I've been traveling on I-75 for pretty much my whole life and I think I finally figured out the worst point on all of I-75 yesterday. I was cruising along in Ohio and got through most of Cincinnati just fine until I hit the bridge over the Ohio River and I-71 coming in. I sat in traffic for about 15-20 minutes and made it fine going southbound to Lexington after that. I just thought to myself that I hit this point in I-75 all the time and always seem to hit traffic along this stretch every time I come through it. I think I have I-75 covered unless someone has another spot just as bad like in Atlanta and I know in my home state Detroit doesn't have too many awful spots along I-75, maybe in Oakland County around the Big Beaver-14 Mile area but nothing as bad as Cincinnati even with that 25 mph curve downtown where I-75 switches from the Chrysler to the Fisher Cincinnati is worse. My whole point is if you know of the worst spot along any Interstate what is it?
I think I recall threads along similar lines, though not exactly the same, in the past.
The worst spot on I-490 is right here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1034664,-77.5049931,3a,75y,149.86h,83.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slWlPs9e-goPdbkW2pdNAfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656): one of the only places in the world where the speed limit increases and travel speeds decrease! :banghead:
Also bad (and subject of my frequent complaints) is right here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1386785,-77.5378334,3a,75y,343.19h,90.28t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4TdQ7s-Hmvqp01WB-eLaKg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D4TdQ7s-Hmvqp01WB-eLaKg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D135.63438%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656), where 1/2 or more of the traffic tries to squeeze into the rightmost lane every afternoon, creating road rage, and backing up traffic for several miles.
I-390 only has one "bad spot", and it is being fixed. A lane reconfiguration is underway here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1525207,-77.6791038,3a,75y,345.09h,89.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suhQ6a-8G8wDyycjZ65I47g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656); when finished, all three lanes will continue beyond the I-490 East exit, and then the left lane will exit onto I-490 West instead. This will not only reduce left-lane driving, it will also better match lanes to volumes (nobody is heading into downtown in the afternoon, anyways).
I-90 is a monstrosity, and I haven't traveled over half of it, so I can't really say.
If we talk specific to NYS, then probably the infamous Exit 24 in Albany. The toll barriers in Buffalo can generate backups, too.
The I-91 Exit 29 connection from I-91 North to US 5/CT 15 North, and eventually, I-84 East. Right lane for the one lane ramp is often backed up for a half mile. The interchange is just beginning reconstruction, but it's an extremely deficient connection often used by those traveling from NYC to Boston. I've often found it easier to get off Exit 27, do an off and on and get on 15 North. At least with the return trip, you have a secret alternate to the main ramp to 91 South.
The I-91 southern terminus to I-95 used to take the cake when 4 lanes used to funnel into 1 to make the connection.
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 05:15:19 AM
I've been traveling on I-75 for pretty much my whole life and I think I finally figured out the worst point on all of I-75 yesterday. I was cruising along in Ohio and got through most of Cincinnati just fine until I hit the bridge over the Ohio River and I-71 coming in. I sat in traffic for about 15-20 minutes and made it fine going southbound to Lexington after that. I just thought to myself that I hit this point in I-75 all the time and always seem to hit traffic along this stretch every time I come through it. I think I have I-75 covered unless someone has another spot just as bad like in Atlanta and I know in my home state Detroit doesn't have too many awful spots along I-75, maybe in Oakland County around the Big Beaver-14 Mile area but nothing as bad as Cincinnati even with that 25 mph curve downtown where I-75 switches from the Chrysler to the Fisher Cincinnati is worse. My whole point is if you know of the worst spot along any Interstate what is it?
I've never really had issues on the Kentucky side of the river unless there's a wreck or road work. My problems with Cincinnati are the Norwood Lateral-Paddock Road area, and also Sharonville just south of I-275.
In bad weather, you don't want to be on I-75 near the Rockcastle River crossing and on the hills on either side of it. There's been some massive traffic tie-ups during snowstorms.
I'm not a fan of I-75 in general, but to me, two trouble spots are 1.) the Pine Mountain crossing south of Jellico just as you enter Tennessee. The route is only two lanes in each direction with no chance of being widened in any of our lifetimes, which means micropassing trucks and total closures when there are wrecks. Plus, there have been enough slides and slips along that stretch that you never know when the road's going to be down to one lane for repairs. And 2.), the ramp to I-640 west where through I-75 traffic is narrowed to one lane in a metro area.
Of the routes that I've clinched that are in my area, here are my opinions:
I-64: The St. Louis double-decker, downtown Louisville, most of the WV Turnpike, the I-81 concurrency, and the HRBT.
I-66: everything inside US 15.
I-68: Cumberland
I-71: downtown Cincinnati and downtown Columbus.
I-77: the WV turnpike between Cabin Creek and Mossy/Pax.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 10:28:23 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 05:15:19 AM
I've been traveling on I-75 for pretty much my whole life and I think I finally figured out the worst point on all of I-75 yesterday. I was cruising along in Ohio and got through most of Cincinnati just fine until I hit the bridge over the Ohio River and I-71 coming in. I sat in traffic for about 15-20 minutes and made it fine going southbound to Lexington after that. I just thought to myself that I hit this point in I-75 all the time and always seem to hit traffic along this stretch every time I come through it. I think I have I-75 covered unless someone has another spot just as bad like in Atlanta and I know in my home state Detroit doesn't have too many awful spots along I-75, maybe in Oakland County around the Big Beaver-14 Mile area but nothing as bad as Cincinnati even with that 25 mph curve downtown where I-75 switches from the Chrysler to the Fisher Cincinnati is worse. My whole point is if you know of the worst spot along any Interstate what is it?
I've never really had issues on the Kentucky side of the river unless there's a wreck or road work. My problems with Cincinnati are the Norwood Lateral-Paddock Road area, and also Sharonville just south of I-275.
In bad weather, you don't want to be on I-75 near the Rockcastle River crossing and on the hills on either side of it. There's been some massive traffic tie-ups during snowstorms.
I'm not a fan of I-75 in general, but to me, two trouble spots are 1.) the Pine Mountain crossing south of Jellico just as you enter Tennessee. The route is only two lanes in each direction with no chance of being widened in any of our lifetimes, which means micropassing trucks and total closures when there are wrecks. Plus, there have been enough slides and slips along that stretch that you never know when the road's going to be down to one lane for repairs. And 2.), the ramp to I-640 west where through I-75 traffic is narrowed to one lane in a metro area.
Of the routes that I've clinched that are in my area, here are my opinions:
I-64: The St. Louis double-decker, downtown Louisville, most of the WV Turnpike, the I-81 concurrency, and the HRBT.
I-66: everything inside US 15.
I-68: Cumberland
I-71: downtown Cincinnati and downtown Columbus.
I-77: the WV turnpike between Cabin Creek and Mossy/Pax.
I think part of the problem with the choke in Cincinnati is that I-75 there narrows down to two lanes as it enters the interchange with I-71 in downtown Cincinnati. There is no chance that it's going to get widened anytime soon because there simply is no room to widen it.
Even though I've never been to Florida or Maine, I'm certain the worst spot on I-95 is the Cross Bronx Expwy... that shit is almost never not congested. And I'm saying this even given the fact that it's I-95...
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 10:28:23 AM
I-64: The St. Louis double-decker, downtown Louisville, most of the WV Turnpike, the I-81 concurrency, and the HRBT.
I-66: everything inside US 15.
I-68: Cumberland
I've never been to Saint Louis but I've been to the other I-64 spots quite a few times. Also bad is the High Rise Bridge (in Chesapeake) and the overlap with I-95. The HRBT definitely has them all beat, though.
I-66 is hell any way you look at it for sure, but that part inside the Beltway... either 3 or more heads or pay an arm & a leg!
Agreed with I-68!!
