Hierarchy of Interstates in Your State (from Most Vital Highways thread)

Started by OCGuy81, January 27, 2015, 12:16:07 PM

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wxfree

Here's my list for Texas.

I-35/E/W the big, obvious one
I-10 connects big cities, trans-continental
I-20 major DFW route, and connects to east coast and I-10
I-45 connects big cities, connects DFW to coast
I-30 major DFW route, connects to northeast
I-410/610/635/820 loops important to their cities
I-345 very important connector, lower rank than loops due to short length and availability of bypasses
I-69 an important Houston area route, but with a big gap
I-2 along with
I-69E important regional routes
I-37 not a major route, but a big improvement over US 181
I-40 fairly important route overall, but important to a fairly small and lightly populated part of Texas
I-27 connects Amarillo to everything south, an important job, but other roads could do it
I-44 most efficient route to the northeast for a small section of Texas
I-110 maybe shouldn't be this low, but I don't know where to put it
I-69C/W until they're extended and connect they're not much more than pretty signs
I'd like to buy a vowel, Alex.  What is E?


OCGuy81

QuoteHere's my list for Texas.

I-35/E/W the big, obvious one
I-10 connects big cities, trans-continental
I-20 major DFW route, and connects to east coast and I-10
I-45 connects big cities, connects DFW to coast
I-30 major DFW route, connects to northeast
I-410/610/635/820 loops important to their cities
I-345 very important connector, lower rank than loops due to short length and availability of bypasses
I-69 an important Houston area route, but with a big gap
I-2 along with
I-69E important regional routes
I-37 not a major route, but a big improvement over US 181
I-40 fairly important route overall, but important to a fairly small and lightly populated part of Texas
I-27 connects Amarillo to everything south, an important job, but other roads could do it
I-44 most efficient route to the northeast for a small section of Texas
I-110 maybe shouldn't be this low, but I don't know where to put it
I-69C/W until they're extended and connect they're not much more than pretty signs

And 369?  :-P

OCGuy81

Enjoying these quite a bit, and thought I'd try another that's sort of middle of the country, with a decent amount of interstates.  This time, Wisconsin.

I-94: Some could argue I-90, being the transcontinental route that it is, but for Wisconsin, I'd say 94 is the most important.  It connects the two largest metro areas, Milwaukee and Madison, with the largest metro areas of adjoining states (MSP, Minn. and Chicago, IL)

I-43: Probably shocking not to have I-90 as the runner up, but I think 43 serves more of Wisconsin's major cities, like Milwaukee and Green Bay.  While 90 does connect Madison with Chicago, I-90 after it splits from 94 in western Wisconsin doesn't seem as vital as linking Milwaukee with Green Bay.

I-90: Connects La Crosse with Madison and onto Chicago after that.

I-894: Heavily used bypass around Milwaukee for either Chicago or Madison bound traffic.

I-39: Serves the middle of the state....debatable whether or not it's needed, I know (as US 51 does the job just fine)

I-794:  Port of Milwaukee to downtown Milwaukee and the heavily used interstates 94 and 43.

I-535: The orphan

Note: Once 41 is official, I'd put it before 43.

wxfree

Quote from: OCGuy81 on January 28, 2015, 03:20:58 PM
And 369?  :-P

I knew I'd forget one.  I don't give that one any credit, since it's just a case of placing new signs on an existing freeway.  I'd put it at the bottom with 69C/W.  Maybe write it as (3)69(C/W)
I'd like to buy a vowel, Alex.  What is E?

thenetwork

Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 28, 2015, 01:04:24 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on January 28, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a tough one...

OHIO: 

- I-71
- I-75
- I-70
- I-90
- I-80
- I-76
- I-74
- I-480
- I-270
- I-280
- I-275
- I-475
- I-670
- I-675
- I-680
- I-470
- I-490
- I-277

I-77 ?



Dang it, I knew I'd leave one off, and it would be one that used to be in my back yard!!!

REVISED
OHIO: 

- I-71
- I-75
- I-70
- I-90
- I-77
- I-80
- I-76
- I-74
- I-480
- I-270
- I-280
- I-275
- I-475
- I-670
- I-675
- I-680
- I-470
- I-490
- I-277


pianocello

Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on January 28, 2015, 10:32:10 AM
With these Interstates, here's the revised hierarchy of Indiana:

I-80/90
I-65
I-70
I-64
I-69
I-94
I-74
I-465
I-469
I-265 (for now, will definitely move up after 2016)
I-275 (it's in Indiana, so I'm listing it)

Do I sense a bit of northwest bias?  :biggrin:

If I were to make the list, I would switch 65 and 80/90, and reverse 64, 69, and 94. Also, would I be wrong in assuming I-865 would go with I-465?
Davenport, IA -> Valparaiso, IN -> Ames, IA -> Orlando, FL -> Gainesville, FL -> Evansville, IN

GaryV

I haven't seen Michigan yet.

