So what are the things a U.S. roadgeek simply
must see at one time or another in their life? The major things that we love and hate, and talk about non-stop. I'm not talking about things an average tourist might want to see, like the Golden Gate Bridge or a scenic route, but attractions that would probably only be sought out specifically because someone in the car is a roadgeek.
Here's some that come to mind for me:
- OK 20/AR 43 (AR/OK)
- I-238 (CA)
- Zzyzx Rd. (CA)
- Glenwood Canyon (CO)
- Eisenhower Tunnel (CO)
- U.S. 400 (CO/KS/MO)
- I-70's Park-n-Ride terminus (MD)
- Wellston toll plaza (OK)
- Breezewood (PA)
- I-99 (PA)
What are some others?
Strike US 400. What's special about the Wellston toll plaza?
I would add:
- Pulaski Skyway
- At least one National Road bridge in Maryland
- Big Dig/Bunker Hill Bridge at night
- Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
US 1 from Florida City to Key West.
Old US 30 in Oregon.
Old US 99 in California.
definitely the Arroyo Seco Parkway in LA
Needmore Road in Dayton, OH!
I-93 through Franconia Notch, NH, of course, and also probably NC 12 on the Outer Banks for the scenery, and I-10 and 20 in Texas and 15 in Utah for the speed limits.
And probably the Merrit Parkway too...
I could think of a lot more for various reasons.
Wellston has the onramp that lets out into a McDonald's parking lot, from which you must pull onto I-44 via another ramp.
ah, yes, the Arroyo Seco, how could I forget about that? Isn't that where the Ankrom sign is as well?
In this list I'm thinking mainly of things that you would go "Oh, sweet, I finally get to see _________!"
The Interstate Triplex in WI.
Suffixed interstates in DFW and MSP
Cheyenne I-180
I-90 Wallace Idaho - the former surface road version of....
All of Montana - often find Speed limit 70 on a two lane road?
The northern terminus of US 1.
The southern terminus of US 1.
The Alaska Highway (and pretty much any other roads of the far north).
The Hana Highway and Piilani Highway on Maui.
Any stretch of historic US 66 in the southwest.
Any road that completes your clinch of a major highway.
All those close-together exits and their numbers with high letter suffixes in KC.
The George Washington Bridge.
Any of the old parkways in the NYC metro area.
US 50 across Nevada.
Jim, you stole half my ideas! :banghead:
Seriously though...
- The "wrong-way" section of I-8 in Arizona
- The upside down traffic light at Tipperary Hill, Syracuse, NY
- Clinching the Dixie Highway, National Road, or any major auto trail
- My choice of highway in Alaska would have to be the Dalton Highway. It crosses the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle, ends almost within sight of the Arctic Ocean, and I believe this is a record:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2Fnext-services-244mi-large.jpg&hash=fbebc8783de9c323d88073d1a9df1d1e213bfc33)
(photo by Dan Gullickson and posted on Oscar Voss' site)
Dalton Highway, Alaska
Dempster Highway, Yukon and Northwest Territories
New Jersey Turnpike
where is the wrong-way section of I-8 in Arizona? I know where old US-80 crosses the Gila River "backwards" but as far as I know, I-8 stays relatively well-aligned with its nominal direction.
and yes, 244 miles is the US record for distance between services. There is this sign, however, which has been modified quite fancifully.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artistjake.com%2Flj%2Fx12020.jpg&hash=5dc7ed31db05dfa6774393b2bf55525627d34f54)
QuoteAll of Montana - often find Speed limit 70 on a two lane road?
in west Texas, you can find 75 on a two-lane road.
Quotewhere is the wrong-way section of I-8 in Arizona? I know where old US-80 crosses the Gila River "backwards" but as far as I know, I-8 stays relatively well-aligned with its nominal direction.