I-76 (east): Schuylkill Expressway
465 between keystone ave and i-69 thankfully it will be fixed next yr
I think the worst part of I-66 is the eastbound stretch from roughly the West Falls Church Metro stop past the Dulles merge to Exit 69 for US-29 when the road returns to two lanes. You have two lanes of thru traffic on I-66 and two lanes of traffic merging onto I-66 from the Dulles Access Road Extension. One of those entering lanes ends and the other becomes exit-only at Exit 69, meaning a lot of the entering traffic has to push left, and some of the thru traffic already on I-66 will attempt to use the right lanes to cut ahead. This stretch has always backed up regardless of whether it's the morning or the afternoon.
Hopefully the widening project to add a third lane eastbound from Exit 69 to Exit 71 (Ballston) will alleviate the congestion at this spot.
Certainly other areas of I-66 have heavy congestion on a regular basis, but that particular spot seems to me to be the one spot that is the most consistent problem because it happens at all hours, not just during the morning rush hour ("morning" because that's when normally you'd expect the inbound lanes to be at their worst).
Quote from: webny99 on January 08, 2019, 08:39:15 AM
I-90 is a monstrosity, and I haven't traveled over half of it, so I can't really say.
If we talk specific to NYS, then probably the infamous Exit 24 in Albany. The toll barriers in Buffalo can generate backups, too.
Possibly eastbound (never traveled that direction in rush hour, so hard to say); westbound, the bigger factor is the trifecta of heavy merges from NY 85, the state office campus, and Fuller Road and the ramp to I-87 north, creating a situation very similar to I-490 approaching the Can of Worms. Buffalo's big issue with I-90 is probably the I-290 interchange more than Williamsville. Nationwide, the worst spot is probably somewhere in Chicago.
For I-87, the worst spot is probably the interchange with I-95, since backups from the Cross-Bronx and George Washington Bridge regularly spill over onto the Deegan.
I-295 (DE-NJ-PA) is the Al-Jo Curve that's part of the I-295/I-76/NJ 42 interchange. It's in the process of being eliminated, though the current temporary configuration creates a second worst point Northbound, where there is only one thru lane on I-295 (the right lane ends and the remaining right lane is exit only as two lanes entering from the left become the new thru lanes).
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 11:19:42 AM
I think part of the problem with the choke in Cincinnati is that I-75 there narrows down to two lanes as it enters the interchange with I-71 in downtown Cincinnati. There is no chance that it's going to get widened anytime soon because there simply is no room to widen it.
When they build the parallel span to the Brent Spence Bridge, that will be addressed.
I-35 would be through downtown Kansas City, including the I-70 duplex.
My guess for I-81 would be either around Roanoke or the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.
Quote from: webny99 on January 08, 2019, 08:39:15 AM
I-90 is a monstrosity, and I haven't traveled over half of it, so I can't really say.
If we talk specific to NYS, then probably the infamous Exit 24 in Albany. The toll barriers in Buffalo can generate backups, too.
They pale when compared to the stretch between O'Hare (I-294) and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). This part can cause a backup at 3 freaking am.
Ditto for I-94. Its worst part is between the end of the Edens Extension (where it meets US-41) and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Of course, the part with I-80 is no picnic either.
I-80: Wanna see wall-to-wall trucks? Then visit I-80's worst part between the end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Indiana Toll Road (I-90). And that's including the Sierras which one can explain away by heavy snow.
I-55: No matter what some downstate may say, the worst bit is from Arsenal Road (Exit 244) north to Lake Shore Drive (US-41). And that includes switching roadways in Memphis (twice) and St Louis.
I-57: US-30 north to the Ryan Expressway (I-94), of which the worst is probably the last three curves before I-94.
I-80: where to start, where to start..........
How about right at the western terminus, where the Bay Bridge crossing and most of the ensuing freeway right up the Carquinez Strait is a nightmare almost every waking hour during the week -- and the weekends are starting to catch up! Then there's the Sacramento section from the "Biz 80" merge near Watt Ave. to out past Rocklin -- more commute nightmare; almost as bad as the Alameda/Contra Costa segment. Going east, I've hit dead-stop congestion several times on the segment shared with I-94 in IL and IN; and the last 30 miles prior to the eastern terminus can be hell on wheels as well. And these are merely the sections with which I've had personal experience; I'm certain other posters can and should point out other I-80 segments that are perpetually troublesome -- although somehow I doubt it would be worse than the extreme western end!
I'd say for my nearby I-93 would be the Southeast Expressway stretch from Boston to Braintree MA. It's most sub-standard part is also its nicest, Franconia Notch in NH.
I-96: Probably around the I-275/I-696 interchange
The worst part of I-95 that I have been on has to be in the Bronx. I live in a fairly urban area, so I prefer rural interstates. The cross Bronx is just a traffic infested mess.
I'll give "worst" in 2 different ways, traffic and boredom. Answers are roughly in order, worst first, though some of them I don't have extensive experience with.
I-84 (W)
Traffic:
Banfield in Portland (I-5 to I-205)
4 lane bottleneck in Nampa, ID (luckily construction has started to fix, or at least reduce, this)
Section between Boise and Meridian, from I-184 to ID-55/Eagle Rd. The main bottleneck is merging traffic from I-184 coming from downtown. Traffic can back up on both highways for a couple miles.
Boredom:
I find the section between Pendleton and Boardman to be far more boring that anything else. Even though, many of the areas in Idaho are similarly flat, featureless, etc. That's the part that stands out. Maybe because the Speed Limit is 70 and not 80, plus that's surrounded by the quite interesting Columbia Gorge and Cabbage Hill/Blue Mountains. I bet also because I've driven the highway west of Boise much more than I've driven it to the east. Between Boise and Mountain Home is definitely the runner up though, more boring than anywhere else in Idaho.
I-5
Traffic:
Approaches to the Interstate Bridge at the WA/OR border
Lots of places in LA, really, but let's go with the East LA Interchange
The 4 lane bottleneck near the Rose Quarter in Portland
Downtown Seattle
Boredom:
Between Grapevine/Wheeler Ridge and Stockton
Between Sacramento and Redding. The worst part is this one and the above combine to make one really long boring stretch, with only Sacramento and Stockton to slightly break it up.
Between Eugene and Albany
Those are the only 2dis I can give good opinions on as a whole highway. Well, there's smaller ones like I-82 and I-86 but there's not much to say about them (they're all pretty equal in boredom across most of the length, and neither have significant traffic). EDIT: Went more into I-82 here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=24234.msg2389405#msg2389405 Also I have driven a lot of I-15, but not between Las Vegas and Hesperia, and I feel like that section might take the cake for both boredom and traffic haha.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 10:28:23 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 05:15:19 AM
I've been traveling on I-75 for pretty much my whole life and I think I finally figured out the worst point on all of I-75 yesterday. I was cruising along in Ohio and got through most of Cincinnati just fine until I hit the bridge over the Ohio River and I-71 coming in. I sat in traffic for about 15-20 minutes and made it fine going southbound to Lexington after that. I just thought to myself that I hit this point in I-75 all the time and always seem to hit traffic along this stretch every time I come through it. I think I have I-75 covered unless someone has another spot just as bad like in Atlanta and I know in my home state Detroit doesn't have too many awful spots along I-75, maybe in Oakland County around the Big Beaver-14 Mile area but nothing as bad as Cincinnati even with that 25 mph curve downtown where I-75 switches from the Chrysler to the Fisher Cincinnati is worse. My whole point is if you know of the worst spot along any Interstate what is it?
I've never really had issues on the Kentucky side of the river unless there's a wreck or road work. My problems with Cincinnati are the Norwood Lateral-Paddock Road area, and also Sharonville just south of I-275.
In bad weather, you don't want to be on I-75 near the Rockcastle River crossing and on the hills on either side of it. There's been some massive traffic tie-ups during snowstorms.
I'm not a fan of I-75 in general, but to me, two trouble spots are 1.) the Pine Mountain crossing south of Jellico just as you enter Tennessee. The route is only two lanes in each direction with no chance of being widened in any of our lifetimes, which means micropassing trucks and total closures when there are wrecks. Plus, there have been enough slides and slips along that stretch that you never know when the road's going to be down to one lane for repairs. And 2.), the ramp to I-640 west where through I-75 traffic is narrowed to one lane in a metro area.