I-94
I-75
I-96
I-696
I-275
I-69
I-196
I-496
I-475
I-675
Edit:  I-375
I-194
I-296 (if it were signed, I'd move it up 3 or 4 places)


Ray_Stantz

Utah

I 15 (placed this over I 80 given its local and regional importance)
I 80
I 70
I 84
I 215

Ray_Stantz

Quote from: OCGuy81 on January 27, 2015, 12:16:07 PM
Gnutella posted a great answer to another thread about the most vital highway in a given state, listing a hierarchy of Interstates in Pennsylvania.

Sounded like a great idea for a new thread.  Can you create a hierarchy of the interstates in your state from most important to least?

I'll take a crack at California.

I-5: It's a tough call, but I'd put I-5 as the most important to California for several reasons.  First off, it connects northern and southern, and while not directly serving San Francisco, it does serve other major cities, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Some might argue that the cities in the Central Valley are bypassed, but I maintain I-5 as the most vital.  Plus, it's the only interstate that has termini at international borders on both ends, and is a huge artery of the west coast.

I-80: Connecting the Bay Area to I-5, Sacramento, and points east.

This is where I had a bit more trouble, and may have some disagreeing with me.

I-15:  I put this over I-10 because of the growth along it in San Berdoo, Riverside, and northern San Diego counties, as well as the heavy traffic along it en route to Las Vegas.

I-10:  A vital connection for LA to points east.

I-405: The artery of the western LA area, and southern Orange County. 

I-880: Heavily used highway in the east bay, connecting Oakland to San Jose

I-805: Just as vital to San Diego as the 5, and often busier, at least in some spots.

I-580: Another vital connection from the bay area to the 5.

I-210: Provides a bypass of downtown LA to the east.

I-680: Connects San Jose to growing east bay burbs

I-215: Alleviates (well, not really) traffic on some bad areas of the 15 in Riverside County.

I-280: Connecting San Francisco to San Jose (though 101 is more direct)

I-710: Connects downtown LA to the port of Long Beach

I-105: Link to LAX

I-605: Alternative to the 5 in LA County

I-505: Allows SB travellers on the 5 to reach I-80 and SF

I-110: Long Beach into downtown LA, similar to 710.

I-780: Provides a link from 80 to 680 and some state freeways/far eastern bay area burbs

I-605: Reliever to the 5 in LA County

I-380: Connector from 280 to SFO

I-205: Allows 580 traffic a connection to 5 and Scaramento

I-238: Roadgeeks rejoice, it made the bottom of the list.

I THINK I got em all. I know, I know, 905 WILL be signed someday, and 305 is hidden, so I left them off.

I would include I 305 (Sacramento). It's hidden but more important than several of those lower on the list.

nwi_navigator_1181

Quote from: pianocello on January 28, 2015, 07:33:37 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on January 28, 2015, 10:32:10 AM
With these Interstates, here's the revised hierarchy of Indiana:

I-80/90
I-65
I-70
I-64
I-69
I-94
I-74
I-465
I-469
I-265 (for now, will definitely move up after 2016)
I-275 (it's in Indiana, so I'm listing it)

Do I sense a bit of northwest bias?  :biggrin:

If I were to make the list, I would switch 65 and 80/90, and reverse 64, 69, and 94. Also, would I be wrong in assuming I-865 would go with I-465?

Maybe. :)

If anything, I would argue that I-65 would be as important North-South as I-80/90 would be East-West. Otherwise, I can see your argument. I just use the state coverage factor as part of my hierarchy, and I-94 covers such a small part.

As for I-865, I will edit my earlier post to reflect what you said, because you're right.
"Slower Traffic Keep Right" means just that.
You use turn signals. Every Time. Every Transition.

doorknob60

Quote from: kkt on January 27, 2015, 12:47:04 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on January 27, 2015, 12:16:07 PM
I THINK I got em all. I know, I know, 905 WILL be signed someday, and 305 is hidden, so I left them off.

What, no I-40?  I'd put it right after I-10 in importance to California.

