California Primary and Secondary Road Network for 2023

U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line shapefiles provide geographic and cartographic data for California's road network. The dataset includes primary roads, such as interstate highways, and secondary roads, including U.S. and State Highways. It is extracted from the national Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database.

Use Cases

• Analyze road network connectivity and density using MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes (MTFCC) like S1100 and S1200.
• Map primary divided highways and secondary arterial roads for transportation planning and infrastructure analysis.
• Integrate California road geometry with other spatial datasets using the seamless, non-overlapping TIGER/Line structure.

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative U.S. Census Bureau MAF/TIGER Database, ensuring national consistency.
• The dataset is designed as a standalone extract for California but can be combined with other state files for national coverage.
• Includes specific feature classification codes (MTFCC S1100 for primary roads, S1200 for secondary roads) for precise road type identification.

Limitations

• The dataset lacks attribute details like traffic volume, speed limits, or pavement condition, limiting certain types of analysis.
• As a 2023 snapshot, it may not reflect recent road construction, closures, or changes to the network.

Provenance

Source

U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Extracted from the Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database.

Time Range

2023

Freshness

Data reflects the 2023 TIGER/Line release, with platform metadata last updated in August 2025.

Geography

State of California, United States