Beyond Knoxville, the Connector through Downtown Atlanta is getting to the point to where congestion is a given during any weekday daytime hours. The I-24 interchange in Chattanooga is also bad due to the sharp curves along the 75 mainline (though this interchange is slated to be "rebuilt" soon), and also from around Gainesville or Ocala, FL to the Florida's Turnpike split can also be very congested during heavy holiday travel periods.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 10:28:23 AM
Of the routes that I've clinched that are in my area, here are my opinions:
I-64: The St. Louis double-decker, downtown Louisville, most of the WV Turnpike, the I-81 concurrency, and the HRBT.
I-66: everything inside US 15.
I-68: Cumberland
I-71: downtown Cincinnati and downtown Columbus.
I-77: the WV turnpike between Cabin Creek and Mossy/Pax.
I agree with you on all of these except I-77, which I completely disagree with you on. Pretty much all of it in the Charlotte area, from the I-485 junction just N of the SC state line all the way to Mooresville is absolutely terrible. And the toll lane construction that's currently ongoing is no only annoying right now, but it will do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to fix the problem. It will take years, if ever, for Charlotte-area residents to embrace toll lanes as a true congestion reliever.
Here are some more that I'm familiar with:
* I-40: I don't know much about Albuquerque or Oklahoma City, but I would rank all of it along the Downtown Nashville loop (MM 208) up to the eastern I-24 split (MM 213) as the worst. I'm fairly certain that the stretches through North Little Rock, Memphis, Knoxville (since the rebuild), the Smokey Mtns, the Triad, and the Triangle don't even compare traffic-wise.
* I-24: I think going through Chattanooga is slightly worse than going through Nashville, at this point.
* I-65: Just north of Downtown Nashville is pretty bad, but I'm thinking it might just be worse in the Birmingham area.
* I-26: The Malfunction Junction area in Columbia is definitely the worst, but honorable mention to the Charleston stretch east of 526 and the Asheville duplex with 240.
* I-20: Not sure about Shreveport, but I'd venture to guess than just east of the I-59 split east of Downtown Birmingham is even worse than anything stretch of it in Atlanta.
* I-85: Sure, the Atlanta Connector is bad, but right now I'd say that all of it from I-385 in Greenville to the NC state line is worse! Nearly all of this is under construction (including the 1990's Spartanburg bypass), the sight lines are very poor due to its late-50's construction, and there's even a portion of it that floods frequently just north of I-385.
* I-4: From Disney to Altamonte Springs, most of which is under construction. I can deal with the rest of it. Tampa is only a problem during rush hours.
I-290 Auburn-Marlboro, MA:
It is just exit, after exit, after exit along this highway. Exit 15 (Shrewsbury St) isn't even signed (with the exception of a small ground mounted sign at exit 14, about 1/4 mile away. The odd exit skips (NB: 7-9-11-13, SB: 12-10-8-7) makes it fairly weird to get around (and also say Auburn has 5 exits (includes Exit 6 on I-395)).
70 - Breezewood
4 - the whole thing
Chicago makes 90 and 94 a nightmare
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 08, 2019, 08:14:09 PM
70 - Breezewood
4 - the whole thing
Chicago makes 90 and 94 a nightmare
With I-4 downtown Orlando in particular. I'll be curious to see how it has "improved" during the I-4 Ultimate rebuild.
I-275 at I-4 going SB. No matter what time of day you approach it there is always a jam up into the ramp.
I-4 will never keep up with sprawl. From now till the time the ultimate is done, who knows how many more cars and trucks will use I-4 as each day more and more development brings newbees into the area. However, the worst spot on I-4 W Bound is from World Drive to US 27 near Dismal, and going EB its usually in two spots. One is from US 27 to SR 429 and the second spot is where Epcot Center Drive merges into I-4 as that creates a slowdown starting at Osceola Parkway to SR 535 due to always traffic leaving WDW even when the parks are not ready to close as Disney itself is a traffic generator due to its many hotels. Can't say about the rest where the worst is cause I never use those parts that much.
Quote from: Ben114 on January 08, 2019, 07:57:19 PM
I-290 Auburn-Marlboro, MA:
... Exit 15 (Shrewsbury St) isn't even signed (with the exception of a small ground mounted sign at exit 14, about 1/4 mile away.
Such is definitely an oddity for sure.
Quote from: Ben114 on January 08, 2019, 07:57:19 PMThe odd exit skips (NB: 7-9-11-13, SB: 12-10-8-7) makes it fairly weird to get around (and also say Auburn has 5 exits (includes Exit 6 on I-395)).
Hopefully, that'll change should MA ever adopt/convert to mile-marker-based interchange numbering.
The worst part of I-90 is the part in Newton. Not a lot to see and a very slow speed limit.
I- 80 through Joliet, IL It's two. f---ing. lanes. and needs to be at MINIMUM 3.
Quote from: inkyatari on January 09, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
I- 80 through Joliet, IL It's two. f---ing. lanes. and needs to be at MINIMUM 3.
That stretch needs a sign before it that states, "NN Days Since The Last Truck Crash". Do we think we can even get into the double digits?
Quote from: Brandon on January 09, 2019, 02:29:12 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 09, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
I- 80 through Joliet, IL It's two. f---ing. lanes. and needs to be at MINIMUM 3.
That stretch needs a sign before it that states, "NN Days Since The Last Truck Crash". Do we think we can even get into the double digits?
They should have a permanent BGS that says "CRASH AHEAD."
Quote from: Ben114 on January 08, 2019, 07:57:19 PM
I-290 Auburn-Marlboro, MA:
It is just exit, after exit, after exit along this highway. Exit 15 (Shrewsbury St) isn't even signed (with the exception of a small ground mounted sign at exit 14, about 1/4 mile away. The odd exit skips (NB: 7-9-11-13, SB: 12-10-8-7) makes it fairly weird to get around (and also say Auburn has 5 exits (includes Exit 6 on I-395)).
I forgot about one other thing, Exit 14 EB doesn't have a sign at the exit, I believe they took it down and just left an empty gantry.
If we're sticking to clinched Interstates, the other "sore spots" that come to mind are:
I-4: From its western terminus to north of Orlando -- most of the route's a mess.
I-5: Just about all of metro L.A.; PDX from the south I-205 interchange north to about WA 500; Seattle between the 405 junctions. Surprisingly, I've had little issue with I-5 in San Diego; most of the shit seems to happen on parallel I-805!
I-8: Really, only the westernmost 25 miles are problematic, traffic-wise.
I-10: Everything from CA 1 to CA 210 in CA; Loop 303 east to AZ 347 in PHX, central El Paso, anything between the I-410 interchanges in San Antonio, TX 99 to east Loop 8 in Houston (with specific vitriol for the area between west I-610 and I-69/US 59), Metairie to I-510, NOLA.
I-30: Between west I-820 and I-35W east to Greenville (TX). Slog, slog, slog! Always avoided traffic issues in Little Rock area, though.
I-66: Everything east of Manassas. Period (note: pre-restrictions).
I-68: Traffic?.....what traffic?
I-76 (west): The usual -- I-70 to about 10-12 miles east of I-270.
I-78: Avoided it like the plague during peak hours; from crossing it on surface roads I'd say from about Pattenburg east is congestion central during those periods.
I-80: Covered upthread.
I-82: Never had traffic issues except in construction zones (particularly at Columbia River bridge).
I-85: Whaddayou expect? Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta. Never did Charlotte or Greensboro at peak times, so can't comment about that.
I-86 (west): no traffic; no comment.
I-88 (west): Only problem section is from the Strangler out to Downers' Grove; always seemed to dissipate after that.
I-88 (east): Approaching the Turnpike toll plaza -- period. Otherwise, free as can be!
I-97: Lots of problems with the portion north of the MD 3 merge; some slowdowns on the southern section but not nail-biting by any means.
Not going to tackle 3di's -- but in general, full loops attract congestion; bypass arcs as well near their centers but thin out near the termini. Other configurations would have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
I-93- the part between exit 1 and 3 simply because I have taken it a lot more.
