The General U.S. Grant Highway or U.S. Route 20 in Illinois, named to honor Ulysses S. Grant, a Civil War hero and the 18th U.S. President. The Illinois General Assembly officially designated US 20 the “U.S. Grant Memorial Highway” in 1955.

The route runs across northern Illinois. It extends from the Mississippi River from East Dubuque to Rockford and the Chicago suburbs. This route serves as an important east-west road linked to Grant’s life. Despite being the longest coast-to-coast highway in the nation, it holds significant historical importance in Illinois.

Named for General Ulysses S. Grant, a United States Army officer. He served as a general during the Civil War. Grant attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He accepted a commission in the United States Army. He served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). 

In the mid 1850’s, Grant participated in civilian life. He also worked for his family members until the start of the Civil War. A career in business was not his calling though. When the Civil War broke out, he returned to service with the Army.

Grant rose to prominence during the Civil War, where he found success in the war’s western theater of operations. After the Civil War, he made a career in politics. He served as the 18th President of the United States from March 4, 1869 through March 4, 1877.

The route includes Galena, IL, which was his home. The highway passes through Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, and Cook counties. It follows paths used during Grant’s military campaigns.