I was driving on I-95 northbound in Maryland yesterday and saw an exit for the state welcome center at mile marker 35. I thought welcome centers (at least on interstates) tended to be located within the first 5 or 10 miles after crossing the state line. How many other welcome centers are not located near their state's borders?
Michigan has the following not near a state border:
Clare (US-127 & US-10)
Marquette (US-41 & M-28)
Mackinaw City (off I-75)
Saint Igance (I-75 northbound)
Illinois has the following not within 5-10 miles of a state border:
Peotone/Monee (I-57)
I-57 northbound (milepost 33)
The others on I-55, I-64, and I-70 are all near Saint Louis and are just at the edges of the metro area.
California has too many of them to count way out in the middle of the state. I remember there was one just off I-75 between Sarasota and Naples that was way deeper into the state than it needed to be...I think it mostly functioned as a restroom.
Virginia has one on westbound I-66 just over the Prince William County line close to 30 miles west of the DC line (somewhat closer to the Maryland line via I-495). In fairness, there isn't really any good place to put one near either the DC or Maryland line, though in the days when Fairfax County was largely rural they probably could have put one somewhere closer in on I-66. That wouldn't necessarily mean it'd still be there today, of course; the old weigh station eastbound is long gone in favor of the interchange with the Fairfax County Parkway.
I-95 Southbound in Maine has one around mile marker 179. I-95 is 303 miles long in Maine.
I-95 SB into Virginia has its Welcome Center at MM 131 in Fredericksburg, nearly 50 miles from 95's entry into Virginia...
In urban areas its hard to keep them near a border entry. In some cases, like NJ, they do not even build them anymore!
The one on I-95 in Fredericksburg is as far out from the Northern VA metro area you can get without having to disturb prime real estate near the interstate for a tourist center.
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 29, 2016, 11:47:55 AM
I-95 Southbound in Maine has one around mile marker 179. I-95 is 303 miles long in Maine.
There is one, however, just off of exit 302 along US 1 in Houlton.
The Molly Pitcher Rest area on the NJ Turnpike south has a state welcome center in it, right smack in the middle of the state. Northbound traffic coming from the Delaware Memorial Bridge only gets one on I-295, Turnpike drivers get nothing, just like travelers entering the state via I-78 and I-287.
There used to be some that were not part of rest areas. NJ did experiment with one on US 22 years ago, when they rented a room at the Holiday Inn that was at the former US 22 and US 22 Alternate junction that was used for PA travelers entering the Garden State at the time back in the early 80's.
Also Kansas had one for I-35 southbound from Missouri that was miles into the state in Olathe. It was signed at an interchange and off not only the interstate but the adjacent roadway in a stand alone building. It, also, had no rest area accompaning it, and nor was it referred to in any manner of a rest stop either on its signage.
Delaware has one that most people never know about: At the Del. Mem. Bridge toll plaza admin building. It's mostly unsigned.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on May 29, 2016, 01:08:34 PM
The Molly Pitcher Rest area on the NJ Turnpike south has a state welcome center in it, right smack in the middle of the state. Northbound traffic coming from the Delaware Memorial Bridge only gets one on I-295, Turnpike drivers get nothing, just like travelers entering the state via I-78 and I-287.
You mean NB Turnpike travelers get none, since you already mentioned the one on the Turnpike South.
Quote from: roadman65 on May 29, 2016, 11:59:59 AM
In urban areas its hard to keep them near a border entry. In some cases, like NJ, they do not even build them anymore!
The one on I-95 in Fredericksburg is as far out from the Northern VA metro area you can get without having to disturb prime real estate near the interstate for a tourist center.
This wasn't particularly true when I-95 was built and there are currently separate car and truck rest areas in both directions 23-25 miles north of Fredericksburg
I remember signage for some sort of welcome center in Austin, TX - nowhere near any border - when I was growing up. I was certain there would be free maps but I could never persuade my father to stop. It may or may not have been state-run but IIRC the signage was identical to the welcome centers at the borders.
Back in 2001, I remember clinching I-25 between US 84 in NM and US 18/20 in WY, and when I entered CO, I do remember its state welcome center being in Trinidad a few miles and over the mountains into the state. It too was off the interstate where you had to exit and drive the local streets of town to access it.
Quote from: US 81 on May 29, 2016, 03:37:38 PM
I remember signage for some sort of welcome center in Austin, TX - nowhere near any border - when I was growing up. I was certain there would be free maps but I could never persuade my father to stop. It may or may not have been state-run but IIRC the signage was identical to the welcome centers at the borders.
