|46<!--46.258-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{INDOT ref|title=RPB-2016|access-date=August 4, 2017 |at=US 12}}</ref>
|-
|[[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|MI]]
|{{Convert|210<!--210.077-->|mi|km|disp=table}}<ref>{{cite MDOT PRFA |link = yes |access-date = August 11, 2013 }}</ref>
|-
|Total
|{{Convert|2482|mi|km|disp=table}}
|}

===Washington===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Washington}}
[[File:US 12 Aberdeen downtown.jpg|thumb|Western terminus at US&nbsp;101 in [[Aberdeen, Washington]]]]
The western terminus of US&nbsp;12 is located in [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]]. The highway loosely follows the eastbound leg of the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]], between [[Wallula, Washington|Wallula]] and [[Clarkston, Washington|Clarkston]], thus being marked as part of the [[Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]]. The east end of the highway in the state is at Clarkston, where the highway crosses the [[Snake River]] into [[Idaho]] at [[Lewiston, Idaho]].

The Washington section of US&nbsp;12, other than a [[Concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with [[Interstate 5|I-5]], is defined at Washington Revised Code § 47.17.055.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.17.055 |work= Washington Revised Code |title= § 47.17.055. State Route No. 12 |publisher= Washington State Legislature |access-date= January 7, 2007 |archive-date= May 22, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110522151803/http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.17.055 |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Idaho===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Idaho}}
US&nbsp;12 enters the state at [[Lewiston, Idaho|Lewiston]], crossing the [[Snake River]] from [[Clarkston, Washington]]. It ascends the [[Clearwater River (Idaho)|Clearwater River]], running concurrently with [[U.S. Route 95|US&nbsp;95]] for {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}}. It reduces to a two-lane undivided highway with signs that read "winding road next {{Convert|99|mi|km|disp=sqbr}}" and goes on to [[Orofino, Idaho|Orofino]], continuing up the middle fork of that river to [[Lowell, Idaho|Lowell]], the junction of the [[Lochsa River|Lochsa]] and [[Selway River|Selway]] rivers. It continues up the Lochsa and climbs to [[Lolo Pass (Idaho–Montana)|Lolo Pass]] at the [[Montana]] border. This portion of the highway is also designated as part of the [[Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]]. Most of the highway in Idaho is within [[Clearwater National Forest]]. The eastern section of US&nbsp;12, through remote mountain forest and up to Lolo Pass, was built in the early 1960s, making it the last [[U.S. Highway]] constructed. No services are available between Lowell and Powell, about {{convert|70|mi|km}} further east.

===Montana===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Montana}}
[[File:Lolo Hot Springs, Lolo, MT, 2011 3.jpg|thumb|right|[[Logging truck]] at [[Lolo Hot Springs, Montana]]]]
US&nbsp;12 in Montana has been defined as the Lewis and Clark Highway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/60/1/60-1-202.htm|title=MCA 60-1-202|access-date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006224659/http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/60/1/60-1-202.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> despite not being the route followed by [[Lewis and Clark]] across the state.<ref>{{Cite map|title=Lewis & Clark in Montana|date=March 2005|publisher=[[Montana Department of Transportation]]|scale=1:1,100,000|url=http://www.montanalewisandclark.org/whatsnew/lewis_and_clark_trail_300.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514090203/http://www.montanalewisandclark.org/whatsnew/lewis_and_clark_trail_300.pdf|archive-date=May 14, 2005|url-status=dead|language=en-US}}</ref>

