Hey there.
I was reading the "I-64 in Indiana" thread, and it had me thinking...about the opposite.
The Indiana portion of I-64 is said to be the one of the most beautiful experiences in interstate driving. However, there are stretches that, personally, makes me want to say, "Please end this."
Two great examples here: the stretch on I-65 between U.S. 231 in Crown Point and Indianapolis (with minor exception in Lafayette) is just open field and not much else. It has been tempered a bit by the wind turbines installed north of Lafayette in 2009, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.
The stretch of I-55 from I-80 to I-74 in Illinois is just death. There's absolutely nothing going on. The only fun there is if you somehow drive alongside an Amtrak train coasting along the tracks that sit just east of the highway.
What examples do you have? Share them here. I thank you for your time.
Heh, my 1-9 years of life were spent with way, way too much time on I-65 in NW Indiana due to constant trips from Chicago to Ohio. It's amazing I'm a road enthusiast after that.
Maybe it's a grass is greener on the other side thing (been in the west since late 97), but I'll take the vegetation of the midwest over fields of sagebrush any day.
US 20 from Riverton WY to Casper, WY
US 20 from Bend OR to Ontario OR, made worse by the inexplicable double nickel speed limit
I-84 from I-86 to I-15
I-70 from Denver east to pretty much wherever the Flint Hills start
SR 86 in Arizona- yeah, there's mountains there but those are entertaining for 30 seconds
US-2 from Wenatchee to Spokane WA
Nevada
I-5 from Redding south to Sacramento. And 505.
The Indy 500.
Quote from: corco on March 07, 2013, 12:15:47 AM
Nevada
:-D
US 60 west of Richmond exurbia
I-85 between Petersburg and Henderson
(Insert long rural central VA state route besides 6, 45, or 153 here)
I-90 through southern Minnesota (west of Rochester)
I-39 in Illinois and central Wisconsin
I-80/*90 Cheyenne east to, well, at least Erie.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 07, 2013, 12:16:29 AM
I-5 from Redding south to Sacramento. And 505.
Done that many times. Although, I still don't think it's nearly as bad as I-5 from Stockton down to Wheeler Ridge.
Interstate 16 in Georgia
I-80 between Wendover and Toole, Utah, across the salt flats. Straight, flat, and monochrome. I'll take the Midwest and Plains interstates over that any day of the week. Those have color and curves on their side. I-39, I-55, and I-80 at very interesting, IMHO.
I-15 between Barstow, CA and Las Vegas, NV. Again, very monochromatic and boring, IMHO.
US-395 between CA-14 and Bishop was almost as bad. You couldn't even tell when the mountains were there.
In PA:
I-78 from the first US 22 merge in the west to Hamburg in the east. Long... straight... rural... not as long as others, but I take it fairly often.
The Turnpike isn't quite like that. It's not laser-straight, but west of Valley Forge where it starts to have trees on either side, it's very repetitive.
I-10 in West Texas. Such a long and boring 500 miles and home to my only recent case of sleeping on a road trip.
The majority of I-95 between Richmond and Jacksonville. OK, maybe the 1st time or two it's interesting, but it gets old quick.
QuoteI-80 Cheyenne east to, well, at least Erie.
That's a drive I find quite interesting, but the frame of mind has to be shifted to a more macro view. Cheyenne is so completely different from Erie, and the transition so subtle, it's really quite cool.
If you could do that drive at 300 MPH (realizing that I-80 doesn't go to Erie), it would be more obviously entertaining.
QuoteI-80 between Wendover and Toole, Utah, across the salt flats.
With you on that- that's another one of those drives that's interesting for five minutes and then you just want to get to SLC
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 07, 2013, 10:24:49 AM
The majority of I-95 between Richmond and Jacksonville. OK, maybe the 1st time or two it's interesting, but it gets old quick.
Now that the old funny South of the Border billboards are gone and replaced with politically correct versions, I'll agree with you there. I enjoyed the old non-PC billboards and they at least made the part of the drive prior to South of the Border a bit more interesting. It was always more fun if you had a passenger who hadn't seen those billboards before, though.
I find Florida's Turnpike from the Lantana barrier to Fort Pierce to be boring. I limit it to that segment because we've never had reason to stay on the Turnpike north of there. I'd find the Bee Line (FL-528) boring as well except that the traffic is usually pretty heavy and moving at fairly high speeds. I guess that means the road itself is boring but the act of driving it is not, if that makes any sense.
I've only driven across Ohio on I-70 to Dayton one time, so it wasn't boring to me because it was somewhere new, but if I made that trip more often I'd find it mind-numbing (as my wife does, since she's driven it hundreds of times over the years–she grew up there). Relatively flat, nothing much to see, fair amount of traffic. Only saving grace was listening to the Nationals game on XM radio. I doubt it's a drive I'll ever make very often, though, because (a) she only has one relative left there and (b) on the way home I tried taking US-50 to I-79 and I enjoyed that a lot more than I-70 so in the future I'd go that way.
I also agree with Takumi about I-85 from Petersburg to Henderson, especially the Virginia portion because it's basically just a long canyon cut through the trees. (What used to frustrate me in the 1990s was that no matter how fast I drove on that road, sometimes upwards of 95 mph, it always took me four hours to get from Durham to Fairfax County.)
NY 104 around Sodus Point is pretty boring. Trees, trees, and more trees. Little else.
I echo the vote for I-39 in Illinois.
I haven't driven in Wyoming, but I hear I might change my vote if I did.
I-35 between San Antonio and Laredo is also pretty boring, as is Mexican highway 85(D) between Laredo and the Mamulique area–especially the latter, since there are no towns.
The NY Thruway, especially west of Syracuse. Just cars and trees. Always has been the least favorite part of my semi-frequent trips to Rochester.
Quote from: NE2 on March 07, 2013, 12:18:51 AM
The Indy 500.
That's the best race in the world. I go to it almost eevery year. I even go to pole day. :spin:
Interstate 75 in GEorgia is pretty boring, mainly because you feel like you're never going to get out of GEorgia and finally get into Florida.
I-80 Nebraska
I-5 from Woodland to Red Bluff and Los Banos to Wheeler Ridge and Eugene to Tigard
I-90 from the Columbia to Spokane
Quote from: US 41 on March 07, 2013, 11:51:46 AM
Interstate 75 in GEorgia is pretty boring, mainly because you feel like you're never going to get out of GEorgia and finally get into Florida.
Interstate 75 in FLorida ain't much more to write about either...
Two east-west freeways in the old Confederacy between I-95 and Atlantic Ocean seaport cities.
- Virginia's I-64 between I-295 and Newport News; and
- South Carolina's I-26 between I-95 and Summerville.
Both are four-lane freeways with a relatively high percentage of truck traffic, with a heavily-treed median and on forests on both sides (though SCDOT has plans to chop most of them on the median of I-26) with little to see in either direction.
Quote from: Brandon on March 07, 2013, 06:38:18 AM
US-395 between CA-14 and Bishop was almost as bad. You couldn't even tell when the mountains were there.
did you drive it when it was overcast or something? that's one of my absolute favorite stretches of road in California.
the only parts of 395 that suck are the first few miles in Adelanto (I always take Air Expressway to avoid most of that), the Nevada line to I-580, and a bit of the northern dregs of Spokane. the rest is all excellent scenery.
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
It seems we've established that one should avoid interstates in Illinois. Many of the two-laners really aren't too bad, especially in the south, but I agree that several stretches of interstate are rather boring. A good example of the difference would be mostly dull I-64 between Mount Vernon and Grayville: IL-15 to IL-130, while slightly longer, provides a more scenic drive. Even IL-37 from Dix to Goreville is more scenic than the very closely parallel I-57, but that alternative will take a driver much more time due to the many towns along the way. Unfortunately for I-70, the stretches of US-40 I've driven weren't much better.
I love quiet and desolation, so to me west Texas is beautiful, although most would consider it boring. I like back roads anywhere. Driving in a big city isn't boring, though. To me what's boring is a busy Interstate away from big cities, like most of I-35 between DFW and Austin. There's too much traffic and construction to appreciate the bits of natural landscape that are left along the route. I'm also bored by semi-urban highways having neither natural landscape nor big-city features. No specific one stands out.
Quotethe only parts of 395 that suck are the first few miles in Adelanto (I always take Air Expressway to avoid most of that), the Nevada line to I-580, and a bit of the northern dregs of Spokane. the rest is all excellent scenery.
Actually, I was going to throw 395 between the Tri-Cities and Spokane as another really boring stretch of road- you like that area?
QuoteTo me what's boring is a busy Interstate away from big cities, like most of I-35 between DFW and Austin. There's too much traffic and construction to appreciate the bits of natural landscape that are left along the route. I'm also bored by semi-urban highways having neither natural landscape nor big-city features. No specific one stands out.
Amen to that- if I never did another Phoenix->Tucson haul, it would be too soon.
Quote from: corco on March 07, 2013, 01:40:59 PM
Actually, I was going to throw 395 between the Tri-Cities and Spokane as another really boring stretch of road- you like that area?
actually, yes. not as much as, say, WA-26 or any of the rural two-laners, but for a freeway it's really not bad. it does get a bit suburban around Spokane, but as long as I'm going 75mph, I do not mind it. it's a hell of a lot better than 25mph with endless traffic lights in Mindenville, NV.
I-75 north of Bay City, MI is pretty boring. The highway runs through a forest pretty from north of Bay City all the way through the border at SSM. Of course, the Mighty Mac bridge is a noteworthy exception.
Quote from: NE2 on March 07, 2013, 12:18:51 AM
The Indy 500. Any NASCAR restrictor plate race.
FTFY.
I suppose that may start an argument between the NASCAR and open-wheel fans.
Anyway, the most boring drive I had was when I was a tween, riding across Kansas in July on US 50 in a non-AC car. We could roll down the windows to get a little air and be caked with dust or roll them up and nearly suffocate. OK, maybe it was more miserable than boring. The only good part, other than Dodge City, was reaching eastern Colorado and seeing the Rockies start looming on the horizon. The boredom of Kansas made the beauty of the mountains even sweeter.
I-71 in between the Columbus metro area and the Cincinnati metro area.
Any straight section of highway on a plain is boring.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 07, 2013, 01:23:45 PM
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
There's that giant cross in Effingham.
Try going from Indy to Memphis via 70-57-55 some time. That was easily the most boring trip I've been on.
Quote from: wxfree on March 07, 2013, 01:40:10 PM
To me what's boring is a busy Interstate away from big cities, like most of I-35 between DFW and Austin. There's too much traffic and construction to appreciate the bits of natural landscape that are left along the route.
I wouldn't call that stretch of road boring. Its certainly not fun.
Quote from: kphoger on March 07, 2013, 01:31:38 PM
It seems we've established that one should avoid interstates in Illinois.
I couldn't agree more. When I was a kid in Minnesota, my grandparents lived in one of the towns of the Illinois river valley and to get there, we exited the NW tollway at Genoa Road and took a whole bunch of different roads to get to my grandparent's house. Then they built I-39 south of Rockford and I dreaded that road from the day it was built. And the last time I was on it, it wasn't any better.
I'm not a fan of I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis and I-55 from West Memphis to I-57. You can add I-57 from Mt. Vernon to I-80 to that list too. Out west, US 62-180 between El Paso and Carlsbad was bad too, and the drive been Carlsbad and Hobbs wasn't much better.
NJ 70 or NJ72 in the pine barrens, miles upon miles of nothing.
Can't second the I-39 in IL posts enough. I generally can't sleep in the car, gotta be looking at all the sights. I slept through most of I-39, only waking up around Rockford or so.
US-412 and friends through the Oklahoma Panhandle is pure torture. Flat, featureless, two-lane, and there's traffic. Did it once, trapped behind a guy I mentally referred to as Boat Ass, and I don't really have much of an inclination to go up there ever again.
I-35 (the Kansas Turnpike) through the Flint Hills is a stretch I always dread. It does have some scenery and curves, but I've done it enough times to be numb to those, and the lack of exits makes it seem a lot more featureless than it otherwise would. I-44 in northeast Oklahoma (the Will Rogers Turnpike) is another one I hate; I've done it even more often than the Flint Hills part of I-35, and it's even more featureless. It shares the Kansas Turnpike's lack of exits. I guess it's just the feeling of not making any progress because you're not seeing exits fly past that makes these two stretches of road seem tedious.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 07, 2013, 06:41:10 PMI guess it's just the feeling of not making any progress because you're not seeing exits fly past that makes these two stretches of road seem tedious.
that is the problem with I-10 in Florida as well. I think there's a stretch of 28 miles between exits. add to that those extra-tall trees blocking the view. you'd think you're completely out in the middle of nowhere, but this isn't true - US-90 parallels it and it has plenty of little towns.
How about the southern portion of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJ 700)? There's really not much there, and the exits are pretty far apart.
I love I-35 through the Flint Hills.
Quote from: US 41 on March 07, 2013, 11:51:46 AM
Interstate 75 in Georgia is pretty boring, mainly because you feel like you're never going to get out of Georgia and finally get into Florida.
See, I actually did like the stretch of I-75 from Chattanooga to Atlanta. However, that's the only portion of I-75 I drove in Georgia, so what's south of there is oblivious to me.
What was really worrisome about I-75 in that section is that if you do the speed limit - or even five over (70 to 75) - you'll
still get swallowed up by traffic.
Quote from: bugo on March 07, 2013, 07:47:57 PM
I love I-35 through the Flint Hills.
so do I - but I've only driven it once.
QuoteUS-412 and friends through the Oklahoma Panhandle is pure torture. Flat, featureless, two-lane, and there's traffic. Did it once, trapped behind a guy I mentally referred to as Boat Ass, and I don't really have much of an inclination to go up there ever again.
I actually enjoy the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. The sheer flatness of it is kind of awe-inspiring.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 07, 2013, 06:41:10 PMI-35 (the Kansas Turnpike) through the Flint Hills is a stretch I always dread. It does have some scenery and curves, but I've done it enough times to be numb to those, and the lack of exits makes it seem a lot more featureless than it otherwise would.
When I drive on the Turnpike between Wichita and Topeka, the part I dread is always the length between Emporia and South Topeka (MP 127 to MP 177), not the high Flint Hills stretch (MP 92 to MP 127). Yes, the latter is 35 miles between interchanges, but it is not 35 miles between exits because of the Matfield Green service area and the cattle pens. On the other hand, the former has no service areas and is a completely closed corridor except for the Admire exit (MP 147).
Quote from: corco on March 07, 2013, 08:20:38 PM
QuoteUS-412 and friends through the Oklahoma Panhandle is pure torture. Flat, featureless, two-lane, and there's traffic. Did it once, trapped behind a guy I mentally referred to as Boat Ass, and I don't really have much of an inclination to go up there ever again.
I actually enjoy the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. The sheer flatness of it is kind of awe-inspiring.
Have you been to the Delta, such as southeastern Arkansas?
I have not, but I can't imagine it could be flatter than the Panhandles
Unlike most of the others in here, I've always found those midwest interstates (ie, I-39, I-57, etc.) to be strangely interesting drives.
:spin:
OTOH, My first drive down I-90 between I-271 in the Cleveland, OH area and the Pennsylvania state line bored me to tears.
As for within my home state of Wisconsin, my only real boredom-central ride is the WI 26 and US 151 corridor between US(I)-41 in Oshkosh (and Fond du Lac, for that matter) and the Madison area. It is, to me, the epitome of boredom!
:sleep:
Mike
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 07, 2013, 10:24:49 AM
The majority of I-95 between Richmond and Jacksonville. OK, maybe the 1st time or two it's interesting, but it gets old quick.
This is what I was going to say as well. I've driven I-95 from the New Jersey Turnpike to Cocoa, FL, and once you get past Richmond and Petersburg there's not much at all interesting until you get to Jacksonville. Even from there there's not much to see until you get near Miami, almost 200 more miles down.
A-10 from Magog to Montreal. There's some interesting stuff to see if you poke around interchanges and whatnot, but the drive done straight through without stopping is boring as hell.
I-70 from Kansas City to Denver was a lot of fun once but I'd want to shoot myself if I had to do it frequently and repeatedly. I-70 across Missouri was boring even the first time.
Quote from: Takumi on March 07, 2013, 12:25:17 AM
US 60 west of Richmond exurbia
Ugh, anything with suburban vomit would win for me as most boring route. But yes, that vomit in particular is so jarring when you are driving eastbound from the awesomeness of the woods, abandoned gas stations, and cute little county seat towns with Courthouse in the name.
Runners up...
When I was about 10, we took a family trip down to Alabama, and I remember I-85 in NC boring me to tears. I think more than anything, I just don't like driving on the same road for hundreds of miles with no change in anything...which is probably why I'm not a fan of the PA turnpike once you are past the tunnels (I love the tunnels). Strangely, I like Breezewood because it's a nice change of pace, lol.
Admittingly, I haven't driven enough of the country to experience the rural midwest, west, and south...
I-65 between Gary and Indianapolis - Trucks on trucks on trucks and only two lanes each way
I-94 in most of Michigan - see I-65
I-75 between Macon, GA and Wildwood, FL - every exit, especially in Georgia, used to like exactly the same, and watch out for Turner County/Ashburn cops (at least it's mostly three lanes now!)
Florida's Turnpike between Orlando and Fort Pierce
Ohio Turnpike
Most interstates in Illinois would not be so bad if Illinois set its speed limits at a more reasonable 75. But IMHO at this moment I-72 between Jacksonville and the western edge of Springfield and I-72 between the Riverton Exit (#108) to the western edge of Decatur is the most boring in Illinois.
For some reason the section of US 20 in Iowa near I-35 stands out as one of the most boring freeways I've driven.
I-16 and I-40 from NLR to West Memphis.
When I drove US 60 west from VA 288 after the first Richmond meet a few years ago, I thought it would never end. I actually welcomed getting to the mountain crossing between Amherst and Buena Vista. Straight and rolling and no ability to use a radar detector to drive faster than the painfully-slow 55 mph speed limit.
Others...
I-64 west of Louisville to St. Louis. Sorry to those of you who like I-64 through southern Indiana. There's nothing about that stretch that excites me. Also I-64 between Richmond and Charlottesville.
I-55 from Cape Girardeau to Memphis.
I-70 from roughly Manhattan, Kansas to Denver.
I-71 between Cincy and C-bus.
I-75 in Ohio all the way from Cincy to Toledo.
I-70 in Ohio (are we sensing a pattern here?)
I-40 from Nashville to Memphis.
I-79 in West Virginia (only because I've driven it a zillion times).
I-81 from Winchester to the I-78 split.
Pardon me if already mentioned, but I-94 from its junction with I-90 near Billings, MT all the way across godawful ND and not much better until the WI state line.
I-10 between El Paso and San Antonio, hands down.
I've driven along I-5 between Wheeler Ridge and the 580 split so many times that I don't mind the long, boring stretches of nothing.
US-30 in Indiana between Valparaiso and Fort Wayne. The only "interesting" parts are the stoplights.
[epiphany]Maybe that's why INDOT lined that road with all of those lights![/epiphany]
The Seney Stretch on M-28 between Shingleton and Seney has been called the most boring section of highway in the state.
- Staff (2006). "Michigan Fall Color Tours: Munising, Newberry, Grand Marais (http://web.archive.org/web/20061221021805/http://www.michigan.org/travel/drivingtours/detail.asp?cid=07E9B11E-0EE0-4F08-B88D-7DA087A490D6&da=y&m=9;1)". Pure Michigan Travel. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on December 21, 2006.
- Hunt, Mary & Hunt, Don (2007). "Shingleton (http://hunts-upguide.com/shingleton.html)". Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Albion, MI: Midwestern Guides.
Quote from: Some_Person on March 07, 2013, 09:50:43 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 07, 2013, 10:24:49 AM
The majority of I-95 between Richmond and Jacksonville. OK, maybe the 1st time or two it's interesting, but it gets old quick.
This is what I was going to say as well. I've driven I-95 from the New Jersey Turnpike to Cocoa, FL, and once you get past Richmond and Petersburg there's not much at all interesting until you get to Jacksonville. Even from there there's not much to see until you get near Miami, almost 200 more miles down.
I'll agree with this too. The portions of US 301 I've driven on this stretch, while slower (far slower in a few places), are infinitely more interesting. Same with US 1 parallel to I-85 that I mentioned before.
Quote from: kphoger on March 07, 2013, 01:31:38 PM
It seems we've established that one should avoid interstates in Illinois. Many of the two-laners really aren't too bad, especially in the south, but I agree that several stretches of interstate are rather boring.
Actually, there are some stretches in Illinois that I don't mind... I-80, I-90, and I-57 aren't bad in my opinion. The only stretch of I-55 I've been on is the stretch between Bloomington and Joliet, and that was pretty boring from what I can recall on my drive there in 2004.
Quote from: wxfree on March 07, 2013, 01:40:10 PM
I love quiet and desolation, so to me west Texas is beautiful, although most would consider it boring. I like back roads anywhere.
Last summer, as part of a cross-country road trip, I had the chance to drive across the Texas Panhandle on I-40. It was extremely flat, and there were no trees for miles and miles and miles. However, I found it fascinating... not boring. I absolutely LOVED that drive.
For me, any highway I'm driving on for the first time is exciting... not boring. I should clarify my previous statement about I-70 in Illinois being boring. After driving on I-40 across New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma and I-44 from Oklahoma City to St. Louis (seeings lots of exciting billboards and interesting exits), I-70 was so bland ... no interesting billboards, no interesting exits, or anything. BLAH (but still exciting given that it was my first time on that).
Quote from: InterstateNG on March 07, 2013, 04:35:24 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 07, 2013, 01:23:45 PM
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
There's that giant cross in Effingham.
Yep... I got a picture of that as I was driving. Did you know there's also a similar cross like that on I-40 in the Texas Panhandle (somewhere east of Amarillo)?
Quote from: InterstateNG on March 07, 2013, 04:35:24 PM
Try going from Indy to Memphis via 70-57-55 some time. That was easily the most boring trip I've been on.
I've been on all of that. In April 2012 I had a chance to go from my home state of Michigan down to Memphis for a weekend (attending a road meet). We took I-57 to I-55. I didn't mind that drive at all. In your example, the hardest part for me would be the I-70 stretch from Indy to Effingham. The rest would be fun for me.
As a former truck driver, "boring," = easy driving, and Vice versa. That being said, my favorite was I-16, as I could drive the length of it with very little interaction with others. In the 1980's, I could leave Denver at midnight on I-70 east, and see an an average of 3-5 cars per hour headed west, all the way to Topeka. I would frequently neither be passed nor overtake anyone else eastbound. Now all roads are way busier, of course!
I-10 between Laplace and Baton Rouge - partly because I've traversed this stretch uncountable times, plus nothing but featureless woodlands for miles. The spillway bridge to the east is excluded since the scenery is far superior, plus you can see the New Orleans skyline on clear days.
I-12 between Denham Springs and Slidell - see above, then throw in heavy truck traffic for good measure.
I-55 from Hammond to just south of Jackson - nothing but forestland for miles with little in between. Of course, much the same can be said of many southern interstates.
Those rides in Louisiana get more interesting when the love bugs are a-flyin'! :sleep:
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 07, 2013, 01:23:45 PM
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
But there is foot-high pie!
The thing with Louisiana is even the backroads aren't all that entertaining when you're not passing through a town in the central part of the state- Louisiana 34, for instance, is amusing from a driving perspective because that's a narrow road with terribly graded curves, but in terms of scenery the foliage is so dense you can't see more than .05 miles off the road at any given point, and that stops being interesting after a few minutes, even when you've just come from Tucson and haven't seen a tree in six months.
Quote from: bulldog1979 on March 08, 2013, 09:13:26 AM
The Seney Stretch on M-28 between Shingleton and Seney has been called the most boring section of highway in the state.
- Staff (2006). "Michigan Fall Color Tours: Munising, Newberry, Grand Marais (http://web.archive.org/web/20061221021805/http://www.michigan.org/travel/drivingtours/detail.asp?cid=07E9B11E-0EE0-4F08-B88D-7DA087A490D6&da=y&m=9;1)". Pure Michigan Travel. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on December 21, 2006.
- Hunt, Mary & Hunt, Don (2007). "Shingleton (http://hunts-upguide.com/shingleton.html)". Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Albion, MI: Midwestern Guides.
It gets my vote too. I spent four years going back and forth from the Detroit area to Michigan Tech, 7 or 8 trips a year, many in bad winter weather. 25 miles of straight road paralleling an equally straight rail line, through (seemingly) endless scrub pine swamps.
I'll second a few others mentioned here. For sheer boredom, IL outnumbers any other with I-55 (from I-294 to Granite City) being incredibly boring - unless the Amtrak is visible. I-57 is brutal, basically from the slums of S. Chicago all the way down to I-70. I-70 is boring from the MS River, through IL and through IN. I-72 and I-39 are also incredibly monotanous.
IN is right up there too, most interstates in the Hoosier State are dull as hell. Only in OH River Valley, where there are hills, is there any relief.
Outside of IL and IN, I-94 across Lower Michigan is a definite candidate. I-90 from Sioux Falls, SD to Rochester, MN (covering much of southern MN) is basically an above-ground tunnel. I-80 across IA is dullsville too.
Nebraska has the Sand Hills and more interesting scenery than most people know. Amazingly, I-80 goes out of its way to miss any - and all - natural sights across the entire width of the state!
I-80 through WY likewise manages to sidestep the Rocky Mountains in an amazing display of "where are the mountains? I know they're supposed to be here somewhere!?!" Yes, they exist, but wait until Utah.....
Flat highways with trees are pretty dull too, which is why I-95 south of DC is a solid eastern contender that belongs on this list. Pretty much any interstate on that coastal plain qualifies for this.
All that said, IL, IN and IA are the dullest states of all. MI would be, were it not for the Upper Peninsula that they stole from the cheeseheads. :-D
Those of you who are citing highways in WA, OR, and CA.....sorry, but you don't know what a boring drive is!!
Quote from: bulldog1979 on March 08, 2013, 09:13:26 AM
The Seney Stretch on M-28 between Shingleton and Seney has been called the most boring section of highway in the state.
- Staff (2006). "Michigan Fall Color Tours: Munising, Newberry, Grand Marais (http://web.archive.org/web/20061221021805/http://www.michigan.org/travel/drivingtours/detail.asp?cid=07E9B11E-0EE0-4F08-B88D-7DA087A490D6&da=y&m=9;1)". Pure Michigan Travel. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on December 21, 2006.
- Hunt, Mary & Hunt, Don (2007). "Shingleton (http://hunts-upguide.com/shingleton.html)". Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Albion, MI: Midwestern Guides.
You need to take a break from FAC. :P
Compared to most of the others listed in this thread, these roads aren't that bad, but...
