January 4, 2026
​By Rachel Scofield

An Ohio House bill would designate a portion of Interstate 70 as the “President Donald Trump Freedom Highway.”

House Bill 638, co-sponsored by Republican state Reps. D.J. Swearingen of Huron and Jeff LaRe of Violet Township, would rename the stretch of I-70 between mile markers 98 and 100. ​Traveling eastbound, the Freedom Highway would extend roughly from Sullivant Avenue to Front Street.

The honorary designation would be in addition to any existing roadway names and would not change the highway’s official route number.

If approved, the Ohio Department of Transportation would be required to install signage identifying the designated stretch of highway.

Supporters of the bill say the proposal follows long-established precedent. 

“We name roadways after presidents all the time — both past and present,” LaRe said. “This bill recognizes President Donald J. Trump as a consequential figure in American history and reflects the voices of millions of Ohioans who supported his presidency. Ohio has a longstanding practice of using highway designations to acknowledge leaders and moments that have shaped our state and nation.”

LaRe said the downtown Columbus section of I-70 was selected because of its visibility and traffic volume. 

“It is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in Ohio and a gateway to the capital city,” he said.

He emphasized that the intent of the designation is recognition rather than division, adding that the high-visibility route “will inspire pride in our shared values of freedom and patriotism for thousands of Ohioans and visitors every day.”

The bill has been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly and will be referred to committee for further consideration.