US&nbsp;12's {{convert|598|mi|km}} through Montana's mountains and plains is the greatest distance that US&nbsp;12 traverses through any state. The highway enters Montana at [[Lolo Pass (Idaho–Montana)|Lolo Pass]], {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} southwest of [[Lolo Hot Springs, Montana|Lolo Hot Springs]] in [[Lolo National Forest]]. After passing [[Lolo Peak]] to the south and traveling east for {{convert|33|mi|km}}, it meets with [[U.S. Route 93|US&nbsp;93]] at [[Lolo, Montana|Lolo]] and continues as a [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] northeast for {{convert|7.5|mi|km}}, where US&nbsp;93 heads due north on Reserve Street, toward [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]]. US&nbsp;12 continues northeast through [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]'s downtown, eventually meeting [[Interstate 90|I-90]]. It then overlaps I-90 for {{convert|69|mi|km}} until [[Garrison, Montana|Garrison]], where it heads east toward [[Helena, Montana|Helena]] for {{convert|48.8|mi|km}}. This two-lane section of the trip passes through Avon and [[Elliston, Montana|Elliston]] winding through [[Helena National Forest]], over the [[Continental Divide]] at [[MacDonald Pass]], and then through Montana's capital city, [[Helena, Montana|Helena]]. US&nbsp;12 passes over [[Interstate 15|I-15]], at which point it joins [[U.S. Route 287|US&nbsp;287]] south. US&nbsp;12 overlaps US&nbsp;287 and heads southeast, toward [[Townsend, Montana|Townsend]] for {{convert|33.4|mi|km}}, where it splits from US&nbsp;287, which heads south for {{convert|30|mi|km}} toward the intersection of I-90 near the town of [[Three Forks, Montana|Three Forks]]. US&nbsp;12 heads east toward [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana|White Sulphur Springs]] for {{convert|42.2|mi|km}}. The route joins [[U.S. Route 89|US&nbsp;89]] for {{convert|8.4|mi|km}} before entering White Sulphur Springs and for another {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} east of town. US&nbsp;89 splits north and US&nbsp;12 continues east on its own for {{convert|233|mi|km}}, until the junction with [[Interstate 94|I-94]] at [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]] as a concurrency northeast for {{convert|45.8|mi|km}}, to [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]]. At the east exit for Miles City, US&nbsp;12 splits again from I-94 and heads almost directly east to the North Dakota border at a distance of {{convert|92.4|mi|km}}.

===North Dakota===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in North Dakota}}
US&nbsp;12 is a two-lane undivided highway that runs {{convert|87.47|mi|km}}, through [[Adams County, North Dakota|Adams]], [[Bowman County, North Dakota|Bowman]], and [[Slope County, North Dakota|Slope]] counties in southwest North Dakota. The speed limit is {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on rural segments, with slower posted speeds within the cities of [[Marmarth, North Dakota|Marmarth]], [[Rhame, North Dakota|Rhame]], [[Bowman, North Dakota|Bowman]], [[Scranton, North Dakota|Scranton]], and [[Hettinger, North Dakota|Hettinger]]. US&nbsp;12 meets with [[U.S. Route 85|US&nbsp;85]] in Bowman, and the routes are [[concurrency (road)|concurrent]] for a short distance through the city.