It is east of yuma
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=32.657948~-114.333&style=r&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=32.657948~-114.333&style=r&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1)
oh, the mountain pass section? that is a very cool drive. there is a similar section in California, where I-8 goes between San Diego and Imperial counties several times.
too bad about the border patrol checkpoint just to the east; totally ruins the ambiance.
I-8 is also on my list for being the lost point on the interstate
Quotein west Texas, you can find 75 on a two-lane road.
but who wants to be in west Texas not much out there.
QuoteI-8 is also on my list for being the lost point on the interstate
Whaaaaaat??
Big Bend is really quite scenic, as is west Texas in general. Yes, there is nothing out there, and that is the point!
I do definitely recommend the Arroyo Seco Parkway (hurry up if you want to see it while it is still the Pasadena Freeway!) and also the Grapevine section of I-5. Actually, I would like to see the abandoned alignments of the Ridge Route and also former US 99 in the Sacramento River Valley.
In New Mexico, I would also like to see the Big Cut and La Bajada Hill alignments of former NM 1 (superseded by US 85 and later by I-25).
My personal holy grail, however, is access to a complete construction plans archive for all fifty state DOTs. This already exists for MN, KY, and GA, but unfortunately the latter two would sooner die than do pattern-accurate signing plans. Where historical signing plans are available from a state DOT, however, and are pattern-accurate, it is possible to assemble an archive of pattern-accurate sign design sheets which runs to thousands of pages for a single state.
QuoteAll of Montana - often find Speed limit 70 on a two lane road?
Most of rural Texas...not just out in west Texas...
A few in VA:
Springfield Interchange(I-95/I-495/I-395)
and all 3 bridge-tunnels (HRBT, MMMBT, and CBBT)
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 22, 2009, 03:45:10 AM
QuoteI-8 is also on my list for being the lost point on the interstate
Whaaaaaat??
it was late the lowest point on the interstate system
- East L.A. Interchange
- Dan Ryan Expressway where all the on and off-ramps are within 1 mile of each other
- I-676's at-grade junction
- Autobahns
That interchange in New Orleans between two freeways (well at least the interchange is completely free flow grade separated) that has the roundabout in it. I believe it is between the Airline Highway (US 61) and South Causeway Blvd.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge (US-101 WA/OR)
The floating bridges in Seattle (I-90, WA-520)
--Andy
Aside from the impressive view from the [acid] rock cuts on Skytop, there really isn't anything special about I-99.
I'd add Centralia, with the abandoned section of PA 61, to the list.
Quote from: PAHighways on August 22, 2009, 02:09:58 PM
I'd add Centralia, with the abandoned section of PA 61, to the list.
In that case, I'll add the abandoned PA Turnpike to the list. :)
Quote from: getemngo on August 22, 2009, 04:47:49 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on August 22, 2009, 02:09:58 PM
I'd add Centralia, with the abandoned section of PA 61, to the list.
In that case, I'll add the abandoned PA Turnpike to the list. :)
I figured that was included under "Breezewood."
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - Saw it on History (Channel). Very cool looking.
Hive Five Interchange - Outstandingly cool interchange. Saw it on History (Channel), too.
I-10 & I-20 (West Texas) - 80 m.p.h. legal speed limit
I-15 (Utah) - 80 m.p.h. legal speed limit
Be well,
Bryant
The George Washington Bridge and its approaches.
Any major highway in New York City, but especially the FDR Drive, the Cross Bronx, and the Gowanus/BQE.
The trick is getting through those without hitting too much traffic! :colorful:
(Protip: do the Cross Bronx eastbound, not westbound)
actually the Kennedy Expressway - where all the exits and entrances are within 500 feet of each other.
Seney Stretch in UP Michigan (M-28)
The Loneliest Road
Extraterrestrial Highway
I would have to add the Sunshine Skyway bridge between St. Petersburg and Palmetto, Florida to the list. It was the first cable-stayed bridge constructed in the U.S. and one of the highest vertical clearances in the southeast (being 200 feet from water to bridge deck).
