Least important section of Interstate in your state?

[dlsterner]

As far as I-795, I guess I was in a tough position.  Having driven the Reisterstown Road slog myself, I do understand.  Kind of wanted to say "All interstates in Maryland are important", but that comes off as narcissistic.  That's why I hedged a bit and said the northern part.

You do have a good point about I-895.  The segment from I-95 (south end) to US 1 is nowadays kind of irrelevant since that traffic likely prefers the Ft. McHenry tunnel instead.

I-895 is important in its entire length. 

It provides network redundancy in case there is a serious incident that requires a hard closure of I-95 anywhere between the termini of I-895. 

And though placarded loads are not allowed through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, the approach to the tunnel and the Exit 9 (Childs Street) ramps (off northbound and on southbound just north of the toll plaza and before the tunnel portal) is an important HAZMAT route for truck traffic to and from petroleum product terminals and tank farms in the Fairfield and Curtis Bay areas of Baltimore City.

I personally prefer I-895 over I-95 through Baltimore. The toll is the same, if there's no construction on I-895 it is generally a faster and more-reliable trip than I-95, and two of the bumpiest bridges on I-895 have been completely replaced recently (Patapsco Flats between I-895B (Exit 6) and MD-295 (Exit 4); and Canton Viaduct between Holabird Avenue (Exit 10) and the north tunnel portal.

There was a multi-fatal truck crash about ten years ago involving a load of gasoline (which was loaded at Fairfield) on southbound I-895 approaching I-95 in Howard County that resulted from the driver of the truck becoming incapacitated and the tractor and tank trailer falling off of I-895 and onto I-95.  In the resulting explosion and fire, the driver was burned beyond recognition, so state and federal investigators were never able to determine why he lost control of the truck.  Southbound I-895 has been modified since then to reduce the likelihood of that happening again.

That crash, the firefighting response and the investigation required an extended closure of both I-95 and I-895, and traffic was diverted to U.S. 1 (not a good choice); MD-295 (not much of a better choice); and I-70 (a better choice to U.S. 29 to MD-100).

I remember that crash from about ten years ago quite well.  I was working near BWI at the time, and word of the crash spread quickly, and many of us ended up scrambling to choose an alternate way home that would avoid the fallout.

I guess when I think about it, other than the I-70 segment at the Park-n-Ride, every interstate segment has importance.  I was trying to come up with the "least important of the important" segment, which I should know better than to try to answer.  I think I'll just stick with my original answer (below).

Maryland - I would say I-70 between I-695 and the Park-n-Ride to the east.

If I-170 hadn't been decommissioned it would be a candidate.

(And no, I don't believe I-70 will ever be extended to the east/southeast)

[Roadgeekteen]

For Rhode Island, I would go with I-295.

[KEK Inc.]

During Covid, I-5 (WA) north of Bellingham since the border is closed to nonessential travel.  Otherwise, I-182 probably has less traffic than any other Interstate in the state, but it's still pretty important since it's just a glorified section of US-12. 

[bassoon1986]

While there are interstates with sections of  far fewer vehicle numbers, I'm going with I-510 in Louisiana. The other 3di interstates either serve greater traffic numbers, or in places like Lake Charles, are one of the only choices for bridge crossings. 510 if I had to guess, got the designation for the NASA center in that area of New Orleans. The designation doesn't reach the bridge that serves Chalmette and beyond.


iPhone

[GaryV]

Nothing in Michigan is unimportant.

What about I-75 in the UP north of the Mackinac Bridge? I think that it could suffice as a 2 lane road.

Have you ever been there?

For the winter half of the year, yes, a 2 lane road would be OK.

For the rest of the year, 2 lanes would suffice about half the time.

But for the busy holiday and weekend periods, 1 lane each way is just not enough.  If a lane is closed for construction, there are backups.

[Skye]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

[Roadgeekteen]

For New Jersey, it would be I-76 or I-676.  They both go to Philadelphia.

