There are two intermediate exits (at Columbus Boulevard and Prospect Street) from the highway before its western terminus at Pulaski Circle.

The highway opened in 1945 and was initially named for Henry F. Conland, publisher of the Hartford Courant and chair of a city bridge commission.

Arizona, which blew up and sank in the opening minutes of the Japanese attack, killing Whitehead and 1,176 other sailors.

[1] The name is frequently misspelled – even by the Connecticut Department of Transportation – as "Conlin Whitehead Highway".

The highway was to be upgraded via straightening and bridge improvements and brought through a short tunnel under the state capitol to connect to I-84 at exit 48.