The "Hello Neighbor" state route marker challenge

[paulthemapguy]

I have an MS 67, but I think maybe we should head further north to avoid states where US70, 72, etc will cancel out the presence of state routes with that number.  Also I feel like I should bring up that Indiana will be kaput for the most part in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

[jbnv]

Mississippi 67


I-110/MS 15/MS 67 Exit by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

[Eth]

I have an MS 67, but I think maybe we should head further north to avoid states where US70, 72, etc will cancel out the presence of state routes with that number.  Also I feel like I should bring up that Indiana will be kaput for the most part in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

And as we head toward the upper reaches of the double digits, note that this does not mean the South will be out of play - TN, GA, AL, and FL are all a-okay with number duplication. (EDIT: AL allows duplication with Interstates, but not US routes.)

[Henry]

MS 67 -> LA 68:

[hotdogPi]

Long-term plan: Get AK 98, and then quickly get to New England before Rhode Island becomes impossible (and also get Maine).

[paulthemapguy]

Long-term plan: Get AK 98, and then quickly get to New England before Rhode Island becomes impossible (and also get Maine).

That all sounds completely unattainable.

We're looking for a 69 from AR or MS if I recall correctly.

[kurumi]

This turns out to be an interesting programming exercise. The bordering states are a bidirectional graph, and each node has a list of available route numbers. Your algorithm can find the longest path starting from anywhere, or the longest path starting, ending, or including a given node (state).

It could even be a useful interview exercise, if the data set were already provided. (Defining the borders and listing the route numbers would take a lot of time.)

[hbelkins]

AR 69 in the hometown of Mark Martin. Often a bridesmaid but never a bride.

[Jim]

This turns out to be an interesting programming exercise. The bordering states are a bidirectional graph, and each node has a list of available route numbers. Your algorithm can find the longest path starting from anywhere, or the longest path starting, ending, or including a given node (state).

It could even be a useful interview exercise, if the data set were already provided. (Defining the borders and listing the route numbers would take a lot of time.)

Travel Mapping has most states in a convenient (CSV) form, but we're still incomplete or nonexistent in a few places...

[Henry]

AR 69 -> TX 70:

[jbnv]

AR 69 -> TX 70:

Louisiana and perhaps Arkansas are out for 71 (US 71).

[kphoger]

AR 69 -> TX 70:

Louisiana and perhaps Arkansas are out for 71 (US 71).

Correct.  Oklahoma has one, and New Mexico used to until somewhat recently, though.

In case anyone was planning to be tricky, I already checked:  none of the Mexican states bordering Texas have a state highway numbered 71.

[hbelkins]

Looks like I just missed being able to get an OK 71 a few years ago. Is 71 going to be the number that ends the game?

[Mapmikey]

can always retract TX 70 and replace with a TN 70 which would open the game back up...

[paulthemapguy]

I had a TX70 and specifically decided against playing it, due to the chance it would lead to a dead end (considering the proximity of US71).

[jbnv]

can always retract TX 70 and replace with a TN 70 which would open the game back up...

Or let me play an LA 70. Then if someone has TX 71 we should be able to cruise forward.

[okroads]

I have an OK 71:
DSC01664 by Eric Stuve, on Flickr

[jbnv]

I have LA 73.

[hbelkins]

MO 72

[Henry]

Back to the Sooner State with OK 73:

[Henry]

May be a spur, but this still counts as 74:

Guess OK is out for 75, because of the US highway with that number being there.

[kphoger]

May be a spur, but this still counts as 74:

For those who might be wondering, the above photo is from Texas.

Guess OK is out for 75, because of the US highway with that number being there.

Yes, since 1947.

[hbelkins]

AR 75

[jbnv]

Arkansas 75 -> Louisiana 76


LA 76 Route Sign by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

[Henry]

LA 76 -> TX 77: