Forgive me if this topic already exists. I tried searching and found no related threads.
Sometimes, in the monotony of freeways, there is an on-ramp that stands out, because it is fun to drive, it has a great view, or it is especially easy to accelerate to freeway speed without much effort.
Likewise, there are off-ramps for similar reasons. My truck that I drive daily is a 5-speed, so I have an appreciation for off-ramps that I can coast down in neutral, and don't need a lot of braking.
So, what are your favorite ramps and why?
One off-ramp close-by that I like is I-5 northbound at Exit 229, George Hopper Road in Burlington. I usually get off the freeway there on my way home from work, when I need to get gas at the Costco just off the freeway. This ramp is set up so that I get some speed going coming down off the Skagit River bridge, then enough speed that I can coast back up the ramp to the stoplight. Sometimes, if the lights are all timed just right, I can coast in neutral all the way into the Costco parking lot.
https://www.google.com/maps/@48.4476849,-122.3410559,3a,35.7y,1.82h,83.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9p-BLGkYL5gxU9zZSaFgJA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0
I also like I-5 southbound to the West Seattle Freeway at Exit 163A (this is the one at the old Rainier Brewery). When I am going to head west towards West Seattle, I can coast down this off-ramp, and the view of the city is great too.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5741014,-122.3203416,3a,75y,194.72h,90.96t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sh3OJVt5qIwPj-TgNAH74EA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dh3OJVt5qIwPj-TgNAH74EA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D80.01686%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0
I-5 southbound at Exit 162 to Corson Ave and Michigan Street for similar reasons.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5527995,-122.3187401,3a,75y,166.92h,87.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-tEKMe9nVhVmf936WwwhtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0
My all-time favorite ramp in Washington is the Boeing Freeway, SR 526 eastbound to I-5 northbound in south Everett. I usually get some good speed off it, by the time I merge onto I-5 mainline.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.920585,-122.2064946,3a,75y,57.67h,86.32t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sqgrjwTx6Uj685Ks5QT6fAQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DqgrjwTx6Uj685Ks5QT6fAQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D55.034992%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0
What are your favorites?
NY 31 westbound to I-590 northbound.
Completely free flowing, no conflicting movements, and only about a 25-30 degree angle, so you hardly even have to move the steering wheel. The crowning touch is the extended acceleration lane, you can cruise right onto the freeway and worry about merging later. You hardly even notice the transition!
I like the ramp from US 9/20 to the City of Rensselaer. It loops around and while it does you get a great view of the Albany skyline, the circle interchange (which itself is fun to drive), and the USS Slater (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6413063,-73.7470328,3a,75y,325.54h,88.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sABfE41zwdln4e3JCf8IGNQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Later, if you turn your head at the right time, you can see the stub for the South Mall Expressway (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6420631,-73.7455956,3a,75y,8.72h,82.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdV6GClqRt5pavb7Dgmpgsw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).
Other than the ones near my house, where I start or end all my trips, I like the entrance ramps at exit 284 on I-80 in Walcott, IA. They're just about a mile long each, with plenty of room to get up to speed and merge, likely due to the presence of the Iowa 80 truck stop at this exit.
The one that the Illinois Nazis go flying off of in Blues Brothers!
Does anyone here know what ramp that is? As a kid I thought it was the Stevenson/LSD Interchange, but watching it closer, I'm not sure that is it now
^^ That was shot in Milwaukee. I-794 to Lakeshore I believe.
My favorite in MSP is probably the ramp from eastbound I-394 to westbound I-94 in downtown Minneapolis. You get a great sweeping view of downtown as you swoop downward into the maze of bridges above you.
Others:
I-494 westbound to US 169 southbound
The express-lane ramps at 394 and MN 100
Michigan St to northbound I-35 in Duluth
Flyover from I-84 East to I-91 North. Took care of a ridiculous on-city-street "connection."
The I-295 flyover ramp between I-64 and I-295, west of Richmond, VA
Two-lane ramp built (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glen+Allen,+VA/@37.6560544,-77.6068921,723m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b114df041b0259:0x97399c8ba869f1ba!8m2!3d37.665978!4d-77.5063739) in 2009 to replace the original one-lane loop ramp. Negotiable at 65 mph.