New River Gorge Bridge
Was thinking about this last night, a few things on a national level that I think merit seeing by any road enthusiast:
The New Jersey Turnpike's four-carriageway section
Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon
The stack interchange between Interstates 105 and 110
I would have to say the Pacific Cost Highway
Considering I'm not from North America I can say that I've visited four of the locations already mentioned in this thread:
# Breezewood (PA)
# I-99 (PA)
# wrong way section of I-8 (AZ)
# George Washington Bridge
I will probably see some of the others in future visits
Some other ones:
Wallace, ID (elevated I-90, last stoplight on I-90 located in town, it also is self-professed to the be the center of the universe, with a manhole cover marking the location (I'm serious,....))
Wheeling, WV (part of the National Road, Wheeling Tunnel, and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the world's oldest operating suspension bridge)
Zanesville, OH (Y-Bridge on the National Road, now I-40)
New Orleans, LA (Lake Ponchartrain Causeway)
Louisiana: I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette: 18-mile long bridge)
Alabama: I-10 east of Mobile (long bridge)
Alabama: I-65 north of Mobile (long bridge)
California, US-101 through the Redwoods north of Santa Rosa.
US-50 in Nevada, Loneliest Road in America
Moki Dugway in Utah
Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado (it counts, you can drive over it, 1053 feet above the river below)
Million Dollar Highway in Colorado
I-670 through Kansas City (I just love this stretch of interstate under the city)
I-278 through Brooklyn
Merritt Parkway (already mentioned)
I-81 crossing to Canada
Mackinac Bridge
Windsor Tunnel from Detroit to Windsor
Amabassador Bridge (and Blue Water Bridge from Port Huron to Sarnia)
Peace Bridge and Rainbow Bridge.
I-68 through Sideling Hill in Maryland.
New River Gorge Bridge on US-19, as well as the bridge over the gorge on I-64)
Cumberland Gap Tunnel on US-25E
I-40 across the TN-NC line
Great Smoky Mountain Expressway (US-74 south of the National Park)
Natchez Trace Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
US-60/US-62 in Illinois crossing from Missouri to Illinois to Kentucky
The Parkways of Kentucky (especially the Mountain and Hal Rogers)
The Turnpikes of Oklahoma (especially the Cherokee and Chickasaw)
Those are mine, plus hundreds more.
Sykotyk
One more from me:
Chain of Rocks Bridge, the bridge with an angle in the middle that used to carry US 66 between Illinois and Missouri.
I-275 around Cincinnati - clinch 4 states in 10 minutes :D
QuoteI-275 around Cincinnati - clinch 4 states in 10 minutes
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky... Which one is the fourth?
Quote from: corco on August 23, 2009, 10:42:44 PM
QuoteI-275 around Cincinnati - clinch 4 states in 10 minutes
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky... Which one is the fourth?
Same question I have. lol. :-D
Maybe he means Counties?
Quote from: corco on August 23, 2009, 10:42:44 PM
QuoteI-275 around Cincinnati - clinch 4 states in 10 minutes
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky... Which one is the fourth?
the one the Simpsons live in.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 21, 2009, 07:43:42 PM
I'm not talking about things an average tourist might want to see, like the Golden Gate Bridge or a scenic route, but attractions that would probably only be sought out specifically because someone in the car is a roadgeek.
Quote from: florida on August 21, 2009, 08:26:46 PM
US 1 from Florida City to Key West.
Given Scott5114's criteria, US 1 to Key West
does not qualify. It is not just of interest to Roadgeeks but to Railfans as well. The original bridges of the highway of which some survive as Fishing Piers, etc. were constructed by the Florida East Coast Railroad in the 1920s. They were converted to highway use after the FEC abandoned the route after a hurricane.
Edit:
My 840th post! (See avatar!)
The old Lincoln Highway in Ohio paved in red brick.