- New York Thruway
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476)
- The mainline Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) between Philadelphia and Harrisburg
- I-95 through both North and South Carolina
- I-95 north of Augusta, ME (save for the portion through Bangor)
- New Jersey Turnpike south of exit 6
- I-84 east of Hartford
- Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90 west of I-95/MA 128
The Thruway actually is one of the most boring stretches of road I've ever been on- that's a loooong stretch of road, especially when you're forced to go 65. I got my only ticket ever on that road because I couldn't keep it under 80 even with cruise control set at 70, and I'm not typically much of a speeder.
It's not that it's not scenic- it's actually kind of pretty, but it's a monotonous scenery that barely changes across the whole course of the state
Quote from: corco on March 08, 2013, 03:03:50 PM
The Thruway actually is one of the most boring stretches of road I've ever been on- that's a loooong stretch of road, especially when you're forced to go 65. I got my only ticket ever on that road because I couldn't keep it under 80, and I'm not typically much of a speeder.
It's not that it's not scenic- it's actually kind of pretty, but it's a monotonous scenery that barely changes across the whole course of the state
I agree that the scenery along the Thruway is pretty, and that the 65 speed limit is a bit too low. I've traveled the stretch between Suffern (exit 15) and Albany countless times, so the drive is very old to me. Usually when we come home from Albany, we end up taking the Taconic State Parkway on the other side of the Hudson, which I think is a much more enjoyable road.
You should have experienced the Thruway when the NMSL was in effect if you think 65 is bad.
Worse still, having to drive coast-to-coast at 55 was quite a challenge.
The Thruway doesn't bug me, and I am very familiar with it all the way from Suffern to Rochester (I-490) (particularly between Syracuse I-81 and Geneva NY 14) at this point. I agree with the consensus that it's "pretty but boring," but I always find that before I know it I'm where I need to exit, so it goes quickly.
My least favorite roads are both in Pennsylvania: I don't like I-80 in PA or I-81 between Scranton and Binghamton. To me they seem extremely boring and always take forever.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
Outside of IL and IN, I-94 across Lower Michigan is a definite candidate.
I-96 between Lansing and Grand Rapids is much more boring than any of I-94 in Michigan. (I drive the I-96 stretch quite often - talk about "dullsville"... ugh....) I-94 has more interesting things to see (more exits, more billboards, etc.) The scenery on both I-96 and I-94 isn't anything to write home about, but I-94 at least has more "stuff" to look at.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
I-80 across IA is dullsville too.
I disagree. I drove across Iowa on I-80 last summer and thought it wasn't too bad. Lots of rolling hills. Plus, Iowa has really nice rest areas. There's one westbound rest area west of Des Moines that has a really tall white tower that you can see for a few miles out. As we were driving closer and closer, my friend and I were asking, "What the heck is that tower?" As we approached it, we realized it was just a rest area! LOL
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
Nebraska has the Sand Hills and more interesting scenery than most people know.
I agree. I-80 in Nebraska is not as bad as people might think.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
I-80 through WY likewise manages to sidestep the Rocky Mountains in an amazing display of "where are the mountains? I know they're supposed to be here somewhere!?!" Yes, they exist, but wait until Utah.....
I-80 in both Wyoming and Utah (especially Utah) is gorgeous. You're right though; Wyoming doesn't seem to be very mountainous until the western half of the state. Heck... the entire state of Utah (including I-15) has some incredible scenery.
I don't much care for the NYS Thruway either. There are some pretty stretches east of Syracuse, but west of Syracuse its very, very boring. A lot of other New York Roads are much more interesting. NY 17, particularly east of Binghamton is a fantastic drive, as is much of I-390 south of Rochester. I've never driven I-88 but from what I've seen it looks like a great drive, particularly during the autumn.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 08, 2013, 04:09:02 PM
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
Nebraska has the Sand Hills and more interesting scenery than most people know.
I agree. I-80 in Nebraska is not as bad as people might think.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
I-80 through WY likewise manages to sidestep the Rocky Mountains in an amazing display of "where are the mountains? I know they're supposed to be here somewhere!?!" Yes, they exist, but wait until Utah.....
I-80 in both Wyoming and Utah (especially Utah) is gorgeous. You're right though; Wyoming doesn't seem to be very mountainous until the western half of the state. Heck... the entire state of Utah (including I-15) has some incredible scenery.
I think the point made by StogieGuy7 was that I-80 misses the more scenic parts of Nebraska, mainly following the relatively featureless North Platte / Platte River valley. I agree.
Other posters have named the plains states or Nevada as boring. My nym probably gives away my preferences, but I enjoy many areas of the plains and think driving across Nevada is spectacular. The most boring stretches of my long drives last year were the walls of trees along the interstates in Wisconsin and Louisiana (94 and 20 respectively). All you see is trees, and you get no sense of terrain behind them.
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
Over the years I've become WAY too familiar with the Thruway between Rochester and Syracuse. When I was younger I'd take naps when the family was on it, waking up only when near an exit. That's no longer an option, but as I've gotten more familiar with it and my sense of time sped up, it's not as bad as it used to be. Which is a good thing, because between Mar 15 and Mar 24 I might be traveling it no less than 6 times. :ded:
Since most/all of the examples are from the US, here's a couple from Canada: ON 417 east of Ottawa and ON 416. ON 138 isn't that exciting either.
One more that I was bored on the first time was westbound I-40 between Knoxville and Nashville, TN. That highway just seemed to go on and on and on and on and....
:sleep:
Mike
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
I-88 is boring from the Quad Cities clear to Aurora.
Quote from: kphoger on March 09, 2013, 01:38:09 PM
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
I-88 is boring from the Quad Cities clear to Aurora.
I've never found it that way. Plenty of farms to see along the way.
Unlike most people, I don't find midwest interstates all that boring. They're certainly not interesting by any means, but I don't find them all that bad. The worst ones for me are anything where there is nothing but trees, trees, and more trees lining the interstate for miles. Several interstates in the southeast would fit this description. Somebody mentioned I-16 in Georgia-that was probably the worst I have seen. At least in the midwest you can see the land as it goes by. And I actually find the flat terrain of the plains somewhat interesting because it's so flat and there are so few trees that any rise in the land or anything that rises from the land is visible from a fairly good distance.
US 167 between Fordyce, AR southward to the Ouachita River is horrible. Nothing but pine trees, very few if any residences, and an occasional state trooper hiding to get you. The town of Hampton is about halfway in between Fordyce and the river to break the monotony, but it is definitely a speed trap town. You wanna speed to get out of the boring woods, and the police profit from it!
Quote from: kphoger on March 07, 2013, 01:31:38 PM
It seems we've established that one should avoid interstates in Illinois. Many of the two-laners really aren't too bad, especially in the south, but I agree that several stretches of interstate are rather boring. A good example of the difference would be mostly dull I-64 between Mount Vernon and Grayville: IL-15 to IL-130, while slightly longer, provides a more scenic drive. Even IL-37 from Dix to Goreville is more scenic than the very closely parallel I-57, but that alternative will take a driver much more time due to the many towns along the way. Unfortunately for I-70, the stretches of US-40 I've driven weren't much better.
But at least the stretches of "abandoned lanes" of US-40 are interesting!!
The only thing that saves US-491 between Cortez, CO and Gallup, NM from being 100% boring is Shiprock (both the city and the rock formation). After a quick while, even that 5% glitter fades.
The was a reason why this highway used to be called US Route 666 -- it is boring as hell!!!
And to those who can't stand the flat, treeless stretches of Midwest interstates, I disagree. By day, I enjoy passing by fields of corn, wheat or other crops on farmland and the associated smells always change by the mile. At night, I enjoy seeing the glow of a lonely overhead security light by a farmhouse, or the glow of a group of various lights in a small town 5-10 miles away.
Wow, so many to name.
NY Thruway from Buffalo to Syracuse is up there. Partially because the lack of mileage-based exit numbers makes the drive feel so much longer since the exact length you'll be on the road to your exit is unknown.
I like the west, even the stretches without a lot of anything (including the US20 Riverton-Casper stretch).
I-5 from Wheeler Ridge (junction with CA99), and near Stockton I've driven once, and had nothing nice to say of it. I'd much rather drive CA99 with some scenery.
US 67 going to Big Lake/Ft. Stockton area used to be really boring, now it's best at night, you can see 15-20 oil rigs all lit up like Christmas trees. I-37 between Three Rivers and Corpus Christi is insanely boring, shoot the whole road is..
BigMatt
QuoteUS 67 going to Big Lake/Ft. Stockton area used to be really boring
I actually find the Fort Stockton->Angelo drive quite interesting- the terrain/vegetation mix along that stretch of road is different from anywhere else I've ever seen in the country. Mertzon is one of the more picturesque towns I've ever seen. Past Angelo to about Brownwood is kind of boring, but then it gets interesting again.
In my opinion, the drive to Ft. Stockton is only interesting after about Rankin, or McCamey. Maybe it's cause I've been from San Angelo to Big Lake so many times (trips to see friends, sports, etc).
BigMatt
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2013, 03:19:52 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 09, 2013, 01:38:09 PM
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
I-88 is boring from the Quad Cities clear to Aurora.
I've never found it that way. Plenty of farms to see along the way.
Not to mention the beef plant in Joslin. :-/
Quote from: kphoger on March 09, 2013, 01:38:09 PM
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
I-88 is boring from the Quad Cities clear to Aurora.
Should have been more precise. I meant the other I-88. You know, the real one, running from Binghamton to Albany.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 07, 2013, 01:23:45 PM
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
Really? Most of I-70 in Illinois is over gently rolling terrain, especially in Bond County and near the Embarras River. At the I-70/57 interchange, the trees are thick with many evergreens. I personally find I-70 through Illinois to be quite pretty, except where it passes the strip clubs in Sauget.
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 07, 2013, 10:42:52 PM
Most interstates in Illinois would not be so bad if Illinois set its speed limits at a more reasonable 75. But IMHO at this moment I-72 between Jacksonville and the western edge of Springfield and I-72 between the Riverton Exit (#108) to the western edge of Decatur is the most boring in Illinois.
For some reason the section of US 20 in Iowa near I-35 stands out as one of the most boring freeways I've driven.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on March 08, 2013, 02:39:42 PM
I'll second a few others mentioned here. For sheer boredom, IL outnumbers any other with I-55 (from I-294 to Granite City) being incredibly boring - unless the Amtrak is visible. I-57 is brutal, basically from the slums of S. Chicago all the way down to I-70. I-70 is boring from the MS River, through IL and through IN. I-72 and I-39 are also incredibly monotanous.
IN is right up there too, most interstates in the Hoosier State are dull as hell. Only in OH River Valley, where there are hills, is there any relief.
Outside of IL and IN, I-94 across Lower Michigan is a definite candidate. I-90 from Sioux Falls, SD to Rochester, MN (covering much of southern MN) is basically an above-ground tunnel. I-80 across IA is dullsville too.
Nebraska has the Sand Hills and more interesting scenery than most people know. Amazingly, I-80 goes out of its way to miss any - and all - natural sights across the entire width of the state!
I-80 through WY likewise manages to sidestep the Rocky Mountains in an amazing display of "where are the mountains? I know they're supposed to be here somewhere!?!" Yes, they exist, but wait until Utah.....
Flat highways with trees are pretty dull too, which is why I-95 south of DC is a solid eastern contender that belongs on this list. Pretty much any interstate on that coastal plain qualifies for this.
All that said, IL, IN and IA are the dullest states of all. MI would be, were it not for the Upper Peninsula that they stole from the cheeseheads. :-D
Those of you who are citing highways in WA, OR, and CA.....sorry, but you don't know what a boring drive is!!
But not all parts of a boring highway are boring. For example, I-55 in Illinois you say is boring, but it's quite scenic between Lincoln and the Sangamon River, and again near Benld. The terrain is slightly rolling, with plenty of trees.
Likewise, I-70 in Illinois isn't all boring. The terrain is fairly rolling, which looks good with the corn in the summer. Coming into Effingham, there are more hills with some evergreens which are quite scenic.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 07, 2013, 10:47:13 PM
When I drove US 60 west from VA 288 after the first Richmond meet a few years ago, I thought it would never end. I actually welcomed getting to the mountain crossing between Amherst and Buena Vista. Straight and rolling and no ability to use a radar detector to drive faster than the painfully-slow 55 mph speed limit.
Others...
I-64 west of Louisville to St. Louis. Sorry to those of you who like I-64 through southern Indiana. There's nothing about that stretch that excites me. Also I-64 between Richmond and Charlottesville.
I-55 from Cape Girardeau to Memphis.
I-70 from roughly Manhattan, Kansas to Denver.
I-71 between Cincy and C-bus.
I-75 in Ohio all the way from Cincy to Toledo.
I-70 in Ohio (are we sensing a pattern here?)
I-40 from Nashville to Memphis.
I-79 in West Virginia (only because I've driven it a zillion times).
I-81 from Winchester to the I-78 split.
I-70 in Ohio isn't spectacular, but it definitely is a good looking highway. The western half might be a little meh, but the eastern half beginning in Zanesville is very hilly, lots of trees. Then there's the massive interchange with I-77. The most scenic area is approaching the West Virginia state line. And, yes, I must add that I find Wheeling to be scenic...if you take away the trailer parks built into the hills along I-70.
I-55 in the MO boot heel and All of AR. The stretch in Arkansas I would have fallen asleep if it were not for the bumpy ride.
I-29. YES the ENTIRE interstate! Built in the flat valley of both the Missouri and Red rivers - along with tree-less flat and hill in South Dakota.
For WI - I echo I-39 - particularly from Coloma northward - flat and boring. It doesn't get interesting again until north of Wausau - oh wait... it doesn't go past Wausau :P
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 10, 2013, 11:00:47 PM
I-29. YES the ENTIRE interstate! Built in the flat valley of both the Missouri and Red rivers - along with tree-less flat and hill in South Dakota.
You seemed to have missed the hilly section between Mound City and the northern edge of St. Joseph.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hamburg,+ia&hl=en&ll=39.899693,-94.877966&spn=0.028018,0.066047&sll=42.032432,-88.091192&sspn=0.215992,0.528374&hnear=Hamburg,+Fremont,+Iowa&t=p&z=15&layer=c&cbll=39.899693,-94.877966&panoid=lIbWTXsPu_rmVpqxJHbKjA&cbp=12,307.08,,0,0.47 (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hamburg,+ia&hl=en&ll=39.899693,-94.877966&spn=0.028018,0.066047&sll=42.032432,-88.091192&sspn=0.215992,0.528374&hnear=Hamburg,+Fremont,+Iowa&t=p&z=15&layer=c&cbll=39.899693,-94.877966&panoid=lIbWTXsPu_rmVpqxJHbKjA&cbp=12,307.08,,0,0.47)
The Mound City to Iowa border section stays interesting due to I-29 being built close to the edge of the river valley.
QuoteI-29. YES the ENTIRE interstate! Built in the flat valley of both the Missouri and Red rivers - along with tree-less flat and hill in South Dakota.
I-29 is one of my favorite interstates, actually. The stretch from Omaha to Kansas City is especially nice.
Quote from: corco on March 11, 2013, 12:21:51 PM
QuoteI-29. YES the ENTIRE interstate! Built in the flat valley of both the Missouri and Red rivers - along with tree-less flat and hill in South Dakota.
I-29 is one of my favorite interstates, actually. The stretch from Omaha to Kansas City is especially nice.
It is your right to have such an opinion. I guess it is far from the most boring road, but there are so many others which are more beautiful, in the same region.
I've rode by bus on I-75 South from about Warner Robbins to both Tifton and Valdosta (mostly Tifton, where we got off to go US 319 to Tallahassee, but did make our way through Valdosta en route to Tampa), but I drove the stretch one time back in May 1993, heading to Lake City, FL. I amused myself in the stretch near Adel by counting the number of street lights on I-75 near the Okeefenokee (SP?) swamp area. I counted 68 northbound.
Mind you, all this was back when Georgia used sequential numbering, so it was between exits 9 and 10. I see from Google Satellite View that the lights are now in the middle.
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
Over the years I've become WAY too familiar with the Thruway between Rochester and Syracuse. When I was younger I'd take naps when the family was on it, waking up only when near an exit. That's no longer an option, but as I've gotten more familiar with it and my sense of time sped up, it's not as bad as it used to be. Which is a good thing, because between Mar 15 and Mar 24 I might be traveling it no less than 6 times. :ded:
Since most/all of the examples are from the US, here's a couple from Canada: ON 417 east of Ottawa and ON 416. ON 138 isn't that exciting either.
Canada is certainly not exempt from having boring Highways. The 416 is probably the most mind numbing freeway in the province, but the 417 east of Ottawa, and the much of the 402 are honorable mentions.
I'd rate pretty much any freeway in New Brunswick as being boring drives as well. Some of New Brunswick has a fair amount of hills, but the freeway consistently runs through the trees so motorists are never offered an interesting vista.
I personally don't mind driving through hours of farm country so long as the farm country is visible from the freeway.
Virtually any rural interstate is boring to me. I don't care for miles and miles of trees or endless fields. The only exceptions are for truly spectacular scenic vistas.
Unless I'm pressed for time I avoid interstates like the plague, strongly preferring back roads because they're much more interesting.
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 11, 2013, 01:06:44 PM
Quote from: deanej on March 09, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
I-88 is awesome. Everyone should drive it at least once.
Over the years I've become WAY too familiar with the Thruway between Rochester and Syracuse. When I was younger I'd take naps when the family was on it, waking up only when near an exit. That's no longer an option, but as I've gotten more familiar with it and my sense of time sped up, it's not as bad as it used to be. Which is a good thing, because between Mar 15 and Mar 24 I might be traveling it no less than 6 times. :ded:
Since most/all of the examples are from the US, here's a couple from Canada: ON 417 east of Ottawa and ON 416. ON 138 isn't that exciting either.
Canada is certainly not exempt from having boring Highways. The 416 is probably the most mind numbing freeway in the province, but the 417 east of Ottawa, and the much of the 402 are honorable mentions.
I'd rate pretty much any freeway in New Brunswick as being boring drives as well. Some of New Brunswick has a fair amount of hills, but the freeway consistently runs through the trees so motorists are never offered an interesting vista.
I personally don't mind driving through hours of farm country so long as the farm country is visible from the freeway.
It is for this reason that I clinched ON 417 between Ottawa and ON 138 at night. It's much more interesting when you can't see the boring scenery.
I drove some back highway in New Brunswick, from Miscou Island to Moncton (it wasn't NB 11, that's what I took on the way up). It was PITCH BLACK on the highway.
MD 30 north of Reisterstown. US 26 east of Gresham. We're done here.
Quote from: OracleUsr on March 11, 2013, 07:27:27 PM
I drove some back highway in New Brunswick, from Miscou Island to Moncton (it wasn't NB 11, that's what I took on the way up). It was PITCH BLACK on the highway.
Next time, remember to turn on your headlights! :confused:
How can it be boring without headlights? Terrifying, yes; boring, no. :-o
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on March 11, 2013, 02:30:21 PM
Unless I'm pressed for time I avoid interstates like the plague, strongly preferring back roads because they're much more interesting.
I don't know that conventional highways are inherently any more interesting than freeways. The only real thing you're guaranteed to see on a back road that you don't see on a freeway are small towns, and for the most part, they're interchangeable.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 12, 2013, 02:18:26 PM
I don't know that conventional highways are inherently any more interesting than freeways. The only real thing you're guaranteed to see on a back road that you don't see on a freeway are small towns, and for the most part, they're interchangeable.
I like the downtowns of small towns. once you get past the "ring around the collar" of Walmart and other shit on the outskirts, it's fun driving a US or state route through the main drag.
Almost forgot, I-72. Yeesh! Boring.
I-8 between Gila Bend and Yuma, Arizona.
Long stretches of I-10 between Phoenix and the Coachella Valley in California. (Although on a dark night with no moon, it is awesome to get off the freeway at a couple of select exits to look at the stars away from city lights.)
I-10 from El Paso til you get to Hill Country.
I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.
Quote from: hm insulators on March 12, 2013, 04:43:32 PM
I-8 between Gila Bend and Yuma, Arizona.
But I-8 between En Centro and I-5 is pretty cool (though do turn off the AC if you drive it on a hot day, as the signs warn).
Quote from: wphiii on March 12, 2013, 06:05:07 PM
I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.
I disagree. The land has just enough roll and the scenery changes just enough to keep it interesting.
QuoteI don't know that conventional highways are inherently any more interesting than freeways. The only real thing you're guaranteed to see on a back road that you don't see on a freeway are small towns, and for the most part, they're interchangeable.
Driving pleasure- unless I'm in a Uhaul or something similar, I enjoy conventional highways more because there's more variety. The roads usually aren't graded as well, so even flat terrain can seem hilly, which is a lot more interesting. Take US-30 instead of I-80 across Nebraska sometime- it's like 5 feet away but it's entirely more entertaining- a lot more to stay stimulated with.
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 07, 2013, 10:55:46 AMI find Florida's Turnpike from the Lantana barrier to Fort Pierce to be boring. I limit it to that segment because we've never had reason to stay on the Turnpike north of there.
Actually, it's
even more boring north of Fort Pierce, and the dull doesn't really quit until the exit with I-4 or so. Between FL 70 and US 192, you could essentially set the car's cruise control, take a nap in the back seat, and not hit anything (I'd recommend getting an four-wheel alignment, first).
I-95 north of FL 70 to the Duval County line is quite dull. US 1 is really your only alternate, but you won't make up much of any time.
I-75 isn't that bad; not the most exciting trip, but compared to I-95, I-10, and the turnpike, at least there's some variety in the scenery.
I-40 from West Memphis to Little Rock was a really dull drive.
Quote from: corco on March 12, 2013, 06:32:15 PM
QuoteI don't know that conventional highways are inherently any more interesting than freeways. The only real thing you're guaranteed to see on a back road that you don't see on a freeway are small towns, and for the most part, they're interchangeable.
Driving pleasure- unless I'm in a Uhaul or something similar, I enjoy conventional highways more because there's more variety. The roads usually aren't graded as well, so even flat terrain can seem hilly, which is a lot more interesting. Take US-30 instead of I-80 across Nebraska sometime- it's like 5 feet away but it's entirely more entertaining- a lot more to stay stimulated with.
All that, and you can stop to take photos of scenery, signs, etc. Much easier to take a quick stop in a town because you don't need to leave the highway to see what's there. Easier detours to random sights, museums, Americana, etc.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 12, 2013, 06:09:43 PM
Quote from: wphiii on March 12, 2013, 06:05:07 PM
I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.
I disagree. The land has just enough roll and the scenery changes just enough to keep it interesting.
Not the part between the state line and Toledo. That's a real snooze. I've come close to actually snoozing.
US 285 from I-40 south to Roswell, NM is hard to stay awake on. Another that comes to mind: US 95 from Beatty to Tonopah,NV. Hmmmm.
I don't seem to mind long, flat desolate highways in the southwest. Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada. I think I'm just a desert type.
Give me the same in a place like Kansas, Oklahoma, or the Dakotas? Blech.
I recall going along I-80/US-30 in Wyoming, and specifically, the stretch between Rock Springs and Rawlins was about 120 miles of open, uninteresting desert.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 13, 2013, 12:43:43 AM
I don't seem to mind long, flat desolate highways in the southwest. Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada. I think I'm just a desert type.
Give me the same in a place like Kansas, Oklahoma, or the Dakotas? Blech.
You forgot southern Utah and southern Colorado. :P
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 12, 2013, 02:22:15 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 12, 2013, 02:18:26 PM
I don't know that conventional highways are inherently any more interesting than freeways. The only real thing you're guaranteed to see on a back road that you don't see on a freeway are small towns, and for the most part, they're interchangeable.
I like the downtowns of small towns. once you get past the "ring around the collar" of Walmart and other shit on the outskirts, it's fun driving a US or state route through the main drag.
It depends on how big of a small town you are talking about. County seats or anything else with about 5,000 people is charming. What I don't really care for are the interchangeable small towns where you have to slow down to 25 to drive past a post office, a deserted barber shop, and at least one section of storefront with a still-standing facade that has no corresponding building behind it.
^^ Better than México, where said 25-mph zone may or may not have corresponding speed bumps, which may or may not be signed or painted.
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 13, 2013, 03:08:30 AM
It depends on how big of a small town you are talking about. County seats or anything else with about 5,000 people is charming. What I don't really care for are the interchangeable small towns where you have to slow down to 25 to drive past a post office, a deserted barber shop, and at least one section of storefront with a still-standing facade that has no corresponding building behind it.
and, if you're looking carefully, you can see the old embossed yellow yield three blocks down the side street.
Quote from: theline on March 12, 2013, 09:48:47 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 12, 2013, 06:09:43 PM
Quote from: wphiii on March 12, 2013, 06:05:07 PM
I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.
I disagree. The land has just enough roll and the scenery changes just enough to keep it interesting.
Not the part between the state line and Toledo. That's a real snooze. I've come close to actually snoozing.
Agreed. That drained swamp is deathly boring.
Quote from: theline on March 12, 2013, 09:48:47 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 12, 2013, 06:09:43 PM
Quote from: wphiii on March 12, 2013, 06:05:07 PM
I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.
I disagree. The land has just enough roll and the scenery changes just enough to keep it interesting.
Not the part between the state line and Toledo. That's a real snooze. I've come close to actually snoozing.
Agreed on all. The Indiana Toll Road portion of I-80, while not the best thing ever, does just fine by me. Once you pass Westgate, however, the quality falls off the cliff until you pass I-75.
Quote from: corco on March 07, 2013, 12:15:47 AM
US 20 from Bend OR to Ontario OR, made worse by the inexplicable double nickel speed limit
Yeah, from Bend to about 20 miles east of Burns sucks. From Burns to Vale (which is like 15 mi W of Ontario) isn't quite as bad, lluckily. And just drive ~70 like everyone else does and the speed thing isn't a problem. If you keep it 69 or below, you should be fine everywhere mostly (just wait until you're a little ways outside the towns, particularly Bend).
I-5 from Albany to Eugene.
I-5 from Redding to Wheeler Ridge...oh my, this is the worst, I hate it, and it's so long!
US 395 from Pasco to Ritzville, continuing onto I-90 to Spokane.
For a while, I got bored of I-84 from The Dalles (or Biggs) to I-82 (when we moved from Tri Cities area to Bend), but the Columbia is parallel for almost the whole way, so it's not so bad on occasion.
US 97 from Biggs to Madras.
The most boring road I've driven is WIS 80 from Necedah to Babcock. ABout 20 miles of straight as an arrow, flat as a board road through the central sands region of Wisconsin. Nothing but trees on both sides, only broken up by a couple unincorporated burgs and a couple long, sweeping curves. The only thing interesting to look at is the rail line that follows the road on the east side, yet there is hardly ever a train on it. That road feels like it goes on forever.
