The Most Boring Stretches of Highway

[AsphaltPlanet]

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. 

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.

[deathtopumpkins]

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.

[vdeane]

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. 

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.

[OracleUsr]

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.

[Alps]

MD 30 north of Reisterstown. US 26 east of Gresham. We're done here.

[djsinco]

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!

[theline]

How can it be boring without headlights? Terrifying, yes; boring, no. 

[Scott5114]

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.

[agentsteel53]

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.

[OCGuy81]

Almost forgot, I-72.  Yeesh! Boring.

[hm insulators]

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.)

[wphiii]

I-10 from El Paso til you get to Hill Country.

I-80 between Gary and the Cuyahoga Valley.

[cpzilliacus]

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).

[cpzilliacus]

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.

[corco]

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.

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.

[formulanone]

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.

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.

[Alps]

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.

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.

[theline]

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.

[sandiaman]

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.

[OCGuy81]

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.

[Rover_0]

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.

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.

[Scott5114]

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.

[kphoger]

^^ 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.

[agentsteel53]

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.

[InterstateNG]

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.