===South Dakota===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in South Dakota}}
US&nbsp;12 enters South Dakota from North Dakota as a rural two-lane highway about {{convert|10|mi|km}} west-northwest of [[Lemmon, South Dakota|Lemmon]] before entering the [[Standing Rock Indian Reservation]]. For approximately the next {{convert|70|mi|km}}, US&nbsp;12 runs parallel to the border of North Dakota, sometimes within less than {{One2a|{{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}}}}. At [[Walker, South Dakota|Walker]], US&nbsp;12 heads southeast for {{convert|37|mi|km}}, where it crosses the [[Missouri River]] at [[Mobridge, South Dakota|Mobridge]], exiting the reservation. From there, it continues east for {{convert|18|mi|km}}, until it meets with [[U.S. Route 83|US&nbsp;83]] near [[Selby, South Dakota|Selby]]. It overlaps US&nbsp;83 for {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}}. After leaving US&nbsp;83, it turns due east and spends about {{convert|80|mi|km}} as a rural two-lane highway again. A few miles before reaching [[Aberdeen, South Dakota|Aberdeen]], it becomes an at-grade expressway. After the junction with [[U.S. Route 281|US&nbsp;281]], it goes back to being two lanes for a few miles through Aberdeen and past [[Aberdeen Regional Airport]], before once again becoming a four-lane expressway, until {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} before [[Waubay, South Dakota|Waubay]]. East of Waubay, it becomes again an at-grade expressway until it meets with [[Interstate 29|I-29]] near [[Summit, South Dakota|Summit]]. The speed limit from Aberdeen to I-29 is {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} except through the communities of [[Groton, South Dakota|Groton]], [[Webster, South Dakota|Webster]], and Waubay. From there, it heads southeast {{convert|22|mi|km}} until [[Milbank, South Dakota|Milbank]]. At Milbank, it continues east for {{Convert|12|mi|km}}, until it crosses into [[Minnesota]] at [[Big Stone City, South Dakota|Big Stone City]], just south of [[Big Stone Lake]]. The South Dakota section of US&nbsp;12 is legally defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31 April 132.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=31-4-132 |title= 31-4-132. U.S. Highway 12 from North Dakota to Minnesota |work= South Dakota Statutes |access-date= January 7, 2007 |archive-date= February 13, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070213122942/http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=31-4-132 |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Minnesota===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Minnesota}}
From the South Dakota–Minnesota state line at [[Ortonville, Minnesota|Ortonville]] to [[Wayzata, Minnesota|Wayzata]], US&nbsp;12 is mostly a rural two-lane highway with a {{convert|60|mph|km/h|adj=on}} speed limit, with slower speed limits through towns and a four-lane surface arterial segment through the city of [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]]. From western Wayzata to [[Interstate 394|I-394]] in [[Minnetonka, Minnesota|Minnetonka]], US&nbsp;12 is a six-lane freeway. East of [[Interstate 494|I-494]], US&nbsp;12 is invisibly [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with I-394 and [[Interstate 94|I-94]] through [[Minneapolis]] and [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] to the Minnesota–Wisconsin state line at [[Hudson, Wisconsin|Hudson]].

The Minnesota section of US&nbsp;12 is defined as Routes 149, 26, and 10 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.115(80) and 161.114(2).<ref>{{cite web |author= Minnesota Legislature |url= http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.115 |work= Minnesota Statutes |title= §161.115 Additional Trunk Highways |publisher= Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes |access-date= January 7, 2007 |archive-date= March 7, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070307165851/http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.115 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= Minnesota Legislature |url= http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.114 |work= Minnesota Statutes |title= §161.114 Constitutional Trunk Highways |publisher= Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes |access-date= January 7, 2007 |archive-date= May 9, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070509090643/http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.114 |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Wisconsin===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin}}
[[File:Tomah looking south from I-94.jpg|thumb|US&nbsp;12 through [[Tomah, Wisconsin]], looking south from [[Interstate 94|I-94]]]]
US&nbsp;12 crosses the [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin–Minnesota)|St. Croix River]] from [[Lakeland, Minnesota]], into [[Hudson, Wisconsin|Hudson]], running concurrently with I-94 before splitting just east of the city. It mainly follows a similar path to I-94 to the north, before crossing under I-94 into downtown [[Menomonie, Wisconsin|Menomonie]] before continuing in an easterly direction through [[Eau Claire, Wisconsin|Eau Claire]]. In [[Fall Creek, Wisconsin|Fall Creek]], US&nbsp;12 turns southeasterly toward [[Fairchild, Wisconsin|Fairchild]], it then runs concurrently with [[U.S. Route 10|US&nbsp;10]] going east for just {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} before returning to its course southeast bound. US&nbsp;12 eventually recrosses I-94 into [[Black River Falls, Wisconsin|Black River Falls]] and then parallels I-94 in a southeastward direction. US&nbsp;12 also runs through [[Millston, Wisconsin|Millston]] and [[Kirby, Wisconsin|Kirby]]. Afterward, it turns directly south to [[Tomah, Wisconsin|Tomah]], where it becomes North Superior Avenue. It alternates between a four- and two-lane road on its way through downtown. It then turns east for {{convert|4.5|mi|km}}, then parallels I-90/I-94 through [[Camp Douglas, Wisconsin|Camp Douglas]], [[New Lisbon, Wisconsin|New Lisbon]], [[Mauston, Wisconsin|Mauston]], and [[Lyndon Station, Wisconsin|Lyndon Station]] before crossing under the pair of Interstates into downtown [[Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin|Wisconsin Dells]]. US&nbsp;12 turns south to [[Baraboo, Wisconsin|Baraboo]] and runs along the western edge of [[Devil's Lake State Park (Wisconsin)|Devil's Lake State Park]]. In [[Sauk City, Wisconsin|Sauk City]], US&nbsp;12 turns southeast toward [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]] and runs along the city's western and southern edges. Here, it becomes a four- to eight-lane freeway with [[U.S. Route 14|US&nbsp;14]] and [[U.S. Route 18|US&nbsp;18]] known by the locals as "The Beltline". On the southeast side of the city, it crosses [[Interstate 39|I-39]]/I-90 toward [[Cambridge, Wisconsin|Cambridge]]. It turns southeast here and runs through [[Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin|Fort Atkinson]] and [[Whitewater, Wisconsin|Whitewater]]. In [[Elkhorn, Wisconsin|Elkhorn]], US&nbsp;12 becomes a four-lane freeway with a {{convert|70|mph|km/h|adj=on}} speed limit. It returns to a two-lane road at the Wisconsin–Illinois state line at [[Genoa City, Wisconsin|Genoa City]].