Quote from: tchafe1978 on March 17, 2013, 12:26:24 AM
The most boring road I've driven is WIS 80 from Necedah to Babcock. ABout 20 miles of straight as an arrow, flat as a board road through the central sands region of Wisconsin. Nothing but trees on both sides, only broken up by a couple unincorporated burgs and a couple long, sweeping curves. The only thing interesting to look at is the rail line that follows the road on the east side, yet there is hardly ever a train on it. That road feels like it goes on forever.
BZZZZZZTTTT!!!
Wrong road in that area, the correct answer is WI 173 between WI 80 and WI 21. All but the southern couple of sections is built on an abandoned railroad grade, arrow-straight and dead level through the forest and swamps for about 25-30 minutes of driving.
:nod:
I find such roads to be interesting drives, but for most others it's a real snoozer!
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on March 18, 2013, 11:13:07 AM
I find such roads to be interesting drives, but for most others it's a real snoozer!
I'm kinda the same way ... to an extent. If it's a road I've never driven on, it's always interesting to me regardless of how boring others might think it is. However, if I got into the habit of driving one of these roads on a regular basis, they would become extremely boring to me.
Quote from: doorknob60 on March 14, 2013, 01:32:39 AM
I-5 from Redding to Wheeler Ridge...oh my, this is the worst, I hate it, and it's so long!
there is Sacramento, but other than that, oh god yes.
As "boring" as some of these stretches of highway are, they still are far more exciting than the most boring trip I've ever taken. The flight between LAX and Hawai'i makes all of these exciting by comparison, even the monochromatic shit-brown colored deserts.
Quote from: mgk920 on March 18, 2013, 11:13:07 AM
Quote from: tchafe1978 on March 17, 2013, 12:26:24 AM
The most boring road I've driven is WIS 80 from Necedah to Babcock. ABout 20 miles of straight as an arrow, flat as a board road through the central sands region of Wisconsin. Nothing but trees on both sides, only broken up by a couple unincorporated burgs and a couple long, sweeping curves. The only thing interesting to look at is the rail line that follows the road on the east side, yet there is hardly ever a train on it. That road feels like it goes on forever.
BZZZZZZTTTT!!!
Wrong road in that area, the correct answer is WI 173 between WI 80 and WI 21. All but the southern couple of sections is built on an abandoned railroad grade, arrow-straight and dead level through the forest and swamps for about 25-30 minutes of driving.
:nod:
I find such roads to be interesting drives, but for most others it's a real snoozer!
Mike
I said most boring road I've driven. I'm sure if I had driven that stretch of WIS 173, I'd agree with you! Driving all the hilly and curvy roads and highways of the Driftless area of SW WI makes anything that is flat and/or straight boring!
US-101 between Salinas and King City are pretty boring. Just masses of flat farmland for miles. At least there's mountains in either side...
Quote from: Brandon on March 18, 2013, 08:11:00 PM
As "boring" as some of these stretches of highway are, they still are far more exciting than the most boring trip I've ever taken. The flight between LAX and Hawai'i makes all of these exciting by comparison, even the monochromatic shit-brown colored deserts.
That is why I drive or ride my motorcycle to places if possible as commercial airlines are boring, not to mention a pain at security.
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I-29 and I-94 in the Red River Valley. Also I-39 in Illinois (the only 2di interstate I've driven the length of).
While the Indiana Toll Road (except in the fall) and Ohio Turnpike have their boring stretches, my vote goes to Interstate 55 in Illinois from the I-70 split outside St. Louis to I-80 near Joliet.
Good one. Not much better south to 40
Quote from: 707 on March 24, 2013, 02:32:50 AM
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I actually really like US-6 through Nevada. US-50 as well.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 27, 2013, 02:27:18 PM
Quote from: 707 on March 24, 2013, 02:32:50 AM
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I actually really like US-6 through Nevada. US-50 as well.
Oh, so you're the one :poke:
Haven't had the chance to drive them, but I feel like I'd enjoy US50/US6 through Nevada.
I second both I-75 in Georgia and the post about Illinois. I have experienced I-70 and I-64 in Illinois...those put me to sleep.
I'll have to agree with you on I-70 in Illinois, at least until you get to I-255 near St. Louis. Bring plenty of chocolate and caffiene! And while I'm at it, how about the 401 in Ontario between London and Windsor.
Interstate 10 from Lake City, FL to New Orleans, LA.
I-49 from Alexandria to Shreveport in LA.
I-75 from the FL Turnpike to Macon, GA.
US 1/ 23 from Folkston, GA to Waycross, GA.
US 19/98/27 Alternate from Cross City, FL to Perry, FL.
US 27 Alternate from Bronson, FL to Chiefland, FL
Atlantic City Expressway from NJ 42 to the GSP
NJ 49 from NJ 55 to NJ 50
PA Tpke. Northeast Ext.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 18, 2013, 01:24:54 PM
Quote from: doorknob60 on March 14, 2013, 01:32:39 AM
I-5 from Redding to Wheeler Ridge...oh my, this is the worst, I hate it, and it's so long!
there is Sacramento, but other than that, oh god yes.
I really hope CA 99 isn't the same way...
I-35 in Southern Minnesota...and Iowa! I-29 from Sioux Falls to Kansas City. US-8 across Wisconsin.
Minnesota 19, Marshall to Redwood Falls. 'Nuff said. :-|
US83 from Garden City, KS to Laredo, TX :pan:
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 27, 2013, 02:27:18 PM
Quote from: 707 on March 24, 2013, 02:32:50 AM
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I actually really like US-6 through Nevada. US-50 as well.
They don't call US 50 in Nevada the "lonliest highway" for nothing. It is on my list by motorcycle. I have heard it is really an interesting road. I've been on all of 50 from Newton Kansas to the Atlantic, most by motorcycle, and parts in Colorado. Now I need to go to Newton and ride west to the Pacific.
Quote from: 707 on March 31, 2013, 09:59:25 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 18, 2013, 01:24:54 PM
Quote from: doorknob60 on March 14, 2013, 01:32:39 AM
I-5 from Redding to Wheeler Ridge...oh my, this is the worst, I hate it, and it's so long!
there is Sacramento, but other than that, oh god yes.
I really hope CA 99 isn't the same way...
It's not quite as bad, but still pretty boring. The only thing that makes these stretches tolerable is the occasional city. You know a road is boring when the most interesting thing on it is Fresno or Bakersfield. Yeah, Sacramento is kinda cool I guess, but driving through it takes about 5 minutes, then back to the boring stuff. We drove straight through on a school trip from Bend to Anaheim (on I-5, not CA-99), almost no stops, torture...
Lonely highways are often more interesting, I think. They let the driver pay some attention to the scenery, not just making sure the driver next to you sees you.
US-97 from Weed to Yakima (this weekend) was interesting. Lots of nice canyons. I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass was only interesting in the sense of "it's blinding rain, why the hell don't the other drivers turn their headlights on so I can see them?" sense. WA-520 was interesting in the sense of "Ha ha! Closed this weekend!"
I stand by I-5 being the most boring.
From personal experience:
I-88 in Illinois west of Rochelle
I-76 from I-80 to Fort Morgan, CO
I-70 Salina, KS to Limon, CO
I-29 from St Joseph, MO to Iowa border
I-90 in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota
I-57 from I-72 to I-24
US 41 in Indiana from I-64 to I-74
Quote from: leroys73 on April 20, 2013, 11:49:55 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 27, 2013, 02:27:18 PM
Quote from: 707 on March 24, 2013, 02:32:50 AM
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I actually really like US-6 through Nevada. US-50 as well.
They don't call US 50 in Nevada the "lonliest highway" for nothing. It is on my list by motorcycle. I have heard it is really an interesting road. I've been on all of 50 from Newton Kansas to the Atlantic, most by motorcycle, and parts in Colorado. Now I need to go to Newton and ride west to the Pacific.
US-6 in Nevada certainly gives US-50 a run for its money as a lonely road. Was on there last summer in the middle of the night and saw only a couple of vehicles from Tonopah to Ely, with most of those being in Tonopah and Ely.
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2013, 11:06:54 AM
US-6 in Nevada certainly gives US-50 a run for its money as a lonely road. Was on there last summer in the middle of the night and saw only a couple of vehicles from Tonopah to Ely, with most of those being in Tonopah and Ely.
furthermore, if the gas station in Currant, NV is not in operation then there is no gas between those two points. pay no attention to the signs that say 90 miles to gas - it's really 168.
I-55 through Arkansas & Missouri
I-57 south of Champaign-Urbana
I-40 between Forrest City and West Memphis
MS 1 through the MS Delta (minus Greenville)
I-20/59 between Meridian and Tuscaloosa
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 22, 2013, 11:14:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2013, 11:06:54 AM
US-6 in Nevada certainly gives US-50 a run for its money as a lonely road. Was on there last summer in the middle of the night and saw only a couple of vehicles from Tonopah to Ely, with most of those being in Tonopah and Ely.
furthermore, if the gas station in Currant, NV is not in operation then there is no gas between those two points. pay no attention to the signs that say 90 miles to gas - it's really 168.
I think it was discussed somewhere (maybe even a thread on Pacific SW board) that the Currant gas station is closed down and the "next gas" signs were patched/replaced to say 168 miles.
Quote from: Urban Prairie Schooner on March 08, 2013, 01:55:23 PM
I-10 between Laplace and Baton Rouge - partly because I've traversed this stretch uncountable times, plus nothing but featureless woodlands for miles. The spillway bridge to the east is excluded since the scenery is far superior, plus you can see the New Orleans skyline on clear days.
I-12 between Denham Springs and Slidell - see above, then throw in heavy truck traffic for good measure.
I-55 from Hammond to just south of Jackson - nothing but forestland for miles with little in between. Of course, much the same can be said of many southern interstates.
I-10: Between Slidell and Mobile, Just west of Mobile Bay to Pensacola, Lafayette to Lake Charles, Beaumont to Houston.
US-98 is pretty boring between Pensacola and Ft. Walton as well.
After riding it, though it's not terribly long, I'd nominate US-6/191 between Price and I-70/US-50 and I-70/US-6/US-50 from there east through Utah.
Considering the scenery through Spotted Wolf Canyon (on I-70/US-50 west of there) and the Moab area to the south of Crescent Jct., the contrast between colorful red rocks and the bland grays and yellows is pretty jarring.
While I haven't driven it yet, I'd also nominate I-80 across the Bonneville Salt Flats. You'd appreciate its stark beauty for the first time, but having to cross the Salt Flats on a regular basis would likely get old. For that matter, regularly driving on any road in Utah's west desert would soon become boring. At least there's a lot of sagebrush there and in Nevada, which you can't say for 6/191 or 70/6/50/191.
Quote from: leroys73 on April 20, 2013, 11:49:55 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 27, 2013, 02:27:18 PM
Quote from: 707 on March 24, 2013, 02:32:50 AM
Former US 99 from Burlington to Marysville fits a bit of that bill, but it looks like US 6 through most of Nevada may be a better candidate.
I actually really like US-6 through Nevada. US-50 as well.
They don't call US 50 in Nevada the "lonliest highway" for nothing. It is on my list by motorcycle. I have heard it is really an interesting road. I've been on all of 50 from Newton Kansas to the Atlantic, most by motorcycle, and parts in Colorado. Now I need to go to Newton and ride west to the Pacific.
Lonely does not equate to boring. I found U.S. 50 across Nevada to be spectacular, with increasingly high mountain ranges across the valleys as you go east. I also had adverse childhood memories of U.S. 6-50 from Ely to Delta, but even though you are on the eastern edge of basin and range province along that stretch, it still has that quality to it. I would far prefer this type of scenery to a double wall of trees in otherwise flat terrain.
Not quite in Nevada, but I would say that 6/50 heading westbound towards Nevada is one of the most fascinating stretches of road I have ever been on- once you get past Sevier Lake in Utah, you go over a little pass. Once you get to the top of that pass, the road is more or less straight and the descent is faiirly gradual, but you can see the road twenty miles ahead with a lot of clarity and what doesn't seem like that much elevation change. It's one of the most surreal landscapes I've ever been in.
Nevada does get boring to me after a while, but the sheer distance in front of you at times is mind-boggling. They call Montana "Big Sky Country" but if any state deserves that moniker, it's Nevada.
Quote from: roadfro on April 25, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 22, 2013, 11:14:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2013, 11:06:54 AM
US-6 in Nevada certainly gives US-50 a run for its money as a lonely road. Was on there last summer in the middle of the night and saw only a couple of vehicles from Tonopah to Ely, with most of those being in Tonopah and Ely.
furthermore, if the gas station in Currant, NV is not in operation then there is no gas between those two points. pay no attention to the signs that say 90 miles to gas - it's really 168.
I think it was discussed somewhere (maybe even a thread on Pacific SW board) that the Currant gas station is closed down and the "next gas" signs were patched/replaced to say 168 miles.
When I was through there in 2009 there was also a closed gas station at a point somewhere between Ely and Bishop. There seemed to be nothing in operation at that intersection, even though it seemed to have a name (that escapes me now) posted on several distant signs.
My pastime on that road was guessing how far it was across the valley in front of me when I came over each rise. Try it, it's fun.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on April 30, 2013, 08:47:48 AM
Quote from: roadfro on April 25, 2013, 06:19:57 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 22, 2013, 11:14:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2013, 11:06:54 AM
US-6 in Nevada certainly gives US-50 a run for its money as a lonely road. Was on there last summer in the middle of the night and saw only a couple of vehicles from Tonopah to Ely, with most of those being in Tonopah and Ely.
furthermore, if the gas station in Currant, NV is not in operation then there is no gas between those two points. pay no attention to the signs that say 90 miles to gas - it's really 168.
I think it was discussed somewhere (maybe even a thread on Pacific SW board) that the Currant gas station is closed down and the "next gas" signs were patched/replaced to say 168 miles.
When I was through there in 2009 there was also a closed gas station at a point somewhere between Ely and Bishop. There seemed to be nothing in operation at that intersection, even though it seemed to have a name (that escapes me now) posted on several distant signs.
You might be thinking of the old station at Coaldale (where US 6/US 95 split northwest of Tonopah), which is noted as "Coaldale Junction" on 1/2-mile junction signs (and possibly on the distance sign leaving Tonopah). I know this hasn't been in operation since at least 2001 (and looks to have been abandoned well before that).
Quote
My pastime on that road was guessing how far it was across the valley in front of me when I came over each rise. Try it, it's fun.
I did this along US 95 on my first trip up to Reno for college. At the same time, it is fun to see how far the stretches in those valleys stay completely straight. I think there's a valley on US 95 in Nye County that is about 26 miles of straight two-lane highway from one ridge to the other.
I'd have to say that no highway springs to mind which actually goes through towns along the way. That's why almost all of my candidates are expressways.
Quote from: kphoger on May 02, 2013, 10:42:15 AM
I'd have to say that no highway springs to mind which actually goes through towns along the way. That's why almost all of my candidates are expressways.
Some of the most boring are when bypasses are built and they haven't put any gas stations on the new road yet.
Quote from: kphoger on May 02, 2013, 10:42:15 AM
I'd have to say that no highway springs to mind which actually goes through towns along the way. That's why almost all of my candidates are expressways.
Amen!
Quote from: mrose on April 22, 2013, 04:32:16 AM
US 41 in Indiana from I-64 to I-74
How is US 41 in Indiana boring?
Quote from: US 41 on May 10, 2013, 09:13:44 AM
Quote from: mrose on April 22, 2013, 04:32:16 AM
US 41 in Indiana from I-64 to I-74
How is US 41 in Indiana boring?
Relatively flat and straight.
A common reaction to the opening of I-69 from folks I know in Evansville is "Thank god there's an alternative to the boring drive on 41." This tells me that not a lot of them have driven 69, a road not distinguished by its visual distractions, but it corroborates the point about 41.
Back in 2000 I drove I-70 Eastbound from Limon, CO into Kansas and let me tell you that is one boring stretch of road I encountered. You would never know its still Colorado as its all flat! The rest of Colorado that we know of is all mountainous and you never think of it as a part of the great prairie, but it is, especially east of I-25.
Quote from: roadman65 on May 12, 2013, 05:07:18 PM
The rest of Colorado that we know of...
Sorry, bro, but I grew up in northwestern Kansas, 55 miles from the Colorado line. The Colorado that
I know
is flat and boring. :)
Alabama's I-65 from the big bridges north of Mobile up to Montgomery is torturous. There is NOTHING on that road for about 150 miles or so.
The toll roads in Indiana and Ohio are pretty dull as well. I don't really remember anything about the drive between Portage and the 80/90 split near Cleveland other than toll plazas and service areas. East of there the turnpike gets more interesting. The Cuyahoga river bridge is actually kind of cool and the scenery around eastern Ohio is pretty.
I actually really enjoyed the PA Turnpike and NY Thruway. Some really pretty scenery on those roads, too.
I-90 from Ellensburg to Spokane; Bozeman to Billings; Casper to Sioux Falls; Rochester to Madison.
I-94 from Billings to Alexandria; St. Cloud to St. Paul; Gary to Ann Arbor.
I-5 from Vancouver to Olympia.
I-84 from Hood River to Salt Lake City.
I-65 from Chicago to Indianapolis.
Quote from: MrDisco99 on May 24, 2013, 01:26:41 AM
Alabama's I-65 from the big bridges north of Mobile up to Montgomery is torturous. There is NOTHING on that road for about 150 miles or so.
....
The times I've been on that road I've set my cruise control at 90 mph (weather permitting) and I found I wasn't passing anyone.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 24, 2013, 11:54:28 AM
Quote from: MrDisco99 on May 24, 2013, 01:26:41 AM
Alabama's I-65 from the big bridges north of Mobile up to Montgomery is torturous. There is NOTHING on that road for about 150 miles or so.
....
The times I've been on that road I've set my cruise control at 90 mph (weather permitting) and I found I wasn't passing anyone.
It seems likely you didn't pass the police!
Quote from: djsinco on May 24, 2013, 02:36:49 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 24, 2013, 11:54:28 AM
Quote from: MrDisco99 on May 24, 2013, 01:26:41 AM
Alabama's I-65 from the big bridges north of Mobile up to Montgomery is torturous. There is NOTHING on that road for about 150 miles or so.
....
The times I've been on that road I've set my cruise control at 90 mph (weather permitting) and I found I wasn't passing anyone.
It seems likely you didn't pass the police!
Not that I recall. Bear in mind, when I say "I wasn't passing anyone" I don't mean I had the road to myself–I just mean I was the slowest car on the road. (On a different trip in March 1997 going from Montgomery back to North Carolina via I-59 I set the cruise control at 100 and I did have the road to myself....except when a V-12 powered Mercedes went flying past.)
Quote from: TEG24601 on May 24, 2013, 11:25:07 AM
I-90 from Ellensburg to Spokane; Bozeman to Billings; Casper to Sioux Falls; Rochester to Madison.
I-94 from Billings to Alexandria; St. Cloud to St. Paul; Gary to Ann Arbor.
I-5 from Vancouver to Olympia.
I-84 from Hood River to Salt Lake City.
I-65 from Chicago to Indianapolis.
I'd start your I-84 section further east, as there's nothing boring about those mountains in eastern Oregon. For I-5, I definitely agree with the Centralia/Chehalis area, but there's definitely something to be said for the area around Kalama where the freeway parallels the river.
And this one's personal, but I-90 near Moses Lake was the site of the most intense driving I've ever experienced, a sudden thunderstorm that required going about 25 mph until we pulled over on the shoulder along with about five other cars.
:sleep: = Illinois I-70
Quote from: leroys73 on May 25, 2013, 01:42:58 PM
:sleep: = Illinois I-70
The first few miles headed east from the Poplar St. bridge are seldom dull...
The exception
Quote from: Kacie Jane on May 25, 2013, 12:28:06 AM
And this one's personal, but I-90 near Moses Lake was the site of the most intense driving I've ever experienced, a sudden thunderstorm that required going about 25 mph until we pulled over on the shoulder along with about five other cars.
I had a similar experience once on I-95 in Florida between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.
An incredibly intense downpour from a sudden thunderstorm cell flooded the freeway with (what seemed like) a foot of water in about 30 seconds.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 24, 2013, 03:37:36 PM
Not that I recall. Bear in mind, when I say "I wasn't passing anyone" I don't mean I had the road to myself–I just mean I was the slowest car on the road. (On a different trip in March 1997 going from Montgomery back to North Carolina via I-59 I set the cruise control at 100 and I did have the road to myself....except when a V-12 powered Mercedes went flying past.)
I wonder where Alabama seems to have gotten its reputation as a speeder haven.
one of the fastest cars I ever saw on a public road in the US was in 2009: a Dodge Viper passed me, quite likely up against the governor at 155mph. definitely bat-out-of-hell speed. this was on I-10, about 30 miles before the Alabama state line in Mississippi.
not too long thereafter, just over the state line, I saw him pulled over by the side of the road. one Mississippi state trooper,
four Alabama state troopers.
Hmmm, bet he got a ticket.....
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 07, 2013, 12:10:25 AM
Hey there.
I was reading the "I-64 in Indiana" thread, and it had me thinking...about the opposite.
The Indiana portion of I-64 is said to be the one of the most beautiful experiences in interstate driving. However, there are stretches that, personally, makes me want to say, "Please end this."
Two great examples here: the stretch on I-65 between U.S. 231 in Crown Point and Indianapolis (with minor exception in Lafayette) is just open field and not much else. It has been tempered a bit by the wind turbines installed north of Lafayette in 2009, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.
The stretch of I-55 from I-80 to I-74 in Illinois is just death. There's absolutely nothing going on. The only fun there is if you somehow drive alongside an Amtrak train coasting along the tracks that sit just east of the highway.
What examples do you have? Share them here. I thank you for your time.
Add US 52 from 65 to Lafayette, it parallels 65 and is equally boring! I use it often to get to Purdue.
I-94 across North Dakota is God-awful. Used to always take the slightly longer I-90 across South Dakota for better scenery.
Quote from: texaskdog on June 07, 2013, 10:15:16 AM
I-94 across North Dakota is God-awful. Used to always take the slightly longer I-90 across South Dakota for better scenery.
I did it once in the middle of the night, and took as much of old US-10 as I could find back the next day.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 08, 2013, 12:20:45 PM
Quote from: InterstateNG on March 07, 2013, 04:35:24 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 07, 2013, 01:23:45 PM
The entire stretch of I-70 in Illinois is pretty boring. There's hardly anything to look at (including very few billboards).
There's that giant cross in Effingham.
Yep... I got a picture of that as I was driving. Did you know there's also a similar cross like that on I-40 in the Texas Panhandle (somewhere east of Amarillo)?
The tall panhandle cross is in Groom.
One road that I find excruciating is the rural sections of TX 19. My dad liked it for some reason, later my mother thought it was a great way to go to take my grandmother to my aunt's house. Fortunately, since adulthood, there are other/better ways to take for me than TX 19.
IIRR, the only time I've been on TX 87 in SE TX, there are many long boring parts to it also.
I don't have any experience driving in the plains states, so... I will say that on my trip from New England to Atlanta, I-81 through Virginia was a total snoozefest.
Quote from: relaxok on June 10, 2013, 05:22:20 PM
I don't have any experience driving in the plains states, so... I will say that on my trip from New England to Atlanta, I-81 through Virginia was a total snoozefest.
I wouldn't call I-81 through Virginia a snoozefest. Infact, quite the opposite. More like a stressfest.
How I-5 from the bottom of the Grapevine to the turnoff for San Francisco/Oakland isn't on here is just beyond me. You could literally get to the I-5/US99 split for Bakersfield, set the cruise for 80-ish, lock the steering straight, and take a 4 hour nap. It was the most horrendous drive I've ever done. And I wasn't even driving. What made it worse was that on both sides of you are mountain ranges (especially west), and you KNOW that there is some amazing driving happening JUST to your left (heading north) with the Pacific Coast Highway (CA 1), but you are stuck in Boresville USA for 4 hours.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on June 07, 2013, 11:44:56 AM
Quote from: texaskdog on June 07, 2013, 10:15:16 AM
I-94 across North Dakota is God-awful. Used to always take the slightly longer I-90 across South Dakota for better scenery.
I did it once in the middle of the night, and took as much of old US-10 as I could find back the next day.
There is a giant cow about halfway across. It is the only interesting thing you'll see after the badlands.
Quote from: Sonic99 on June 10, 2013, 07:09:32 PM
How I-5 from the bottom of the Grapevine to the turnoff for San Francisco/Oakland isn't on here is just beyond me.
Somehow that part of I-5 is a state scenic route. I've never been on it, so I can't personally call bullshit.
there are some fairly scenic sections of I-5, as it approaches and bounces off the hills. that said, there's also hundreds upon hundreds of trucks, and CA-33 is right there for an actually interesting alternative.
Quote from: Sonic99 on June 10, 2013, 07:09:32 PM
How I-5 from the bottom of the Grapevine to the turnoff for San Francisco/Oakland isn't on here is just beyond me. You could literally get to the I-5/US99 split for Bakersfield, set the cruise for 80-ish, lock the steering straight, and take a 4 hour nap. It was the most horrendous drive I've ever done. And I wasn't even driving. What made it worse was that on both sides of you are mountain ranges (especially west), and you KNOW that there is some amazing driving happening JUST to your left (heading north) with the Pacific Coast Highway (CA 1), but you are stuck in Boresville USA for 4 hours.
Um... it is on the list:
Quote from: kkt on March 07, 2013, 12:02:06 PM
I-5 from Woodland to Red Bluff and Los Banos to Wheeler Ridge and Eugene to Tigard
Quote from: Sonic99 on June 10, 2013, 07:09:32 PM
You could literally get to the I-5/US99 split for Bakersfield, set the cruise for 80-ish, lock the steering straight, and take a 4 hour nap.
[emphasis added] [no crap]And I bet you would literally die if you did that. :rolleyes:
Quote from: texaskdog on June 10, 2013, 07:21:43 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on June 07, 2013, 11:44:56 AM
Quote from: texaskdog on June 07, 2013, 10:15:16 AM
I-94 across North Dakota is God-awful. Used to always take the slightly longer I-90 across South Dakota for better scenery.
I did it once in the middle of the night, and took as much of old US-10 as I could find back the next day.
There is a giant cow about halfway across. It is the only interesting thing you'll see after the badlands.
It's also about halfway across on old US 10, which is an infinitely more interesting road than I-94.
Quote from: Steve on June 11, 2013, 05:56:23 PM
It's also about halfway across on old US 10, which is an infinitely more interesting road than I-94.
astonishingly, I do not remember that. where is it?