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on August 23, 2009, 11:16:40 PM
Quote from: corco on August 23, 2009, 10:42:44 PM
QuoteI-275 around Cincinnati - clinch 4 states in 10 minutes
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky... Which one is the fourth?
Same question I have. lol. :-D
Maybe he means Counties?
:pan: I guess I lost count :ded:
Speaking of the Arroyo Seco...the Four-Level Interchange between Route 110 and US 101 (also formerly containing portions of US 6 and US 66) has to be an obvious candidate for a visit, being the very first of its kind.
Isn't the first ever cloverleaf (if it still exists) in New Jersey?
I'd like to add the Cobb Cloverleaf, Spaghetti Junction/Tom Moreland Interchange and the Wayne Shackleford Interchange/I-85 @ S.R. 316 to the list. They are impressive interchanges.
Be well,
Bryant
Quote from: mightyace on August 25, 2009, 08:21:46 PM
Given Scott5114's criteria, US 1 to Key West does not qualify. It is not just of interest to Roadgeeks but to Railfans as well. The original bridges of the highway of which some survive as Fishing Piers, etc. were constructed by the Florida East Coast Railroad in the 1920s. They were converted to highway use after the FEC abandoned the route after a hurricane.
You can see the history of the Overseas Highway on an episode of Modern Marvels. I found it very interesting.
If you like "wrong way" sections of road, here are two others I can think of right off the top of my head: I-5 just north of Castaic, California, and Arizona 87 about midway between the Phoenix metropolitan area and a town called Payson.
QuoteIf you like "wrong way" sections of road, here are two others I can think of right off the top of my head: I-5 just north of Castaic, California, and Arizona 87 about midway between the Phoenix metropolitan area and a town called Payson.
I-95 and I-695 interchange, Rosedale, MD.
Though, that one will soon be gone.
The interchange between I-65 and I-20/59 in Birmingham, AL is almost exactly the same as the I-95 and I-695 interchange.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 26, 2009, 07:39:50 PM
QuoteIf you like "wrong way" sections of road, here are two others I can think of right off the top of my head: I-5 just north of Castaic, California, and Arizona 87 about midway between the Phoenix metropolitan area and a town called Payson.
I-95 and I-695 interchange, Rosedale, MD.
Though, that one will soon be gone.
I-77 in Charlotte, NC @ the I-85 interchange as well.
Quote from: jdb1234The interchange between I-65 and I-20/59 in Birmingham, AL is almost exactly the same as the I-95 and I-695 interchange.
Yeah, that's one crazy interchange (I-20/59 @ I-65). I drove it for the first time three years ago or so, and was transfrerring from I-20 West to I-65 South. I didn't know it was a left exit and had to shoot across from the right to he left. There's a lot of weaving there, anyway.
Be well,
Bryant
Quote from: mightyace on August 25, 2009, 08:21:46 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 21, 2009, 07:43:42 PM
I'm not talking about things an average tourist might want to see, like the Golden Gate Bridge or a scenic route, but attractions that would probably only be sought out specifically because someone in the car is a roadgeek.
Quote from: florida on August 21, 2009, 08:26:46 PM
US 1 from Florida City to Key West.
Given Scott5114's criteria, US 1 to Key West does not qualify. It is not just of interest to Roadgeeks but to Railfans as well. The original bridges of the highway of which some survive as Fishing Piers, etc. were constructed by the Florida East Coast Railroad in the 1920s. They were converted to highway use after the FEC abandoned the route after a hurricane.
Edit:
My 840th post! (See avatar!)
It's not about the scenery. More of traversing a string of islands, connected by one road, to the southernmost point of the US (not including Hawaii). Plus, with quite a few old alignments, most notably one covered up by Key West NAS....and the seven-mile bridge, but that's not part of the criteria. If we stick with the criteria, there's at least one (maybe more) other bridge(s) mentioned in this thread that wouldn't fit.