===Illinois===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Illinois}}
{{See also|Mannheim Road|95th Street (Chicago)}}
In [[Illinois]], US&nbsp;12 is an arterial surface road that runs from [[Richmond, Illinois|Richmond]], southeast to [[Des Plaines, Illinois|Des Plaines]]. It then turns due south, continuing through the [[Chicago metropolitan area]], joining with [[U.S. Route 45|US&nbsp;45]]. In [[Stone Park, Illinois|Stone Park]], [[U.S. Route 20|US&nbsp;20]] joins US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;45. In [[Hickory Hills, Illinois|Hickory Hills]], US&nbsp;45 continues south, while US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;20 runs due east along 95th Street in the southwest suburbs. From Hickory Hills, US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;20 runs east nearly to the [[Lake Michigan]] lakefront and then joins with [[U.S. Route 41|US&nbsp;41]], as all three routes travel southeast into the state of Indiana.

US&nbsp;12 is referred to as Rand Road in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Rand is an original name for the area around Des Plaines, the location where the road resumes its westerly direction. South of Des Plaines, US&nbsp;12 follows [[Mannheim Road]], La Grange Road, and then [[95th Street (Chicago)|95th Street]], before merging with US&nbsp;41 on Ewing and Indianapolis avenues toward the Indiana state line.

===Indiana===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Indiana}}
In Indiana, US&nbsp;12 is a historically significant route, that winds along the southern coast of [[Lake Michigan]]. It runs from an interchange with the [[Indiana Toll Road]], concurrent with US&nbsp;20 and US&nbsp;41 in [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]], to [[Michiana Shores, Indiana|Michiana Shores]], at the [[Michigan]] state line. A large portion of this segment is known as the Dunes Highway.

===Michigan===
{{Main|U.S. Route 12 in Michigan}}
US&nbsp;12 is now the only U.S. Highway still serving Downtown Detroit, whose [[street grid]] was laid by [[Augustus B. Woodward]], to have a five-way intersection of the roads that would become US&nbsp;12, [[U.S. Route 10|US&nbsp;10]], [[U.S. Route 16|US&nbsp;16]], [[U.S. Route 112|US&nbsp;112]] and [[U.S. Route 25|US&nbsp;25]]. [[U.S. Route 24|US&nbsp;24]] still travels through Detroit from Puritan to 8&nbsp;Mile Road ([[M-102 (Michigan highway)|M-102]]) on the far west side.

As from the earliest days of its existence, US&nbsp;12 enters Michigan from Indiana, southwest of [[New Buffalo, Michigan|New Buffalo]], and continues to the old junction of US&nbsp;12 and US&nbsp;112 in New Buffalo. It is now assigned between New Buffalo and Detroit (except through Ypsilanti), along what was US&nbsp;112 until 1962.

On May 4, 2004, the [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] (MDOT) designated {{convert|209|mi|km}} of US&nbsp;12 from New Buffalo to Detroit as a [[Michigan Heritage Route]]. The east–west corridor traverses the counties of [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien]], [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass]], [[St. Joseph County, Michigan|St. Joseph]], [[Branch County, Michigan|Branch]], [[Hillsdale County, Michigan|Hillsdale]], [[Lenawee County, Michigan|Lenawee]], [[Washtenaw County, Michigan|Washtenaw]], and [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne]].