Quote from: Ben114 on January 09, 2019, 06:35:49 PMI forgot about one other thing, Exit 14 EB doesn't have a sign at the exit, I believe they took it down and just left an empty gantry.
It
was there as of Nov. 2015 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2564154,-71.7945516,3a,75y,31.63h,82.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5zjkpVqdo8Az9msq-AJiiA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). It was probably taken down due to it either being damaged (on the bottom) by a truck having more stuff on top than it should've or heavily vandalized. That was the exit I used to take to visit my brother when he lived in Worcester for three years (1994-1997).
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 09, 2019, 09:10:52 PM
I-93- the part between exit 1 and 3 simply because I have taken it a lot more.
The NH or the MA stretch?
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:31:05 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 09, 2019, 09:10:52 PM
I-93- the part between exit 1 and 3 simply because I have taken it a lot more.
The NH or the MA stretch?
He lives really close to its southern terminus, so he's probably referring to the MA section, despite the widening construction issues in NH.
Quote from: 1 on January 10, 2019, 09:34:58 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:31:05 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 09, 2019, 09:10:52 PM
I-93- the part between exit 1 and 3 simply because I have taken it a lot more.
The NH or the MA stretch?
He lives really close to its southern terminus, so he's probably referring to the MA section, despite the widening construction issues in NH.
MA
For Interstate 70, I'd argue that the exit to US-41/US-150 in Terre Haute, Indiana is more of a bad spot than Breezewood, Pennsylvania. That is a simple diamond interchange with traffic lights on US-41/US-150, with both I-70 and US-41/US-150 being very heavily traveled (I'm not sure about the AADTs for each exit ramp, however). A diverging diamond or partial cloverleaf interchange would make far more sense there.
The 3DIs in Southern California would need their own sub-thread.
Having traveled on most of I-15 though, I'd say the worst spot is the Cajon Pass, especially on weekends. Traffic, accidents, weather-related closures, fire-related closures--you name it, it's happened there.
I've also nearly clinched I-5 and I-75. I-5's worst spot is the East L.A. Interchange, no surprise there. Downtown Atlanta would be hard to beat on I-75.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 01:33:23 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 11:19:42 AM
I think part of the problem with the choke in Cincinnati is that I-75 there narrows down to two lanes as it enters the interchange with I-71 in downtown Cincinnati. There is no chance that it's going to get widened anytime soon because there simply is no room to widen it.
When they build the parallel span to the Brent Spence Bridge, that will be addressed.
For the river crossing it'll be a lot easier but I think it'll still be a problem on the Ohio side and that curve on the Kentucky side a few miles south of the bridge.
Quote from: Brandon on January 08, 2019, 04:11:26 PM
Quote from: webny99 on January 08, 2019, 08:39:15 AM
I-90 is a monstrosity, and I haven't traveled over half of it, so I can't really say.
If we talk specific to NYS, then probably the infamous Exit 24 in Albany. The toll barriers in Buffalo can generate backups, too.
They pale when compared to the stretch between O'Hare (I-294) and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). This part can cause a backup at 3 freaking am.
Ditto for I-94. Its worst part is between the end of the Edens Extension (where it meets US-41) and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Of course, the part with I-80 is no picnic either.
I-80: Wanna see wall-to-wall trucks? Then visit I-80's worst part between the end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Indiana Toll Road (I-90). And that's including the Sierras which one can explain away by heavy snow.
I-55: No matter what some downstate may say, the worst bit is from Arsenal Road (Exit 244) north to Lake Shore Drive (US-41). And that includes switching roadways in Memphis (twice) and St Louis.
I-57: US-30 north to the Ryan Expressway (I-94), of which the worst is probably the last three curves before I-94.
I think the stretch of I-94 you mentioned is worse no doubt but the stretch of I-94 between I-96 and I-75 in Detroit is god awful during rush hour but still I think any stretch of I-94 in the Chicago area is worse. I-94 being four lanes between Ann Arbor and Benton Harbor creates some bottlenecks too but nothing like anything in Chicago on the Dan Ryan/Kennedy combo.
Quote from: inkyatari on January 09, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
I- 80 through Joliet, IL It's two. f---ing. lanes. and needs to be at MINIMUM 3.
I say that about US-23 between Flint and Perrysburg and I-94 between Ann Arbor and Benton Harbor all the time. And with the stretch of US-23 I'm talking about the last several miles in Ohio are multiplexed with I-475.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 10, 2019, 09:38:41 AM
Quote from: 1 on January 10, 2019, 09:34:58 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:31:05 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 09, 2019, 09:10:52 PM
I-93- the part between exit 1 and 3 simply because I have taken it a lot more.
The NH or the MA stretch?
He lives really close to its southern terminus, so he's probably referring to the MA section, despite the widening construction issues in NH.
MA
Ok, given that particular stretch was recently widened per the
Add-A-Lane project. Is your mentioning it in reference to before or after said-project?
- I-39 - The part between I-90 and the first interchange south of US 20 in the Rockford, IL area.
- I-41 - The east-west part across the north side of Appleton, WI to Kaukauna, WI (woefully over capacity, badly needs upgrading from four to six lanes).
- I-43 - A toss-up between the four-lane part in northern Milwaukee County or the section just west of I-41/894 (both are badly substandard, built decades before they became interstates).
Mike
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:31:05 AM
Quote from: Ben114 on January 09, 2019, 06:35:49 PMI forgot about one other thing, Exit 14 EB doesn't have a sign at the exit, I believe they took it down and just left an empty gantry.
It was there as of Nov. 2015 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2564154,-71.7945516,3a,75y,31.63h,82.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5zjkpVqdo8Az9msq-AJiiA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). It was probably taken down due to it either being damaged (on the bottom) by a truck having more stuff on top than it should've or heavily vandalized. That was the exit I used to take to visit my brother when he lived in Worcester for three years (1994-1997).
I was just there earlier today and the sign wasn't there.
Since the western I-84 has been done, I'll tackle the eastern I-84. The former worst stretch was I-84 West between Exits 26-23, where the road squeezed from 6 lanes to 4 despite entering the city of Waterbury. The addition of a third lane in each direction has/will improve things a bit. So the new worst stretch is now Exits 41-55. 50 MPH speed limit, sharp corners, backed up at a standstill during both morning and evening rush hour, and seemingly endless roadwork at night to repair the aging viaduct through downtown Hartford. Honorable mention: I-84 West at the CT/NY border, where NYC bound traffic using the right lane to get off on I-684 often backs up across the border on Sunday evenings and at the end of holiday weekends.
I-84: Probably the section from Scranton to Port Jervis. All the truck clog the left lane trying to pass each other
I-91: Either the Exit 18-17 complex or Exits 47 E/W and 48. That's a substandard cloverleaf interchange followed by a diamond interchange. It's a mess.
I-291 (CT): Between Exits 3 and 4 over the Bissell Bridge. You've got traffic going westbound from the Exit 4 on-ramp that doesn't get up to speed half the time because they're afraid. Other times its heavy vehicles or school busses that slow everybody down in both directions.
I-95: Approaches to the GWB
I-87: Approaches to the GWB
I-78: That giant hill east of Easton, PA with the climbing lane
I-495 (MA): That stupid lane drop after the MA 24 interchange.
Quote from: sparker on January 08, 2019, 04:23:31 PM
I-80: where to start, where to start..........
How about right at the western terminus, where the Bay Bridge crossing and most of the ensuing freeway right up the Carquinez Strait is a nightmare almost every waking hour during the week -- and the weekends are starting to catch up! Then there's the Sacramento section from the "Biz 80" merge near Watt Ave. to out past Rocklin -- more commute nightmare; almost as bad as the Alameda/Contra Costa segment. Going east, I've hit dead-stop congestion several times on the segment shared with I-94 in IL and IN; and the last 30 miles prior to the eastern terminus can be hell on wheels as well. And these are merely the sections with which I've had personal experience; I'm certain other posters can and should point out other I-80 segments that are perpetually troublesome -- although somehow I doubt it would be worse than the extreme western end!