I-39/90/94 S/EB to I-94 EB in Madison. If you look back, you can see the lake and the "skyline" (the capitol and a bunch of apartment buildings).
I-94 EB to Zoo NB at the Zoo Interchange.
Anything along the downtown stretch of I-794, and the Marquette Interchange.
Another vote for EB I-394 to WB I-94 in Minneapolis.
I have fond memories of the launch pad ramp from NC-222 to I-795 South in Fremont, NC during my teenage years when I lived in town. :evilgrin:
I would probably say IL-56 spur from westbound I-88, mainly due to the scenery change you find. It pretty much shows the dividing line from suburbs to farmland.
Otherwise any ramp on the I-55/I-90/I-94 interchange/Chinatown feeder system. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8480438,-87.6478824,15z (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8480438,-87.6478824,15z)
I like Exit 1C from southbound I-395 to the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway because it's a long flyover to the left (that replaced a bumpy, potholed old cloverleaf-style loop-around) and I can take the ramp at 50—55 mph depending on which car I'm driving and on whether someone else is ahead of me.
In terms of ramps that are favorites for other reasons, vdeane in particular will think I'm crazy for this, but northbound Exit 24 on the Thruway comes to mind and the reason has nothing to do with the ramp itself per se. Rather, it's a favorite because it's sort of a milestone when we hit that ramp whenever we're heading north–it marks the point where we finally exit the Thruway and the "northeastern toll road complex" to head up the Northway towards Quebec. I love driving through the mountains on the Northway and hitting Exit 24 means we're nearing that part of the trip. (I guess it's sort of like how when I was a kid, my mom liked reaching the southern end of the Jersey Turnpike on the way home from New York because even though it was only the halfway point of the trip, she felt like getting out of Jersey represented a major chunk of the drive being over.)
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 12, 2019, 09:41:48 AM
In terms of ramps that are favorites for other reasons, vdeane in particular will think I'm crazy for this, but northbound Exit 24 on the Thruway comes to mind and the reason has nothing to do with the ramp itself per se. Rather, it's a favorite because it's sort of a milestone when we hit that ramp whenever we're heading north–it marks the point where we finally exit the Thruway and the "northeastern toll road complex" to head up the Northway towards Quebec. I love driving through the mountains on the Northway and hitting Exit 24 means we're nearing that part of the trip. (I guess it's sort of like how when I was a kid, my mom liked reaching the southern end of the Jersey Turnpike on the way home from New York because even though it was only the halfway point of the trip, she felt like getting out of Jersey represented a major chunk of the drive being over.)
I don't think that's crazy. I have the same sort of feeling when returning from the East Coast once we get past Scranton. South and east of there, it's crowded, you never know how traffic is going to be, etc. We have a sort of running joke that it's impossible to go to the East Coast and back without encountering
some sort of stop and go traffic or significant slowdown. So it's a sigh of relief once you get to the final stretch of I-81 heading into Binghamton, and you can cruise into familiar territory, now past the most frustrating and unpredictable part of the trip. Once the CSVT project is complete, getting past Harrisburg will probably elicit similar feelings.
The Circle Interchange has always been my favorite, because on at least two ramps (eastbound I-90/I-94 to Congress Parkway and eastbound I-290 to westbound I-90/I-94), you get a close-up view of the Chicago skyline when it is clear. Another favorite of mine is the Rapid-Fire ramps that lie to the immediate north on I-90/I-94.
I've always been partial to the Lake Shore Drive northbound to I-55 Southbound ramp. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.848092,-87.6117496,3a,75y,317.65h,76.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAxkqdT3ymYwCzniyfM_iJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
The Chicago Skyline ahead, Lake Michigan to the right...
My favorite set of ramps has always been the stack interchange on I-84 in Farmington that was originally built as part of I-291, which was later cancelled. I have memories of passing through that interchange on I-84 in the late 1960s on family trips down the East Coast. Although none of the ramps were opened to traffic, I recall that full overhead sign structures, complete with blank sign panels, were in place, as were luminaries on all the ramps.
