Interstate 11

Interstate 11 (I-11) is one of the newest additions to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, envisioned as a crucial north-south corridor connecting the Southwest to the Mountain West. Currently, I-11 runs for approximately 22 miles in Nevada, linking the Arizona state line near Hoover Dam to Henderson, just outside Las Vegas. This initial segment was completed in 2018 and serves as both a bypass for Boulder City and a strategic connection between the Las Vegas metro and Phoenix.

Despite its current brevity, the long-term vision for Interstate 11 is far more ambitious. Plans call for the highway to eventually extend from Nogales, Arizona, on the U.S.–Mexico border, through Phoenix and Las Vegas, and potentially all the way north to Reno or even the Pacific Northwest. If fully realized, I-11 would form a vital NAFTA (now USMCA) corridor, improving freight mobility and offering an alternative to the congested I-5 and I-15 corridors in the West.

Because it is still under phased development, much of I-11 exists only in planning documents and proposed alignments. However, its strategic importance has made it a priority for both federal and state transportation agencies. As more segments are constructed, I-11 is poised to become a transformative infrastructure project for the southwestern United States—enhancing trade, regional connectivity, and economic development.