==History==
Since the highway's creation in 1926, the eastern terminus has always remained within a few blocks of [[Cadillac Square]] in [[Downtown Detroit, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bessert |first=Christopher J. |date=July 5, 2013 |title=US-12 |url=http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/US-012.html |access-date=January 19, 2014 |work=Michigan Highways |language=en-US |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219064358/http://michiganhighways.org/listings/US-012.html |url-status=live }}{{self-published source|failed=y|date=January 2014}}</ref>{{self-published inline|failed=y|date=January 2014}}
* 1926: Cadillac Square at the convergence with [[U.S. Route 10|US&nbsp;10]], [[U.S. Route 16|US&nbsp;16]], [[U.S. Route 25|US&nbsp;25]], and [[U.S. Route 112|US&nbsp;112]]; US&nbsp;12 ran along Grand River. The original ending was at [[Miles City, Montana]].
* 1939: The [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] (AASHO) approved a request to extend US&nbsp;12 to [[Yellowstone National Park]].
* 1956: US&nbsp;12 was rerouted along the Lodge Freeway ([[M-10 (Michigan highway)|M-10]]), ending on [[Jefferson Avenue (Detroit)|Jefferson Avenue]]; the terminus moved four blocks southeast, to the corner of Woodward Avenue ([[M-1 (Michigan highway)|M-1]]/US&nbsp;10) and Jefferson Avenue.
* 1959: Extended to [[Missoula, Montana]].
* 1962: After I-94 was completed across Michigan, it was no longer cosigned with US&nbsp;12. The US&nbsp;12 route designation was moved to the former route of US&nbsp;112, which was decommissioned. US&nbsp;12 now runs along Michigan Avenue and again ends at Cadillac Square. It was extended to [[Lewiston, Idaho]].
*1967: Extended to [[Aberdeen, Washington]], to its present terminus at [[U.S. Route 101|US&nbsp;101]].
* 1970: US&nbsp;10 was rerouted from Woodward to the Lodge Freeway and Jefferson Avenue. At this time US&nbsp;12 was apparently extended along Woodward, to again terminate with US&nbsp;10 at Woodward and Jefferson avenues, though with the designations flipflopped from their 1956 routing.
* 2001: The City of Detroit and [[Michigan Department of Transportation|MDOT]], in a series of jurisdictional transfers, moved the terminus back four blocks, to again be at Cadillac Square.
* 2005: In another transfer, the US&nbsp;12 terminus was truncated another four blocks, to end at the [[Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building]], on the corner of Michigan and Cass avenues.

The western terminus was gradually extended westward, until it reached the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="FHWA history">{{cite web |last=Weingroff |first=Richard F. |date=May 7, 2005 |title=U.S. 12 Michigan to Washington |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us12.cfm |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=Highway History |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916063232/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us12.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Former ferry crossing===
In 1925, US&nbsp;12 in Michigan was originally proposed to run from Detroit to [[Ludington, Michigan|Ludington]], across [[Lake Michigan]], via the [[Pere Marquette Railway car ferry]] to [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin]], and then continuing into Wisconsin, on what later became US&nbsp;10, in those two states. The 1974 Golden Anniversary Celebration reprint of the 1926 [[Rand McNally]] ''Road Atlas'' shows US&nbsp;12 following what later became the route of US&nbsp;10 through Michigan, from Detroit, through Flint, Saginaw, Midland, and Clare on its way to Ludington.