Quote from: inkyatari on August 12, 2019, 02:03:36 PM
I've always been partial to the Lake Shore Drive northbound to I-55 Southbound ramp. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.848092,-87.6117496,3a,75y,317.65h,76.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAxkqdT3ymYwCzniyfM_iJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
The Chicago Skyline ahead, Lake Michigan to the right...
That's a good one. Bonus points for being the Married... With Children interchange.
This is a strange topic, but I already had an answer. I like the pair of ramps to and from the Chisholm Trail Parkway near the south end of the road at County Road 1125. This is near the intersection with SH 171, but there's no access to or from the highway because that would require crossing the railroad. The ramps instead go to the county road nearby and climb (or descend) somewhat steeply to cross above the highway and railroad. This half-interchange isn't suitable for larger vehicles, but the terminus of the road at US 67 is nearby for trucks to use. It isn't especially fancy, but it's an interesting solution, connecting two main roads by a minor road, and it eliminates a possible signal along SH 171. It also results in four bridges, for both ramps and main lanes, above the highway.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@32.387777,-97.4176419,496m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Quote from: jaehak on August 12, 2019, 03:54:56 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 12, 2019, 02:03:36 PM
I've always been partial to the Lake Shore Drive northbound to I-55 Southbound ramp. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.848092,-87.6117496,3a,75y,317.65h,76.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAxkqdT3ymYwCzniyfM_iJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
The Chicago Skyline ahead, Lake Michigan to the right...
That's a good one. Bonus points for being the Married... With Children interchange.
Also the
National Lampoon's Vacation interchange.
I should mention that I am also partial to all ramps between I-405 and US 30 at the south/west end of the Fremont Bridge in Portland.
I-595 east to I-95 North, a Hot Wheels-inspired confection whipped up around thirty years ago. Some of the I-595 / Turnpike / FL 84 ramps are the closest thing one gets to elevation changes around those parts, so they stick out in my mind.
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 12, 2019, 09:41:48 AM
In terms of ramps that are favorites for other reasons, vdeane in particular will think I'm crazy for this, but northbound Exit 24 on the Thruway comes to mind and the reason has nothing to do with the ramp itself per se. Rather, it's a favorite because it's sort of a milestone when we hit that ramp whenever we're heading north–it marks the point where we finally exit the Thruway and the "northeastern toll road complex" to head up the Northway towards Quebec. I love driving through the mountains on the Northway and hitting Exit 24 means we're nearing that part of the trip. (I guess it's sort of like how when I was a kid, my mom liked reaching the southern end of the Jersey Turnpike on the way home from New York because even though it was only the halfway point of the trip, she felt like getting out of Jersey represented a major chunk of the drive being over.)
Now that you mention it, I probably should have included that one in my list. Sure, it's not the design one would want for an interstate mainline, but as a native of upstate NY, I tend to think more in terms of Thruway/everything else more so than I-87/I-90. That interchange makes a great gateway, and not just because of the large "welcome to the Capital District" monument next to the toll barrier (exit B1 has one too and it doesn't feel a momentous). It's literally the start/end of a large percentage of my roadtrips, as just about anything to the south or west will involve it (if you want to add in trips to the east, you need only move one interchange over to the Northway/free 90 junction).
Likewise, the ramp from US 20 east to Fuller Road Alternate (the official name of the short section of Northway south of I-90) for heralding the start of the Northway. The progression from a one lane ramp, having the other lane come in from the other direction of US 20, milepost 0 when you cross I-90, and then having the traffic (and two more lanes) come from the I-87 and I-90 ramps feels very grand, at least when traffic isn't an issue.
The ramp from 28th Street to northbound I-83 in Baltimore by Druid Hill. Love it.
I really enjoy the ramp (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2430141,-76.9790077,345m/data=!3m1!1e3) from WB (or is it NB?) PA 581 to the Carlisle Pike. Due to the way the mainline curves, you can sort of just glide into the exit lane, and then it's a nice long ramp with ample time to slow down to the 25 MPH-advisory curve. Since this section of 581 was built in the 1990s to what appears to be interstate standards, the ramps are much better designed than the rest of 581 which was built in the 1960s. For instance, the ramp (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2331227,-76.950396,345m/data=!3m1!1e3) from WB 581 to Central Blvd/Trindle Road is also a 25 MPH-advisory curve, but there is FAR less room to slow down before you enter the curve.