As a frequent traveller between Hampton Roads and Columbia, SC, I nominate I-20 between Florence and Columbia. There is zero along that stretch that interests me, mostly just trees, weeds, and insanely loud pavement.
What about California's I-5 in the Central valley farms mostly throughout except Stockton and Sacramento which are cities that I-5 goes through in the central valley or US-101 from San Miguel to Salinas which are farmlands that run along the Salinas River Valley
Quote from: Interstatefan78 on June 11, 2013, 07:13:57 PM
What about California's I-5 in the Central valley farms mostly throughout except Stockton and Sacramento which are cities that I-5 goes through in the central valley or US-101 from San Miguel to Salinas which are farmlands that run along the Salinas River Valley
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.behindthevoiceactors.com%2F_img%2Fchars%2Fchar_6993.jpg&hash=9ef52cc474e8ed132ded32f88edfc7a115fd549b)
Quote from: agentsteel53 on June 11, 2013, 06:06:09 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 11, 2013, 05:56:23 PM
It's also about halfway across on old US 10, which is an infinitely more interesting road than I-94.
astonishingly, I do not remember that. where is it?
Salem Sue sits just west of Bismarck/Mandan.
well, I drove past there all right, but I got no pictures, nor did I recall the cow. must've been looking at some old culvert on the north side of the road for too long.
US 421 between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem. If you go Northbound to Boone you'll get a beautiful mountain drive. But going the other direction it's just an hour of straight road and farms.
It's a drive I have to make often, so I've found myself taking detours sometimes to try to relieve the monotony.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on June 11, 2013, 09:05:30 PM
well, I drove past there all right, but I got no pictures, nor did I recall the cow. must've been looking at some old culvert on the north side of the road for too long.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Sue
My vote is for I-40 between the Tennessee River and Memphis. Well actually I think I-40 between West Memphis, AR and Little Rock, AR may be worse.
I-40 from North Little Rock to West Memphis. It's not a long stretch, but dear God it sucks.
Having Driven from Seattle/Portland to Flint, MI and back about every 3 months for college, and having tried nearly every route in that stretch, I have a couple of opinions;
I-94 East of Billings to Dickinson, ND is very boring, but pretty, so if you have the right distraction (for me Podcasts), it isn't too bad.
I-80 From Echo, UT to Cheyenne, WY is about the most boring stretch of roadway I've ever driven, with I-80 through Nebraska a close second.
Quote from: TEG24601 on June 24, 2013, 02:51:48 PM
I-80 From Echo, UT to Cheyenne, WY is about the most boring stretch of roadway I've ever driven, with I-80 through Nebraska a close second.
Really? I thought Echo to Cheyenne had some great scenery and was way more interesting than I-80 through Nebraska.
I think that's the first time I've heard that section of 80 named as boring. sure it's not quite as exciting as what had just come before (or what you would see on 84) but it is pretty interesting in my books.
I-80 in Nebraska is indeed terribly boring. that's what US30 is for.
Once you've seen almost any road enough times, it BECOMES boring. Being boring is subjective. I no longer get too much of a thrill driving Denver to Vegas. While it is breathtaking to someone who has never seen it before, I am jaded to it. Therefore, no one can be "wrong" on this thread, if it is boring to any individual, they have, and are entitled to, their own definition of boring.
Quote from: kkt on June 24, 2013, 03:49:25 PM
Quote from: TEG24601 on June 24, 2013, 02:51:48 PM
I-80 From Echo, UT to Cheyenne, WY is about the most boring stretch of roadway I've ever driven, with I-80 through Nebraska a close second.
Really? I thought Echo to Cheyenne had some great scenery and was way more interesting than I-80 through Nebraska.
I'm not denying that the scenery is beautiful, but when you are driving by yourself, it is very straight, and continuous. I was gauging the boringness on my ability to stay awake while driving, and I was always nodding of in that stretch, and through parts of Nebraska (especially between Lincoln and Sydney).
Just traveled I-80 in PA from Exit 30 to MP 37, completely legal U-turn shut up don't prosecute me, and again from Exit 53 to the end at completely legal speeds shut up don't prosecute me. It's one of the most beautiful stretches of Interstate highway for a segment that's over 300 miles long (it stays beautiful until around Netcong, NJ at Exit 26). Should never have been mentioned here.
Just about any stretch of I-95 that I have been on has been boring. I have travelled it from near Philadelphia to the south end in Miami.
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 25, 2013, 01:12:56 PM
Just about any stretch of I-95 that I have been on has been boring. I have travelled it from near Philadelphia to the south end in Miami.
Do us all a favor and stay off of I-95 in eastern CT and northern ME, so that it doesn't become boring like the others.
Quote from: vdeane on June 25, 2013, 08:08:00 PM
Next thing you know they'll say the DOT is wrong!
Is this a case of OSM being Euro-centric or are the editors just strange?
Wrong topic?
Nah, just non sequitir.
I have an ingrown hair on my chin.
pooing is kinda lame.
Quote from: NE2 on June 25, 2013, 08:49:59 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 25, 2013, 08:08:00 PM
Next thing you know they'll say the DOT is wrong!
Is this a case of OSM being Euro-centric or are the editors just strange?
Wrong topic?
Looks like Chrome decided to go to a completely different tab after reading the OSM link you posted in the other thread. Perhaps a mod could move the post. Guess I'll have to be more vigilant about checking which forum tab I'm in, since Chrome's behavior can be bonkers at times. :ded:
Done. -Connor
I forgot one. I-57 from Sikeston, MO to Chicago is a boring piece of highway... unless you like windmills, or cemeteries that seem to be in the middle of nowhere.
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 27, 2013, 02:25:54 PM
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
I agree with that description perfectly, although I can't quite put my finger about what I find "weird" about it in Missouri. Maybe it's just that I've hardly even driven it without road construction.
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2013, 01:51:28 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 27, 2013, 02:25:54 PM
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
I agree with that description perfectly, although I can't quite put my finger about what I find "weird" about it in Missouri. Maybe it's just that I've hardly even driven it without road construction.
It's pretty boring in Missouri. Nothing weird about it. Just mostly flat.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 29, 2013, 07:23:07 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2013, 01:51:28 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 27, 2013, 02:25:54 PM
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
I agree with that description perfectly, although I can't quite put my finger about what I find "weird" about it in Missouri. Maybe it's just that I've hardly even driven it without road construction.
It's pretty boring in Missouri. Nothing weird about it. Just mostly flat.
I enjoyed the drive. You're not in the state for all that long before you hit the pretty bridge, and then you have really long, forested straightaways for the first 50 or so miles in IL.
Quote from: DSS5 on June 13, 2013, 07:14:21 AM
US 421 between Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem. If you go Northbound to Boone you'll get a beautiful mountain drive. But going the other direction it's just an hour of straight road and farms.
It's a drive I have to make often, so I've found myself taking detours sometimes to try to relieve the monotony.
Even though I am young and have not traveled as much as other roadgeeks I know exactly what you mean. I always travel with family to and from WV and that stretch of road off I-77 heading towards W-S is so boring. Not much there and not many cars so I am happy to arrive home in Clemmons.
Quote from: Steve on July 01, 2013, 08:25:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 29, 2013, 07:23:07 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2013, 01:51:28 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 27, 2013, 02:25:54 PM
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
I agree with that description perfectly, although I can't quite put my finger about what I find "weird" about it in Missouri. Maybe it's just that I've hardly even driven it without road construction.
It's pretty boring in Missouri. Nothing weird about it. Just mostly flat.
I enjoyed the drive. You're not in the state for all that long before you hit the pretty bridge, and then you have really long, forested straightaways for the first 50 or so miles in IL.
Yes, I-57 from the state line up to about Mount Vernon is a pleasant drive. It's not that it's terrible on the Missouri side, it's just....different, somehow, and I can't put my finger on it.
Quote from: kphoger on July 02, 2013, 05:45:20 PM
Yes, I-57 from the state line up to about Mount Vernon is a pleasant drive. It's not that it's terrible on the Missouri side, it's just....different, somehow, and I can't put my finger on it.
Sure it's different. It's a different state :biggrin:
Quote from: kphoger on July 02, 2013, 05:45:20 PM
Quote from: Steve on July 01, 2013, 08:25:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 29, 2013, 07:23:07 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 29, 2013, 01:51:28 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 27, 2013, 02:25:54 PM
I-57 isnt' that bad in Southern IL; however, it is bad in Central and Northern IL. It is just weird in MO.
I agree with that description perfectly, although I can't quite put my finger about what I find "weird" about it in Missouri. Maybe it's just that I've hardly even driven it without road construction.
It's pretty boring in Missouri. Nothing weird about it. Just mostly flat.
I enjoyed the drive. You're not in the state for all that long before you hit the pretty bridge, and then you have really long, forested straightaways for the first 50 or so miles in IL.
Yes, I-57 from the state line up to about Mount Vernon is a pleasant drive. It's not that it's terrible on the Missouri side, it's just....different, somehow, and I can't put my finger on it.
It's on the bottomlands west of the river there, the Mississippi Embayment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_embayment). After leaving the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, and coming off the bluff on the east side of the river before IL-3, the bottomlands are different due to their flatness and lowness. IIRC, you're on the bottomlands all the way to Sikeston at I-55, and then on I-55 south to the bluffs on the east side of the river at Memphis.
Well, yeah, obviously the terrain is different. But the roadway itself has a different feel to it; now that I think about it, it's similar in feel to I-55 between STL and Sikeston, so maybe it shouldn't be all that surprising to me.
I can't honestly say there has ever been a stretch of highway I found "boring"
Riding US 322 from Harrisburg to State College in one of those small yellow bus was exasperating. (Couldn't see anything out the windows). I thought I had grown tired of that stretch but to my relief when on a college visit a few weeks later I still enjoyed that stretch of road. It probably didn't help the bus driver drove for Satan and I was tired from FBLA.
The drive on I-95 in North Carolina was always made in the dead of night on my family trips to Florida so to a kid who was interested in the blue logo signs and who recorded those signs, the night made an otherwise filled Interstate "boring". My dad who could drive with his knees going 90, towing a fifth wheel, petting the dogs, and reaching for a Twizzler couldn't drive with the lights on in the truck. I would joke that I never saw NC in the light, we always drove through during the night.
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go. Honestly after Jacksonville it seems like all the exits until the I-4 turnoff are the same. Logo signs with the Food and Gas packed on and every exit required a bridge to go over. Plus, none of those exits looked like they had space for a RV to fit for gas so we would always stop at Exit 1 in Georgia. Cheaper anyways :sombrero: But I still love I-95 in FL anyways. Free orange juice :bigass:
If I had to choose one route as "boring" it would be Route 22 from Ebensburg to Pittsburgh nothing but construction and adult video stores all the way to Pittsburgh.
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I can't honestly say there has ever been a stretch of highway I found "boring"
Riding US 322 from Harrisburg to State College in one of those small yellow bus was exasperating. (Couldn't see anything out the windows). I thought I had grown tired of that stretch but to my relief when on a college visit a few weeks later I still enjoyed that stretch of road. It probably didn't help the bus driver drove for Satan and I was tired from FBLA.
The drive on I-95 in North Carolina was always made in the dead of night on my family trips to Florida so to a kid who was interested in the blue logo signs and who recorded those signs, the night made an otherwise filled Interstate "boring". My dad who could drive with his knees going 90, towing a fifth wheel, petting the dogs, and reaching for a Twizzler couldn't drive with the lights on in the truck. I would joke that I never saw NC in the light, we always drove through during the night.
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go. Honestly after Jacksonville it seems like all the exits until the I-4 turnoff are the same. Logo signs with the Food and Gas packed on and every exit required a bridge to go over. Plus, none of those exits looked like they had space for a RV to fit for gas so we would always stop at Exit 1 in Georgia. Cheaper anyways :sombrero: But I still love I-95 in FL anyways. Free orange juice :bigass:
If I had to choose one route as "boring" it would be Route 22 from Ebensburg to Pittsburgh nothing but construction and adult video stores all the way to Pittsburgh.
I fail to see how you find US 22 bad. (US 322 is also cool, but you attributed that to your bus driver, so okay.) It's a very straight road, but it has some killer vistas on it (think that 3-mile long downhill near US 119), and now that it's all 4 lanes, it's a very nice, modern drive with some good mountain scenery on either side. The 2-lane road was a bitch to fight my way through, but it was far from boring. (I also tend to find the most boring roads are the ones with no traffic to keep me awake - so I-90 in MT is worse than I-80 in OH, unless I have button copy to find.)
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
Its just plain boring desert. Of course, I've saw a few Joshua trees and a town called Baker which is the gateway to Death Valley. Also, the abandoned water park, Rock-A-Hoopla. Otherwise, its just a boring old stretch, and you have to put the air conditioner to almost high levels of cold air.
Primm is also nice, and lets you know that the boring stretch is finally over and that you're in Nevada.
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
Doesn't even have any significant stretches of old alignment (unless you go the long way via 66-95).
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
I have to agree, though the swaths of (lack of exciting) scenery quickly get put on the back burner since you need to concentrate on running with the "traffic" pack at speeds over 90 MPH and planning your lane changes like a game of chess -- one wrong calculation and you're stuck either going much faster than you'd like (in the left lane) or too slow (in the right lane). Northbound gets exciting one you hit Zzyzx Road, though.
Quote from: Steve on July 03, 2013, 08:38:43 PM
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I can't honestly say there has ever been a stretch of highway I found "boring"
Riding US 322 from Harrisburg to State College in one of those small yellow bus was exasperating. (Couldn't see anything out the windows). I thought I had grown tired of that stretch but to my relief when on a college visit a few weeks later I still enjoyed that stretch of road. It probably didn't help the bus driver drove for Satan and I was tired from FBLA.
The drive on I-95 in North Carolina was always made in the dead of night on my family trips to Florida so to a kid who was interested in the blue logo signs and who recorded those signs, the night made an otherwise filled Interstate "boring". My dad who could drive with his knees going 90, towing a fifth wheel, petting the dogs, and reaching for a Twizzler couldn't drive with the lights on in the truck. I would joke that I never saw NC in the light, we always drove through during the night.
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go. Honestly after Jacksonville it seems like all the exits until the I-4 turnoff are the same. Logo signs with the Food and Gas packed on and every exit required a bridge to go over. Plus, none of those exits looked like they had space for a RV to fit for gas so we would always stop at Exit 1 in Georgia. Cheaper anyways :sombrero: But I still love I-95 in FL anyways. Free orange juice :bigass:
If I had to choose one route as "boring" it would be Route 22 from Ebensburg to Pittsburgh nothing but construction and adult video stores all the way to Pittsburgh.
I fail to see how you find US 22 bad. (US 322 is also cool, but you attributed that to your bus driver, so okay.) It's a very straight road, but it has some killer vistas on it (think that 3-mile long downhill near US 119), and now that it's all 4 lanes, it's a very nice, modern drive with some good mountain scenery on either side. The 2-lane road was a bitch to fight my way through, but it was far from boring. (I also tend to find the most boring roads are the ones with no traffic to keep me awake - so I-90 in MT is worse than I-80 in OH, unless I have button copy to find.)
Honestly, looking back it might be my anticipation for the Pirates games blinding me. Oh well, different roads for different folks. US 322 is beautiful when you can see it. Hard to from the seat of a small bus.
Quote from: NE2 on July 03, 2013, 10:26:57 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
Doesn't even have any significant stretches of old alignment (unless you go the long way via 66-95).
What kinda of a drive is the old 66/95? Is it winding, slow, or what?
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go...
If you live in the southern end of the state, seeing the "Welcome to Florida" sign is both welcome (yay, nearly home!) and loathsome (great, five more hours to go!)...I imagine Texans on opposite ends of I-10 think the same way.
Quote from: formulanone on July 09, 2013, 04:35:03 PM
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go...
If you live in the southern end of the state, seeing the "Welcome to Florida" sign is both welcome (yay, nearly home!) and loathsome (great, five more hours to go!)...I imagine Texans on opposite ends of I-10 think the same way.
Try entering Illinois at Cairo destined for near Chicago (about 5-6 hours), or entering Michigan at Luna Pier destined for Copper Harbor (a mere 6-7 hours away, 8-9 in bad weather).
Quote from: Brandon on July 09, 2013, 04:44:57 PM
Quote from: formulanone on July 09, 2013, 04:35:03 PM
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go...
If you live in the southern end of the state, seeing the "Welcome to Florida" sign is both welcome (yay, nearly home!) and loathsome (great, five more hours to go!)...I imagine Texans on opposite ends of I-10 think the same way.
Try entering Illinois at Cairo destined for near Chicago (about 5-6 hours), or entering Michigan at Luna Pier destined for Copper Harbor (a mere 6-7 hours away, 8-9 in bad weather).
Or Michigan via US 2 at Ironwood, destined for metro Detroit - you'll likely even have to leave the state for a bit while on your way, too!
Mike
Quote from: Brandon on July 09, 2013, 04:44:57 PM
Try entering Illinois at Cairo destined for near Chicago (about 5-6 hours).
The part of that drive that always tricked my memory was: "There's Champaign, so it's just a little bit more to go...wait, what, it's over 100 miles to the Tri-state?" For some reason, I always thought Champaign was closer to Chicago than that. Going southbound, I had an easier time of keeping up with reality.
Quote from: Brandon on July 09, 2013, 04:44:57 PM
Try entering Illinois at Cairo destined for near Chicago (about 5-6 hours)...
Since it's Cairo, so you're probably comforted by the subsequent long drive after driving through it...
Quote from: formulanone on July 09, 2013, 04:35:03 PM
entering Michigan at Luna Pier destined for Copper Harbor (a mere 6-7 hours away, 8-9 in bad weather).
Anybody who thinks they can get from Luna Pier to Copper Harbor in 7 hours is smoking something! It's at least 5 hours to Mackinaw City from Luna Pier.
Quote from: JCinSummerfield on July 11, 2013, 01:46:58 PM
Quote from: formulanone on July 09, 2013, 04:35:03 PM
entering Michigan at Luna Pier destined for Copper Harbor (a mere 6-7 hours away, 8-9 in bad weather).
Anybody who thinks they can get from Luna Pier to Copper Harbor in 7 hours is smoking something! It's at least 5 hours to Mackinaw City from Luna Pier.
Perhaps they're smoking tires all the way there
Copper Harbor to Luna Pier is a good 10 hours, 20 minutes according to Google.
And if you cut over to US-23 from Luna Pier, or Toledo for that matter, you save some time, but not that much.
The most boring stretch of highway in Indiana was US 31 between Carmel and South Bend as of several years ago. Completely flat and there's essentially nothing on the road besides Kokomo.
I'm not sure if the upgrades on that road and the continuing sprawl northward of Carmel has changed that. I would guess it would probably be worse at first once the Kokomo bypass opens.
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
you must have forgotten your two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, salt shaker half full of cocaine, whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, quart of tequila, quart of rum, case of Budweiser, pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on July 04, 2013, 04:35:51 PM
What kinda of a drive is the old 66/95? Is it winding, slow, or what?
95 has a few speed traps in Nevada. old 66, when it really gets away from 40, is pretty abandoned. you can probably do about 100 mph the whole way.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 18, 2013, 02:28:33 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
blotter acid
"Blotter Acid," now, that takes me straight back to 1973!
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 18, 2013, 02:28:33 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
you must have forgotten your two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, salt shaker half full of cocaine, whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, quart of tequila, quart of rum, case of Budweiser, pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
... you and i need to do a road trip
Quote from: Steve on July 22, 2013, 04:36:16 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 18, 2013, 02:28:33 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
you must have forgotten your two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, salt shaker half full of cocaine, whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, quart of tequila, quart of rum, case of Budweiser, pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
... you and i need to do a road trip
Hunter Thompson lives, indeed!
Quote from: djsinco on July 23, 2013, 03:51:24 AM
Quote from: Steve on July 22, 2013, 04:36:16 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 18, 2013, 02:28:33 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
you must have forgotten your two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, salt shaker half full of cocaine, whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, quart of tequila, quart of rum, case of Budweiser, pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
... you and i need to do a road trip
Hunter Thompson lives, indeed!
Buy the ticket.
Take the ride.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 18, 2013, 02:28:33 PM
Quote from: Lytton on July 03, 2013, 08:46:31 PM
The most boring stretch I've ever been on was Interstate 15 between Barstow and Las Vegas.
you must have forgotten your two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, salt shaker half full of cocaine, whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, quart of tequila, quart of rum, case of Budweiser, pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
Can I see your hazardous materials shipping paper, please (or do you consider these materials of trade?).
Quote from: roadman65 on March 30, 2013, 01:49:09 AMUS 1/ 23 from Folkston, GA to Waycross, GA.
That road is serene after midnight. From Folkston to Waycross, I could count the number of cars I saw heading in the opposite direction on one hand.
Quote from: Sonic99 on June 10, 2013, 07:09:32 PMYou could literally get to the I-5/US99 split for Bakersfield, set the cruise for 80-ish, lock the steering straight, and take a 4 hour nap.
Not true. There's too much traffic. You have all the 18-wheelers going 60 in the right lane, and a queue of cars going 61 in the left lane. The only way to get anywhere is pass part of the queue on the right in between the 18-wheelers and squeeze back into the left lane once you run out of room.
Quote from: NE2 on June 10, 2013, 07:24:23 PMSomehow that part of I-5 is a state scenic route. I've never been on it, so I can't personally call bullshit.
Actually, chickenshit is more like it. You hit a terrible wall of stench near a chicken farm somewhere between Coalinga and Los Banos.
Quote from: DBR96A on August 18, 2013, 06:33:33 AM
Quote from: NE2 on June 10, 2013, 07:24:23 PMSomehow that part of I-5 is a state scenic route. I've never been on it, so I can't personally call bullshit.
Actually, chickenshit is more like it. You hit a terrible wall of stench near a chicken farm somewhere between Coalinga and Los Banos.
The scenic route designation is only from CA-152 to I-580 which is the only stretch of I-5 in northern California that I have not driven. The rest of I-5 south of CA-152 does not and should not be a "scenic" route.
DBR96A, that stench you speak of is a massive cattle farm at the CA-145 exit (http://goo.gl/maps/0UHWS) near Coalinga.
Quote from: myosh_tino on August 19, 2013, 12:01:23 PM
The scenic route designation is only from CA-152 to I-580 which is the only stretch of I-5 in northern California that I have not driven. The rest of I-5 south of CA-152 does not and should not be a "scenic" route.
Damn, you're right. Somehow I got it in my head that the part south of Bath is also in it.
Quote from: NE2 on August 19, 2013, 02:19:15 PM
that the part south of Bath...
When I saw that statement, I had to stop and think for a moment. Then it hit me... "Los Banos" is Spanish for "Bath" :-D
Good one NE2! :clap:
I-70 from immediately after you get off the Turnpike to Columbus. All the exits are exactly the same(McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway... repeat ad nauseum) and the only really interesting thing you pass is the bridge in Wheeling. Actually, nearly all of Southeast Ohio's interstates are boring and deceptively long.
Also seconding the Western Kentucky Parkway. I thought Caneyville to E-Town would be interesting but it's nearly all incline with only trailers to dot the landscape. No Farms no nothing.
QuoteQuote from: The High Plains Traveler on July 23, 2013, 10:31:12 PMfive sheets of high powered blotter acid
Can I see your hazardous materials shipping paper, please
here you go, good sir!
U.S. 50 and U.S. 56 in Kansas west of I-35 are torture. Miles and miles of farm land. Every intersection is at a right angle. Small towns every 20-30 miles with a farmers co-op, a stockyard, one or two gas stations doubling as the local grocery store and cafe, one or two churches, and a blinking yellow light at the only major intersection in town. Still, every time I've ever visited out there I'm fascinated with the complete contrast to how things are in other parts of the country I've visite
And for just boring as hell: U.S. 82 in Mississippi. Travelling west from Columbus and Starkville, there ain't nothing. Nada. Zilch.
They have people to fix boring roads now:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2F2010_SW_Va%2FImages%2F3.jpg&hash=853c4b69a40b5565189b516c9c2ef9a72cb8a6e4)
Or is that to make the road boring?
I like most of I-29, but the only stretch of road I've ever fallen asleep on during a road trip is I-29 between Sioux Falls and Watertown. I actually like the road in northern South Dakota, nice and hilly in the Glacier Lakes region. Then I swear as soon as you pass the casino at the North Dakota border it gets flat and straight, and boring again. In my experience, the whole of I-29 in North Dakota is boring, but I've only clinched it from SD to the ND 17 exit near Grafton, and for some reason I doubt it gets more interesting on the northernmost forty miles.
And I actually quite like I-94 in North Dakota (https://maps.google.com/?ll=46.910582,-98.015041&spn=0.034301,0.084543&t=m&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.910359,-98.014881&panoid=Ruaeu5ydip-jaY4dj6MIgg&cbp=12,294.49,,0,-4.48). That is in Valley City, there's a gigantic buffalo in Jamestown (along with a rare-in-the-region left exit), and it's pretty nice west of Dickinson (from what I've seen; I've not been west of Medora).
I-39 is an obvious pick for most boring road, and trust me I agree it's boring as hell, but the most boring road I've ever been on is that stretch of I-29.
I would not say this is boring, especially on the PA side. The narrow lanes, sometimes 45 mph speed limit and on ramps with the stop signs at the end make this drive quite entertaining, as does the short 70 MPH stretch thru West Virginia with the steep grades out of the river valley.
Quote from: iamathousandapples on January 08, 2014, 12:38:26 AM
I-70 from immediately after you get off the Turnpike to Columbus. All the exits are exactly the same(McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway... repeat ad nauseum) and the only really interesting thing you pass is the bridge in Wheeling. Actually, nearly all of Southeast Ohio's interstates are boring and deceptively long.
Quote from: TCN7JM on January 10, 2014, 09:23:19 PM
I like most of I-29, but the only stretch of road I've ever fallen asleep on during a road trip is I-29 between Sioux Falls and Watertown. I actually like the road in northern South Dakota, nice and hilly in the Glacier Lakes region. Then I swear as soon as you pass the casino at the North Dakota border it gets flat and straight, and boring again. In my experience, the whole of I-29 in North Dakota is boring, but I've only clinched it from SD to the ND 17 exit near Grafton, and for some reason I doubt it gets more interesting on the northernmost forty miles.
And I actually quite like I-94 in North Dakota (https://maps.google.com/?ll=46.910582,-98.015041&spn=0.034301,0.084543&t=m&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.910359,-98.014881&panoid=Ruaeu5ydip-jaY4dj6MIgg&cbp=12,294.49,,0,-4.48). That is in Valley City, there's a gigantic buffalo in Jamestown (along with a rare-in-the-region left exit), and it's pretty nice west of Dickinson (from what I've seen; I've not been west of Medora).
