Whoa! I didn't realize it was a cross-country highway!
Cool.
Yep, first and longest, until it was officially shortened to end in Bishop in 1964. Used to go to Long Beach.
Kerouac set out to hitch the entire length in about 1947 for that very reason. First episode in "On the Road".
Driving directions from my house to Whitney Portal:
Turn left on Rt 6A East.
1/2 mile, left on Exit 12, go 3175 miles Route 6 West to US 395 South (no turn).
In 47.5 miles Turn Right on Whitney Portal Road, to end.
Total Distance 3245.4 mi. Or so.