Really Big Loop Ramps

[webny99]

^ Note that there are no real life examples yet  There's probably good reason for that. Also, none of those ramps are technically loops.

It's an interesting concept, and would definitely be on my bucket list if it did exist, especially with something like a service area in the middle. But perhaps better off as a thread of its own, given the novelty!



Regarding measuring the size of loops, is there a trick to measuring linear distance on Google Maps? I can't seem to figure it out, probably overlooking something obvious. Another option would be to plan a route from one end of the loop to the other. It would be measured in miles instead of feet, but considerably simpler overall.

[jakeroot]

Regarding measuring the size of loops, is there a trick to measuring linear distance on Google Maps? I can't seem to figure it out, probably overlooking something obvious. Another option would be to plan a route from one end of the loop to the other. It would be measured in miles instead of feet, but considerably simpler overall.

If you use the "measure distance" tool, you can add in points to the line. I haven't yet found a maximum number of points.

[doorknob60]

The one that stands out to me is US-93 NB to I-84 WB (heavily used for Twin Falls to Boise traffic; worth noting it's a ramp from a 60 MPH divided highway to an 80 MPH freeway). Roughly 1500 ft in diameter and 0.7 miles in length (not counting the long acceleration lane over the bridge, just the loop part).


https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6421534,-114.4449398,15.5z

Signed for advisory 35 MPH but I'm pretty sure you can go much faster (but I've only driven it once).

[triplemultiplex]

Winner?
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=39.05575,-82.01929&z=16&t=S

US 33, OH 7, OH 124 in southern Ohio.
It's like 3/4 miles long.


The northern junction of I-39 and US 10:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=44.59331,-89.60990&z=15&t=S

From the overpass to the gore is about a mile.

[Jordanes]

Sorry this is all I have around here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.093709,-77.0357362,306m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

It is possible, with a good handling car, to maintain 50+ all the way around that loop-I just wouldn't advise it though, unless you are into 30 seconds of constant G loading!

I'm always amazed at the sheer number of highway bridges near New Bern.

[Skye]

The ramp from NB I-65 to WB I-90 in Gary, IN is a 360 degree loop that also picks up traffic from US 20 and has a toll plaza on it.

[jakeroot]

Winner?

[acme mapper links]

Can your computer not run maps.google.com?

[slorydn1]

Sorry this is all I have around here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.093709,-77.0357362,306m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

It is possible, with a good handling car, to maintain 50+ all the way around that loop-I just wouldn't advise it though, unless you are into 30 seconds of constant G loading!

I'm always amazed at the sheer number of highway bridges near New Bern.

We do seem to have alot of them for a town of our size.

[US 89]

Winner?

[acme mapper links]

Can your computer not run maps.google.com?

Actually, if you type in maps.google.com, you will be redirected to www.google.com/maps.

[jakeroot]

Winner?

[acme mapper links]

Can your computer not run maps.google.com?

Actually, if you type in maps.google.com, you will be redirected to www.google.com/maps.

Yeah. I think the former was the original URL, but became the latter only after I became used to typing the former.

[triplemultiplex]

Can your computer not run maps.google.com?

Acme has a better interface and more map options.  I use it exclusively for armchair mapping.

[Bitmapped]

It's not a traditional loop, but the ramp from US 15 NB to I-70 WB at Frederick MD would seem to qualify. It's a 2300 feet across and it takes 1.5 miles to traverse the loop part: https://goo.gl/maps/J9NxGA4Psrn

[jakeroot]

Can your computer not run maps.google.com?

Acme has a better interface and more map options.  I use it exclusively for armchair mapping.

Very well. For me, it's lacking in two departments: historic street view, and 3D imagery, both features I use quite often. I also find the interface to be clunkier, and slightly out-of-date.

If my computer was quite old, I'd probably use it. But Google Maps has improved so dramatically in the last year, I fail to see the reason to use something else. There's an occasional glitch here and there, but for the most part, it's quite well-rounded now.