Don't forget I-80 in Solano County this section recently had the Cordelia interchange renovated but some other parts of I-80 in the county would sometimes get jammed in both directions due to the issue of the county having to house both Sacramento and Bay Area commuters at the same time.
I-15 In Murrieta and Temecula area has to be the most jammed section for the California segment due to Inland Empire and San Diego traffic occuring in the area. Las Vegas Section of I-15 jammed and its also due to talks over where the I-11 expansion would be in the Las Vegas area.
It's not always the most jammed, but I-70 in Missouri is absolute hell, particularly between Blue Springs and Wentzville. Traffic is awful, it's boring, and other than the Missouri River crossing, it's an unbelievably ugly stretch of road. Breezewood is a kinda fun quirk and a good excuse to hit the Taco Bell drive thru without getting off the main line. I'll take it over that horrible 200 mile stretch any day.
I'd say I-69 is between Exit 5 and I-465 in Indiana.
I-77 between mile 11 and 37 in North Carolina, due to the terrible construction project.
Quote from: wriddle082 on January 08, 2019, 06:32:33 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 08, 2019, 10:28:23 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 08, 2019, 05:15:19 AM
* I-20: Not sure about Shreveport, but I'd venture to guess than just east of the I-59 split east of Downtown Birmingham is even worse than anything stretch of it in Atlanta.
20 in Shreveport is definitely tame compared to Atlanta, Birmingham, or Arlington, TX, although there's a short 5 lane section where I-49 merges in that drops to 2 lanes very quickly.
I-10: I know LA has been mentioned, but parts of Houston must rank high for trouble and congestion. Also the through lanes to 1 single lane at the 10/110 split in Baton Rouge. The Mobile tunnel during beach season is rough.
I-49: The only place that would remotely have bad traffic has got to be Rogers or Springdale, AR.
iPhone
Interstate H-1 east of exit 19 (H-201 merge eastbound), passing by downtown Honolulu. Old freeway, traffic has long outstripped its capacity, but no room to widen. The congestion was awful enough decades ago that crazy proposals were floated for an elevated Interstate H-4 along the waterfront (visual impact would've been about as awful as with San Francisco's CA 480 Embarcadero Freeway before it was torn down), and a "reef freeway" offshore from Waikiki.
I-5 (WA only): The Everett section from the Boeing Freeway to Marysville. Backed up from 2 pm to 7 pm every afternoon.
I-90 (WA only): The vast emptiness between Moses Lake and Spokane. It's so boring.
I-405: Factoria (I-90) to Renton. Avoid it like the plague.
4: Orlando obviously
10: only been on it in Jax at night but they were paving
40: Nashville, according to my ex
64: between I-264 east and the HRBT
66: yes
75: only been on it at night in Florida so going to assume Atlanta
77: Charlotte
81: Harrisburg (have not been north of there, but was very slow when I was there)
83: not long enough
85: assuming Atlanta but have never been
95: haven't been north of Baltimore on it so personally can only say between Fredericksburg and Baltimore
97: honestly not bad
195 VA: clogs up at the north end most frequently
264 VA: downtown Norfolk
295 VA: Hopewell
395 VA/DC: most of it in DC
664: Newport News southbound approaching the tunnel
695 MD: southern part
Qualification on why I-4 in downtown Orlando is so bad these days:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4896/46726826062_f77ae804e0_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ec6cs7)0 (https://flic.kr/p/2ec6cs7) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
For what I've done (I have not clinched a 2di)
I-5 PNW: I personally think the stretch between exit 59-99 is really boring, but I have family up there and well, I won't complain too much about it. The stretch between Wilsonville and Salem in addition to Albany and Eugene are also really boring made worse by the 65 limit. Traffic wise in Oregon/Washington: downtown Tacoma/Seattle and pretty much anywhere in the Portland metro are have the worst traffic.
I-84 Oregon: drilled into the ground with previous posts.
I-82: I've seen the equally boring post, but I like the Oregon section south of the Umatilla a river a lot less, because its just scablands. No hills, farms, or towns to break it up. I actually really like the section between I-90 and US 97 (mp 37). Granted I have not physically been on I-82 between Yakima and the tri cities, but I have done the entire interstate on GSW.
I-205: mp 17-21: boring, full of traffic, and surrounded by homes.
I-90 (west of Montana): also said, but mine would be George to Sprauge lake (mp 143-250). Traffic for my experience has been Spokane is the worst but I have not gone through in Seattle at peak time so...
LG-TP260
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on January 27, 2019, 02:39:50 PM
I-82: I've seen the equally boring post, but I like the Oregon section south of the Umatilla a river a lot less, because its just scablands. No hills, farms, or towns to break it up. I actually really like the section between I-90 and US 97 (mp 37). Granted I have not physically been on I-82 between Yakima and the tri cities, but I have done the entire interstate on GSW.
Yeah, you're not wrong. I-82 between Yakima and I-90 (or you could say, the part concurrent with my avatar haha) is definitely the highlight of that route, I enjoy it a lot. Between Yakima and Tri-Cities, I wouldn't call it interesting, but it's not totally bland and boring either. Perfectly average (and I'd put it above I-84 in Idaho, for example). You're probably right about the Oregon section being the most boring, but it's so short that it doesn't bother me. Between Tri-Cities and the Columbia River would be a runner up, but it also doesn't stand out as being too boring (just kinda average, and pretty short). And I lived in West Richland for a year, so I have plenty of experience with those parts of the route in particular (took lots of trips to Oregon). But yeah, saying it was "equally boring" was definitely not quite accurate of me (it was just my way of saying there are no real stand-out boring parts).
I will take NYC I-95 over I-95 between the Beltway and Fredericksburg, VA any day.
Quote from: doorknob60 on January 28, 2019, 12:30:31 PM
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on January 27, 2019, 02:39:50 PM
I-82: I've seen the equally boring post, but I like the Oregon section south of the Umatilla a river a lot less, because its just scablands. No hills, farms, or towns to break it up. I actually really like the section between I-90 and US 97 (mp 37). Granted I have not physically been on I-82 between Yakima and the tri cities, but I have done the entire interstate on GSW.
Yeah, you're not wrong. I-82 between Yakima and I-90 (or you could say, the part concurrent with my avatar haha) is definitely the highlight of that route, I enjoy it a lot. Between Yakima and Tri-Cities, I wouldn't call it interesting, but it's not totally bland and boring either. Perfectly average (and I'd put it above I-84 in Idaho, for example). You're probably right about the Oregon section being the most boring, but it's so short that it doesn't bother me. Between Tri-Cities and the Columbia River would be a runner up, but it also doesn't stand out as being too boring (just kinda average, and pretty short). And I lived in West Richland for a year, so I have plenty of experience with those parts of the route in particular (took lots of trips to Oregon). But yeah, saying it was "equally boring" was definitely not quite accurate of me (it was just my way of saying there are no real stand-out boring parts).
Having clinched I-82 myself, I'd say it's a fairly average to above-average route. There are two big bridges on it: the Umatilla Bridge over the Columbia River (which you can see the McNary Dam from), and the Selah Creek arch bridge. Plus, much of the route is in wine country, and so you see a lot of vineyards just off the highway -- not a common sight.
I just clinched I-55, 12, 24, and 59, though I couldn't clinch all of 59 because of the closure in downtown Birmingham (lovely timing). So here are my thoughts on those:
I-55: CLEARLY the stupid turn on the east side of the Mississippi River in Memphis. Going around a tiny cloverleaf ramp to stay on an Interstate? Completely unacceptable. The situation going southbound was harrowing enough--using the EB-to-SB ramp dumps you in a third lane that exits almost immediately. Good god that was atrocious.
I-12: Pretty consistent and straight overall, so nothing stands out as horrible. But I was amazed at the volume of traffic around Covington, LA! I didn't know this area of Louisiana would have such a pronounced rush hour.
I-24: Going westbound, it sucked joining up with I-40 from the left side and then having to exit from the right to stay on I-24. The twists and turns around Monteagle were hairy, but impressively well built to promote safety and efficiency! And the fog on Lake Nickajack made things worrisome as well.