Quote from: florida on August 27, 2009, 03:22:07 PM
It's not about the scenery. More of traversing a string of islands, connected by one road, to the southernmost point of the US (not including Hawaii). Plus, with quite a few old alignments, most notably one covered up by Key West NAS....and the seven-mile bridge, but that's not part of the criteria. If we stick with the criteria, there's at least one (maybe more) other bridge(s) mentioned in this thread that wouldn't fit.
I was simply talking about that US 1 to Key West is of interest to another and probably larger group of transportation aficionados. (i.e. rail fans) And, Scott's criteria said that it would only be of interest to Road Geeks.
uh oh, terminology fight! :ded:
Every roadgeek should go see the wooden bridges that make up the Keystone Wye (US16@US16A), AKA the turnoff to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City.
Also, SD87 (Needles Highway) is a must-drive, especially going through the barely one-lane tunnels. The story of how Needles Highway was built is a rather fascinating one.
I'd also like to add the bridge over the Big Cotton Indian Creek, in Rex (GA).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85Jjre2mSk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85Jjre2mSk)
The bridge has been recently bypassed.
Be well,
Bryant
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 27, 2009, 08:22:40 PM
uh oh, terminology fight! :ded:
:-D It will stop, we both have differing opinions about it and it's not good to keep clogging the thread up. ;-)
Quote from: florida on August 27, 2009, 10:30:03 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 27, 2009, 08:22:40 PM
uh oh, terminology fight! :ded:
:-D It will stop, we both have differing opinions about it and it's not good to keep clogging the thread up. ;-)
No problem here. I've made my point and I understand the other one.
The Circle Interchange
Quote from: brad2971 on August 27, 2009, 08:30:26 PM
Every roadgeek should go see the wooden bridges that make up the Keystone Wye (US16@US16A), AKA the turnoff to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City.
The Keystone Wye is cool! I searched Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=keystone%20wye) and found pictures and info. Check out all the results! There's only six, so don't worry!
Quote from: brad2971 on August 27, 2009, 08:30:26 PM
Also, SD87 (Needles Highway) is a must-drive, especially going through the barely one-lane tunnels. The story of how Needles Highway was built is a rather fascinating one.
That's crazy! I looked at this gallery (http://www.pbase.com/harpeggio/needles_highway) of photos.
The "Yellow Book"
1926 Rand McNally map of the US
George Stewart's book on US 40/National Road
Lincoln Highway Tour Guide
Quote from: SykotykZanesville, OH (Y-Bridge on the National Road, now I-40)
Maybe I had a bad day, but I don't recommend visiting that one during the evening rush; there seems to be a signal coordination issue in that area.
My list, some of which probably have been previously posted:
* The Dallas High Five interchange
* The Oakland Bay Bridge before the new east span opens
* I-70 between Denver and Grand Junction
* Any state with an 80 mph speed limit
* A speed limit free section of the Autobahn
* Any country that drives on the left
* Old US 66 (now Rte Z) around Devils Elbow/St. Robert, MO (seen it already)
Me? (and ones that I have done)
-US 129 'Dragon's Tail' section at the NC/TN state line
-Blue Ridge Parkway (entire length)
-Lower Wacker Drive in Chicago (best urban street drive - period!)
-US 41 (Lake Shore Drive) in Chicago
-I-93 Francona Notch section, New Hampshire
-Mackinac Bridge
-The 'Big Dig' tunnels in Boston
-I-70 Glenwood Canyon and Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado
-Ayd Mill Rd in Saint Paul, MN
-I-180 in IL
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on September 04, 2009, 12:44:59 AM
-Ayd Mill Rd in Saint Paul, MN
is that a
loop ghost ramp???
I don't think it is, both ramps from Jefferson connect to northbound Ayd Mill. Not entirely sure why, I don't think Jefferson was ever that busy of a street.
Kind of related: What is the proper term for something like Ayd Mill Road? Besides a waste of space, that is.
The Sea to Sky Highway in BC.