[PurdueBill]

OH 696 to US 30 eastbound always seemed like a very, very out of the way ramp to me.  I just measured in Google Maps using line segments around the loop ramp, and the distance from the EB/WB split of the ramp to US 30 to the merge onto US 30 is an amazing 1.36 miles, give or take a little with the line segments.  The straight-line distance between those points is 1238 feet, or 0.24 miles.  That is a lot of looping.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8284506,-83.9623677,16z 

This explains why I always use old US 30/Lincoln Highway if I am leaving the Speedway station and heading east on 30.  It saves over a mile at ~30 mph to instead get on the old road, sail along at 55-60, and use OH 235 to get back on US 30.  (You could use one of the Township roads in between as well, but they intersect at grade and the interchange is safer to get on instead of turning left onto 30.)  The only time I opted for the loop ever was when there was recent snowfall and I knew the old road would be in bad shape--not that the loop ramp was much better.  It was snow-covered and you actually couldn't tell where it was sometimes because of the blowing snow.  Thank goodness for the curve chevrons....

[triplemultiplex]

Very well. For me, it's lacking in two departments: historic street view, and 3D imagery, both features I use quite often. I also find the interface to be clunkier, and slightly out-of-date.

If my computer was quite old, I'd probably use it. But Google Maps has improved so dramatically in the last year, I fail to see the reason to use something else. There's an occasional glitch here and there, but for the most part, it's quite well-rounded now.

Ah, so we are looking for different features in a mapping site then.  I don't use streetview all that much and 3d is not how I like to view maps and aerials.  What I want is to be able to quickly toggle between aerial photos and topographic maps.  It's an integral part of my fictional mapping activities. 
Acme has been my go-to ever since I discovered it over 10 years ago and will continue to be as long as it exist because it has what I want.

[coldshoulder]

This one in western Ohio just south of Findlay could qualify.  Almost looks like a running track around a football field:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.9934181,-83.6467057,1502m/data=!3m1!1e3

[jakeroot]

This one in western Ohio just south of Findlay could qualify.  Almost looks like a running track around a football field:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.9934181,-83.6467057,1502m/data=!3m1!1e3

That whole interchange is huge. The southbound offramp is 3400 feet long. That's insane for a simple diamond offramp.

[andrepoiy]

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8208507,-79.5464237,17.38z

This one here has got a pond inside of it...

[webny99]

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8208507,-79.5464237,17.38z

This one here has got a pond inside of it...

What impresses me about that one is not the pond, but the shape It's closer to a square than a circle.

[michravera]

Any other loop ramps that either form extremely large loops, or have a lot going on inside of them?

A bit relevant, so I figured it could be put in this thread.

A type of interchange called the Pinavia (no real-world examples exist) is designed specifically so that the land in the center between its loop ramps can be used for businesses, parks, etc - they have a "lot going on" inside them. The loop ramps (or just very curvy and the whole thing looks like a loop) are also large.





As you can see in the above image, the center space is empty and can be utilized. I could see a large central rest stop being put there between a junction of two rural interstates.

I remember proposing something like this and discovered that it would take about a 2 km radius of curvature to make it work at high speed and that this would add about a kilometer to the distance traveled by the through traffic if truly built out. However, if displacing the roadway in one direction or the other were desirable (like missing an unavailable tract of land or the like), it would be possible. The other problem with it is that the land acquisition was funny shaped, so, if use would likely be confined to government lands.

[Big John]

^^ That is likely a man-made detention or retention pond, built for environmental reasons.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8208507,-79.5464237,17.38z

This one here has got a pond inside of it...

That is likely a man-made detention or retention pond, built for environmental reasons.

[GenExpwy]

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8208507,-79.5464237,17.38z

This one here has got a pond inside of it...

What impresses me about that one is not the pond, but the shape It's closer to a square than a circle.

Looks like about half of it is not a permanent loop ramp, but rather provisions for future surface streets. On the satellite view, you can see ghost stubs for Bass Pro Mills Rd, and I'll bet the north—south section is part of a future street.

[intelati49]

This one in western Ohio just south of Findlay could qualify.  Almost looks like a running track around a football field:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.9934181,-83.6467057,1502m/data=!3m1!1e3

Now you have me intrigued. Why is the loop like that. Reminds me of Talladega.

Looks like there's a ghost road extending off of Main St, so I would guess there was an old industrial zone or something to that effect? That's really freaking odd

[csw]

Found a mile-long one near Miami:  https://goo.gl/maps/gzPCStvL5m52

[roadman65]

I always thought that Exit 14A on the NY Thruway had a super huge trumpet that could have been tightened some.

Speaking of trumpets the I-4 and SR 570 interchange near Polk City, FL has a really big loop on its trumpet end.