I-59: I almost smashed into a dimwit who STOPPED at the entry point of this cloverleaf ramp in Hattiesburg at US49. https://goo.gl/maps/onqxmtANZ432 Why does Mississippi know NOTHING about tapers and acceleration/deceleration lanes?
Every taper in this state is designed for like 25mph. This interchange is too compact to be safe. So basically my answer for any interstate that passes through Mississippi is "the portion in Mississippi" :-P
Rothman, why would you prefer the Cross Bronx Expwy on I-95 in NYC over I-95 in Virginia. Most drivers who've been on the Cross Bronx Expwy would probably agree it's about the worst stretch of Interstate to found anywhere. Pavement condition, traffic congestion, hostile urban environment, etc.
Quote from: SignBridge on January 29, 2019, 09:26:41 PM
Rothman, why would you prefer the Cross Bronx Expwy on I-95 in NYC over I-95 in Virginia. Most drivers who've been on the Cross Bronx Expwy would probably agree it's about the worst stretch of Interstate to found anywhere. Pavement condition, traffic congestion, hostile urban environment, etc.
I will take capacity fully or over utilized over driving down a road where it is misconfigured and mismanaged any day. Driving in a traffic jam on VA I-95 when the reversible and opposing lanes are practically empty is much more frustrating than crawling across the Bronx and Manhattan in their usual traffic.
Not to mention that the Cross-Bronx is shorter. The jam lasts only 5 miles or so, and is easily bypassed by through traffic with I-287. I-95's jams in NoVA, on the other hand, can be worse if you hit at the wrong time, and they last for 30 miles or so - and there is NO freeway route around them serving the same corridor.
Quote from: vdeane on January 30, 2019, 12:57:04 PM
Not to mention that the Cross-Bronx is shorter. The jam lasts only 5 miles or so, and is easily bypassed by through traffic with I-287. I-95's jams in NoVA, on the other hand, can be worse if you hit at the wrong time, and they last for 30 miles or so - and there is NO freeway route around them serving the same corridor.
Agreed, although I believe the bad parts extend all the way to 95/295/64 just north of Richmond. And there are quite a few bypasses for the Cross-Bronx, I-287 as well as the Cross-Westchester Pkwy, and if you're really desparate, the Bruckner or even the service roads.
As far as the other big 2dis, here is where I think the worst stretches are:
5 (E LA Interchange or possibly the portion between 605 and Orange County line)
10 (E LA between I-5 and 710)
15 Cajon Pass
20 Not as familiar, but I would think Atlanta area worse than Dallas
25 Probably in the Denver area since its the only major metropolis it goes by
35 Probably Dallas is worse than Minnesota
40 Through the heart of Nashville
55 The interchange to stay on the highway in Memphis. The Poplar Street bridge in St Louis being a close second.
65 The very northern stretch heading toward Chicago
64 The bridge just before hitting Norfolk
70 Breezewood
75 Atlanta Downtown Connector
76 (east) Schuykill Expy
80 approach to the SF Bay Bridge (yes this is worse than NJ or IL by far)
81 Generally moves well, but the section between Harrisburg and I-78 is probably the worst stretch
85 Atlanta Downtown Connector
90&94 Kennedy Expy between Ohio Connector and the Circle Interchange (left side on-ramps at every block is horrible!)
95 Beltway to Richmond
Another really bad one in New York City is the Brooklyn-Queens Expwy, (I-278) in Brooklyn. The worst section is about 7 miles from the Brooklyn-Battery (Hugh Carey) Tunnel to the L.I. Expwy (I-495) Traffic jams at various times of day, and long sections without shoulders. Not compliant with Interstate standards. Don't know how this road ever got designated as an Interstate. Yes, (sigh) I know it was grandfathered in.......
Quote from: mrsman on February 10, 2019, 10:22:36 AM
As far as the other big 2dis, here is where I think the worst stretches are:
Quote
10 (E LA between I-5 and 710)
If construction zones count, I nominate the one in El Paso. The corners up against the barrier are horrifying.
Quote
20 Not as familiar, but I would think Atlanta area worse than Dallas
It's a breeze through the DFW area, but I haven't driven it through Atlanta, so I'll assume you're right.
Quote
35 Probably Dallas is worse than Minnesota
35E through Dallas is hideous, and some part of it always seems to be under construction. 35W is the preferred through route if you don't have to go through Dallas.
Quote
40 Through the heart of Nashville
Actually not that bad. The part I find challenging is western North Carolina.
Quote
55 The interchange to stay on the highway in Memphis. The Poplar Street bridge in St Louis being a close second.
Yes.
Quote
70 Breezewood
Downtown Kansas City is a good competitor. Even if you use I-670, you're squeezed down to one lane going eastbound, and it's a 45 MPH zone. The westbound lane changes are difficult in traffic.
Quote
75 Atlanta Downtown Connector
Not bad, just slow.
Quote
76 (east) Schuykill Expy
Legendary.
Quote
90&94 Kennedy Expy between Ohio Connector and the Circle Interchange (left side on-ramps at every block is horrible!)
Why is this even part of the Interstate Highway System?
Quote
95 Beltway to Richmond
The DC Beltway is worse on the Maryland side, in my opinion.
I-49
Every single place it dumps onto an Interstate, US, or state highway for rerouting around the numerous gaps in its length.
I-40 (Little Rock to Memphis metro): eastbound is truck city. Remember to start early because traffic going east on 40 out of LR may be slow going at times.
I-40 (New Mexico): west of Santa Rosa and east of Cline's Corners -- that long straight stretch where there isn't much to see.
With the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines river in JOliet, IL rating a 6 out of 100, I think there's no contest as to what the worst place on I-80 is.
Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 10:38:25 PM
With the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines river in JOliet, IL rating a 6 out of 100, I think there's no contest as to what the worst place on I-80 is.
Is that the sufficiency rating? That number is misleading except a number under 50 makes it eligible for funds to rehab or replace the structure.
Quote from: Big John on February 18, 2019, 10:46:25 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 10:38:25 PM
With the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines river in JOliet, IL rating a 6 out of 100, I think there's no contest as to what the worst place on I-80 is.
Is that the sufficiency rating? That number is misleading except a number under 50 makes it eligible for funds to rehab or replace the structure.
I believe so. This, coupled with the reasons others have given for this stretch makes it a must avoid.
Quote from: Aaron Camp on January 10, 2019, 10:45:41 AM
For Interstate 70, I'd argue that the exit to US-41/US-150 in Terre Haute, Indiana is more of a bad spot than Breezewood, Pennsylvania. That is a simple diamond interchange with traffic lights on US-41/US-150, with both I-70 and US-41/US-150 being very heavily traveled (I'm not sure about the AADTs for each exit ramp, however). A diverging diamond or partial cloverleaf interchange would make far more sense there.
Breezewood is awful but there are three other sections that are as bad or worse.
(1) I-70 between Breezewood and the Maryland border;
(2) I-70 between Washington, Pennsylvania and the New Stanton connection to the Turnpike; and
(3) I-70 across most of Missouri from MO-7 (Exit 20) at Blue Springs to I-64 (Exit 210) at Wentzville.
As far as I know, PennDOT is doing nothing between Breezewood and the Maryland line (the interchanges are terrible). PennDOT is fixing up I-70 between Washington and New Stanton, but has a lot of work left to do.
MoDOT has tried to raise the billions of dollars needs to reconstruct that substandard section, but efforts to raise motor fuel taxes or impose tolls on I-70 have never gotten past the elected officials of the state, and the road is pretty obviously worn-out, and many of the interchanges are badly substandard too.
Being from the Metro Detroit area and driving southeastern Michigan frequently... I can't stand I-94 on the east side between I-75 & 8 Mile (M-102). This stretch has to be the worst part of the interstate in Michigan. The freeway itself is way outdated and in my opinion, is dangerous because of the condition of the infrastructure (pavement, potholes) and with the behavior of other drivers. Speed limits are 55 here. Half of the drivers are doing 70 to 80 and the other half will do 50. It is not uncommon to come up on a driver in the left lane holding traffic up, but you have to be very cautious when switching over to the right as a car will whip by you at 80. Many entrance lanes on the right have no acceleration lane, so your using the far right lane at your own risk. I-94 is getting an upgrade, but finishing it is a long way away.
