Rhode Island Route 1A

Route 1A
Map (excludes overlaps with US 1)
Route information
Maintained by RIDOT
Length:	38.3 mi (61.6 km)
Major junctions
South end:	US 1 in Westerly
	Route 108 in South Kingstown Route 138 in North Kingstown Route 102 in North Kingstown
North end:	US 1 in North Kingstown
Location
Counties:	Washington
Highway system
Rhode Island Routes ← US 1A Route 1C →

Rhode Island Routes

Route 1A is a 39.6-mile (63.7 km) long numbered state highway located in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The route, which parallels U.S. Route 1 for its entire length, has five distinct sections, each separated by short overlaps with US 1.

Route 1A follows U.S. Route 1 (US 1) closely through Washington County, locally known as "South County." US 1 is a divided highway for most of its length in this region; there is also a short freeway section in South Kingstown and Narragansett. Because Interstate 95 largely bypasses the main population centers in the southern portion of the state, instead following a more inland routing, US 1 serves as the main thoroughfare. Route 1A, in comparison, runs on surface streets, acting as an alternate route for US 1 that provides access to more local roads and business districts. There are five distinct sections, each separated by short concurrencies with US 1; as an alternate route, Route 1A is unsigned on each concurrency.

The first section of Route 1A is 8.8 miles (14.2 km) in length and runs entirely in Westerly. Beginning in downtown Westerly, the roadway takes a more southerly routing in the town than its parent route and serves the affluent coastal community of Watch Hill and Misquamicut State Beach. In Westerly, Route 1A north actually follows a due south route for its first 3.7 miles (6.0 km). The roadway begins as Main Street, which merges with US 1 (Broad Street) just after the latter route crosses the Pawcatuck River from Stonington, Connecticut into downtown Westerly. Route 1A north continues southward on Beach Street before turning south onto Watch Hill Road. The roadway then turns to the southeast along Shore Road, which runs parallel to Misquamicut Beach, Atlantic Beach and Winnapaug Pond, until Shore Road meets Post Road not far from the Charlestown town line. Many maps incorrectly post the entire length of Watch Hill Road west of Shore Road as Route 1A.