Not sure about that. They are very important in connecting Philadelphia with Southern New Jersey.

[zzcarp]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the section of I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

[Flint1979]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the section of I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

I'd have to agree with that. I-280 is an important link especially considering the Glass City Skyway replacing the old drawbridge. And I-490 like you said is an important link between I-90 and I-77 in Cleveland

[Roadgeekteen]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the section of I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

[SkyPesos]

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the section of I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

I thought that would be pretty important as a link for I-90, but there are a lot of alternative routings that I could see why this section isn't as important. Between both I-90 points, I-80/I-480/I-71 is the same length as using I-90, and for bypassing Cleveland, I-80/I-480/I-271 is only a mile longer. And of course OH 2 for shunpiking.

[Flint1979]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

[Roadgeekteen]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

[sprjus4]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

The I-80/I-90 Ohio Turnpike is the main, most direct route.

The other routes mentioned, like US-20 or OH-2, are not the primary connections. They are shunpiking alternatives, but not the main route.

[Flint1979]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

You just asked what most traffic takes between Chicago and Cleveland if they don't take I-90, I gave you an answer and you come back with Google suggesting I-90? I thought you said if not I-90.

[Roadgeekteen]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

You just asked what most traffic takes between Chicago and Cleveland if they don't take I-90, I gave you an answer and you come back with Google suggesting I-90? I thought you said if not I-90.

I said it a bit wrong. I was asking if most traffic takes I-90, and if they don't what do they use.

[Flint1979]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

You just asked what most traffic takes between Chicago and Cleveland if they don't take I-90, I gave you an answer and you come back with Google suggesting I-90? I thought you said if not I-90.

I said it a bit wrong. I was asking if most traffic takes I-90, and if they don't what do they use.

Most traffic uses the Indiana Toll Road in the Ohio Turnpike. West of Toledo there aren't really any great shun piking alternatives. East of Toledo OH-2 works well. It's a freeway east of Port Clinton.

[ftballfan]

During Covid, I-5 (WA) north of Bellingham since the border is closed to nonessential travel.  Otherwise, I-182 probably has less traffic than any other Interstate in the state, but it's still pretty important since it's just a glorified section of US-12. 

I would imagine I-5 north of Bellingham is still important for truckers as commercial traffic can still cross the border

[dkblake]

I think it was determined earlier this year that 585 does not even reach 85.

According to Travel Mapping it does not. And although I don't live in SC, I've been there quite a few times and would agree on 585 being removed.

For my state of Ohio, the obvious choice is the little known I-290 in Downtown Cleveland, a mere 2.25 miles long. Runner up, Toledo I-280.

It's I-490 in Cleveland, not I-290. And it provides the only connection from I-90 EB to I-77 SB and I-77 NB to I-90 WB.

I-280 is the main connection from I-75 from Detroit to I-80/I-90 EB and the east coast.

I'd suggest for Ohio that the least important is the sectionof I-90 between the Turnpike and Ohio 2. It's a lightly used approximately 2 mile section between two heavily used freeways.

What does most Chicago to Cleveland traffic use if not I-90?

Mostly US-20 west of Toledo and then OH-2 east of Toledo.

Some might but google recommends I-90.

You just asked what most traffic takes between Chicago and Cleveland if they don't take I-90, I gave you an answer and you come back with Google suggesting I-90? I thought you said if not I-90.

I said it a bit wrong. I was asking if most traffic takes I-90, and if they don't what do they use.

Most traffic uses the Indiana Toll Road in the Ohio Turnpike. West of Toledo there aren't really any great shun piking alternatives. East of Toledo OH-2 works well. It's a freeway east of Port Clinton.

I think it depends on where you are in Cleveland or the broader metro area or traffic. From downtown you could stay on I-90 or take I-71 to I-480 to the Turnpike.

Personally, I think I-680 wins the least important Ohio interstate. I also don't think I-277 necessarily needs to be an Interstate- it could simply be US 224 and I don't think anyone would care.