I-39 is an obvious pick for most boring road, and trust me I agree it's boring as hell, but the most boring road I've ever been on is that stretch of I-29.
No, US 212 between Faith and Newell is worse. (Actually, any stretch of road West River is boring)
I-65 northeast of the Mobile area and southwest of the Montgomery area, then again starting about 25-30 miles north of Louisville up to about Seymour.
Quote from: tidecat on April 13, 2014, 06:18:40 PM
I-65 northeast of the Mobile area and southwest of the Montgomery area, then again starting about 25-30 miles north of Louisville up to about Seymour.
At least there's actual towns there.
^^ I'm assuming you're referring to Indiana when you say "actual towns." There's not much in Alabama along that stretch. Back in the '60s, the interstate was built along new terrain that avoided most actual civilization, and there has not been a whole lot of impetus for growth in the decades since.
I just read through all 11 pages of this topic and will be happy to add my contribution:
Insterstate 20 in Georgia between Augusta and Atlanta's eastern suburbs. Wow, that is a miserable stretch of road.
Sing along with me!
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
This goes on without any deviation for about 100 miles.
Interstate 40 in North Carolina between I-77 and I-85 is also a beast because I-40 goes on for so much longer than you think in NC. I guess it's like I-81 in Virginia in that it looks shorter than it really is.
I-10 between Jacksonville and I-75 is boring too when you go through that huge forest and there is a section with no exits for maybe 25 miles or so. Yeesh.
I-70 east of Limon, CO. Until you reach Kansas it is the most boring road you will ever find.
Then US 19, 98, and 27 Alternate from Cross City, FL to Perry, FL is another boring road.
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on May 13, 2014, 12:57:48 PM
Insterstate 20 in Georgia between Augusta and Atlanta's eastern suburbs. Wow, that is a miserable stretch of road.
Sing along with me!
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
Hey, at least you have hills, trees, and turns. I-5 through California's Central Valley has almost none of any of those. Just the smelly cattle ranch near Coalinga, mentioned above, which will wake you up to hit the "recirc" button on your climate control if you forgot to do that before the ranch.
Quote from: iamathousandapples on January 08, 2014, 12:38:26 AM
All the exits are exactly the same(McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway... repeat ad nauseum)
To be fair this is the vast majority of Interstate exits in the country.
I-29 through Iowa and I-40 from Little Rock to Memphis gets my vote
iPhone
Quote from: formulanone on July 09, 2013, 04:35:03 PM
Quote from: TheKnightoftheInterstate on July 03, 2013, 01:28:02 PM
I-95 in Florida seems really long to a kid eager to see Mickey Mouse. When you are a child and you reach you think WDW is just around the next exit. I vividly recall my dad telling me we still had about 3 more hours to go...
If you live in the southern end of the state, seeing the "Welcome to Florida" sign is both welcome (yay, nearly home!) and loathsome (great, five more hours to go!)...I imagine Texans on opposite ends of I-10 think the same way.
Only five hours? Not if you're seeing that sign on I-10. (Although, given that I'm in Austin, I'm used to the state line being an indicator of another several hours' travel. The fastest you can get anywhere that isn't Texas is a little over three hours to Nuevo Laredo, or roughly four hours to I-35 at the Red River or I-10 at the Sabine.)
Aren't you here because you like signs? I like signs and feel that stretches of road with a lot of signs are interesting. You can't usually go wrong with interstates, unless there is a long exit-less stretch and you can't see many signs. (Exits=signs :D)
I live in Florida and am fond of US 19/98 from Homosassa to Chiefland. Although I am a fan of the signs at freeway exits (indifferent toward Clearview), I find the stretch from Homosassa to Chiefland to be better than the Suncoast Pkwy.
I remember US 71 in Iowa from Carroll to Spencer to be very boring. It was all cornfields with few signs, no curves, no hills, no trees, and no towns. It got better north of Spencer, though.
I don't know if it has been mentioned, but probably I-95 east of New London, CT until you hit Greater Providence. The stretch is basically just fields and trees. Nothing else. When I was younger and going to Cape Cod, it made it worse because being the young roadgeek I was, I wanted to see the 8 lane highways in Providence badly! :sombrero:
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on May 13, 2014, 12:57:48 PM
I just read through all 11 pages of this topic and will be happy to add my contribution:
Insterstate 20 in Georgia between Augusta and Atlanta's eastern suburbs. Wow, that is a miserable stretch of road.
Sing along with me!
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
This goes on without any deviation for about 100 miles.
I'd have to agree. It's even worse than I-16. Why? Because, as desolate as I-16 is, it was also built over a longer time period-- early '60's to late '70's-- so there's some variation in the design and appearance. Not much, but some. I-20 was all built in the mid to late '60's, and has very little variation.
They've replaced a lot of the interchange bridges on I-20, but the new ones are all the same. *Yawn* They've replaced a few on I-16, too, but few enough that they add a little bit of interest.
My vote is for I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska. Driving this route on the way from Chicago to Colorado amounts to over a 1000km of boredom. Heh, I remember the first time I drove to Colorado expecting mountains and freaking out on I-76 at the prospect of yet more grass until Denver.
I feel like trees are more boring than plains, since you can see further in plains.
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on May 13, 2014, 12:57:48 PM
I just read through all 11 pages of this topic and will be happy to add my contribution:
Insterstate 20 in Georgia between Augusta and Atlanta's eastern suburbs. Wow, that is a miserable stretch of road.
Sing along with me!
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
This goes on without any deviation for about 100 miles.
[/quote]
I said that when I was on a family trip and was heading west in PA from NYC on I-80 en-route to Ohio. This was when PA was still using sequential exit numbers and 55 MPH speed limits. Exit 36 didn't sound that far from Ohio, until you saw mile marker 292 right next to it.
I've seen I-80 in Iowa mentioned, but IMO, that's the most interesting interstate going out of the Quad Cities. I-88, 80, and 74 in Illinois are all mind-numbingly boring outside of Chicagoland, Peoria, and Moline.
I-5 Halfway from Sacramento to Los Angeles. Sure the Manure smell will wake you up halfway.
I-49 between Opelousas and Alexandria, and Alexandria to Shreveport.
LA 28 between Leesville and Gardner.
US 61 between Natchez and Woodville.
And finally, because it is too boring, LA 139/AR 13 between Bastrop, LA and Pine Bluff, AR.
Quote from: Alps on June 25, 2013, 07:02:22 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 25, 2013, 01:12:56 PM
Just about any stretch of I-95 that I have been on has been boring. I have travelled it from near Philadelphia to the south end in Miami.
Do us all a favor and stay off of I-95 in eastern CT and northern ME, so that it doesn't become boring like the others.
I-95 in eastern CT is a PAIN. boring, but Trafficfest!
Interstate 40 in North Carolina between I-77 and I-85 is also a beast because I-40 goes on for so much longer than you think in NC. I guess it's like I-81 in Virginia in that it looks shorter than it really is.
I disagree. because once you hit Winston-Salem to Greensboro, NC you're going to encounter heavy traffic through both cities. If you're driving faster than usual, you'll find that stretch faster. But when you goes west on I-40 from Winston-Salem to I-77, that's a different story.
Quote from: relaxok on June 10, 2013, 05:22:20 PM
I don't have any experience driving in the plains states, so... I will say that on my trip from New England to Atlanta, I-81 through Virginia was a total snoozefest.
If you're driving north on I-81, I agree with you. it seems to be taking forever, but if you are driving south on I-81, that's different. It seems like traffic is going faster when it goes south instead of north.
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Quote from: ZLoth on May 25, 2014, 05:54:22 AM
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Well the only time a boring highway becomes interesting is when you have to smell manure in your car. I 680 at the Lake Herman rd exit is interesting. LAke Herman rd is when you have an underated scenic road within Benicia and Vallejo city limits.
Quote from: bing101 on May 25, 2014, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: ZLoth on May 25, 2014, 05:54:22 AM
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Well the only time a boring highway becomes interesting is when you have to smell manure in your car. I 680 at the Lake Herman rd exit is interesting. LAke Herman rd is when you have an underated scenic road within Benicia and Vallejo city limits.
There are plenty of manure smells along I-78/US 22 in PA! yeow.
Quote from: Strider on May 25, 2014, 07:27:22 PM
Quote from: bing101 on May 25, 2014, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: ZLoth on May 25, 2014, 05:54:22 AM
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Well the only time a boring highway becomes interesting is when you have to smell manure in your car. I 680 at the Lake Herman rd exit is interesting. LAke Herman rd is when you have an underated scenic road within Benicia and Vallejo city limits.
There are plenty of manure smells along I-78/US 22 in PA! yeow.
Never thought about I-78. But thanks! I only know about the I-5 one Halfway between Sacramento/ and Bay Area to Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley sections where cows live on Manure.
I-49 from Opelousas to Alexandria, and Alexandria to Shreveport. Mile after mile of nothing. Make sure you stop at the Natchitoches exit. No matter how empty your bladder and colon are, or how full your gas tank is. At the very least, get a meat pie. If you don't, you'll regret it. (Also gives you more time to chuckle at the sign that says "Many Natchitoches" when we all know there's only one. :spin: )
Also on my boring list:
I-10 between Tallahassee and I-75.
I-55 from West Memphis to I-57.
Most of I-57 in Illinois.
Pretty much all of rural Ohio north of I-70.
Pretty much all rural interstates in Mississippi.
Almost qualifies but doesn't: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Parts are elevated, there's some odd stuff out there, and you can watch your destination skyline grow from nothing. Otherwise it's just you and the water for 20 miles.
I've been on I-78 in southeastern PA before, and yeah, it is boring and "fragrant."
Last week I drove to Atlanta and had to endure that stretch of I-20 that I complained about earlier. Yeah, it really is that bad. From mile marker 185 (wherever the weigh station is) to about 93 (where the road expands to 6 lanes), there is absolutely NOTHING to look at. Literally nonstop trees and NO towns of any significance whatsoever. It's like once you pass Fort Gordon and the sound barrier west of Augusta, it's just trees and trees and trees. No cars get on or off the interstate because there's NOTHING. You can't even see the fast food restaurants or gas stations off the exits!
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on May 13, 2014, 12:57:48 PMSing along with me!
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
"Up the hill! Down the hill! Look at the trees! Turn!"
This goes on without any deviation for about 100 miles.
Allow me to rewrite the lyrics for I-79 in West Virginia:
Up the hill, up the hill some more, turn right, down the hill, turn left, down the hill some more, turn right, oh shit, slow down a bit, *tires chirp slightly*, up another hill, downshift and accelerate, put the sun visor over the driver's side window, down another hill, S-curve, pretty creek, beat-up trailer, turn left, keep turning left, will this curve ever end?, brake, up another hill, downshift and accelerate, put the sun visor over the windshield, HOLY SHIT A STRAIGHT SECTION!, accelerate, turn right, turn right some more, brake, put the sun visor back over the driver's side window, down the hill, turn right as you go downhill, brake, be careful, Exit [insert number in the 90's here], cute houses clinging to the hillside, slow 18-wheeler lumbering up the on-ramp, move into the left lane, Kawasaki flies by and cuts you off, WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!, move all the way into the left lane, up another hill, downshift and accelerate, move the sun visor back over the windshield, turn right, down another hill...
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on May 13, 2014, 12:57:48 PMI-10 between Jacksonville and I-75 is boring too when you go through that huge forest and there is a section with no exits for maybe 25 miles or so. Yeesh.
That segment without exits was always a serene drive at night. All there is is a rest area in the middle of it.
I really liked I-79 in West Virginia the first few times I was on it. Now, it's a chore to drive that I've come to dread anytime I use the road.
From SB Nation:
Staff Picks: Worst highways in AmericaQuoteIf every highway is like a story waiting to be told, then it follows that some of these stories are beautiful, poignant travels in the human experience, and some are Lovecraft stories that end with you wanting to cry and gouge your eyeballs from your head. We asked the SB Nation staff about their worst highways, their least favorite drives, and what roads in this great country need to be shut forever and left to the zombies. These are their answers.
FULL ARTICLE HERE (http://markholtz.info/zd)
Not sure if this was mentioned, but Florida SR 71 between Wewahitchka, FL and White City, FL is rather boring (pretty much nothing but pine forests around the highway).
Allow me to serve up US85 from Watford City, ND to Canada and US 2 from Williston to Minot. Unless you find nodding donkeys (a.k.a. pump jacks) and gas flares scenic, it's pretty bland...
Quote from: bing101 on May 25, 2014, 10:24:03 PM
Quote from: Strider on May 25, 2014, 07:27:22 PM
Quote from: bing101 on May 25, 2014, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: ZLoth on May 25, 2014, 05:54:22 AM
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Well the only time a boring highway becomes interesting is when you have to smell manure in your car. I 680 at the Lake Herman rd exit is interesting. LAke Herman rd is when you have an underated scenic road within Benicia and Vallejo city limits.
There are plenty of manure smells along I-78/US 22 in PA! yeow.
Never thought about I-78. But thanks! I only know about the I-5 one Halfway between Sacramento/ and Bay Area to Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley sections where cows live on Manure.
I-65 between Lafayette and Gary, IN is flat, boring, and smells like manure as you drive by Fair Oaks. (Indiana 14)
US 36 in Illinois is straight and passes through many flat corn and bean fields. It is rather boring to drive.
Many westerners probably think their roads are boring. However I like driving on roads that go through deserts. Living in Indiana it is nice to see something different. Driving in deserts and mountains is my favorite type of driving (this is probably why I want to go to Mexico so bad).
I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis, also between Old Fort and Winston-Salem NC. Hell throw in the last stretch of 40 between Raleigh and Wilmington. Then there's Oklahomas 40. Really most of the road just sucks. And any road in Central Nebraska. And Western Colorado.
I'm going to clinch I-8 next month on a trip from San Diego to Tucson. Looking forward to it!
I recently drove that dead stretch of nothingness that is I-20 between Atlanta and Augusta. It's not nearly so bad if you drive it late at night and can't see anything. Yeesh.
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on August 02, 2014, 08:12:38 PM
I recently drove that dead stretch of nothingness that is I-20 between Atlanta and Augusta. It's not nearly so bad if you drive it late at night and can't see anything. Yeesh.
Heck, most of I-20 west of Atlanta can fall under this category. There is absolutely nothing along the way save for Augusta and Columbia.
Quote from: DesertDog on August 02, 2014, 07:43:24 PM
Hell pull up a map of the Cuyamaca Mountains, Imperial Valley and anything along the Luke Air Force Range because you'll find old alignments if you look hard enough.
They're quite visible on Mapquest. (Pulled it up and looked for it just for fun.)
Someone probably mentioned this, but I-90 between the NY/PA state line and Utica takes the cake. With the exception of the free section and the rock cut just east of Exit 48, it is all the same. Up/down a small hill, farms or forests on both sides, etc. People are known to fall asleep in the stretch between Syracuse and Rochester due to the flatness and lack of curves. US 23 in Ohio is pretty dreadful, along with I-70 and I-71 outside of urban areas in the same state.
Quote from: mgk920 on March 09, 2013, 12:37:11 PM
One more that I was bored on the first time was westbound I-40 between Knoxville and Nashville, TN. That highway just seemed to go on and on and on and on and....
:sleep:
Mike
You're high. That's a beautiful drive.
I-40 doesn't go through Little Rock or Fort Smith.
The most boring road I've ever been on is OK 45. Miles and miles of nothing. The only, and I mean ONLY redeeming part of this road is that it inexplicably hops onto US 281 and plexes with it to Waynoka, where it just ends.
Quote from: cl94 on August 03, 2014, 07:43:46 PM
Someone probably mentioned this, but I-90 between the NY/PA state line and Utica takes the cake. With the exception of the free section and the rock cut just east of Exit 48, it is all the same. Up/down a small hill, farms or forests on both sides, etc. People are known to fall asleep in the stretch between Syracuse and Rochester due to the flatness and lack of curves. US 23 in Ohio is pretty dreadful, along with I-70 and I-71 outside of urban areas in the same state.
I will co-sign all of this. The I-90 stretch of the NY Thruway is the most dreadfully boring drive that one can imagine. For Ohio, I'll also add I-77, the whole thing.
I-95 through the Carolinas is also pretty bad. Nothing but trees and fields.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on August 04, 2014, 08:11:48 AM
Quote from: cl94 on August 03, 2014, 07:43:46 PM
Someone probably mentioned this, but I-90 between the NY/PA state line and Utica takes the cake. With the exception of the free section and the rock cut just east of Exit 48, it is all the same. Up/down a small hill, farms or forests on both sides, etc. People are known to fall asleep in the stretch between Syracuse and Rochester due to the flatness and lack of curves. US 23 in Ohio is pretty dreadful, along with I-70 and I-71 outside of urban areas in the same state.
For Ohio, I'll also add I-77, the whole thing.
I-95 through the Carolinas is also pretty bad. Nothing but trees and fields.
I've driven almost all of I-77 in Ohio except for the extreme northern part north of Akron. Maybe because I'm not from Ohio, the whole road was interesting to me. The terrain gets increasingly hilly as you go south, so that provides a bit of a break from the monotony.
As for I-95, I will agree that the NC stretch is kinda boring and frustrating to drive, but that's mainly because there are only 4 lanes the whole way. But at least there's enough traffic to keep things interesting.
I-95 in South Carolina is just long and boring because there are NO major cities located anywhere along the route. But the changes in terrain (swamps) can keep things a bit more interesting.
Whenever I'm making my bimonthly trip to Columbia I actively try to avoid using I-95 between Richmond and Florence. The only thing worth seeing along that stretch is the South of the Border tourist trap, which gets a whole lot less magical when you go inside and realize that it's basically a vanilla beach shop with a dingy motel and broken carnival rides. Unfortunately, the people I travel with demand we take the absolute fastest way there, which is invariably I-95.
Quote from: Thing 342 on August 04, 2014, 09:49:17 AM
Whenever I'm making my bimonthly trip to Columbia I actively try to avoid using I-95 between Richmond and Florence. The only thing worth seeing along that stretch is the South of the Border tourist trap, which gets a whole lot less magical when you go inside and realize that it's basically a vanilla beach shop with a dingy motel and broken carnival rides. Unfortunately, the people I travel with demand we take the absolute fastest way there, which is invariably I-95.
Why not take I-95 to 85 to 77? I think it's only about 10 miles longer or so, but it's much more driveable that way. There are more stretches of road that have at least 6 lanes, and because you drive through actual cities, there's a bit more variety in terms of scenery and places to eat. I think there's even an Ikea in Charlotte right off I-85 at maybe Exit 46 or so that would keep your spouse and kids happy!
We just drove from Necedah Wisconsin to Pell City Alabama. WHY IS I-39 IN ILLINOIS SO BORING? Then we took I-74 to US-41 to Evansville. The rest was boring too but I-39 was God awful.
Quote from: texaskdog on August 04, 2014, 10:56:50 AM
We just drove from Necedah Wisconsin to Pell City Alabama. WHY IS I-39 IN ILLINOIS SO BORING? Then we took I-74 to US-41 to Evansville. The rest was boring too but I-39 was God awful.
I-39 boring? Sure, it's flat, but it's green. There's all sorts of stuff along the road there: barns, houses, fields of soybeans, corn, sometimes hay or straw. Then there's the Illinois River Valley (with the bridge) and the wind farm up by Paw Paw. Further north it passes through the Kishwaukee River Valley going through rock cuts both north and south of the river (yes, I said rock cuts, in Illinois).
US 70 between Kinston and New Bern.
Quote from: Strider on May 25, 2014, 03:01:57 AM
Quote from: relaxok on June 10, 2013, 05:22:20 PM
I don't have any experience driving in the plains states, so... I will say that on my trip from New England to Atlanta, I-81 through Virginia was a total snoozefest.
If you're driving north on I-81, I agree with you. it seems to be taking forever, but if you are driving south on I-81, that's different. It seems like traffic is going faster when it goes south instead of north.
:hmmm: gravity?? :biggrin:
I'm driving 81 next week. The southern part is nice but north of Roanoke it gets boring. It's pretty at first but then it's the same thing and it goes on forever. Just like 81 in PA
iPhone
Thought of another one worthy of nominating, but it's been years since I've driven it.
I-65 from Gary, IN through basically ALL of Indiana.
Very flat, boring stretch of highway with a few strip malls and travel plazas every few exits. ZzzzzzzZ.
Quote from: bugo on August 04, 2014, 07:52:23 AM
I-40 doesn't go through Little Rock or Fort Smith.
it
serves both.
I wonder why this is one of your hangups.
Quote from: Brandon on August 07, 2014, 11:00:14 AM
I-39 boring? Sure, it's flat, but it's green. There's all sorts of stuff along the road there: barns, houses, fields of soybeans, corn, sometimes hay or straw. Then there's the Illinois River Valley (with the bridge) and the wind farm up by Paw Paw. Further north it passes through the Kishwaukee River Valley going through rock cuts both north and south of the river (yes, I said rock cuts, in Illinois).
and you can experience all those on old US-51 (mostly signed as IL-251, IIRC). I agree that 39 isn't all that interesting in Illinois. it's like I-80 in Nebraska: infinitely more boring than the US-30 which runs very close to it.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 21, 2014, 03:42:06 PM
Quote from: bugo on August 04, 2014, 07:52:23 AM
I-40 doesn't go through Little Rock or Fort Smith.
it serves both.
I wonder why this is one of your hangups.
Because it bips.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 21, 2014, 03:42:06 PM
Quote from: bugo on August 04, 2014, 07:52:23 AM
I-40 doesn't go through Little Rock or Fort Smith.
it serves both.
I wonder why this is one of your hangups.
I get why I-40 doesn't go directly through Little Rock. I-30 does, and I-430, I-630, and I-440 all serve or go through Little Rock. Why doesn't I-40 go closer to Fort Smith? Terrain?
Quote from: Brandon on August 21, 2014, 05:39:26 PM
why doesn't I-40 go closer to Fort Smith? Terrain?
For one thing, it would have to cross the river twice.
Quote from: bugo on August 21, 2014, 05:55:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 21, 2014, 05:39:26 PM
why doesn't I-40 go closer to Fort Smith? Terrain?
For one thing, it would have to cross the river twice.
Why doesn't a woodchuck chuck wood? Because it has a spur route. There are a lot of cities where an interstate skims the edge of a city. I don't think 5 miles is very far from Ft Smith.
iPhone
While driving here are my boring roads, for trucking.
I-55 in Arkansas is bad, but hey...the sudden decay in pavement coming from the north makes it fun, particularly when the suspension on the semi attempts to keep up, I-55 has a much much worse segment.... Manchac Swamp Bridge outside New Orleans, just 23 miles of overpass with occasional high level segments. I felt like time ran backwards on that crossing.
I-57 can get really boring, really shows ya the heartland tho. The cairo bridge is nice.
SOme roads would be boring if not for their odd design quirks, like the indiana toll road, i used to think the PA turnpike sucked, until i drove both in a semi...the PA turnpike has sane design decisions at times, indiana just seems to have a just let it decay and not tweak it mentality.
Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 25, 2014, 04:48:36 PM
SOme roads would be boring if not for their odd design quirks, like the indiana toll road, i used to think the PA turnpike sucked, until i drove both in a semi...the PA turnpike has sane design decisions at times, indiana just seems to have a just let it decay and not tweak it mentality.
If it was more recently, like say in the past 5 years or so, I'd say it has a lot to do with the consortium that operates the Toll Road now. They are nowhere near as good as InDOT at upkeep. IMHO, it's a good lesson on why toll roads should not be leased to third party operators with a profit motive.
Quote from: Brandon on August 25, 2014, 05:03:44 PM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 25, 2014, 04:48:36 PM
SOme roads would be boring if not for their odd design quirks, like the indiana toll road, i used to think the PA turnpike sucked, until i drove both in a semi...the PA turnpike has sane design decisions at times, indiana just seems to have a just let it decay and not tweak it mentality.
If it was more recently, like say in the past 5 years or so, I'd say it has a lot to do with the consortium that operates the Toll Road now. They are nowhere near as good as InDOT at upkeep. IMHO, it's a good lesson on why toll roads should not be leased to third party operators with a profit motive.
I drove it first in 2009, then 2010, then 2014...it hasn't changed much.
Quote from: SteveG1988 on August 25, 2014, 04:48:36 PM
I-55 in Arkansas is bad, but hey...the sudden decay in pavement coming from the north makes it fun, particularly when the suspension on the semi attempts to keep up, I-55 has a much much worse segment.... Manchac Swamp Bridge outside New Orleans, just 23 miles of overpass with occasional high level segments. I felt like time ran backwards on that crossing.
Objection, at least during the day. Plenty of scenic wetlands, plus the fishing community at Manchac that has canals instead of roads. Definitely more interesting than I-55 in Arkansas. Now at night, I'll give you that since all you can see are 23 miles of bridge.
A very old thread but I was surprised that there were only one or two mentions of I-505 connecting I-5 to I-80 bypassing Sacramento. It's the definition of boring. I guess its only 33 miles long but it feels like 75 because there is almost nothing to see or do along the way.
I agree with a few common nominations that I-81 in PA/VA is pretty awful also and US-20 from Bend to Burns in Oregon is tedious. I-57 (frequently nominated) is deserving of ridicule for sure.
US 52 from Lebanon, IN to US 41 (Skipping the Lafayette area) is nothing as far as the eye can see.
Stretches of M-57 I believe are among the most boring stretches of highway in Michigan. M-57 runs east and west almost on a straight line but it does have several curves and is 105 miles long. I would say the most boring stretch is the stretch between Chesaning to the other side of Carson City, almost to M-66. After M-66 it's not quite as boring. There must be some slight curves on M-57 since the Seney Stretch of M-28 is the longest straight as an arrow stretch in the state but M-57 has a stretch that seems longer than the Seney Stretch. I'm talking about from Meridian Road at the Gratiot/Saginaw County line to just before M-66 I notice a slight curve but other than that it's almost straight as an arrow and very boring going through farm fields for the most part. You do have the interchange with US-127 but that isn't much and US-127 is about the halfway point between M-52 and M-66.
I'll put a vote in for a couple stretches mentioned a few times in this thread, namely I-57 and I-20 between Columbia and Florence. For I-20(/59), I'd also like to add the stretches between Tuscaloosa and Meridian, and Jackson and Vicksburg. When you're slowly going insane, 16 hours into your third 19-hour trip in as many days, those two stretches feel like you're on a film set with the road and "scenery" on rolling, repeating panels around you.
Upthread, and from several years back, the segment of I-5 from Sacramento to Red Bluff was mentioned more than once; there's some slight amelioration of the boredom these days with the emergence of the area as a noted "foodie" production area, with specialty cheese being the prime attraction centered in the formerly "backwater" town of Willows. Grazier, Sierra Nevada Cheese, and others are attempting to mimic Tillamook, OR as tourist attractions. "Piggybacking" on this new phonomenon are the "olive bars" further up the line around Orland and Corning; they've been around for at least 30 years.