===Routing changes and proposals===
US&nbsp;12 was proposed to enter [[Wyoming]] on the current route of [[U.S. Route 212|US&nbsp;212]] from [[Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming|Mammoth Hot Springs]] to a point northwest of [[Clark, Wyoming|Clark]] before its route in Montana was rerouted.<ref name="FHWA history"/> It was also proposed to enter [[Oregon]] on the current route of [[U.S. Route 730|US&nbsp;730]] from east-southeast of [[Boardman, Oregon|Boardman]] to a point northeast of [[Cold Springs, Oregon|Cold Springs]], but that was canceled.<ref name="FHWA history"/>

In the 1960s, a portion of US&nbsp;12 in Western Washington was moved north to the town of [[Morton, Washington|Morton]], when [[Mossyrock Dam]] was built on the [[Cowlitz River]] in [[Lewis County, Washington|Lewis County]]. A large portion of old, two-lane US&nbsp;12 in the [[Yakima River Valley|Yakima Valley]] was replaced by [[Interstate 82|I-82]] and [[Interstate 182|I-182]] in the 1980s, between [[Yakima, Washington|Yakima]] and the [[Tri-Cities, Washington|Tri-Cities]], though the freeways are still cosigned with the US&nbsp;12 designation. The old two-lane highway now bears the name Wine Country Road.