Washington:

I-5 and I-90 tie for first
I-82
I-405
I-205
I-705
I-182
I'd agree with that if you switched I-705 and I-182. As someone who used to live in Richland, I-182 is very important in the Tri-Cities, and the road network there would fall apart without it. Tacoma could survive fine without I-705 (assuming a surface street with connection to I-5 in its place).

achilles765

Lemme see for the three states I've lived in
Mississippi:
I-55 obvious
I-20
I-59
I-10
I-22
I-220
I-110

Louisiana:
I-10 the obvious number one. Connects to the main coast to coast route, as well as connecting four of the largest cities in the stage including the capital(Baton Rouge) and largest city and tourist destination (New Orleans)
I-49 the major north-south route connecting the northern and southern parts of the state and provides a route through central louisiana, giving Alexandria a freeway. Plus with the extensions in progress, it will become an even bigger corridor connecting to the Midwest.
I-20 major east-west route for north louisiana
I-55 major route heading to Chicago
I-59
I-210
I-220
I-110
I-310
I-610
I-510
I love freeways and roads in any state but Texas will always be first in my heart

froggie

QuoteMississippi:
I-55 obvious
I-20
I-59
I-10
I-22
I-220
I-110

I would argue I-20 over I-55 and I-10 over I-59.

roadman65

I know this is not an interstate, but it should be in the running which is why I purposely left it out of my list of interstates, is the Florida Turnpike.  It does carry a lot of traffic between Central and South Florida.  Though heavily tolled it does act as an alternate along its way as well to the busy I-95 from Fort Pierce to Miami which has enough traffic problems of its own in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami- Dade Counties.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

robbones



Quote from: Charles2 on January 27, 2015, 11:27:24 PM
Alabama

(1) I-65: The longest interstate in Alabama, it connects Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville (via I-565).  It's truly Alabama's Main Street.

(2) I-20: Connects Alabama's largest city with Georgia's largest city, also a vital through route as it connects Atlanta (150 miles to the east of Birmingham) with Dallas (650 miles to the west)

(3) I-59: Connects Birmingham with Tuscaloosa; more importantly it connects New Orleans with the Northeast (albeit via I-59, I-24, I-75, I-40 and I-81).

(4) I-459: Serves as a bypass of the city of Birmingham, thus relieving inner-city congestion on I-20/59.

(5) I-85: Not so much for connecting Montgomery with Atlanta, but for serving as part of the connecting route between New Orleans and Atlanta (via I-10, I-65 and I-85).

(6) I-22 (if it ever gets completed).  Birmingham and Memphis have long needed this connecting route.  Anyone who has ever traveled between the two cities via US-78 can vouch for this.

I 10?

Quote from: thenetwork on January 28, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a tough one...

OHIO: 

- I-71
- I-75
- I-70
- I-90
- I-80
- I-76
- I-74
- I-480
- I-270
- I-280
- I-275
- I-475
- I-670
- I-675
- I-680
- I-470
- I-490
- I-277

I 471?

robbones


froggie


thenetwork

Quote from: pianocello on January 28, 2015, 07:33:37 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on January 28, 2015, 10:32:10 AM
With these Interstates, here's the revised hierarchy of Indiana:

I-80/90
I-65
I-70
I-64
I-69
I-94
I-74
I-465
I-469
I-265 (for now, will definitely move up after 2016)
I-275 (it's in Indiana, so I'm listing it)

Do I sense a bit of northwest bias?  :biggrin:

If I were to make the list, I would switch 65 and 80/90, and reverse 64, 69, and 94. Also, would I be wrong in assuming I-865 would go with I-465?

I'd actually make the Borman/I-80/I-94 it's own entry and put that at the top of the list simply for the sheer number of vehicles (especially trucks) that use that corridor.

thenetwork

Quote from: robbones on January 29, 2015, 10:39:57 AM

Quote from: thenetwork on January 28, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a tough one...

OHIO: 

• I-71
• I-75
• I-70
• I-90
• I-80
• I-76
• I-74
• I-480
• I-270
• I-280
• I-275
• I-475
• I-670
• I-675
• I-680
• I-470
• I-490
• I-277

I 471?

RE-REVISED OHIO:

• I-71
• I-75
• I-70
• I-90
• I-77
• I-80
• I-76
• I-74
• I-480
• I-270
• I-280
• I-275
• I-475
• I-670
• I-675
• I-680
• I-470
• I-490
• I-471
• I-277

robbones


Gnutella

Quote from: GaryV on January 28, 2015, 07:47:15 PM
I haven't seen Michigan yet.

