Post roads were colonial thoroughfares designed to carry the mail (post). They were typically used for other purposes such as the general transportation. Throughout the eastern seaboard, post roads connected cities and towns.
In Delaware, the former King's Highway served as a post road. Today, that road extends south from Philadelphia, through Wilmington and New Castle. There, one branch continued south and the other continued west to Elkton, Maryland. The latter would later become U.S. Route 40.
In Maryland, the Philadelphia Road (once U.S. Route 40 and now designated State Route 7) was one such road connecting Baltimore and Philadelphia. It passes through Baltimore, Rosedale, Rossville, White Marsh, Bradshaw, Abingdon, Belcamp, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Perryville, Charlestown, North East and Elkton. In a few places State Route 7 is designated Old Post Road.
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