As for I-75, I am no fan of the downriver to downtown Detroit area of the interstate, but I will say it is so much better now after the recent construction. As for other parts of 75... I agree with many of you on the Cincinnati area. I-74 to 275 is a bit tricky. For the rest of 75 from Atlanta north... I don't have to many complaints other than I have been on that stretch many times throughout my life and I get bored of 75 quick.
I-68: Cumberland MD, but I can't deny that section of road is fascinating. It does have my favorite view from an interstate highway (you're just driving along through the mountains and bam there's this town of 20,000 people), and going on my first trip off from work to Cumberland was great, since I'd been curious about that stretch of I-68 for so long.
I-84: Waterbury CT (though I'm thinking that will be fixed "soon") - of the many trips I had between Pennsylvania and Connecticut growing up, Waterbury was always the most painful place to drive through
I-95 (DE-PA-NJ): Chester PA - Every single time I have to drive to visit family in PA, I get held up in Chester, due to all traffic wanting to stay on US-322 having to cut across 3 lanes of I-95 (left entrance, right exit) within 1 mile.
I-97: Exits 1-7, the only stretch where I've dealt with heavy traffic, on both a Tuesday evening and a Sunday morning.
I-295 (DE-NJ-PA): I-295/I-76/NJ-42 interchange, with that nasty curve in there, especially with people seemingly wanting to fly through there.
I-476 (PA): I-95 to Exit 9 (PA-3) - I remember the day I moved to Delaware, I experienced extremely heavy traffic on this stretch for the first time. It seems that every time I head up this way during rush hour, I get stuck through that stretch only. Heading southbound, the I-476 to I-95 SB ramp is a clogged mess too. However, in the fall it is a very pretty road.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 22, 2019, 10:17:51 PM
Quote from: Aaron Camp on January 10, 2019, 10:45:41 AM
For Interstate 70, I'd argue that the exit to US-41/US-150 in Terre Haute, Indiana is more of a bad spot than Breezewood, Pennsylvania. That is a simple diamond interchange with traffic lights on US-41/US-150, with both I-70 and US-41/US-150 being very heavily traveled (I'm not sure about the AADTs for each exit ramp, however). A diverging diamond or partial cloverleaf interchange would make far more sense there.
Breezewood is awful but there are three other sections that are as bad or worse.
(1) I-70 between Breezewood and the Maryland border;
(2) I-70 between Washington, Pennsylvania and the New Stanton connection to the Turnpike; and
(3) I-70 across most of Missouri from MO-7 (Exit 20) at Blue Springs to I-64 (Exit 210) at Wentzville.
As far as I know, PennDOT is doing nothing between Breezewood and the Maryland line (the interchanges are terrible). PennDOT is fixing up I-70 between Washington and New Stanton, but has a lot of work left to do.
MoDOT has tried to raise the billions of dollars needs to reconstruct that substandard section, but efforts to raise motor fuel taxes or impose tolls on I-70 have never gotten past the elected officials of the state, and the road is pretty obviously worn-out, and many of the interchanges are badly substandard too.
You left out Wheeling, W.Va & Downtown C-bus (though I-70's issues in Columbus are temporary due to construction)
I-4 is got to be between US 27 and Disney World plus the area between SR 536 to SR 535 on the EB side due to the weaving from merging Epcot traffic and exiting Lake Buena Vista traffic.
I-39: Just before the I-90 split in Rockford
I-41: The whole thing
I-43: The lane drop in Glendale
I-70: Denver
I-80: Bay Bridge
I-90: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-94: Dan Ryan Expressway
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 04:34:04 PM
I-80: Bay Bridge
I-90: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-94: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-80: The goofy single lane ramp between the Indiana Toll Road and the Borman Expressway in NW Indiana that carries Mainline I-80. Close 2nd, the Tri-State to Morris, IL segment, including the horribly deficient bridges over the Des Plaines River in Joliet
I-90 and I-94 are both worse on the Kennedy Expressway vs the Dan Ryan, IMHO
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 30, 2019, 04:41:49 PM
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 04:34:04 PM
I-80: Bay Bridge
I-90: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-94: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-80: The goofy single lane ramp between the Indiana Toll Road and the Borman Expressway in NW Indiana that carries Mainline I-80. Close 2nd, the Tri-State to Morris, IL segment, including the horribly deficient bridges over the Des Plaines River in Joliet
I-90 and I-94 are both worse on the Kennedy Expressway vs the Dan Ryan, IMHO
I've never been on I-80 in IL but I've heard it's bad. 90 and 94 are bad everywhere in Chicago, I guess.
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 04:34:04 PM
I-70: Denver
Back when I-70 used the Poplar Street Bridge to cross the Mississippi, I would have said that bridge.
As for Colorado, I dislike the "road heave area" in the western part of the state. When I last drove it, I had a seriously overloaded vehicle and it got old really fast to keep feeling the suspension bottom out every few seconds on an Interstate. I couldn't remember while typing this exactly where the section of highway was, except that it was somewhere between Grand Junction and Glenwood Canyon, so I just plopped the pegman down ...
somewhere ... in the 75 miles of I-70 between those two points–fully expecting there to be no point in doing so. Against all odds, I managed to pick the exact spot where the warning sign is. Literally,
this GSV link (https://goo.gl/maps/uW6ZU5jjwz72) is not even a single scroll up or down the highway from where it landed.
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 05:48:22 PM
I've never been on I-80 in IL but I've heard it's bad.
The last time I drove I-80 in Illinois was back in 2009 or 2010. My wife and I were not exactly looking forward to an 800-mile day of driving with a child still potty-training, so I was in a hurry. It was a Sunday morning, and I think they only time the speedometer needle dropped below 75 mph–all the way from the Indiana state line to the Iowa state line–was for some heavy traffic near Morris. Most of the time, I was cruising along at about 82 mph. A few days earlier, however, on a Friday afternoon, going east into Indiana was BRUTAL. When traffic finally cleared up after the I-65 interchange, it was like someone had pulled the rope on the chute at a rodeo. There were about five of us drivers who did between 85 and 90 mph all the way into Michigan.
Quote from: kphoger on March 30, 2019, 07:47:36 PM
As for Colorado, I dislike the "road heave area" in the western part of the state.
Forgive my lack of knowledge but what exactly is a road heave?
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 04:34:04 PM
I-39: Just before the I-90 split in Rockford
I-41: The whole thing
I-43: The lane drop in Glendale
I-70: Denver
I-80: Bay Bridge
I-90: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-94: Dan Ryan Expressway
What's wrong with I-41? Outside of the woefully obsolete four lane part between WI 15 in Appleton and Scheuring Rd in De Pere, I consider it to be pretty good.
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on March 31, 2019, 11:56:16 AM
Quote from: thspfc on March 30, 2019, 04:34:04 PM
I-39: Just before the I-90 split in Rockford
I-41: The whole thing
I-43: The lane drop in Glendale
I-70: Denver
I-80: Bay Bridge
I-90: Dan Ryan Expressway
I-94: Dan Ryan Expressway
What's wrong with I-41? Outside of the woefully obsolete four lane part between WI 15 in Appleton and Scheuring Rd in De Pere, I consider it to be pretty good.
Mike
I should have specified. None of I-41 is terrible since they've upgraded it (I've never encountered traffic on the stretch you mentioned). The highway is just meh. Traffic, but no city sights other than Lambeau Field. Countryside, but nothing you would consider scenic. I don't like it, but that's just my opinion of course.
Quote from: ipeters61 on March 30, 2019, 08:45:41 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 30, 2019, 07:47:36 PM
As for Colorado, I dislike the "road heave area" in the western part of the state.
Forgive my lack of knowledge but what exactly is a road heave?
Road heaves are bumps in the pavement caused by frost damage at the pavement joints. They cause significant jolts at regular intervals.