The interconnected web of ramps between exits 62 and 67 on I-4.
EB I-96 to SB US-131 and NB US-131 to WB I-96.
WB I-96 to NB US-31 because if traffic is no issue, you can run 65-70 on that ramp (contrast with the SB US-31 to EB I-96 ramp which is a 25 mph advisory loop ramp with short weaves on both ends of the ramp)
Quote from: vdeane on August 12, 2019, 09:06:37 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 12, 2019, 09:41:48 AM
In terms of ramps that are favorites for other reasons, vdeane in particular will think I'm crazy for this, but northbound Exit 24 on the Thruway comes to mind and the reason has nothing to do with the ramp itself per se. Rather, it's a favorite because it's sort of a milestone when we hit that ramp whenever we're heading north–it marks the point where we finally exit the Thruway and the "northeastern toll road complex" to head up the Northway towards Quebec. I love driving through the mountains on the Northway and hitting Exit 24 means we're nearing that part of the trip. (I guess it's sort of like how when I was a kid, my mom liked reaching the southern end of the Jersey Turnpike on the way home from New York because even though it was only the halfway point of the trip, she felt like getting out of Jersey represented a major chunk of the drive being over.)
Now that you mention it, I probably should have included that one in my list. Sure, it's not the design one would want for an interstate mainline, but as a native of upstate NY, I tend to think more in terms of Thruway/everything else more so than I-87/I-90. That interchange makes a great gateway, and not just because of the large "welcome to the Capital District" monument next to the toll barrier (exit B1 has one too and it doesn't feel a momentous). It's literally the start/end of a large percentage of my roadtrips, as just about anything to the south or west will involve it (if you want to add in trips to the east, you need only move one interchange over to the Northway/free 90 junction).
....
Heh, I figured you'd say I was crazy because of the strange design and the traffic. I do sort of enjoy the reverse S-curve layout heading north on I-87, though no doubt the fact that I don't have to drive through there very often is a factor in that opinion!
It will probably get more annoying when the toll booths are removed and the curve becomes the main thing requiring slowing down (though really, my car can take even the inside curve at 30-40 just fine in good weather; meanwhile, I-90 will be free-flow when that happens, and the weave will probably become more of a factor when traffic is moving at freeway speeds instead of slowing down for the toll barrier).
Of course, the fact that I only deal with it when traveling out of town helps - and living where I do, I'm generally in the off-peak direction. I usually take I-787 when accessing the area around exit 23 (not just to shunpike but also because the portion of I-787 around downtown is interesting and because it feels weird to hop on the Thruway when staying within a metro area (though it's unavoidable to get to Schenectady)).
Quote from: epzik8 on August 12, 2019, 09:54:53 PM
The ramp from 28th Street to northbound I-83 in Baltimore by Druid Hill. Love it.
Good one. That whole interchange is cool.
Quote from: roadman on August 12, 2019, 04:34:53 PM
Quote from: jaehak on August 12, 2019, 03:54:56 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 12, 2019, 02:03:36 PM
I've always been partial to the Lake Shore Drive northbound to I-55 Southbound ramp. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.848092,-87.6117496,3a,75y,317.65h,76.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAxkqdT3ymYwCzniyfM_iJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
The Chicago Skyline ahead, Lake Michigan to the right...
That's a good one. Bonus points for being the Married... With Children interchange.
Also the National Lampoon's Vacation interchange.
Good call.
Quote from: vdeane on August 13, 2019, 12:50:01 PM
it feels weird to hop on the Thruway when staying within a metro area (though it's unavoidable to get to Schenectady)).
I second that. But what's wrong with taking NY 7 to Schenectady?
Mine are the ramps on I-95 at Exit 74A (VA 195) in downtown Richmond.