I-94
I-75
I-96
I-696
I-275
I-69
I-196
I-496
I-475
I-675
Edit:  I-375
I-194
I-296 (if it were signed, I'd move it up 3 or 4 places)



I've never been to Michigan, but shouldn't I-96 be at the top of the list? It connects the state capital with the two largest cities.

txstateends

Quote from: OCGuy81 on January 28, 2015, 09:45:36 AM
QuoteI'll give TX a try, I would have to make guesses on some based on hearsay....

I-35
I-10
I-20
I-45
I-635
I-610
I-410
I-820
I-345
I-27
I-37
I-44
I-69 (this will surely go up the list as more of it is done in the state)
I-69E
I-2
I-69C
I-69W
I-110
Future I-49 (whenever this happens)

Good list.  Just curious where you'd put I-30 and I-40.

Oh crap.... I was at work the other night when I posted, and completely brain-farted on those 2.  Thanx OCguy.  I'd have to stick I-40 at the upper end, even though it's not one of the longer interstates in TX, simply because of the amount of truck traffic and its place along a nearly coast-to-coast interstate.  I might be wrong about I-30, but again, as before, I don't get to very many roads often, nor have I been on every interstate in TX.

And now, the update:

I-35 (oops, didn't split the E & W before, I guess since they come back together)
I-10
I-20
I-45
I-30
I-40
I-635
I-610
I-410
I-820
I-345
I-27
I-37
I-44
I-69 (this will surely go up the list as more of it is done in the state)
I-69E
I-2
I-69C
I-69W
I-110
I-369 (for now, till more is done to extend it)
Future I-49 (whenever this happens)

(Saw the "No I-369?" posting, forgot this one too, I guess since it's so new and I shouldn't do this at work or when tired.....)
\/ \/ click for a bigger image \/ \/

thenetwork

Quote from: Gnutella on January 29, 2015, 03:15:52 PM
Quote from: GaryV on January 28, 2015, 07:47:15 PM
I haven't seen Michigan yet.

I-94
I-75
I-96
I-696
I-275
I-69
I-196
I-496
I-475
I-675
Edit:  I-375
I-194
I-296 (if it were signed, I'd move it up 3 or 4 places)



I've never been to Michigan, but shouldn't I-96 be at the top of the list? It connects the state capital with the two largest cities.

No, that's about right.  There is so much more Detroit-Chicago traffic on I-94 and I-75 the major north-south link.  Much of I-96 west of say Brighton/US-23 is an easy drive with hardly the traffic you'd find on I-94 or I-75 at least in SE Michigan.

Pink Jazz

Quote from: Thing 342 on January 27, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Since somebody already did Virginia, I'll do the Carolinas. I don't really have any particular explanation as to why I ranked them so, these are mostly just my gut feelings and are totally up for debate.

North Carolina:
1. I-40
2. I-85
T3. I-77
T3. I-95
5. I-26
6. I-440
7. I-277
8. I-485
9. I-74
10. I-495
11. I-540
12. I-240
13. I-140
14. I-840
15. I-73
16. I-795
17. I-785

I would put I-85 above I-40, since it connects more major cities in the state and is one of the busiest corridors in the nation in terms of traffic density.

Charles2

Quote from: robbones on January 29, 2015, 10:39:57 AM


Quote from: Charles2 on January 27, 2015, 11:27:24 PM
Alabama

(1) I-65: The longest interstate in Alabama, it connects Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville (via I-565).  It's truly Alabama's Main Street.

(2) I-20: Connects Alabama's largest city with Georgia's largest city, also a vital through route as it connects Atlanta (150 miles to the east of Birmingham) with Dallas (650 miles to the west)

(3) I-59: Connects Birmingham with Tuscaloosa; more importantly it connects New Orleans with the Northeast (albeit via I-59, I-24, I-75, I-40 and I-81).

(4) I-459: Serves as a bypass of the city of Birmingham, thus relieving inner-city congestion on I-20/59.

(5) I-85: Not so much for connecting Montgomery with Atlanta, but for serving as part of the connecting route between New Orleans and Atlanta (via I-10, I-65 and I-85).

(6) I-22 (if it ever gets completed).  Birmingham and Memphis have long needed this connecting route.  Anyone who has ever traveled between the two cities via US-78 can vouch for this.

I 10?

Quote from: thenetwork on January 28, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a tough one...

OHIO: 

- I-71
- I-75
- I-70
- I-90
- I-80
- I-76
- I-74
- I-480
- I-270
- I-280
- I-275
- I-475
- I-670
- I-675
- I-680
- I-470
- I-490
- I-277

I 471?

I omitted I-10 in Alabama because east of Mobile, the next major city it directly connects is Tallahassee, which is 245 miles away.  (Sorry, Pensacola, but are you really a major city?)



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