I-85 Corridor

I-85 Corridor

The I-85 Corridor is a multi-state region that follows Interstate 85 across the Southeastern United States. It stretches from Montgomery, Alabama to Petersburg, Virginia. Principal metropolitan areas include Metro Atlanta; Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina (also known as The Upstate); the Charlotte metropolitan area; the North Carolina Triad (which includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point); and the Research Triangle (which includes Raleigh and Durham).

A number of studies have identified parts of the region as a developing megalopolis or "megapolitan area". (see also Piedmont Atlantic MegaRegion) In particular, the metro areas of the Triangle, Triad, Charlotte (together as the Piedmont Crescent), Greenville-Spartanburg and Atlanta are growing toward each other. The area also appears to be growing toward the Northeast Megalopolis by way of two corridors through Virginia; indeed, both Petersburg and its twin city, Richmond, are considered part of the Megalopolis. It is also growing toward a developing megalopolis centered on Atlanta, stretching from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Birmingham, Alabama.