In Florida, I-10 westbound to I-75 northbound, Exit 296B. You don't even have to slow down. I've taken that ramp at 80 MPH before.
Quote from: webny99 on August 13, 2019, 11:17:13 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 13, 2019, 12:50:01 PM
it feels weird to hop on the Thruway when staying within a metro area (though it's unavoidable to get to Schenectady)).
I second that. But what's wrong with taking NY 7 to Schenectady?
Lights are annoying (though they're better on the Colonie side than the Niskayuna/Schenectady side). Plus I prefer to use the freeway system to get around metro areas where reasonable, and it's only a couple minutes longer to take the Thruway.
Quote from: vdeane on August 14, 2019, 12:57:49 PM
Quote from: webny99 on August 13, 2019, 11:17:13 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 13, 2019, 12:50:01 PM
it feels weird to hop on the Thruway when staying within a metro area (though it's unavoidable to get to Schenectady)).
I second that. But what's wrong with taking NY 7 to Schenectady?
Lights are annoying (though they're better on the Colonie side than the Niskayuna/Schenectady side). Plus I prefer to use the freeway system to get around metro areas where reasonable, and it's only a couple minutes longer to take the Thruway.
I can see that. I guess it's a bit like taking NY 104 vs NY 531 to get from the east side to the Hamlin/Clarkson areas. Just with tolls on the freeway route, obviously. :)
Always liked the flyover from SB CA 85 to NB CA 87 in the Almaden Valley section of San Jose, since that ramp becomes the leftmost 2 lanes of CA 87, and you don't have to put up with merging traffic from both NB CA 85 and Santa Teresa Blvd. (the functional surface extension of 87) for a while (and can build up the requisite speed to negotiate your space). Unfortunately, north of there along CA 87 the ramp situation is pretty deplorable; getting on and off is complicated by lane drops and adds plus short distances between them (particularly from the Alma on-ramp north through downtown, including the I-280 "mini-stack").
my current favorite type of interchanges is the SPUI. Relatively intuitive, no weaving and only one signal to deal with.
I have a few
I-40 east to I-540 east. Raleigh NC. big swooping curve and the top of the stack of ramps. US 70 west to I-540 west is much the same.
US 74 east to I-85 north. near Charlotte NC. the ramp lanes are in between the I-85 mainline lanes. creates a unique weave interchange.
I-26 eastern terminus to US 17 north towards the Ravenel bridge. the ramp gives and epic view of downtown Charleston and the coast.
every ramp at the northern I-85/I-485 interchange. gotta love a big turbine.
The I-78 East to I-287 South ramp is awesome. And it works well going the other way too (I-287 North to I-78 West). No advisory speed, two lanes that get their own lanes on I-287 so no merge jam and other than semi trucks, a lot of traffic maintains speed all the way through it and then you are on I-287 in what I guess would be the local lanes. That stretch of I-287 between I-78 to just past the US-202 ramps is very odd. Local lanes, express lanes in both directions and if you are in the express (inside lanes) going South on I-287 you have 1 opportunity to cross over to the local (outside) lanes. The reverse is not true but except in the case of an accident there is really no point in crossing between local and express because there is exactly one exit in that stretch of road and it's a left exit from the express lanes and a right exit from the locals and there is rarely any predictable advantage to using one vs the other. Feels like they intended to have HOV lanes but changed their mind but it works very well as it is.
Really the entirety of I-287 from Edison North to the NY state line is easily my favorite road in an area not generally known for fun fast flowing freeways.
I do hate how 78 and 287 roads are in the same area though. Maybe I'm a little dyslexic or something.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6404591,-74.645214,1813m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
If there's zero curvature, it hardly qualifies as a ramp. I prefer a bit of curvature and a bit of elevation change, but both gradual and smooth enough that you have good sightlines, it's still navigable at freeway speeds, and no braking is required. Decent shoulder width helps too.
