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Most Boring Drive Between Two Major Cities?

Started by webny99, July 30, 2024, 10:47:53 PM

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ET21

Quote from: texaskdog on November 09, 2024, 04:24:20 AMRockford to Bloomington IL was God awful when they built it and still is.  Straight and nothing really on it.  Most boring freeway I've ever been on.

While storm chasing that section between LaSalle/Peru and Bloomington feels like forever.

I'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90


mgk920

Any interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

Flint1979

Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on November 09, 2024, 04:24:20 AMRockford to Bloomington IL was God awful when they built it and still is.  Straight and nothing really on it.  Most boring freeway I've ever been on.

While storm chasing that section between LaSalle/Peru and Bloomington feels like forever.

I'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines
At least you have the world's largest truck stop between the Quad Cities and Des Moines lol. Haven't been out that way in about 4 years now.

JayhawkCO

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

webny99

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

Not sure about that at all. You have the obvious counter examples like I-70 west of Denver, but even in the Northeast there's plenty of interesting drives (I-87 north of Albany, US 15 (future I-99) in northern PA, etc.)

TheCatalyst31

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

Rothman

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

*notes Illinois and flat are mentioned together again*
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

TheCatalyst31

Quote from: Rothman on November 19, 2024, 10:23:30 PM
Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

*notes Illinois and flat are mentioned together again*

Starved Rock isn't flat, but when the non-flat part of the state is special enough to become a state park, it's the exception that proves the rule.

Revive 755

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17
There's the Illinois River valley
Hill north of Troy Grove
Hill north of Mendota
Hill north of US 30
Hill north of IL 72
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford

mgk920

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17
There's the Illinois River valley
Hill north of Troy Grove
Hill north of Mendota
Hill north of US 30
Hill north of IL 72
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford


The historic Lincoln Highway and the very busy railfan park at Rochelle, IL.

Mike

webny99

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17
There's the Illinois River valley
Hill north of Troy Grove
Hill north of Mendota
Hill north of US 30
Hill north of IL 72
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford


Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

JayhawkCO

Quote from: webny99 on November 20, 2024, 11:32:56 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17
There's the Illinois River valley
Hill north of Troy Grove
Hill north of Mendota
Hill north of US 30
Hill north of IL 72
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford


Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

So now I know slightly more about the stretch from Normal to Rockford. Boring.

Rothman

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 20, 2024, 11:40:51 AM
Quote from: webny99 on November 20, 2024, 11:32:56 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM
Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17
There's the Illinois River valley
Hill north of Troy Grove
Hill north of Mendota
Hill north of US 30
Hill north of IL 72
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford


Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

So now I know slightly more about the stretch from Normal to Rockford. Boring.

"Technically, it is not flat.  If you view it under an electron microscope, little bumps are revealed."
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Flint1979

I drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

freebrickproductions

Quote from: Flint1979 on November 20, 2024, 05:42:53 PMI drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

I drove it at night and it wasn't too bad, though I was also on a Discord call with friends at the time as well.
It's all fun & games until someone summons Cthulhu and brings about the end of the world.

I also collect traffic lights, road signs, fans, and railroad crossing equipment.

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webny99

Quote from: freebrickproductions on November 20, 2024, 06:04:49 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on November 20, 2024, 05:42:53 PMI drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

I drove it at night and it wasn't too bad, though I was also on a Discord call with friends at the time as well.

In other words, a great road for multi-tasking  :sombrero:

Gnutella

I-5 from Los Angeles to Sacramento
I-10 from Mobile to Jakcksonville
I-16
I-20 from Jackson to Birmingham and Atlanta to Columbia
I-22 from Tupelo to Birmingham
I-35 from Austin to Dallas/Ft. Worth
I-40 from Oklahoma City to Ft. Smith, Memphis to Nashville, and Winston-Salem to Wilmington
I-44 from Tulsa to Springfield
I-45 from Houston to Dallas
I-55 from New Orleans to Memphis
I-59 from New Orleans to Birmingham
I-64 from Louisville to Huntington
I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery and Louisville to Indianapolis
I-75 from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, Tampa to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Knoxville
I-80 from Davenport to Youngstown
I-85 from Montgomery to Atlanta and Durham to Richmond
I-90 from Gary to Cleveland
I-95 from Jacksonville to Richmond

pianocello

Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PMI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)
Davenport, IA -> Valparaiso, IN -> Ames, IA -> Orlando, FL -> Gainesville, FL -> Evansville, IN

mgk920

Quote from: pianocello on January 25, 2025, 07:51:14 AM
Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PMI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)

Others in here will disagree with me on this, but in my experiences, I-80 across Illinois is significantly more boring  :sleep: than is I-39.

Mike

mgk920

For within my home state (Wisconsin), IMHO the most boring major drive is US 151/WI 26 between Madison and the Fox Valley (I-41 in Oshkosh).  Staying on US 151 to I-41 in Fond du Lac is even worse. I dread that drive every time I have to head on down to and beyond Madison.

Mike

webny99

#170
Quote from: mgk920 on January 25, 2025, 01:07:43 PM
Quote
QuoteI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)

Others in here will disagree with me on this, but in my experiences, I-80 across Illinois is significantly more boring  :sleep: than is I-39.

However, I-39 is not one of the four interstates that radiates from the Quad Cities.

I'm honestly taken aback by the suggestion of I-80 in Iowa being the best of the four. That's a pretty low bar. The fact that this is even possible speaks pretty poorly of I-80, I-88 and I-74 in Illinois.

pianocello

Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2025, 03:38:59 PMI'm honestly taken aback by the suggestion of I-80 in Iowa being the best of the four. That's a pretty low bar. The fact that this is even possible speaks pretty poorly of I-80, I-88 and I-74 in Illinois.

You're not wrong, but I stand by it. To be honest, for me it really just comes down to the terrain. At least the Iowa stretch has a few rolling hills, even more so once you get towards Des Moines. On the three Illinois Interstates, your field of view is about 3 counties in all directions if you're in the right vehicle.
Davenport, IA -> Valparaiso, IN -> Ames, IA -> Orlando, FL -> Gainesville, FL -> Evansville, IN

pderocco

Quote from: Gnutella on January 25, 2025, 04:37:43 AMI-5 from Los Angeles to Sacramento
...
I'd shift this a bit: I-5 from Grapevine to Orland. The mountains north of LA are nice and kind of fun, and the Sacramento River Valley is boring unless you're driving along the dikes.

But a lot of your other choices are duller than any part of I-5.

CoreySamson

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.
A couple weeks ago on my Tampa trip I figured out that you are exactly right. The Florida panhandle is deceptively long, there are hardly any exits or towns along the route, and you don't even get a view of Tallahassee. I'm so glad that on the way back I used US 98 instead.
Buc-ee's and QuikTrip fanboy. Clincher of FM roads. Proponent of the TX U-turn. Budding theologian.

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epzik8

Quote from: CoreySamson on January 25, 2025, 08:08:27 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.
A couple weeks ago on my Tampa trip I figured out that you are exactly right. The Florida panhandle is deceptively long, there are hardly any exits or towns along the route, and you don't even get a view of Tallahassee. I'm so glad that on the way back I used US 98 instead.

I wouldn't be upset if I went my whole life without visiting that part of Florida.
From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
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