==Major intersections==
;Washington
:{{jct|country=USA|US|101}} in [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|5}} in [[Grand Mound, Washington|Grand Mound]]. The highways travel concurrently to south-southeast of [[Napavine, Washington|Napavine]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|82|US|97}} in [[Yakima, Washington|Yakima]]. I-82/US&nbsp;12 travel concurrently to south of [[West Richland, Washington|West Richland]]. US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;97 travel concurrently to south of [[Union Gap, Washington|Union Gap]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|82|I|182}} south of [[West Richland, Washington|West Richland]]. I-182/US&nbsp;12 travel concurrently to [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]].
:{{jct|country=USA|US|395}} in [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|730}} south-southwest of [[Wallula, Washington|Wallula]]
;Idaho
:{{jct|country=USA|US|95}} in [[Lewiston, Idaho|Lewiston]]. The highways travel concurrently to north-northwest of [[Lapwai, Idaho|Lapwai]].
;Montana
:{{jct|country=USA|US|93}} in [[Lolo, Montana|Lolo]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Garrison, Montana|Garrison]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|15|US|287}} in [[Helena, Montana|Helena]]. US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;287 travel concurrently to [[Townsend, Montana|Townsend]].
:{{jct|country=USA|US|89}} south of [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana|White Sulphur Springs]]. The highways travel concurrently to northeast of White Sulphur Springs.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|191}} in [[Harlowton, Montana|Harlowton]]. The highways travel concurrently to east of Harlowton.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|87}} north of [[Klein, Montana|Klein]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Roundup, Montana|Roundup]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} southwest of [[Forsyth, Montana|Forsyth]]. The highways travel concurrently to east-northeast of [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]].
;North Dakota
:{{jct|country=USA|US|85}} in [[Bowman, North Dakota|Bowman]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
;South Dakota
:{{jct|country=USA|US|83}} northwest of [[Selby, South Dakota|Selby]]. The highways travel concurrently to south of Selby.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|281}} in [[Aberdeen, South Dakota|Aberdeen]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|29|US|81}} northwest of [[Summit, South Dakota|Summit]]
;Minnesota
:{{jct|country=USA|US|75}} in [[Ortonville, Minnesota|Ortonville]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|59}} north of [[Holloway, Minnesota|Holloway]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|71}} in [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|394|I|494}} in [[Minnetonka, Minnesota|Minnetonka]]. I-394/US&nbsp;12 travel concurrently to [[Minneapolis]].
:{{jct|country=USA|US|169}} in [[St. Louis Park, Minnesota|St. Louis Park]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94|I|394|US|52}} in Minneapolis. US&nbsp;52 travel concurrently to [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]. I-94/US&nbsp;12 travel concurrently to east of [[Hudson, Wisconsin|Hudson]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|35W|dab1=Minnesota}} in Minneapolis. The highways travel concurrently, on separate lanes, through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|35E|dab1=Minnesota}} in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|35E|dab1=Minnesota|US|10}} in Saint Paul. US&nbsp;10/US&nbsp;12 travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|61}} in Saint Paul. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|494|I|694}} on the [[Woodbury, Minnesota|Woodbury]]–[[Oakdale, Minnesota|Oakdale]] city line.
;Wisconsin
:{{jct|country=USA|US|63}} in [[Baldwin, Wisconsin|Baldwin]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} northwest of [[Elk Mound, Wisconsin|Elk Mound]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|53}} on the [[Eau Claire, Wisconsin|Eau Claire]]–[[Altoona, Wisconsin|Altoona]] city line
:{{jct|country=USA|US|10}} south of [[Fairchild, Wisconsin|Fairchild]]. The highways travel concurrently to east-southeast of Fairchild.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in [[Black River Falls, Wisconsin|Black River Falls]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in [[Tomah, Wisconsin|Tomah]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in Tomah
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} in the [[Lyndon, Juneau County, Wisconsin|Town of Lyndon]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} on the [[Lake Delton, Wisconsin|Lake Delton]]–[[Delton, Wisconsin|Delton]] town line
:{{jct|country=USA|US|14}} in [[Middleton, Wisconsin|Middleton]]. The highways travel concurrently to Madison.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|18|US|151}} in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]]. US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;18 travel concurrently to [[Cambridge, Wisconsin|Cambridge]]. US&nbsp;12/US&nbsp;151 travel concurrently through the city.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|39|I|90}} in Madison
:{{jct|country=USA|I|43}} in [[Elkhorn, Wisconsin|Elkhorn]]
;Illinois
:{{jct|country=USA|US|45}} in [[Des Plaines, Illinois|Des Plaines]]. The highways travel concurrently to west of the [[Palos Hills, Illinois|Palos Hills]]–[[Hickory Hills, Illinois]] city line.
:{{jct|country=USA|US|14}} in Des Plaines
:{{jct|country=USA|I|190|dab1=Illinois}} west of [[Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|20}} on the [[Melrose Park, Illinois|Melrose Park]]–[[Stone Park, Illinois|Stone Park]] city line. The highways travel concurrently to [[East Chicago, Indiana]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|290|dab1=Illinois}} on the [[Westchester, Illinois|Westchester]]–[[Hillside, Illinois|Hillside]]–[[Bellwood, Illinois|Bellwood]] city line
:{{jct|country=USA|US|34}} in [[La Grange, Illinois|La Grange]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|55}} on the [[Countryside, Illinois|Countryside]]–[[Hodgkins, Illinois|Hodgkins]] city line
:{{jct|country=USA|I|294}} in [[Willow Springs, Illinois|Willow Springs]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|294}} on the [[Hickory Hills, Illinois|Hickory Hills]]–[[Bridgeview, Illinois|Bridgeview]] city line
:{{jct|country=USA|US|41}} in [[Chicago]]. The highways travel concurrently to northwest of [[Whiting, Indiana]].
;Indiana
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} northwest of [[Whiting, Indiana|Whiting]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|20}} on the [[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]]–[[Gary, Indiana|Gary]] city line. The highways travel concurrently into Gary proper.
:{{jct|country=USA|I|65}} in Gary
:{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in Gary
;Michigan
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in [[New Buffalo Township, Michigan|New Buffalo Township]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|31}} in [[Bertrand Township, Michigan|Bertrand Township]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|131}} in [[White Pigeon, Michigan|White Pigeon]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|69}} in [[Coldwater, Michigan|Coldwater]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|127}} in [[Woodstock Township, Michigan|Woodstock Township]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|23}} in [[Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan|Pittsfield Charter Township]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in [[Ypsilanti Township, Michigan|Ypsilanti Township]]. The highways travel concurrently through the township, passing through [[Ypsilanti, Michigan|Ypsilanti]].
:{{jct|country=USA|I|275|dab1=Michigan}} in [[Canton, Michigan|Canton]]
:{{jct|country=USA|US|24}} in [[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]]
:{{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in Dearborn
:Cass Avenue in [[Detroit]]
<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 31–32, 36, 51, 55, 60–61, 77, 93, 108–109, 114–115|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}
* [[U.S. Route 410]]
* [[Special routes of U.S. Route 12]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline|U.S. Route 12}}
* [http://usends.com/12.html Endpoints of US highway 12]

{{U.S. Routes}}
{{US 12}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:U.S. Route 12| ]]
[[Category:United States Numbered Highway System|12]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in South Dakota|12]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Oregon|12]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Wyoming|12]]