But I guess if one isn't into such things -- or isn't particularly hungry -- then the trek's still a bit boring!
I think any rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 02:03:59 PM
I think any non-mountainous rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
FTFY.
I-89, I-93 in New Hampshire...
Quote from: 1 on April 09, 2018, 04:38:06 PM
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 02:03:59 PM
I think any non-mountainous rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
FTFY.
I-89, I-93 in New Hampshire...
Oh, right, definitely. I-40 in Western North Carolina is lovely. So is I-77 in VA and WV.
Quote from: 1 on April 09, 2018, 04:38:06 PM
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 02:03:59 PM
I think any non-mountainous rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
FTFY.
I-89, I-93 in New Hampshire...
Mountainous highways can be boring: I-81 through VA and I-80 through PA both say hello.
I-80 through the Bonneville Salt Flats can get boring fast. While the scenery is cool, it's 40 miles without a single bend in the road, so your view doesn't change for more than half an hour. There are even "Drowsy Drivers Pull Over" signs.
I-80 in Wyoming is pretty boring, with the occasional wind farm or mountain pass to keep drivers awake.
Quote from: Thing 342 on April 09, 2018, 07:03:13 PM
Quote from: 1 on April 09, 2018, 04:38:06 PM
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 02:03:59 PM
I think any non-mountainous rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
FTFY.
I-89, I-93 in New Hampshire...
Mountainous highways can be boring: I-81 through VA and I-80 through PA both say hello.
I-81 mostly runs through a valley. I'd also argue that both have enough traffic, especially trucks to keep one alert. I don't find either particularly boring, and I have a lot of experience with both.
I-81 is hardly a boring road. I, for one, enjoy using it and have never found myself in danger of falling asleep. Not really any extended straight stretches, and it's certainly more interesting than the thruway.
Does anyone else find north-south roads more interesting in general? Almost all of the submissions thus far have been east-west roads. Not sure why it is, but I definitely find east-west (thruway, I-80) more boring.
Any road that is straight and lined with trees.
Quote from: webny99 on April 09, 2018, 07:26:09 PM
Does anyone else find north-south roads more interesting in general? Almost all of the submissions thus far have been east-west roads. Not sure why it is, but I definitely find east-west (thruway, I-80) more boring.
Most submissions have likely been east-west roads, because a lot of cross-country roads (east to west) go through parts of the country such as the Great Plains which are long and don't have as fascinating scenery as other places, such as the Rocky Mountains. For example, Interstate 70 in Kansas and Interstate 80 in Nebraska are often high contenders on the "most boring interstate" list, and they fall under these categories (cross-country, east-west, can be long and monotonous for large sections, etc.). There are extremely interesting sections of interstate that are both north-south (example: I-17 in Arizona) and east-west (example: I-84 in much of Oregon, such as the Columbia Gorge and Cabbage Hill), but east-west interstates are probably more likely to be mentioned in this thread, simply because of the many east-to-west interstates that cross the country for a very long time and distance, but not always in the most interesting scenery.
I-5 between CA 99 north to CA 299 is on some of the most flat and boring terrain in California.
Most boring Interstate I can remember being on was I-64 between Louisville and St. Louis. The drive across Indiana and Illinois seemed to take forever.
I used to think I-505 qualified, back when I was a kid. But having driven it, I rank it as the same as I-5 between Coburg and Albany.
I-5 between I-505 and Redding, however... I'd rather do the Wheeler Ridge-I-580 slog.
I-35 in Missouri and Iowa. Ugh.
And: MN 64
i-17 is a fun drive.
isn't there a very long, straight east west state road in north dakota that's very boring, i think it's 42. it might be the straightest state highway.
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on April 09, 2018, 09:52:09 PM
Quote from: webny99 on April 09, 2018, 07:26:09 PM
Does anyone else find north-south roads more interesting in general? Almost all of the submissions thus far have been east-west roads. Not sure why it is, but I definitely find east-west (thruway, I-80) more boring.
Most submissions have likely been east-west roads, because a lot of cross-country roads (east to west) go through parts of the country such as the Great Plains which are long and don't have as fascinating scenery as other places, such as the Rocky Mountains. For example, Interstate 70 in Kansas and Interstate 80 in Nebraska are often high contenders on the "most boring interstate" list, and they fall under these categories (cross-country, east-west, can be long and monotonous for large sections, etc.). There are extremely interesting sections of interstate that are both north-south (example: I-17 in Arizona) and east-west (example: I-84 in much of Oregon, such as the Columbia Gorge and Cabbage Hill), but east-west interstates are probably more likely to be mentioned in this thread, simply because of the many east-to-west interstates that cross the country for a very long time and distance, but not always in the most interesting scenery.
I definitely thought of that, as well. I've often wondered if it has something to do with the position of the sun, too, making east-west roads seem more infinite in length, whereas north-south highways feel more finite, even through the plains (I-35, I-29). Changes in landscape also tend to be much more gradual going east-west, and more abrupt going north-south. Knowing the road goes thousands of miles east or west, can also make it not quite as exciting ( :sleep: :coffee:), when the scenery isn't very interesting.
Quote from: silverback1065 on April 10, 2018, 12:05:29 PM
isn't there a very long, straight east west state road in north dakota that's very boring, i think it's 42. it might be the straightest state highway.
Pretty much any state road in (eastern) North Dakota is boring. You're probably thinking of US-2, though, which I have driven on (but not any extended rural stretches).
Quote from: silverback1065 on April 10, 2018, 12:05:29 PM
i-17 is a fun drive.
isn't there a very long, straight east west state road in north dakota that's very boring, i think it's 42. it might be the straightest state highway.
I believe it's SH-46 that you are thinking of.
Mackenzie Highway, long and mostly straight, lined with trees so you can't see very far. Interesting bits including bears and bison, and the bridge, but there's an awful lot of sitting there on cruise control with nothing to do.
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 05:59:33 PM
Quote from: 1 on April 09, 2018, 04:38:06 PM
Quote from: index on April 09, 2018, 02:03:59 PM
I think any non-mountainous rural east coast highway can qualify for this. I-85 and I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina can be a real snooze fest. For a lot of the time, it's you, your direction of travel, and a nonstop wall of trees for miles on end. I swear, I-80 Nebraska would be better. I haven't actually been there, though. It'd probably be interesting for a little bit because of the change in scenery, but it'd be equally as boring after a bit I'd bet.
FTFY.
I-89, I-93 in New Hampshire...
Oh, right, definitely. I-40 in Western North Carolina is lovely. So is I-77 in VA and WV.
Also US 221, US 321, or US 421 heading up through Boone
I-26 from US 74 to the TN line
Great Smoky Mountain Expressway (US 19, US 23, US 74, US 441, NC 28)
Most of US 64 throughout the state
North Carolina has some spectacular highways
I-90 is a genuine snoozefest from Utica to Syracuse and also from Springfield to Worcester.
I-195 (MA) is as generic and rustic of a New England interstate as you can get.
I-15 from Barstow to Baker (CA) traverses some of the least interesting parts of the Mojave Desert; if not for the adjacent UP rail line along about half of the stretch's length, there would be virtually nothing to look at. Northeast of Baker at least there's some mountains; the downhill run to the state line from Mountain Pass (now there's an original name!) is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, SoCal-Vegas journeys must pass through 80 miles of sheer boredom each way (and Victorville-Barstow is hardly any better).
Quote from: sparker on April 11, 2018, 05:16:40 AM
I-15 from Barstow to Baker (CA) traverses some of the least interesting parts of the Mojave Desert; if not for the adjacent UP rail line along about half of the stretch's length, there would be virtually nothing to look at. Northeast of Baker at least there's some mountains; the downhill run to the state line from Mountain Pass (now there's an original name!) is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, SoCal-Vegas journeys must pass through 80 miles of sheer boredom each way (and Victorville-Barstow is hardly any better).
That's why I prefer CA 190 or CA 127 when traveling to Vegas. There was always something interesting about going through the derelict deep parts of the Mojave that had a weird kind of vibe to it. Back in 2016 I took Garlock Road, Searles Station Cutoff, Trona Road, CA 178, Trona-Wildrose Road, CA 190, CA 127, and State Line to get to Nevada via Death Valley National Park. That was a way more fun trip taking pictures of those desert roads, mountains, and ghost towns than the San Diego 500 on I-15.
US 74 from Anson County to New Hanover County, NC is pretty boring. You go through the Carolina sandhills and coastal plain, all of which are pretty boring stretches, mostly flat, of longleaf pines. Some of the counties US 74 goes through on its way there, such as Robeson and Scotland, also have pretty run down areas. The only interesting part of it seems to be when you actually reach Wilmington.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 11, 2018, 08:07:31 AM
Quote from: sparker on April 11, 2018, 05:16:40 AM
I-15 from Barstow to Baker (CA) traverses some of the least interesting parts of the Mojave Desert; if not for the adjacent UP rail line along about half of the stretch's length, there would be virtually nothing to look at. Northeast of Baker at least there's some mountains; the downhill run to the state line from Mountain Pass (now there's an original name!) is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, SoCal-Vegas journeys must pass through 80 miles of sheer boredom each way (and Victorville-Barstow is hardly any better).
That's why I prefer CA 190 or CA 127 when traveling to Vegas. There was always something interesting about going through the derelict deep parts of the Mojave that had a weird kind of vibe to it. Back in 2016 I took Garlock Road, Searles Station Cutoff, Trona Road, CA 178, Trona-Wildrose Road, CA 190, CA 127, and State Line to get to Nevada via Death Valley National Park. That was a way more fun trip taking pictures of those desert roads, mountains, and ghost towns than the San Diego 500 on I-15.
That sounds way, way out of the way.
The stretch of US-136 between Fisher and Heyworth in Illinois does not go through many towns, appears to be either completely straight or very close to it, doesn't have a lot of traffic, and doesn't appear to have a considerable amount of elevation change.
In Minnesota, pretty much everything south or west of the Mississippi goes on this list.
I-11 north of Vegas will make this list the second it is built. :)
Pretty much any Arizona highway East of US-89 and North of I-40 -- might be exciting to drive the first time, with the Indian Reservations and unique rock formations for those who have never seen them, but to drive those highways for the 3rd time or more gets very boring. Two-lane roads, 50-100 miles between cities and services and a surprising amount of littler on the side of the roads.
Quote from: thenetwork on April 12, 2018, 08:47:54 PM
Pretty much any Arizona highway East of US-89 and North of I-40 -- might be exciting to drive the first time, with the Indian Reservations and unique rock formations for those who have never seen them, but to drive those highways for the 3rd time or more gets very boring. Two-lane roads, 50-100 miles between cities and services and a surprising amount of littler on the side of the roads.
I never understood the huge attraction that compels people to say AZ 98 is one of the most scenic state routes in Arizona. Its not "bad" but it doesn't stand up to the likes of AZ 260, AZ 89A, US 191 over the Coronado Trail, and many more that I could spend a whole post typing about. US 160 is insufferably boring and even US 163 goes way down hill after crossing the state line from Utah. Pretty much all the reservations in Arizona have the same issue with litter on the side of the road. San Carlos is the worst on US 70, the shoulders actually sparkle in the sun from all the broken glass.
Surprised nobody in this six-year-old thread has mentioned the "Alligator Alley" section of I-75 in Florida between Naples and US 27 west of Fort Lauderdale (which I drove today, not for the first time). In its 78 miles between exits 23 (US 27) and 101 (easternmost Naples exit), only two exits open to the general public, some rest/recreational areas, and toll plazas at both ends. Lots of trees lining the road, some waterways, and fences and underpasses to keep endangered/threatened species from becoming roadkill. Not as unremittingly bleak as some other highways I've driven (I-5 through California's Central Valley, AB 35 between High Level and the NT border, almost all of MB 6), but still rather mind-numbing.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 12, 2018, 09:10:31 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on April 12, 2018, 08:47:54 PM
Pretty much any Arizona highway East of US-89 and North of I-40 -- might be exciting to drive the first time, with the Indian Reservations and unique rock formations for those who have never seen them, but to drive those highways for the 3rd time or more gets very boring. Two-lane roads, 50-100 miles between cities and services and a surprising amount of littler on the side of the roads.
I never understood the huge attraction that compels people to say AZ 98 is one of the most scenic state routes in Arizona. Its not "bad" but it doesn't stand up to the likes of AZ 260, AZ 89A, US 191 over the Coronado Trail, and many more that I could spend a whole post typing about. US 160 is insufferably boring and even US 163 goes way down hill after crossing the state line from Utah. Pretty much all the reservations in Arizona have the same issue with litter on the side of the road. San Carlos is the worst on US 70, the shoulders actually sparkle in the sun from all the broken glass.
The most littered road I've ever been on was US 160 in Colorado, between US 491 and the Four Corners. There were tons of beer bottles and Coke cans on the shoulders, and even some in the middle of the road.
Quote from: oscar on April 12, 2018, 09:24:59 PM
Surprised nobody in this six-year-old thread has mentioned the "Alligator Alley" section of I-75 in Florida between Naples and US 27 west of Fort Lauderdale (which I drove today, not for the first time). In its 78 miles between exits 23 (US 27) and 101 (easternmost Naples exit), only two exits open to the general public, some rest/recreational areas, and toll plazas at both ends. Lots of trees lining the road, some waterways, and fences and underpasses to keep endangered/threatened species from becoming roadkill. Not as unremittingly bleak as some other highways I've driven (I-5 through California's Central Valley, AB 35 between High Level and the NT border, almost all of MB 6), but still rather mind-numbing.
A fellow from Sheffield, England told me it reminded him of a cartoon where the background scenery repeats itself.
The solitude away from the big city is neat, but it's not exactly exciting. The first half is lined with invasive pepper bushes that aren't much to write home about, but the tree islands and strands west of Exit 49 make it a bit more enjoyable.
It also used to be a speeder's haven, but FHP and the Miccosukee Police have put the kibosh on that for the past decade.
A few weeks ago I bought a new vehicle in Pensacola, which is only a few hours from my home via I-10 and I-12. By the time I got to Mobile I was already starting to get tired of the trip. Mississippi dragged on forever, and the fairly short portion of I-12 wasn't much more sufferable.
There are probably several factors at work here. Buying a new car is a workout unto itself. And I've driven that stretch so many times it's old hat to me. The high points are the swamp in southeast Mississippi, the Mobile skyline, the Mobile tunnel, and Mobile Bay. Other than those features, it's a whole lot of trees and traffic.
Quote from: formulanone on April 13, 2018, 06:51:19 AM
Quote from: oscar on April 12, 2018, 09:24:59 PM
Surprised nobody in this six-year-old thread has mentioned the "Alligator Alley" section of I-75 in Florida between Naples and US 27 west of Fort Lauderdale (which I drove today, not for the first time). In its 78 miles between exits 23 (US 27) and 101 (easternmost Naples exit), only two exits open to the general public, some rest/recreational areas, and toll plazas at both ends. Lots of trees lining the road, some waterways, and fences and underpasses to keep endangered/threatened species from becoming roadkill. Not as unremittingly bleak as some other highways I've driven (I-5 through California's Central Valley, AB 35 between High Level and the NT border, almost all of MB 6), but still rather mind-numbing.
A fellow from Sheffield, England told me it reminded him of a cartoon where the background scenery repeats itself.
The solitude away from the big city is neat, but it's not exactly exciting. The first half is lined with invasive pepper bushes that aren't much to write home about, but the tree islands and strands west of Exit 49 make it a bit more enjoyable.
It also used to be a speeder's haven, but FHP and the Miccosukee Police have put the kibosh on that for the past decade.
Probably the most interesting part of Alligator Alley is seeing how it lines up on both ends with FL 84 which it used to be part of. Really if you aren't going 80 or higher through there you'll get run over by through traffic.
I-90 through South Dakota is filled with absolutely nothing but fields and the occasional high wind. There's a reason the speed limit is set so high because basically everyone driving through there are tourists wanting to get to Yellowstone as fast as possible or long-distance truckers. It's mind-numbing to be on that road for just a few hours let alone having to pass through the entire state to get to the far more interesting Montana or Wyoming.
The Balt-Wash Parkway is probably the most boring way to connect two major cities that you've ever seen. There's barely any semblance of life along it other than greenspace and commuters hurrying to the city/back to the suburbs.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on April 12, 2018, 04:40:48 AM
In Minnesota, pretty much everything south or west of the Mississippi goes on this list.
That kind of ignores the whole lakes region in west central Minnesota (Alexandria - Fergus Falls - Detroit Lakes - Wadena). Some nice, decently twisty roads that go past lake shores in that area. There's also one of my favorite oddball drives, north of that area: MN-113 between US-71 and US-59. So twisty and fun to drive.
I suspect you didn't mean it this way, but if I take your statement literally, you're also excluding all the really beautiful drives that wind through the Driftless Area in SE Minnesota. ;-)
Quote from: mrcmc888 on April 14, 2018, 09:02:59 PM
I-90 through South Dakota is filled with absolutely nothing but fields and the occasional high wind. There's a reason the speed limit is set so high because basically everyone driving through there are tourists wanting to get to Yellowstone as fast as possible or long-distance truckers. It's mind-numbing to be on that road for just a few hours let alone having to pass through the entire state to get to the far more interesting Montana or Wyoming.
The Balt-Wash Parkway is probably the most boring way to connect two major cities that you've ever seen. There's barely any semblance of life along it other than greenspace and commuters hurrying to the city/back to the suburbs.
I dunno... the signs for Wall Drug break the monotony ;)
I have only been on I-29 in South Dakota (boring drive) so I don't know what I-90 is like, but I-94 in neighboring North Dakota gets more and more interesting the further west you go. It is incredibly boring near Fargo but once it gets out of the Red River of the North valley the terrain gets more and more rugged.
I-20 in Mississippi is awful. Nothing but flatlands with pine trees.
I-16 in Georgia is uninteresting until you start getting close to Savannah and start seeing palm trees.
Quote from: mrcmc888 on April 14, 2018, 09:02:59 PM
I-90 through South Dakota is filled with absolutely nothing but fields and the occasional high wind. There's a reason the speed limit is set so high because basically everyone driving through there are tourists wanting to get to Yellowstone as fast as possible or long-distance truckers. It's mind-numbing to be on that road for just a few hours let alone having to pass through the entire state to get to the far more interesting Montana or Wyoming.
The Balt-Wash Parkway is probably the most boring way to connect two major cities that you've ever seen. There's barely any semblance of life along it other than greenspace and commuters hurrying to the city/back to the suburbs.
However, I'd say Interstate 90 in the far western part of South Dakota is very interesting. Of course, I'm not speaking for the entire state, but I found I-90 in the western part of the state very intriguing with the mountains, hills, terrain, and such. I'd say this goes on possibly for just a little while east of Rapid City. Any trace of this kind of scenery probably disappears by the time you cross the Missouri River (going east). Here is an example of what I'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1u6iTGF7PE
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on April 15, 2018, 05:43:55 PM
Quote from: mrcmc888 on April 14, 2018, 09:02:59 PM
I-90 through South Dakota is filled with absolutely nothing but fields and the occasional high wind. There's a reason the speed limit is set so high because basically everyone driving through there are tourists wanting to get to Yellowstone as fast as possible or long-distance truckers. It's mind-numbing to be on that road for just a few hours let alone having to pass through the entire state to get to the far more interesting Montana or Wyoming.
The Balt-Wash Parkway is probably the most boring way to connect two major cities that you've ever seen. There's barely any semblance of life along it other than greenspace and commuters hurrying to the city/back to the suburbs.
However, I'd say Interstate 90 in the far western part of South Dakota is very interesting. Of course, I'm not speaking for the entire state, but I found I-90 in the western part of the state very intriguing with the mountains, hills, terrain, and such. I'd say this goes on possibly for just a little while east of Rapid City. Any trace of this kind of scenery probably disappears by the time you cross the Missouri River (going east). Here is an example of what I'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1u6iTGF7PE
So weird to see mere traffic cones separating the sides where it's down to one lane each way. In New England they'd have jersey barriers (k-rails for you west coasters) there.
Quote from: silverback1065 on April 09, 2018, 12:01:29 PM
US 52 from Lebanon, IN to US 41 (Skipping the Lafayette area) is nothing as far as the eye can see.
I took that route at first, then tried I-65 last week as one leg of my trip from Illinois to North Carolina. Not only is I-65 even more boring from Lebanon to Merrillville (with nearly nothing that is worth looking at), but it's also full of traffic and construction areas where no work is actually being done. It's back to US 41/52 to go around it next time.
Thank God the West Virginia Turnpike was along the way to make up for it. 100 miles of great scenery with low traffic.
Now I've been aboard Big Rig Steve's truck for a while, I-80 in Nebraska. Now that is boring.
Heading from Great Sand Dunes NP back to MI, my family and I drove almost the entire stretch of Colorado State Highway 10. 60+ miles of straight nothingness except for the occasional massive pothole. I believe there was only one intersection with a paved road for those 60 miles. I suppose a similar thing could be said for the entirety of US-350.
Quote from: adwerkema on April 28, 2018, 04:57:00 PM
Heading from Great Sand Dunes NP back to MI, my family and I drove almost the entire stretch of Colorado State Highway 10. 60+ miles of straight nothingness except for the occasional massive pothole. I believe there was only one intersection with a paved road for those 60 miles. I suppose a similar thing could be said for the entirety of US-350.
Pretty much any road with the same scenery over and over.
I thought that I-80 from the Chicago area to Des Moines was pretty boring except for maybe the Quad Cities area. I haven't been any further west than Des Moines on 80 though.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2018, 05:19:34 PM
I thought that I-80 from the Chicago area to Des Moines was pretty boring except for maybe the Quad Cities area. I haven't been any further west than Des Moines on 80 though.
You should've seen it back in the 1960s (when I-80 was still barely half done). My parents & I did a "National Lampoon's Vacation" trip from NE Indiana to southern Cali to see my mom's brother, and I can tell you that western IA was boring... until we experienced Nebraska! But I still remember that entire trip (I was 11 at the time) and it's one of the reasons I'm a Road Geek to this day. Anyone up for a trip to Wally World?
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2018, 05:19:34 PM
I thought that I-80 from the Chicago area to Des Moines was pretty boring except for maybe the Quad Cities area. I haven't been any further west than Des Moines on 80 though.
It doesn't get better.
Edit: At least in Iowa.
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on April 28, 2018, 10:33:00 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2018, 05:19:34 PM
I thought that I-80 from the Chicago area to Des Moines was pretty boring except for maybe the Quad Cities area. I haven't been any further west than Des Moines on 80 though.
It doesn't get better.
Edit: At least in Iowa.
I didn't think it would. I was in Ankeny 10 years ago and had to make that drive twice, it wasn't anymore fun the second time. I actually took I-180 south in Illinois all the way to the end in Hennepin and think I passed maybe 5 cars the whole time I was on it.
at least the scenery changes as you go further west
Try going north-south! Especially in Illinois!!!
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 29, 2018, 12:00:05 PM
at least the scenery changes as you go further west
Try going north-south! Especially in Illinois!!!
Going down I-57 in Illinois didn't bother me as much as I-55 between I-57 and Memphis. I-55 was so boring that I was ready to ditch it and take another route.
I-81 through PA can be a real bore. The traffic helps break things up, but it's mostly farmland and flat fields until you reach Harrisburg. Then, more farmland and fields...real exciting, isn't it? To be honest, I've never been north of I-78, so maybe there might be interesting stuff.
I-78 was my initial consideration, but the hectic drive and substandard design on the western half (west of Allentown/exit 51) helps keeps things interesting. At least it's something to get the blood pumping.
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 29, 2018, 02:01:14 PM
I-81 through PA can be a real bore. The traffic helps break things up, but it's mostly farmland and flat fields until you reach Harrisburg. Then, more farmland and fields...real exciting, isn't it? To be honest, I've never been north of I-78, so maybe there might be interesting stuff.
I-78 was my initial consideration, but the hectic drive and substandard design on the western half (west of Allentown/exit 51) helps keeps things interesting. At least it's something to get the blood pumping.
I've done a lot of GMSV (Google Maps Street-View) in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area, and I found it truly intriguing and beautiful. This included Interstate 81 through the area, and being able to see sights such as this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4539628,-75.6504335,3a,59.1y,119.66h,89.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjVzIQ3VF8FM4PNFBW95ZTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I cannot describe in words how highly I enjoyed doing street-view through the Scranton area. The scenery is incredible, the roads are fascinating, and there's history and industry to go around as well. One thing I find very interesting about Scranton is how many limited-access highways it has for a city of its size (though, its population is half of what it was almost a century ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania#Demographics)) - it has I-81, I-476, I-380, I-84, and even US 11 and US 6 have some limited-access sections. Interstate 476 has a truly intriguing northern end at I-81, US 6, and US 11, that I have looked at on GMSV many, many times - and regarding that location, there is this absolutely epic, very tall overpass. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4823714,-75.6899154,3a,75y,321.33h,97.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6yrYTpa2trOMP_2fFdSSTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I haven't seen Wilkes-Barre as much as Scranton, but I believe that provided some very interesting street-view as well, especially with views of scenery like this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2697488,-75.8721684,3a,75y,316.47h,84.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szk3Yq7l8fpLaqPKSNoWs1Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) Scranton is a real treat for roadgeeks, or it at least was for me personally. I know very well what I-81 looks like passing through the Scranton, PA area, but I couldn't tell you what it is like north of Scranton, or between I-78 and I-80. It may possibly be very interesting as well, though.
I-10 between Las Cruces and roughly Cochise, AZ
US 77/I-69E between Robstown and Harlingen
I-27 (all of it)
US 84 between Lubbock and the western edge of the Llano Estacado a few miles west of Clovis
Most of I-70 in Kansas/eastern Colorado has already been mentioned and it is truly monotonous.
I-84 in Idaho.
US 20 in Oregon from Bend to...oh, say Buchanan.
I-80 in PA, pretty boring.
Quote from: mrcmc888 on April 14, 2018, 09:02:59 PM
I-90 through South Dakota is filled with absolutely nothing but fields and the occasional high wind. There's a reason the speed limit is set so high because basically everyone driving through there are tourists wanting to get to Yellowstone as fast as possible or long-distance truckers. It's mind-numbing to be on that road for just a few hours let alone having to pass through the entire state to get to the far more interesting Montana or Wyoming.
Once you get past Chamberlian it is a nice road.
Add to the list my avatar (I-40 in CA). Unless you really, really like desert, this is flyover (or drive over as fast as feasible) country. For much of the route, there's not even trains to look at to break the monotony.