[Rick Powell]

Illinois is obviously I-180 as has been previously mentioned. If you had to pick a runner-up, I'm willing to bet I-72 and/or I-172 at the western end doesn't get much traffic. I could be completely wrong on that though.

One surprising candidate I have is I-55 from Dwight to Bloomington. If it had never been built, the 4-lane US 66 expressway would've sufficed nearly as well as I-55, with a stoplight or 2 every 10 miles. I was on the original construction of this section of I-55 and remember everyone zipping along at 70 mph on the old route while we were building the new one.

[Roadgeekteen]

Illinois is obviously I-180 as has been previously mentioned. If you had to pick a runner-up, I'm willing to bet I-72 and/or I-172 at the western end doesn't get much traffic. I could be completely wrong on that though.

One surprising candidate I have is I-55 from Dwight to Bloomington. If it had never been built, the 4-lane US 66 expressway would've sufficed nearly as well as I-55, with a stoplight or 2 every 10 miles. I was on the original construction of this section of I-55 and remember everyone zipping along at 70 mph on the old route while we were building the new one.

No all interstate connection between Chicago and St. Louis wouldn't really work.

[hotdogPi]

Illinois is obviously I-180 as has been previously mentioned. If you had to pick a runner-up, I'm willing to bet I-72 and/or I-172 at the western end doesn't get much traffic. I could be completely wrong on that though.

One surprising candidate I have is I-55 from Dwight to Bloomington. If it had never been built, the 4-lane US 66 expressway would've sufficed nearly as well as I-55, with a stoplight or 2 every 10 miles. I was on the original construction of this section of I-55 and remember everyone zipping along at 70 mph on the old route while we were building the new one.

No all interstate connection between Chicago and St. Louis wouldn't really work.

I-57 → I-70 is still pretty direct.

[pianocello]

In Florida all freeways are important since development seems to be the big source of the economy finding all what was once useless to be now used by patrons who feed the developers.

What about I-175 or I-375?

Yeah, I'd actually take those over I-10 as being least important.

Before I saw this, I was gonna say Alligator Alley. I've never been on it, but I'm sure there's a reason it's the only significant section of I-75 south of Chattanooga with less than 6 lanes.

It's possible you get the same answer for both Iowa and Nebraska, I-129.

I completely forgot about this, so it must be the winner! Other candidates, IMO, are I-680 west of I-29, and I-29 south of I-880. I don't know enough about traffic patterns in western Iowa to refine it any further, except that there's not as much population (and therefore traffic) as there is in the central and eastern parts of the state.

[achilles765]

While there are interstates with sections of  far fewer vehicle numbers, I'm going with I-510 in Louisiana. The other 3di interstates either serve greater traffic numbers, or in places like Lake Charles, are one of the only choices for bridge crossings. 510 if I had to guess, got the designation for the NASA center in that area of New Orleans. The designation doesn't reach the bridge that serves Chalmette and beyond.


iPhone

The NASA facility is one reason.  A bigger reason though, is that in the late 80's, and 90s, there was a lot of effort to try to make New Orleans East into a master planned suburban area.  They built a theme park, called Jazzland first then bought by Six Flags and renamed Six Flags New Orleans.  They had hoped development and people would start to flock to that area, especially since it was away from the city, and it was close to Chalmette and St Bernard parish. 
But, it never happened.  Very little development actually came and hardly anyone wanted to live out there because it was so far way from everything about New Orleans that makes it New Orleans.  Plus its basically pure swamp out there.  Then Katrina hit in 2005 and that side of the metro area was decimated and still isn't fully recovered 16 years later. 
So I agree 510 is incredibly pointless.  Ive driven it out of curiosity and never seen more than a couple of cars.  I 310 is much busier.

[Hobart]

The Illinois Interstate 180 is definitely the least important section in the state, and possibly the least important section in the country.

Wikipedia says it was built to serve a steel mill, which closed almost immediately after it was built. It goes to a town of about a thousand people, from there you have to take state highways to Peoria.