I've always liked the ramp from EB I-64/US 40 to Market St in St Louis (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6319211,-90.2320691,459m/data=!3m1!1e3). It first official jumps off to Bernard St but it's really just more ramp there, then curves under the highway just as it becomes a double-decker freeway, goes over the Forest Park Parkway ramps, and becomes Market St at the intersection of Compton. The bonus is you drive two blocks and the street bends slightly so it heads directly for the Arch (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6310167,-90.2148888,3a,38.4y,99.82h,86.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sO1EE3OuOL6iowfkU6N-LSA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DO1EE3OuOL6iowfkU6N-LSA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D11.909986%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656). It's not the best part of town, but it's actually pretty safe as it's between the two campuses of St Louis University.
The nearby ramps for the never built I-755 west of downtown (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6281167,-90.2121808,792m/data=!3m1!1e3) are also great fun.
NB I-25 to WB US 6. CDOT just rebuilt the entire interchange and this movement used to be a cloverleaf. Now they have separated the lanes that continue west from the 6th Ave arterial to the 6th Ave Freeway and the lanes from I-25 until you pass the Federal Blvd interchange. Now there is a lot less weaving than before. Probably something they should do with this stretch of I-25.
https://goo.gl/maps/3FQnXboSGh3zp8YKA
Quote from: webny99 on August 21, 2019, 07:28:42 PM
If there's zero curvature, it hardly qualifies as a ramp.
When I use a box truck, I prefer that the loading ramp have no curvature whatsoever.
SR 526 to NB I-5 (The Flyover) - Everett, WA. Built by Boeing as part of their expansion of their Paine Field facility, this left exit ramp, allows for high-speed transfers from SR 526 to I-5.
My favorite on-ramp is where Lower Wacker Drive transitions onto the outbound Eisenhower here (https://goo.gl/maps/y1pfxfqNjSvtShF69). Having been underground for a while along an iconic stretch of road, you suddenly burst into daylight for a brief moment, then back into a tunnel again that turns you 180° and onto an expressway–then the first two things you encounter are a drawbridge and a passage through the middle of the old post office building.
Quote from: bemybear on August 21, 2019, 12:55:38 PM
The I-78 East to I-287 South ramp is awesome. And it works well going the other way too (I-287 North to I-78 West). No advisory speed, two lanes that get their own lanes on I-287 so no merge jam and other than semi trucks, a lot of traffic maintains speed all the way through it and then you are on I-287 in what I guess would be the local lanes. That stretch of I-287 between I-78 to just past the US-202 ramps is very odd. Local lanes, express lanes in both directions and if you are in the express (inside lanes) going South on I-287 you have 1 opportunity to cross over to the local (outside) lanes. The reverse is not true but except in the case of an accident there is really no point in crossing between local and express because there is exactly one exit in that stretch of road and it's a left exit from the express lanes and a right exit from the locals and there is rarely any predictable advantage to using one vs the other. Feels like they intended to have HOV lanes but changed their mind but it works very well as it is.
Having grown up in the area, I never thought of the dual-dual section of I-287 (I-78 to the south US 202/206 interchange) as being local/express. Rather, they keep the two major flows in each direction completely separated without them using any common roadway. The two major flows are I-78 west of the dual-dual section to/from I-287 south of it and I-287 north of it to US 202/206 south of it. There's no local or express as there's no intervening interchanges.
By the same token, the arrangement at the north end of the NJ Turnpike along with I-95 through traffic being encouraged to use the western leg of the Tunrpike has the same effect of keeping two major flows completely separated there: I-95 at Newark Airport to/from the George Washington Bridge and I-80 to/from the Lincoln Tunnel.
I personally think NJDOT and the Turnpike put far more thought into the design of those extended interchanges than they're given credit for.
US 30 eastbound through the Fremont Stack; Kerby Ave to I-405 in the opposite direction
I-5 south to I-205 north in Tualatin -- sweeping ramp over a mile long going under the two higher levels of the interchange
I-205 exit 19 southbound to Powell Blvd... when I'm not stuck behind someone going 45
from I-94 west to I-75 south, start with a view of the famous total auto manufactured in the USA sign and a View of the skyline of Detroit as you turn to I-75.
From I-96 east to I-75 South. a view of the Ambassador Bridge as you switch freeways
The Lodge (M-10) at Jefferson. this is the beginnings of the Lodge and the road drop below street level and goes under Cobo Hall.