Quote from: sparker on May 04, 2018, 03:43:14 PM
Add to the list my avatar (I-40 in CA). Unless you really, really like desert, this is flyover (or drive over as fast as feasible) country. For much of the route, there's not even trains to look at to break the monotony.
Its a lot more interesting in the Bristol Range when you consider that the area is so remote that nuclear devices were considered briefly as a viable means of excavation.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 04, 2018, 10:59:32 PM
Quote from: sparker on May 04, 2018, 03:43:14 PM
Add to the list my avatar (I-40 in CA). Unless you really, really like desert, this is flyover (or drive over as fast as feasible) country. For much of the route, there's not even trains to look at to break the monotony.
Its a lot more interesting in the Bristol Range when you consider that the area is so remote that nuclear devices were considered briefly as a viable means of excavation.
At least then there would be some "historical monument" signage along that stretch of roadway!
Quote from: sparker on May 05, 2018, 02:05:08 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 04, 2018, 10:59:32 PM
Quote from: sparker on May 04, 2018, 03:43:14 PM
Add to the list my avatar (I-40 in CA). Unless you really, really like desert, this is flyover (or drive over as fast as feasible) country. For much of the route, there's not even trains to look at to break the monotony.
Its a lot more interesting in the Bristol Range when you consider that the area is so remote that nuclear devices were considered briefly as a viable means of excavation.
At least then there would be some "historical monument" signage along that stretch of roadway!
True, but that require Caltrans to open up a rest/parking for the purpose of reading historical information which isn't likely to happen.
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on April 29, 2018, 04:55:38 PM
Scranton is a real treat for roadgeeks, or it at least was for me personally. I know very well what I-81 looks like passing through the Scranton, PA area, but I couldn't tell you what it is like north of Scranton, or between I-78 and I-80. It may possibly be very interesting as well, though.
Most of my travels on I-81 have been north of Scranton (for obvious reasons :)). I'll attempt to outline the various segments:
Scranton to Binghamton: It's not super exciting, but definitely not "most boring" either. It's rarely flat, and passes through some fairly hilly and rocky terrain, with rock walls and such, which I find interesting. Being at the convergence of I-476, I-380, and I-84, as the main corridor to and from the north, it's quite busy, especially in summer. Unfortunately, PA is
notorious for doing summer lane closures on this stretch. With the hills and heavy traffic and such, this creates horrific backups for literally miles on end :banghead: Of course, that's not to say it's a bad road - I quite enjoy it when its free flowing.
Binghamton to Syracuse: One of the more interesting segments of I-81, at least IMO. Fairly hilly, but with less dramatic grades (but better views) than south of Binghamton. Much more relaxing and less claustrophobic compared to much of the route through PA. Generally, there's a wider median, which adds to the effect. Less traffic, too, since I-86 siphons a lot of traffic bound for Western NY and Ontario. I really like the atmosphere and scenery on this segment.
Syracuse to Watertown: Here it gets a bit more boring, though still not necessarily a candidate for this thread. Beyond Syracuse's (relatively expansive) northern suburbia, I-81 is almost paper flat up towards Watertown. The landscape is primarily forested with a heavily treed median. As someone who likes to study opposing traffic, that's a drawback. There's noticeably
a lot less traffic up here too - the lack of out-of-state plates is apparent, and the traffic flow isn't nearly as intense*. The landscape becomes more open (but still flat) closer to Watertown. I'd say it's comparable to Michigan's I-75 - very stereotypical for a north-south interstate corridor.
Watertown to Thousand Islands Crossing: This stretch is unbelievably rural in character. Open land, wide median, and low traffic volumes. A really enjoyable ride, especially the infamous two-lane bridge and antiquated cash-only toll. Wellesley Island is also interesting to explore, though that's hardly related to I-81 itself :)
*Unlike the thruway and other segments of I-81, there's no 80 mph bandwagons, less passing on the right, and less schlock in general.
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 11, 2018, 12:07:16 AM
I-90 is a genuine snoozefest from Seattle to Chicago and also from Chicago to Boston.
FTFY :bigass: :popcorn:
Quote from: webny99 on May 05, 2018, 10:42:42 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 11, 2018, 12:07:16 AM
I-90 is a genuine snoozefest from Seattle to Chicago and also from Chicago to Boston.
FTFY :bigass: :popcorn:
I-90 is actually pretty damn scenic in Idaho and a good chunk of Montana.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 05, 2018, 11:13:54 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 05, 2018, 10:42:42 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 11, 2018, 12:07:16 AM
I-90 is a genuine snoozefest from Seattle to Chicago and also from Chicago to Boston.
FTFY.
I-90 is actually pretty damn scenic in Idaho and a good chunk of Montana.
Hence the emojis :) I've actually clinched I-90 east of Rochester, MN, but I've never used it at all west of there.
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on April 29, 2018, 04:55:38 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 29, 2018, 02:01:14 PM
I-81 through PA can be a real bore. The traffic helps break things up, but it's mostly farmland and flat fields until you reach Harrisburg. Then, more farmland and fields...real exciting, isn't it? To be honest, I've never been north of I-78, so maybe there might be interesting stuff.
I-78 was my initial consideration, but the hectic drive and substandard design on the western half (west of Allentown/exit 51) helps keeps things interesting. At least it's something to get the blood pumping.
I've done a lot of GMSV (Google Maps Street-View) in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area, and I found it truly intriguing and beautiful. This included Interstate 81 through the area, and being able to see sights such as this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4539628,-75.6504335,3a,59.1y,119.66h,89.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjVzIQ3VF8FM4PNFBW95ZTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I cannot describe in words how highly I enjoyed doing street-view through the Scranton area. The scenery is incredible, the roads are fascinating, and there's history and industry to go around as well. One thing I find very interesting about Scranton is how many limited-access highways it has for a city of its size (though, its population is half of what it was almost a century ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania#Demographics)) - it has I-81, I-476, I-380, I-84, and even US 11 and US 6 have some limited-access sections. Interstate 476 has a truly intriguing northern end at I-81, US 6, and US 11, that I have looked at on GMSV many, many times - and regarding that location, there is this absolutely epic, very tall overpass. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4823714,-75.6899154,3a,75y,321.33h,97.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6yrYTpa2trOMP_2fFdSSTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I haven't seen Wilkes-Barre as much as Scranton, but I believe that provided some very interesting street-view as well, especially with views of scenery like this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2697488,-75.8721684,3a,75y,316.47h,84.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szk3Yq7l8fpLaqPKSNoWs1Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) Scranton is a real treat for roadgeeks, or it at least was for me personally. I know very well what I-81 looks like passing through the Scranton, PA area, but I couldn't tell you what it is like north of Scranton, or between I-78 and I-80. It may possibly be very interesting as well, though.
I am a native of the Wyoming Valley. Thank you for the praise of my home town! :bigass:
Quote from: Jordanes on May 06, 2018, 11:33:58 AM
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on April 29, 2018, 04:55:38 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 29, 2018, 02:01:14 PM
I-81 through PA can be a real bore. The traffic helps break things up, but it's mostly farmland and flat fields until you reach Harrisburg. Then, more farmland and fields...real exciting, isn't it? To be honest, I've never been north of I-78, so maybe there might be interesting stuff.
I-78 was my initial consideration, but the hectic drive and substandard design on the western half (west of Allentown/exit 51) helps keeps things interesting. At least it's something to get the blood pumping.
I've done a lot of GMSV (Google Maps Street-View) in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area, and I found it truly intriguing and beautiful. This included Interstate 81 through the area, and being able to see sights such as this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4539628,-75.6504335,3a,59.1y,119.66h,89.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjVzIQ3VF8FM4PNFBW95ZTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I cannot describe in words how highly I enjoyed doing street-view through the Scranton area. The scenery is incredible, the roads are fascinating, and there's history and industry to go around as well. One thing I find very interesting about Scranton is how many limited-access highways it has for a city of its size (though, its population is half of what it was almost a century ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scranton,_Pennsylvania#Demographics)) - it has I-81, I-476, I-380, I-84, and even US 11 and US 6 have some limited-access sections. Interstate 476 has a truly intriguing northern end at I-81, US 6, and US 11, that I have looked at on GMSV many, many times - and regarding that location, there is this absolutely epic, very tall overpass. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4823714,-75.6899154,3a,75y,321.33h,97.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6yrYTpa2trOMP_2fFdSSTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) I haven't seen Wilkes-Barre as much as Scranton, but I believe that provided some very interesting street-view as well, especially with views of scenery like this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2697488,-75.8721684,3a,75y,316.47h,84.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szk3Yq7l8fpLaqPKSNoWs1Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) Scranton is a real treat for roadgeeks, or it at least was for me personally. I know very well what I-81 looks like passing through the Scranton, PA area, but I couldn't tell you what it is like north of Scranton, or between I-78 and I-80. It may possibly be very interesting as well, though.
I am a native of the Wyoming Valley. Thank you for the praise of my home town! :bigass:
No problem! When I saw what the Scranton area looked like on GMSV for the first time a couple of years back, it was a very, very nice treat. I truly enjoyed doing street-view through the area, and the roads sure are incredible. If I had to move somewhere in the Northeast, based on the knowledge I currently have from seeing what the area visually looks like, Scranton would probably be one of my top choices. That's how neat I thought it was. Scranton really is beautiful and interesting, that is for sure. :nod:
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on May 06, 2018, 01:27:58 PM
No problem! When I saw what the Scranton area looked like on GMSV for the first time a couple of years back, it was a very, very nice treat. I truly enjoyed doing street-view through the area, and the roads sure are incredible. If I had to move somewhere in the Northeast, based on the knowledge I currently have from seeing what the area visually looks like, Scranton would probably be one of my top choices. That's how neat I thought it was. Scranton really is beautiful and interesting, that is for sure. :nod:
I was actually born in Wilkes-Barre, and as close as the two cities are, Scranton is a place many Wilkes-Barreans do not go to, and vice-versa. People are generally trying to flee the area, so it is really refreshing to hear that someone would want to MOVE there. :D
I-80 East of Reno to the Utah state line
Quote from: bing101 on May 06, 2018, 09:02:03 PM
I-80 East of Reno to the Utah state line
Not when the tumbleweed are blowing.
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 29, 2018, 02:01:14 PM
I-81 through PA can be a real bore. The traffic helps break things up, but it's mostly farmland and flat fields until you reach Harrisburg. Then, more farmland and fields...real exciting, isn't it? To be honest, I've never been north of I-78, so maybe there might be interesting stuff.
I-78 was my initial consideration, but the hectic drive and substandard design on the western half (west of Allentown/exit 51) helps keeps things interesting. At least it's something to get the blood pumping.
My wife and I took a trip to Gettysburg late last month. They might be ugly, but the large distribution centers off of I-78 in the Lehigh Valley kept things interesting.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 05, 2018, 11:13:54 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 05, 2018, 10:42:42 AM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on April 11, 2018, 12:07:16 AM
I-90 is a genuine snoozefest from Seattle to Chicago and also from Chicago to Boston.
FTFY :bigass: :popcorn:
I-90 is actually pretty damn scenic in Idaho and a good chunk of Montana.
Also some interesting cityscape from Seattle to North Bend, gorgeous mountains from North Bend to the Columbia River.
Quote from: djsinco on March 07, 2013, 02:21:03 AM
I-80/*90 Cheyenne east to, well, at least Erie.
Drive Over country
Quote from: bing101 on May 06, 2018, 09:02:03 PM
I-80 East of Reno to the Utah state line
But the 30-40 miles of straight interstate through the Bonneville Salt Flats (between Nevada state line and Salt Lake City) isn't boring? Okay...
Worst in Virginia is I-64 between Charlottesville and Richmond.
I-64 between I-295 and Newport News I-85 between Petersburg and NC.
I-95 between Ashland and Fredericksburg
US-522 between Powhatan and Front Royal
US-460 between Crewe and Petersburg
US-60 between Powhatan and Amherst
SM-G930V
Quote from: steveutz87 on May 14, 2018, 08:08:13 AM
US-522 between Powhatan and Front Royal
I've always been fond of US-522 in Virginia. Provides more hills and curves than roads in Western Michigan :D
Quote from: steveutz87 on May 14, 2018, 08:08:13 AM
Worst in Virginia is I-64 between Charlottesville and Richmond.
I-64 between I-295 and Newport News I-85 between Petersburg and NC.
I-95 between Ashland and Fredericksburg
US-522 between Powhatan and Front Royal
US-460 between Crewe and Petersburg
US-60 between Powhatan and Amherst
Don't forget I-81 through pretty much the entire state. Doesn't help that it got around almost all of the cities, and thus almost all of the interesting sights that would be along it.
I didn't find I-81 in VA to be particularly boring (well, except for the northern part), especially through the mountains. Just because it's rural doesn't mean it's boring.
I-81 in TN on the other hand...
Quote from: vdeane on May 15, 2018, 01:18:03 PM
I didn't find I-81 in VA to be particularly boring (well, except for the northern part), especially through the mountains. Just because it's rural doesn't mean it's boring.
I-81 in TN on the other hand...
I agree it depends on the landscape. Now flat farm land and nothing else is boring I see that all the time here in Michigan. I find some rural areas to be pretty interesting especially if it's a different landscape. The part of Michigan I live in around Saginaw has lots of repeative farm land.
I-74 in western Indiana is rather dull.
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 15, 2018, 05:57:01 PM
Quote from: vdeane on May 15, 2018, 01:18:03 PM
I didn't find I-81 in VA to be particularly boring (well, except for the northern part), especially through the mountains. Just because it's rural doesn't mean it's boring.
I-81 in TN on the other hand...
I agree it depends on the landscape. Now flat farm land and nothing else is boring I see that all the time here in Michigan. I find some rural areas to be pretty interesting especially if it's a different landscape. The part of Michigan I live in around Saginaw has lots of repeative farm land.
I find even mountainous highway terrain, unless it's a very winding road and fun to drive and/or offers amazing views off of it, to be rather boring, as I already get a lot of that in my area.
I had to think really hard about what the most boring highway in California was, my conclusion was CA 43. CA 43 generally is a two-lane roadway with virtually no scenery aside from the BNSF rails and the Allensworth ghost town. Most days the views of the Sierras to the east are either obstructed by dust or Tule Fog. Granted, I really enjoy 43 because of the rails and generally peaceful nature compared to 99 or I-5. I just couldn't think of another highway aside from short Signed County Routes that had so little variance in terrain or environment. Too bad Tulare Lake is long gone, a shore line drive between 198 and 46 would have been nice.
Really late to this but here are my votes:
Name a non-urban interstate in Illinois, particularly I-57 (I have a family connection on I-39 so for that along it motivates me].
I-90 from George to Sprague Lake
US 20 from Bend to 30 miles east of Burns, was worse with 55 than 65.
Upper Lostine Road, one of the bumpiest 1 lane and busy forest roads I've been on. Got the shock absorbers destroyed here. Took an hour to go a mile (6 miles long).
OR 99E south of Albany, made worse by the double nickel but not as bad as US 20.
I-84 east of Boise (have not been past 10 miles east of Boise)
I-5 from Coburg to Albany, Keizer to Aurora, from the Cowlitz river to mp 97, made worse by slow speed limits, particularly in Oregon
LG-TP260
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on May 18, 2018, 01:12:27 AM
I-5 from Coburg to Albany, Keizer to Aurora, from the Cowlitz river to mp 97, made worse by slow speed limits, particularly in Oregon
I resonate with this. Especially the Coburg to Albany segment. 30 miles without a single curve.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on May 16, 2018, 12:06:02 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 15, 2018, 05:57:01 PM
Quote from: vdeane on May 15, 2018, 01:18:03 PM
I didn't find I-81 in VA to be particularly boring (well, except for the northern part), especially through the mountains. Just because it's rural doesn't mean it's boring.
I-81 in TN on the other hand...
I agree it depends on the landscape. Now flat farm land and nothing else is boring I see that all the time here in Michigan. I find some rural areas to be pretty interesting especially if it's a different landscape. The part of Michigan I live in around Saginaw has lots of repeative farm land.
I find even mountainous highway terrain, unless it's a very winding road and fun to drive and/or offers amazing views off of it, to be rather boring, as I already get a lot of that in my area.
Boring to me is seeing the same thing over and over without any change at all. I haven't found any stretch of I-75 in my area to be above boring to say the least. I can name every exit on I-75 from Houghton Lake to Detroit a stretch of almost 200 miles with 67 exits between the two now that I find boring. Any other Interstate in Michigan I only know some of the exits unless it's a 3-di and I know all of them. I gathered all this information from my experience driving it and I've clinched I-75 so it's now going to be even more boring ugh.
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on May 18, 2018, 01:12:27 AM
Name a non-urban interstate in Illinois
I-64. Or just shoot me now.
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on May 18, 2018, 01:12:27 AM
Really late to this but here are my votes:
Name a non-urban interstate in Illinois, particularly I-57 (I have a family connection on I-39 so for that along it motivates me].
I-90 from George to Sprague Lake
US 20 from Bend to 30 miles east of Burns, was worse with 55 than 65.
Upper Lostine Road, one of the bumpiest 1 lane and busy forest roads I've been on. Got the shock absorbers destroyed here. Took an hour to go a mile (6 miles long).
OR 99E south of Albany, made worse by the double nickel but not as bad as US 20.
I-84 east of Boise (have not been past 10 miles east of Boise)
I-5 from Coburg to Albany, Keizer to Aurora, from the Cowlitz river to mp 97, made worse by slow speed limits, particularly in Oregon
LG-TP260
For a non-urban Interstate in Illinois I select I-180.
NC beachgoers have always remarked about one flat and straight section of US70 north of New Bern as being so boring that falling asleep at the wheel is a real possibility.
Even a transplant from another state commented on City-Data.com that that 15 mile stretch was scary because it seemed so deserted and isolated from where anyone lives.
Of course, the continuous trees merely hide the small towns, home and people that blanket the state every ten miles in any direction.
So that is a noted stretch that elicits feelings in people whether native to NC or not.
The whining about the never-ending monotony is hilarious since it lasts for all of 15 minutes from beginning to end.
They'd wouldn't be able to handle the drive to California where boring stretches last from sunrise to sunset to traverse.
I-74 from Indy to Peoria is basically hell on earth
I-65 from Indy to Gary is one I've traveled multiple times. Also I-80 through pretty much all of Pennsylvania. There are no cities, exits are 10-15 miles apart with amenities at every other exit at best. When you get to Ohio, if you get off the expressway in the Youngstown area you'll see signs that say "I-80 East to New York", because there's nothing in between Ohio and New York on I-80.
Boring Interstates in no particular order:
I-37 (all)
I-10 from Indio to Buckeye
I-70 from Denver to about Topeka
I-5 in Central California from about Wheeler Ridge to Red Bluff
I-35 south of San Antonio, plus the entire Kansas Turnpike section
I-90 east of the Cascades to Spokane
I-20 west of Odessa
I-95 north of Bangor gets a special mention because, although it's pretty, there are probably more moose than cars on it.
I-40 from Albuquerque to Amarillo
I-69 and suffixed routes south of Houston will make this list as soon as they're built.
Special schizophrenic award to I-70, which is awesome at the ends and brutal in the middle.
Quote from: adwerkema on May 18, 2018, 09:13:55 AM
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on May 18, 2018, 01:12:27 AM
I-5 from Coburg to Albany, Keizer to Aurora, from the Cowlitz river to mp 97, made worse by slow speed limits, particularly in Oregon
I resonate with this. Especially the Coburg to Albany segment. 30 miles without a single curve.
Reminded me of the desolate mid-section of Florida's Turnpike (MM 152 - 240), but with actual hills and scenery in the background. Like I-95 in North Carolina, it's as if they intentionally laid it out in the dullest scenery they could find.
Quote from: Skye on June 15, 2018, 03:53:27 PM
I-65 from Indy to Gary is one I've traveled multiple times. Also I-80 through pretty much all of Pennsylvania. There are no cities, exits are 10-15 miles apart with amenities at every other exit at best. When you get to Ohio, if you get off the expressway in the Youngstown area you'll see signs that say "I-80 East to New York", because there's nothing in between Ohio and New York on I-80.
WB I-80 in New Jersey uses Delaware Water Gap and Stroudsburg, PA as control cities. I think EB I-80 in Ohio could at least use these as well or at least just Delaware Water Gap.
Wow, didn't realize this would be a 2-year bump, I thought I remembered this thread being active much more recently.
But anyways, I nominate I-64 between Williamsburg and Richmond, VA, as the most boring stretch of highway I've ever driven.
I hope I go to heaven. If I go to hell I'll have to drive I-39 in to work to I-180 to that factory. My vacations will be limited to I-238, I-99, Breezewood, Nebraska, west Iowa, North Oklahoma, west Kansas....
Quote from: texaskdog on July 07, 2020, 03:21:33 PM
... Nebraska ... North Oklahoma ... west Kansas....
There's some pretty driving out there, if you know what roads to take.
Nebraska (https://goo.gl/maps/oxV8MQaVBKqZsXwd8)
northern (https://goo.gl/maps/hpDED2Df3LjMnKix7)
Oklahoma (https://goo.gl/maps/UZMfkwpyBARQujqc6)
western (https://goo.gl/maps/3kfxrbiehUCowFpM9)
Kansas (https://goo.gl/maps/P6y33dqHx8ahuWiC8)
Quote from: texaskdog on July 07, 2020, 03:21:33 PM
I hope I go to heaven. If I go to hell I'll have to drive I-39 in to work to I-180 to that factory. My vacations will be limited to I-238, I-99, Breezewood, Nebraska, west Iowa, North Oklahoma, west Kansas....
Florida, but only from Pensacola to Tallahassee. If you've really been naughty, the Florida Turnpike approaching Orlando--but you never get there.
The west side of the Beltway, between Springfield and Gallows Rd, is pretty boring, when you consider how developed the area is.
I think a lot of it comes down to tree buffers. By contrast, 395 doesn't have much in the way of tree buffers, and as a result you can practically see into people's balconies along the highway (e.g. Southern Towers and Pentagon City).
The entire state of Connecticut except CT 15.
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 from DFW to Shreveport isn't much more exciting.
Quote from: jbnv on March 26, 2021, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 from DFW to Shreveport isn't much more exciting.
I-20 in general is a strong contender for most boring Interstate in general.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 26, 2021, 09:34:17 AM
Quote from: jbnv on March 26, 2021, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 from DFW to Shreveport isn't much more exciting.
I-20 in general is a strong contender for most boring Interstate in general.
That would probably be something like I-16 or I-22.
This one may be an effect as my most traveled rural interstate segment, but I-71 between Cincy and Columbus. Even though it's only about 80 miles from where I am in Mason to the southern I-270 interchange, it can sometimes feel like double the length. I also have all the exit numbers and route numbers between the two beltways memorized from using it so much. Thankfully, there are a couple of alternatives, like I-75/675/70 and US 42.
I-74 between Cincy and Indy takes second place for the same reason as I-71; one of my most traveled rural interstate segments.
Wisconsin's most boring road has to be I-39 between Portage and Stevens Point. In my opinion it's not even close.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 26, 2021, 12:25:09 PM
I-71 between Cincy and Columbus.
Have to agree that it is very boring but it should definitely be six-laned.
Quote from: webny99 on March 26, 2021, 12:55:50 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 26, 2021, 12:25:09 PM
I-71 between Cincy and Columbus.
Have to agree that it is very boring but it should definitely be six-laned.
There's currently a short 6 lane section the US 35 and OH 41 interchanges, but it seems like that ODOT is planning for the entire rural segment between OH 48 in Mason and OH 665 in Grove City to be 6 laned sometime in the future. When the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4181991,-84.1070806,3a,24.2y,58.41h,83.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssTZbMMx7VCWaRl_Lm08htQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) replacement was done about 5 years ago, there's space on the left that's reserved for a future 3rd lane in each direction.
Quote from: thspfc on March 26, 2021, 12:51:49 PM
Wisconsin’s most boring road has to be I-39 between Portage and Stevens Point. In my opinion it’s not even close.
I've always found that road to be interestingly varied. Every few minutes on it, it changes its character. The only remotely 'boring' part is the flatlands section north of Coloma (WI 21).
IMHO, the only lengthy part of I-39 that might 'snooze' most average non-roadgeeks is the part between the Illinois River bridge and I-55 in Normal, IL.
Mike
Quote from: kphoger on July 07, 2020, 04:20:56 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on July 07, 2020, 03:21:33 PM
... Nebraska ... North Oklahoma ... west Kansas....
There's some pretty driving out there, if you know what roads to take.
northern (https://goo.gl/maps/hpDED2Df3LjMnKix7) Oklahoma (https://goo.gl/maps/UZMfkwpyBARQujqc6)
Northwest Oklahoma is so random, it's hard to know what you're going to get. This view (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6571308,-99.7464375,3a,75y,186.81h,83.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s812q0Xab4fLeo_Q9VGm3Vg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en) is on the same road as the first link you posted–feels like worlds apart.
The boring part of Oklahoma, if any, is probably the north-central part. I-35 north of about Guthrie doesn't have a whole lot going for it, and there's really not much interesting to be found in that general area off the interstate, either.
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 is OK west of Fort Worth until you get to Ranger Hill. There's the Brazos Valley, Mary's, and the scenery which I can only describe as "knobby." Once you get past Ranger Hill, it gets flat and boring quick.
Quote from: Road Hog on March 27, 2021, 07:25:30 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 is OK west of Fort Worth until you get to Ranger Hill. There's the Brazos Valley, Mary's, and the scenery which I can only describe as "knobby." Once you get past Ranger Hill, it gets flat and boring quick.
To be fair, I have only taken I-20 East of DFW once since I moved here.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 26, 2021, 11:27:39 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 26, 2021, 09:34:17 AM
Quote from: jbnv on March 26, 2021, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 from DFW to Shreveport isn't much more exciting.
I-20 in general is a strong contender for most boring Interstate in general.
That would probably be something like I-16 or I-22.
I've clinched 22 and most of 16, and I will say that I-16 is
far more boring. 22 at least goes through some interesting hilly terrain in Alabama and hits a few cities. 16 is just trees upon trees and barely even hits any towns at all along the way.
Quote from: US 89 on March 30, 2021, 11:39:36 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 26, 2021, 11:27:39 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 26, 2021, 09:34:17 AM
Quote from: jbnv on March 26, 2021, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: ZLoth on March 26, 2021, 05:10:29 AM
The entirety of I-20 west of Dallas-Fort Worth. My mother and I drove on it in January, 2019 when I moved to DFW. It's flat, it's dry, and it's not visually appealing.
I-20 from DFW to Shreveport isn't much more exciting.
I-20 in general is a strong contender for most boring Interstate in general.
That would probably be something like I-16 or I-22.
