U.S. Route 33 in Virginia

Infobox road
state=VA
type=US
route=33
length_mi=
length+ref=fact
length_round=2
established=1938
direction_a=West
direction_b=East
starting_terminus= [Elkhart,Indiana)
junction=
ending_terminus=
previous_type=
previous_route=32
next_type=
next_route=33In the U.S. state of Virginia, U.S. Route 33 runs from West Virginia east through Harrisonburg to end in Richmond. State Route 33 continues east from Richmond to Stingray Point. Both US 33 and SR 33 were State Route 4 before US 33 was extended into Virginia in 1938.

Route description

U.S. Route 33 extends 139 miles in Virginia from the West Virginia state line to Richmond.

West Virginia to Swift Run Gap

U.S. Route 33 enters Virginia in Rockingham County on a mountain ridge at Dry River Gap. [ http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/shenandoah/svs2-2.html ] The winding roadway descends into the Shenandoah Valley, passing through Rawley Springs to the independent city of Harrisonburg. At Harrisonburg, Route 33 crosses north-south U.S. Route 11, which follows an old Native American trail, later known as the Valley Turnpike. North-south Interstate 81 in Virginia also crosses nearby.

East of Harrisonburg, Route 33 continues across the Valley, shirting the southern edge of Massanutten Mountain to reach the incorporated town of Elkton, where it intersects north-south U.S. Route 340 and the Shenandoah River.

From Elkton, Route 33 approaches to western slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and climbs to its highest point at Swift Run Gap, a wind gap located at an elevation of 2,365 feet. Generally following the mountain ridge tops, the bucolic Skyline Drive, which is part of Shenandoah National Park, has an entry point at Swift Run Gap and the Appalachian Trail also passes through nearby. The mountain ridge forms the border between Rockingham County and Greene County.

Swift Run Gap to downtown Richmond

On the eastern side of Swift Run Gap, descending through sharp switchbacks, the roadway enters the Piedmont region of Virginia, with its rolling hills. Route 33 passes through Stanardsville, which is the county seat of Greene County and continues east, intersecting north-south U.S. Route 29 at Ruckersville. Several miles further east, the road passes into Orange County. It passes Barboursville to reach Gordonsville, where it intersects U.S. Route 15.

From Gordonsville, Route 33 passes into Louisa County through Louisa and Cuckoo, where it intersects U.S. Route 522. Passing into Hanover County, the road reached the unincorporated town of Montpelier. Just east of there, State Route 54 branches off towards Ashland.

After crossing the headwaters of the Chickahominy River, the road enters Henrico County where it intersects Interstate 295. Known as Staples Mill Road in Henrico County, Route 33 crosses State Route 73 and Interstate 64 to enter the City of Richmond, intersecting and joining U.S. Route 250 nearby. Route 33 continues east and crosses Interstate 195 to reach the downtown area. Major highways nearby in downtown Richmond include Interstate 64, Interstate 95, and four other major highways, U.S. Routes 1, 60, 301 and 360.

Continuation east to Chesapeake Bay as State Route 33

From downtown Richmond, Route 33 continues east as State Route 33 through the Tidewater region across the coastal plain to reach the Chesapeake Bay at Stingray Point just east of Deltaville.

References