Quote from: stridentweasel on February 11, 2019, 12:22:36 AM
Quote from: mrsman on February 10, 2019, 10:22:36 AM
As far as the other big 2dis, here is where I think the worst stretches are:
Quote
10 (E LA between I-5 and 710)
If construction zones count, I nominate the one in El Paso. The corners up against the barrier are horrifying.
Quote
What are the "corners" up against the barrier?? Although would agree that the "Move 10" is a big pile of dog stuff. For being a near complete failure to address, and correct geometrical problems with 10.
The worst section of 10, may be sections west of Las Cruces (MP 132 to the AZ state line. Original concrete pavement, some possibly late fifties, crumbling under the asphalt overlays. Chuckholes visible, heavily beaten by heavy long distance freight. Some asphalt overlays heavily weathering, with aggregate swept off driving lane into shoulder. Raveling. Loss of binder.
Most of corridor needs full depth reconstruction. New interchanges, with two span overpasses with greater horizontal and vertical clearance replacing ancient four and five span overpasses. Rebuild completely in several places - to provide full 88 foot rural median. Exit 116 environ, and also between MP 26 and 55. Alignment there has narrower median, open it up, by using available ROW to achieve the 88 foot separation. MP 26 to 45 move EB lanes south. MP 45 to 55, move WB lanes north, slightly towards Southern Pacific RR. This section east of Lordsburg was present on 1960 state transportation map, so yes it is old.
Strongly advise cable barrier, for entire length, due to amount of long distance traffic and freight.
Quote from: DJStephens on March 31, 2019, 02:56:25 PM
What are the "corners" up against the barrier?? Although would agree that the "Move 10" is a big pile of dog stuff. For being a near complete failure to address, and correct geometrical problems with 10.
I agree that "corners up against the barrier" was vague wording. What I meant was, places where there is effectively no margin between the right-hand lane and the temporary barrier, and there is a right turn that takes the form of a single angle rather than a curve. This is nerve-racking and potentially dangerous for tractor-trailers, because trailers always "off-track," meaning that when a tractor-trailer makes a turn, the path taken by the end of the trailer is always shorter than the path taken by the front of the truck, so the driver must plan to keep far enough away from the barrier before making the turn in order to avoid hitting the corner formed by the angled orientation of the barriers. It's "Trucking 101," but drivers of cars and straight trucks don't have to worry about this.
Quote
The worst section of 10, may be sections west of Las Cruces (MP 132 to the AZ state line. Original concrete pavement, some possibly late fifties, crumbling under the asphalt overlays. Chuckholes visible, heavily beaten by heavy long distance freight. Some asphalt overlays heavily weathering, with aggregate swept off driving lane into shoulder. Raveling. Loss of binder.
Most of corridor needs full depth reconstruction. New interchanges, with two span overpasses with greater horizontal and vertical clearance replacing ancient four and five span overpasses. Rebuild completely in several places - to provide full 88 foot rural median. Exit 116 environ, and also between MP 26 and 55. Alignment there has narrower median, open it up, by using available ROW to achieve the 88 foot separation. MP 26 to 45 move EB lanes south. MP 45 to 55, move WB lanes north, slightly towards Southern Pacific RR. This section east of Lordsburg was present on 1960 state transportation map, so yes it is old.
Strongly advise cable barrier, for entire length, due to amount of long distance traffic and freight.
I agree that this is pretty bad. When I drove that section of I-10 in the truck, I noticed that the pavement in the right-hand lane was so uneven that other truckers would just use the left lane by default if there was no faster-moving traffic close behind.
I-25 is definitely Denver, and particularly bad in three spots.
1 - Southbound between 58th and Colfax
2 - Northbound between Santa Fe and Speer
3 - Northbound between US 36 and 120th Ave.
Elsewhere in CO - pretty much all of I-270.
I-76 is generally only an issue eastbound near the I-25 interchange; the ramp onto northbound 25 tends to back up all the way on to 76 sometimes.
I-70 is probably worse in the mountains than in Denver proper due to it really being the only way in and out of most of the resorts. On a Sunday afternoon and evening the backups rival downtown in rush hour, even to the point that they have put in toll lanes in some places.
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 09, 2019, 09:26:54 AM
Quote from: Ben114 on January 08, 2019, 07:57:19 PM
I-290 Auburn-Marlboro, MA:
... Exit 15 (Shrewsbury St) isn't even signed (with the exception of a small ground mounted sign at exit 14, about 1/4 mile away.
Such is definitely an oddity for sure.
Removal of the sign at the exit was a consequence of the bridge reconstruction project a few years back. Plans are to put a replacement overhead sign (butterfly type support) at the gore of the off-ramp to Shrewsbury Street as part of the current I-290 Auburn to Shrewsbury sign replacement project.
Quote from: mrose on April 01, 2019, 04:45:16 AM
I-25 is definitely Denver, and particularly bad in three spots.
1 - Southbound between 58th and Colfax
2 - Northbound between Santa Fe and Speer
3 - Northbound between US 36 and 120th Ave.
Elsewhere in CO - pretty much all of I-270.
I-76 is generally only an issue eastbound near the I-25 interchange; the ramp onto northbound 25 tends to back up all the way on to 76 sometimes.
I-70 is probably worse in the mountains than in Denver proper due to it really being the only way in and out of most of the resorts. On a Sunday afternoon and evening the backups rival downtown in rush hour, even to the point that they have put in toll lanes in some places.
I've driven 70 from the airport to Vail, and personally I prefer the mountain section because it is usually
only backed up on weekends, while through the city it's backed up a lot - and without the perk of it being the most scenic stretch of interstate in the country :nod:
Quote from: stridentweasel on April 01, 2019, 12:13:56 AM
Quote from: DJStephens on March 31, 2019, 02:56:25 PM
What are the "corners" up against the barrier?? Although would agree that the "Move 10" is a big pile of dog stuff. For being a near complete failure to address, and correct geometrical problems with 10.
I agree that "corners up against the barrier" was vague wording. What I meant was, places where there is effectively no margin between the right-hand lane and the temporary barrier, and there is a right turn that takes the form of a single angle rather than a curve. This is nerve-racking and potentially dangerous for tractor-trailers, because trailers always "off-track," meaning that when a tractor-trailer makes a turn, the path taken by the end of the trailer is always shorter than the path taken by the front of the truck, so the driver must plan to keep far enough away from the barrier before making the turn in order to avoid hitting the corner formed by the angled orientation of the barriers. It's "Trucking 101," but drivers of cars and straight trucks don't have to worry about this.
Quote
The worst section of 10, may be sections west of Las Cruces (MP 132 to the AZ state line. Original concrete pavement, some possibly late fifties, crumbling under the asphalt overlays. Chuckholes visible, heavily beaten by heavy long distance freight. Some asphalt overlays heavily weathering, with aggregate swept off driving lane into shoulder. Raveling. Loss of binder.
Most of corridor needs full depth reconstruction. New interchanges, with two span overpasses with greater horizontal and vertical clearance replacing ancient four and five span overpasses. Rebuild completely in several places - to provide full 88 foot rural median. Exit 116 environ, and also between MP 26 and 55. Alignment there has narrower median, open it up, by using available ROW to achieve the 88 foot separation. MP 26 to 45 move EB lanes south. MP 45 to 55, move WB lanes north, slightly towards Southern Pacific RR. This section east of Lordsburg was present on 1960 state transportation map, so yes it is old.
Strongly advise cable barrier, for entire length, due to amount of long distance traffic and freight.
I agree that this is pretty bad. When I drove that section of I-10 in the truck, I noticed that the pavement in the right-hand lane was so uneven that other truckers would just use the left lane by default if there was no faster-moving traffic close behind.
Thank you for the explanation. Believe that a majority of these traffic control plans in construction zones are developed by cubicle dwellers who have never had to be out in the field. The 10 situation in southwestern new Mexico is typical of the state. Spend close to a Billion on a fantasy spaceport, a pet train and an Albuquerque based light rail. Instead of investing in an aging corridor that is literally being pounded to pieces by ever increasing freight.