Which highway system is the first network that connected states?

The U.S. Highway system is recognized as the first network that connected states across the country. Established in 1926, this system was designed to create a comprehensive network of highways that facilitated long-distance travel and commerce between states. It provided important connections between cities and regions before the implementation of the Interstate system in 1956, which further improved and expanded highways with a focus on high-speed, controlled access routes. The U.S. Highway system played a crucial role in the development of the national transportation network, helping to shape the landscape of American travel and trade that we see today.