My favorite on ramp to any freeway was Thunderbird Road onto AZ 51 southbound in Phoenix. The ramp is straight as can be, had a sound barrier so nobody can see what you're up to and has virtually no traffic. It was a lot of fun launching onto the freeway in a fast car and have plenty of time to reign back in to a reasonable traffic speed. It probably doesn't hurt that Thunderbird probably is pretty up there for cool road name, definitely doesn't hurt to name anything after a monster bird that created thunder when it flaps it's wings.
As a kid, one on-ramp I enjoyed was the one from MA 114 to I-95 northbound (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5604505,-70.9723549,3a,75y,40.85h,76.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZGF_MoU3ovNGK6_nGBuv5g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656); particularly how it meandered a bit before merging onto I-95. Back when the ramp first opened in circa 1974, there was a lot less tree coverage between I-95 and the ramps than today (GSV is from Oct. 2012). When looking south, one could see the overpass over MA 114 and I-95 with its BGS' (backside) in the distance.
Another favorite in Baltimore, is the flyover ramp from I-395 (the Cal Ripken Expressway) to I-95 northbound (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2690267,-76.6243113,3a,75y,174.74h,94.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIv7waGFJKpJ6xPrSssCgyQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) just prior to the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
Closer to where I live now, the on-ramp from Front/Market Streets in Philadelphia to I-95 southbound (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9492492,-75.1420188,3a,75y,189.74h,78.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sx_xzd4Z8VPCnsq_nnMHFpQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). I call this the warp-speed ramp because the lane doesn't end once it meets I-95. If there's nobody in front; one can literally gun it (in terms of acceleration).
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
one can literally gun it.
We have enough mass shootings these days, sir.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 02:50:17 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
one can literally gun it.
We have enough mass shootings these days, sir.
I'll assume that you're being facetious with the above-post; but in case you're not, such is an old expression for stepping on the accelerator.
Probably the I-84 C/D setup in Manchester. Well-engineered and works well with the topography.
A future contender will probably be the I-91 Exit 29 complex once it's finished in a couple years.
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 03:42:43 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 02:50:17 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
one can literally gun it.
We have enough mass shootings these days, sir.
I'll assume that you're being facetious with the above-post; but in case you're not, such is an old expression for stepping on the accelerator.
You said "literally". Was I not supposed to take you literally?
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 04:25:36 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 03:42:43 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 02:50:17 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
one can literally gun it.
We have enough mass shootings these days, sir.
I'll assume that you're being facetious with the above-post; but in case you're not, such is an old expression for stepping on the accelerator.
You said "literally". Was I not supposed to take you literally?
I should've mentioned this earlier; how about
including the previous sentence of my earlier reply (reposted below with
bold emphasis). Such provides better context.
Quote from: PHLBOS on August 27, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
I call this the warp-speed ramp because the lane doesn't end once it meets I-95. If there's nobody in front; one can literally gun it.
That said, I personally think you know darn well what I meant.
That's a "no", then. :thumbsup:
^^Phrase (in terms of acceleration) has since been added to my original post.
My new favorite is I-94 east to I-41 north at the Zoo Interchange.
Quote from: thspfc on August 31, 2019, 09:33:57 AM
My new favorite is I-94 east to I-41 north at the Zoo Interchange.
+1
I'm partial to the onramp for exit 181 on I 75/71 south, burlington pike (ky 18), the exit right before the world famous "Florence Y'all" watertower. it is the longest onramp that I have ever experienced and every time I use that portion of highway, I make an excuse to get off there just so I can take that onramp.
i mean, it runs next to the highway and it's got a chicane on it. what's not to love?
the reason why I can't include the northbound on ramp is because I've not gotten off at that particular exit, plus I recently found where that on ramp begins. it doesn't start next to the highway and I would never have found it if I weren't looking for it.
i wonder what the longest onramp on the system is.
One of my favorites is the IN-445 exit off I-69 near Cincinnati, IN.
My absolute favorite is somewhere in the Virginias, there are a couple exits that curve off in weird directions because of the mountainous terrain. Driving on the interstates through the Appalachians is really neat.