I've clinched 22 and most of 16, and I will say that I-16 is far more boring. 22 at least goes through some interesting hilly terrain in Alabama and hits a few cities. 16 is just trees upon trees and barely even hits any towns at all along the way.
The east end of I-16 is probably ok.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 30, 2021, 02:23:34 PM
The east end of I-16 is probably ok.
Only because you can't wait for it to end.
In seriousness, other than the I-95 interchange and then the eastern terminus, nothing exciting. And the I-95 interchange isn't even particularly cool nor are the control cities ones you'd get excited about.
Chris
Pretty much every stretch of I-75 that's flat and outside of a city is boring.
Quote from: jbnv on October 11, 2021, 10:49:52 AM
Pretty much every stretch of I-75 that's flat and outside of a city is boring.
I felt like the part in Northern Michigan is at least sort of interesting.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on October 11, 2021, 01:55:03 PM
Quote from: jbnv on October 11, 2021, 10:49:52 AM
Pretty much every stretch of I-75 that's flat and outside of a city is boring.
I felt like the part in Northern Michigan is at least sort of interesting.
I haven't been up I-75 past Detroit so I'll take your word for it.
I-75 north of exit 202 is pretty scenic. South of there not so much. You have Bay County which is pretty boring, then Saginaw County which features the Zilwaukee Bridge which isn't very scenic.
Quote from: Thomas77 on October 11, 2021, 01:32:08 AM
I believe it's US-23 and I-75 from Columbus to Toledo.
It's a really brutal drive and feels like 6 hours even if it's only about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There's US-23. There is nothing to see on the entire route. Mom Wilson's is always closed. The scenery is just farmland and trees. It is an extremely flat and barren landscape and for some reason the speed limit is only 65. Another problem with this route is it starts getting painful to drive on towards Delaware. With stop lights every 2 seconds, Always congested, etc...
I-75 is better because it is 70 mph and does not have random stoplights and is an interstate. (Which means it has more standards. But it's just as flat and barren as US-23 is. And has nothing to stop at until you hit Toledo.
I personally just started using US-68 and I-75. It's a much better drive than US-23 and OH-15. Since the I-75 stretch is relatively short and it's quick.
I-75 has Lima, Findlay, North Baltimore and Bowling Green that have major exits. North Baltimore is the halfway point between my house and Cincinnati so it's always been a stopping off point at least for me.
Wisconsin's most boring is easily I-39 between Oxford and Plover.
For me the most boring stretches have been
I-45 between Houston and Dallas
I-37 from San Antonio to corpus Christi
I-10 from San Antonio to Houston
I-49 in Louisiana
I-55 in Mississippi
all of I-59
I-81 in Virginia
I-84 in Connecticut
I-95 in NJ---the turnpike sucks once out of Newark
Quote from: achilles765 on October 12, 2021, 03:56:23 AM
all of I-59
I rather liked I-59 north of Birmingham. Alabama alone has far more boring interstates than that.
Highway 401/Autoroute 20 in that area where it's completely flat and straight
(I know I'm late) but I have some roads I didn't see on here.
US-50 through Nevada.
I-71 from Akron to Cincinnati feels like it never ends.
I-75 from Miami to Tampa and from Chattanooga to Lexington ky and north of Detroit it feels like time is stopped but yeah.
Oh and any highway in Vermont falls under this there's nothing up there.
Quote from: MattCollopy on April 10, 2023, 07:39:37 PM
Oh and any highway in Vermont falls under this there's nothing up there.
Vermont is 30th (nowhere near 50th) in population density, and there are mountains everywhere...
Quote from: 1 on April 10, 2023, 07:41:04 PM
Quote from: MattCollopy on April 10, 2023, 07:39:37 PM
Oh and any highway in Vermont falls under this there's nothing up there.
Vermont is 30th (nowhere near 50th) in population density, and there are mountains everywhere...
Heh. Microsoft had a lock screen of a car driving on a two-lane road through a dense forest, bird's eye view. When my daughter saw it, she said, "Vermont." Had a laugh.
Back in high school, we took a trip up I-91 into Quebec and, as we passed the trees on the rolling hills, a friend said, "And this is what it will look like for the next few hours, this is Vermont."
Vermont has wonderfully scenic two-laners, but the Interstates can get dull.
I think that Interstates are basically all the same outside of a few rare exceptions, just two sets of two lane highway passing the same scenery over and over basically. At least if you are traveling you can see different things but you could be driving around Michigan and honestly Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio aren't much different. I like how when you are going north in Michigan it turns to pine trees and of course like all the lakes up there.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 10, 2023, 08:43:48 PM
I think that Interstates are basically all the same outside of a few rare exceptions, just two sets of two lane highway passing the same scenery over and over basically. At least if you are traveling you can see different things but you could be driving around Michigan and honestly Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio aren't much different. I like how when you are going north in Michigan it turns to pine trees and of course like all the lakes up there.
I wouldn't go this far.
Quote from: US 89 on October 13, 2021, 10:41:51 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on October 12, 2021, 03:56:23 AM
all of I-59
I rather liked I-59 north of Birmingham. Alabama alone has far more boring interstates than that.
Just from a quick check in Google, I-59 certainly appears to have a few interesting stretches north of Birmingham (such as the north of Reece City (https://goo.gl/maps/61od63cyfVriempq8) and the stretch approaching I-24.
For me, the most boring roads are mostly straight, mostly level roads in a corridor through wooded areas, with no views whatsoever, and little development. Fortunately, I can't think of any very long stretches like this, but New England has quite a few that are long enough to be tedious. Much of I-495 in MA is boring in this way.
I-70 between KC and St Louis. To quote Control City Freak, it's just "fireworks and porno stores, and billboards telling you that you'll be eternally dammed for fireworks and porno stores" :-D. The heavy truck traffic doesn't help either.
My vote goes to the current section of US-77 (future I-69E) between Kingsville and Raymondville....nearly 80 mile range of virtually nothingness (except for a very short window of services in Riviera). There used to be signs alerting drivers this is their last chance for fuel in both towns.
I-64 east of Richmond. Same age new-growth forest, too dense to see through, same species the whole way cut back the same distance from the edge of the road.
Quote from: pderocco on April 11, 2023, 12:43:09 AM
For me, the most boring roads are mostly straight, mostly level roads in a corridor through wooded areas, with no views whatsoever, and little development. Fortunately, I can't think of any very long stretches like this, but New England has quite a few that are long enough to be tedious. Much of I-495 in MA is boring in this way.
I-495 isn't long enough for me to get bored on and dodging punchthroughs on its horrible bridge decks is hardly boring.
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
Highway 401 from Windsor to London
Quote from: andrepoiy on April 11, 2023, 09:19:41 AM
Highway 401 from Windsor to London
That was the stretch of highway where my wife (from California) exclaimed "is all of Canada like Michigan?"
Quote from: kkt on April 11, 2023, 01:32:42 AM
I-64 east of Richmond. Same age new-growth forest, too dense to see through, same species the whole way cut back the same distance from the edge of the road.
Years ago, I ended up on U.S. 250 coming out of Richmond and was surprised to find that there actually was civilization on the other side of all those trees on I-64.
I-75 in Bay County, Michigan. I don't know if I mentioned this already and don't feel like going through pages of posts to figure out if I did or not but I-75 is a bore in Bay County it's basically just farm fields, every exit is a bore it's just a gas station or two, M-84 and Wilder Road are probably the two biggest exits with services at them but Beaver Road and Linwood both just have a gas station each, Pinconning has two gas stations and a few other businesses near the interchange but just a complete bore. It starts getting a little better as you get into Arenac County and Ogemaw County as far as scenery goes but Bay County just seems to linger on forever.
The counties north of there are pretty much the same too with West Branch and Gaylord being two of the bigger exits. I like how the trees turn to pine trees as you get far enough north. The Mackinac Bridge is fun to cross though but once you get to the U.P. it's like what do I do now? And the ride to the Soo is boring too.
I-84 across Connecticut is a very boring drive. I've driven this stretch numerous times. It passes through nothing really spectacular until you're crossing the Housatonic River in Newtown which is the only real nice part of it, but I find that road particularly boring. And because it's Connecticut, traffic is usually slow especially on holiday weekends. However it's better than taking CT 15 due to traffic being worse due to inadequate capacity and construction or one accident that slows it down for miles.
I'll also mention the Mass Pike from I-84 into Boston. Boring and has many of the same problems as I-84 in Connecticut. However, I personally really like the stretch through the Berkshires.
I-10 in the Florida panhandle, easily. The worst thing ever to drive at night. You just see the same taillights in front of you for miles and miles, since you can't see oncoming traffic due to the trees. Very straight, exits only every 15-20 miles. I used to have to pull over at every exit just to walk around to wake myself up.
Atlantic City Expressway.
They used to have billboards specifically to keep drivers awake. Its bland but at least not terrifically long.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
I disagree on the I-71 stretch through Ohio. It's rolling hills north of Us‐36. Yeah, it's flat thru Columbus to US-68, but at least there are exits every 5-10 miles at the very least. It's not like you are blowing past 20-30 straight miles of corn/wheat fields with no diversions.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
Buffalo to Utica is boring. Utica to Albany, not so much. Quite scenic around Fort Plain and Little Falls.
Interstate 44 between Wichita Falls, Texas and Oklahoma City, OK. Outside the mini-metro areas of Chickasha, OK and Lawton, OK, there is hardly any gas stations or eateries. Unless I'm mistaken, I'm seeing more casinos (5) than McDonalds (1) along this route.
Quote from: thenetwork on April 11, 2023, 07:06:19 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
I disagree on the I-71 stretch through Ohio. It's rolling hills north of Us‐36. Yeah, it's flat thru Columbus to US-68, but at least there are exits every 5-10 miles at the very least. It's not like you are blowing past 20-30 straight miles of corn/wheat fields with no diversions.
Rolling hills does not equal interesting. There is nothing to look at on that road, it is boring as hell. I unironically think the section from Columbus to Cincinnati is slightly more tolerable, though it could be because it is shorter.
Quote from: Rothman on April 11, 2023, 07:59:38 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
Buffalo to Utica is boring. Utica to Albany, not so much. Quite scenic around Fort Plain and Little Falls.
Where is Fort Plain? I do think the rock cuts near Little Falls are kinda neat, but the rest of it from Buffalo to Albany is boring as hell. Well, Syracuse is a tad interesting.
I would also like to mention 2 I forgot: The Ohio Turnpike and I-65 from Gary to Indianapolis.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 12, 2023, 02:13:23 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on April 11, 2023, 07:06:19 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
I disagree on the I-71 stretch through Ohio. It's rolling hills north of Us‐36. Yeah, it's flat thru Columbus to US-68, but at least there are exits every 5-10 miles at the very least. It's not like you are blowing past 20-30 straight miles of corn/wheat fields with no diversions.
Rolling hills does not equal interesting. There is nothing to look at on that road, it is boring as hell. I unironically think the section from Columbus to Cincinnati is slightly more tolerable, though it could be because it is shorter.
Quote from: Rothman on April 11, 2023, 07:59:38 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 11, 2023, 08:25:20 AM
I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
The NY Thruway from Buffalo to Albany, particularly the stretch from Syracuse to Rochester
Buffalo to Utica is boring. Utica to Albany, not so much. Quite scenic around Fort Plain and Little Falls.
Where is Fort Plain? I do think the rock cuts near Little Falls are kinda neat, but the rest of it from Buffalo to Albany is boring as hell. Well, Syracuse is a tad interesting.
I would also like to mention 2 I forgot: The Ohio Turnpike and I-65 from Gary to Indianapolis.
If you don't know where Fort Plain is, I don't think you've traveled this route often enough for your judgment to be trusted.
Also...kind of weird to ask that. What's my answer supposed to be? "Between Utica and Schenectady"? I mean, lmgtfy...
Quote from: kirbykart on April 12, 2023, 02:13:23 PM
Where is Fort Plain? I do think the rock cuts near Little Falls are kinda neat, but the rest of it from Buffalo to Albany is boring as hell. Well, Syracuse is a tad interesting.
Roughly 10 miles east of there. And you don't find the Mohawk River and the hills in the area even a little interesting? Sure, that portion drags for me too, but I at least have the excuse that I drive it fairly frequently.
Oddly enough, the Rochester-Syracuse portion doesn't drag much for me. Or Rochester-Buffalo. Utica-Syracuse and west of Buffalo, however, are dull, dull, dull (literally the only interesting things I can think of between the reservation and PA border are the correctional facilities sign and the brief views of Lake Erie to the north near Ripley).
^Hmmm... Yeah, Rochester to Syracuse is definitely the most boring for me. We'll have to agree to disagree on that.
Oddly enough, I've never actually traveled the closest part of the Thruway to where I live (Exit 57A to PA border), because it really doesn't line up with any potential, sensical driving paths.
So Fort Plain is pretty close to Canajoharie, okay. The Mohawk River and Erie Canal are not interesting really because, well it's not like they're outstanding bridges. They seem like pretty run-of-the-mill Interstate bridges to me.
Alright, I guess I will admit that the stretch through the Mohawk Valley is the tiniest bit more interesting than say, the area around Junius Ponds. But that doesn't make it an interesting road.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 09:38:33 AM
^Hmmm... Yeah, Rochester to Syracuse is definitely the most boring for me. We'll have to agree to disagree on that.
Oddly enough, I've never actually traveled the closest part of the Thruway to where I live (Exit 57A to PA border), because it really doesn't line up with any potential, sensical driving paths.
So Fort Plain is pretty close to Canajoharie, okay. The Mohawk River and Erie Canal are not interesting really because, well it's not like they're outstanding bridges. They seem like pretty run-of-the-mill Interstate bridges to me.
Alright, I guess I will admit that the stretch through the Mohawk Valley is the tiniest bit more interesting than say, the area around Junius Ponds. But that doesn't make it an interesting road.
I take it you're not interested in the scenery? Rock faces? Hilly farms? Although I guess I had more of a tunnel vision to the road features at your age too.
Regarding Rochester-Syracuse, my parents hate it, and I did when I was younger, so I get it at least. I think the reason I find that part more interesting is that it has stuff happen fairly frequently (39-40 has the Syracuse approach EB, the gantry, the smile farm silo with Snoopy next to it, the cow farm silo, and the tree farms; 40-41 has Port Byron, the canal lock, Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and Montezuma, including the bald eagle statue; 41-42 is short and has Junius Ponds and the Waterloo Premium Outlets in the middle; 42-43 has the "false Geneva" hill, but does drag in spots; 43-44 is somewhat short and has a couple interesting overpasses; 44-45 has fun concrete, more lanes, the service area, and a lot going on in a very short space, plus it marks the start/end of nearly every Thruway trip in the area). Regarding Rochester/Buffalo, I think it's more novelty factor (growing up, we went east FAR more often than west), but there are landmarks too (47-48 has the "big shift" with the curves and going up/down the hill to get from one side of NY 33 and the railroad tracks to the other; 48-48A doesn't have much but there's some Batavia scenery and the handover from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie watersheds, and it thankfully isn't the biggest gap in the world; 48A-49 is quite boring on the east end but the west end has the Buffalo approach WB and the quarry view EB; 49-50 has more of the Buffalo approach and the airport, and has gotten more boring since the toll barrier was removed, but at least traffic no longer has to stop; it's also very short).
With the Thruway, it's all about knowing your landmarks and where they are. I also have the approximate mile markers memorized for most interchanges from 15-50 (missing the Syracuse local exits, mainly), as well as the relative location of county boundaries and other landmarks. Of course, I've been traveling 45-36 multiple times a year since I started college, 36-33 since 2013, 33-24 since 2014, and I also pick up 47-50, 15-24, and even 8-15 for roadgeeking reasons fairly regularly.
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
I have failed to actually see any ponds from the Thruway in the Junius Ponds area. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.
I've been both ways on the Thruway from Buffalo to Albany several times in my life. I can still confidently say it is the second-most boring road I have ever been on, only surpassed by the Ohio Turnpike or maybe I-65 in Indiana.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 01:22:09 PM
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
They're something to look at. Farmhouses and barns are definitely more visually engaging than a never-ending wall of trees on each side of the highway. Huge swaths of wide-open, flat-as-a-pancake, exactly-one-section fields in the Great Plains do get tedious, but the smaller-parcel farms east of the Mississippi don't deserve the title of 'most boring'.
Quote from: kphoger on April 13, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 01:22:09 PM
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
They're something to look at. Farmhouses and barns are definitely more visually engaging than a never-ending wall of trees on each side of the highway. Huge swaths of wide-open, flat-as-a-pancake, exactly-one-section fields in the Great Plains do get tedious, but the smaller-parcel farms east of the Mississippi don't deserve the title of 'most boring'.
I-55 in Illinois begs to differ with you.
Quote from: StogieGuy7 on April 13, 2023, 02:44:59 PM
I-55 in Illinois begs to differ with you.
And that's exactly where the 'flat as a pancake' part comes in. As I said in the now-locked thread...
Quote from: kphoger on August 09, 2021, 08:01:59 PM
Yeah, when I think of "flat" and "Illinois" in the same thought, I-55 is what immediately comes to mind.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 01:22:09 PM
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
I have failed to actually see any ponds from the Thruway in the Junius Ponds area. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.
I've been both ways on the Thruway from Buffalo to Albany several times in my life. I can still confidently say it is the second-most boring road I have ever been on, only surpassed by the Ohio Turnpike or maybe I-65 in Indiana.
You're just revealing that you aren't widely traveled yet with that assessment.
But yeah, Syracuse to Buffalo...yawn.
CA-14 between Mojave and the 395 junction. It has one kind of interesting segment through Red Rocks, the rest is boring and desolate. It's the same desert scenery you'll see on almost any other highway in the area. But frankly, most of CA-14 in general is kind of boring once you leave the Transverse Range.
Quote from: Rothman on April 13, 2023, 04:28:48 PM
You're just revealing that you aren't widely traveled yet with that assessment.
But yeah, Syracuse to Buffalo...yawn.
1. (Not really talking specifically to you) I forgot another really boring one which is I-55 from around I-80 to Bloomington-Normal. BN to Springfield is boring but not as boring. Springfield to ESTL is considerably more interesting IMO despite the similar landscape.
2. (Response to your first sentence) Right below my avatar you can see a magical number known as my age.
Quote from: Quillz on April 13, 2023, 04:46:34 PM
CA-14 between Mojave and the 395 junction. It has one kind of interesting segment through Red Rocks, the rest is boring and desolate. It's the same desert scenery you'll see on almost any other highway in the area. But frankly, most of CA-14 in general is kind of boring once you leave the Transverse Range.
CA 58 east of CA 14 is a snooze fest to look at now that the Kramer Junction Bypass and Hinkley Bypass are complete.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 05:29:30 PM
Quote from: Rothman on April 13, 2023, 04:28:48 PM
You're just revealing that you aren't widely traveled yet with that assessment.
But yeah, Syracuse to Buffalo...yawn.
1. (Not really talking specifically to you) I forgot another really boring one which is I-55 from around I-80 to Bloomington-Normal. BN to Springfield is boring but not as boring. Springfield to ESTL is considerably more interesting IMO despite the similar landscape.
2. (Response to your first sentence) Right below my avatar you can see a magical number known as my age.
Thanks for agreeing with me.
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 01:22:09 PM
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
I have failed to actually see any ponds from the Thruway in the Junius Ponds area. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.
I've been both ways on the Thruway from Buffalo to Albany several times in my life. I can still confidently say it is the second-most boring road I have ever been on, only surpassed by the Ohio Turnpike or maybe I-65 in Indiana.
I was also thinking of things like this (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8957298,-74.4861549,3a,75y,252.42h,103.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swt52mMgTHXQGIXJ0Sn6flQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) (note the rock on the ledge) (the other side (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8957298,-74.4861549,3a,15y,73.14h,89.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swt52mMgTHXQGIXJ0Sn6flQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) is really nice too).
As for the farms on rolling hills, I guess there's a fair bit of truth to the saying "familiarity breeds contempt". Note that you live in what most would consider to be a fairly scenic part of the state.
Quote from: vdeane on April 13, 2023, 08:11:41 PM
Quote from: kirbykart on April 13, 2023, 01:22:09 PM
I already mentioned that the rock cuts near Little Falls are neat. But farms? I see farms every day. Farms are not interesting.
I have failed to actually see any ponds from the Thruway in the Junius Ponds area. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.
I've been both ways on the Thruway from Buffalo to Albany several times in my life. I can still confidently say it is the second-most boring road I have ever been on, only surpassed by the Ohio Turnpike or maybe I-65 in Indiana.
I was also thinking of things like this (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8957298,-74.4861549,3a,75y,252.42h,103.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swt52mMgTHXQGIXJ0Sn6flQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) (note the rock on the ledge) (the other side (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8957298,-74.4861549,3a,15y,73.14h,89.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swt52mMgTHXQGIXJ0Sn6flQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) is really nice too).
Yep, my wife and I love the drive through that gap.
Please, the Utica-Albany stretch of the Thruway isn't even among the worst stretches of the Thruway. I drove it very frequently for several years and there's enough to look at and keep you interested. West of Utica and especially west of Buffalo becomes a snoozefest.
But if you want really boring, I-70 east of Denver. Eastern Colorado gets old very quickly. Also, almost anything in the rural California Central Valley is boring AF, comparable to what you'd see on the flattest parts of the Plains. Those roads get old very quickly. For a state that as a whole is among the most scenic in the country, that region has some of the dullest scenery in the country unless it's an unusually clear day. And I'll concur with the above that a decent amount of the Mojave Desert (such as stretches of 15 and 58) is quite boring.
Having driven all of Vermont's freeway mileage, I agree that it's relatively dull compared to the surrounding 2-lane roads. It has a few moments, but much of it looks the same. I-95 north of Bangor is shockingly boring, too, apart from the Katahdin viewpoint.
Quote from: cl94 on April 13, 2023, 11:26:05 PM
Also, almost anything in the rural California Central Valley is boring AF, comparable to what you'd see on the flattest parts of the Plains. Those roads get old very quickly. For a state that as a whole is among the most scenic in the country, that region has some of the dullest scenery in the country unless it's an unusually clear day. And I'll concur with the above that a decent amount of the Mojave Desert (such as stretches of 15 and 58) is quite boring.
I completely forgot about the 5! Thankfully it improves a lot once you get north of Redding. Specifically, the stretch from Redding, CA to Eugene, OR is arguably my favorite drive anywhere. Mountainous region, you follow Shasta Lake for a while, views of Mt. Shasta, junctions with some very scenic highways. In particular the final couple miles in California north of the CA-96 junction, you're pretty high up and then cross into Oregon, I just love that part of the drive. Makes up for the Wheeler Ridge-Redding slog that is indeed pretty flat and boring for the most part.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 13, 2023, 05:31:59 PM
Quote from: Quillz on April 13, 2023, 04:46:34 PM
CA-14 between Mojave and the 395 junction. It has one kind of interesting segment through Red Rocks, the rest is boring and desolate. It's the same desert scenery you'll see on almost any other highway in the area. But frankly, most of CA-14 in general is kind of boring once you leave the Transverse Range.
CA 58 east of CA 14 is a snooze fest to look at now that the Kramer Junction Bypass and Hinkley Bypass are complete.
I would expand on this and say that I also find the 395 drive itself is a bit boring between the 14 junction and Bishop. Yes, you've got the Sierra on one side and the Inyo/White Mountains on the other side, but the actual drive is still relatively flat and boring. But I think a lot of this is my having good memories of going to Mammoth with my dad. So the anticipation of getting there is what made me dread the 14-395 stretch. But then it gets really good past Bishop.
However, driving it (as opposed to being a passenger) made me realize that the 14 slog isn't actually all that long (under 50 miles IIRC), and I find the 395 stretch more interesting behind the wheel. But in recent years I've also taken some side tours like Horseshoe Meadows Road.
Quote from: cl94 on April 13, 2023, 11:26:05 PM
Please, the Utica-Albany stretch of the Thruway isn't even among the worst stretches of the Thruway. I drove it very frequently for several years and there's enough to look at and keep you interested. West of Utica and especially west of Buffalo becomes a snoozefest.
I've literally been saying that bit is a bit more interesting than Buffalo-Utica.
Quote from: cl94 on April 13, 2023, 11:26:05 PM
is boring AF
You must not be doing it right. I never thought F was boring.
Quote from: Strider on May 25, 2014, 07:27:22 PM
Quote from: bing101 on May 25, 2014, 06:58:04 PM
Quote from: ZLoth on May 25, 2014, 05:54:22 AM
Boring stretches? Maybe it's because I was in the back of a hot car with a broken A/C when I was young, or I took these routes once too often, but here are my selections:
- I-80 between Auburn and Fairfield. I swear, going home to Sacramento feels LONGER than getting away from Sacramento.
- I-5 between Tracy and the Grapevine (please, sirs, may I take CA-99?)
- I-680 between Fairfield and Benicia
- I-205 near Tracy
- I-580 east of Livermore and the I-5
- US-50 between Placerville and Folsom
That's when I'm glad I have a working audio system in my car and some good audiobooks in my smartphone.
I know that people like to condemn I-5 between Redding and the Grapevine, but I found the drive between Tracy and Sacramento halfway interesting, and I enjoy the farmland between Sacramento and Redding.
Well the only time a boring highway becomes interesting is when you have to smell manure in your car. I 680 at the Lake Herman rd exit is interesting. LAke Herman rd is when you have an underated scenic road within Benicia and Vallejo city limits.
There are plenty of manure smells along I-78/US 22 in PA! yeow.
I blame Shartlesville. :sombrero:
Quote from: Quillz on April 14, 2023, 04:07:32 AM
I would expand on this and say that I also find the 395 drive itself is a bit boring between the 14 junction and Bishop. Yes, you've got the Sierra on one side and the Inyo/White Mountains on the other side, but the actual drive is still relatively flat and boring. But I think a lot of this is my having good memories of going to Mammoth with my dad. So the anticipation of getting there is what made me dread the 14-395 stretch. But then it gets really good past Bishop.
However, driving it (as opposed to being a passenger) made me realize that the 14 slog isn't actually all that long (under 50 miles IIRC), and I find the 395 stretch more interesting behind the wheel. But in recent years I've also taken some side tours like Horseshoe Meadows Road.
The "drive" may be boring because it's flat and straight, but I think the mountains, once you get past Olancha, are beautiful. And so are the many ranches. And there are lots of old 395 alignments that you can drive, once you get past Lone Pine. The boring part of 395 is the southernmost 50 miles or so.
I-85 across southern Virginia is quite bad, nothing but a wall of trees in your direction, can't even see the other side of the road.
I would say I 16 in Georgia from Macon until Savannah is very boring. Also the Bluegrass Parkway in Kentucky is old, dangerous, and not very interesting otherwise.