Those, these days, at least, are called Travel Information Centers, and they function as welcome centers. There's one along every Interstate where it enters the state except for I-40, where there's a single Travel Information Center in Amarillo, instead of one at each state line. That puts it roughly 70 miles from New Mexico and 100 miles from Oklahoma. It's a reasonable place to catch traffic in both direction, some of which isn't going all the way across the Panhandle, at a single location. There's also one near the state line on US 75. The one in Austin is on the capitol grounds and is, of course, far from the state line. There's another oddball location at Langtry. It isn't exactly near a border crossing, but it's along US 90 northwest of Del Rio. This location is at the Judge Roy Bean visitor's center and functions as a welcome center and an enhanced rest stop for in-state travelers. It has the usual travel information plus a cactus garden and a historical location.
I-94's western Wisconsin welcome center is in Menomonie, 41 miles from the Minnesota border. It used to be on the border in Hudson, but moved to Menomonie sometime in the 2000s.
- WB I-70 into Utah, the Welcome Center is near Thompson Springs, Exit 187 -- The CO/UT Border is at MM 231 = 43 Miles in. I will cut some slack as that the Thompson Springs Exit is the first westbound exit in Utah with services and actual civilization, with a population of 39!
- EB I-70 into Colorado, the Welcome Center is at Exit 19 in Fruita -- the first town with a plurality in gas & food choices -- and lodging.
Quote from: Ian on May 29, 2016, 01:02:47 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 29, 2016, 11:47:55 AM
I-95 Southbound in Maine has one around mile marker 179. I-95 is 303 miles long in Maine.
There is one, however, just off of exit 302 along US 1 in Houlton.
Yes, but the point is there is one about 124 miles from the border.
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 29, 2016, 06:03:32 PM
Quote from: Ian on May 29, 2016, 01:02:47 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 29, 2016, 11:47:55 AM
I-95 Southbound in Maine has one around mile marker 179. I-95 is 303 miles long in Maine.
There is one, however, just off of exit 302 along US 1 in Houlton.
Yes, but the point is there is one about 124 miles from the border.
I guess I misread the purpose of this thread. I thought we were discussing roads that don't have any welcome centers (or as Maine calls them, "visitor information centers") at all until well into the given state.
Maine also has a few more of these info centers at other locations that aren't near the state lines. There's one off I-295 exit 17 along US 1 in Yarmouth and another inside the Gardiner service plaza off the Maine Turnpike, to name a few.
Welcome centers are not just for state lines and the interstates. Many states list them on their official map publications and have them scattered throughout a state to aid visitors who travel around the state.
I am surprised that they do not put them in Airports as travelers are coming from out of state there. Then again when one arrives at a strange airport, the first thing you want to do is get your bag and leave and start enjoying your visit!
However, in Orlando we could have FDOT or the City of Orlando put one in the median of FL 436 at the north exit or along Airport Blvd heading out the south end install a Welcome Center. Maybe it would help travelers as they could get info on lodging and other services and find ideas to do to make the best of their visit. Also to maybe get the idiots who hate toll roads to not get on 528 or 417 and bitch at the toll collectors for extorting money from them due to the fact the whole world no longer researches their travel plans anymore before they go, and just listens to the GPSEs as they follow suit!
I remember the Portland International Airport having an Oregon welcome center inside when I traveled there and thought that it was always a good idea for other airports to have something similar.
As for this topic, I know that the I-65 welcome centers for both Indiana and Kentucky are both roughly 20 miles from the border on either side. Of course that is because the Louisville area making things very congested at the border crossing.
Likewise in Ohio, the I-75 welcome centers on both sides of the state are roughly 30 miles from the borders due to I-75 passing through Toledo and Cincinnati at their borders. I-71's welcome center is more than 30 miles into the state as well. That all said, I'm now not sure if the presence of a metropolitan area at the border makes this as unique as a situation like I-70 in Colorado and Utah, where the welcome center could be at the state line but they choose to have it elsewhere.
Quote from: Brandon on May 29, 2016, 11:03:29 AM
Michigan has the following not near a state border:
Clare (US-127 & US-10)
Marquette (US-41 & M-28)
Mackinaw City (off I-75)
Saint Igance (I-75 northbound)
Plus, most recently, one in the Mexicantown area of downtown Detroit. It's only open weekdays. Never mind -- I suppose if you really want to get picky and technical, Canada counts as a border. (*desperately trying to save some face* :-/)
Quote from: roadman65 on May 29, 2016, 08:37:14 PM
Welcome centers are not just for state lines and the interstates. Many states list them on their official map publications and have them scattered throughout a state to aid visitors who travel around the state.
Exactly. The Michigan ones are all in tourism regions (you can debate that about the Detroit one). The Clare welcome center is ideal as it is located in the center of the state and, sitting in the median of US-127/US-10, serves traffic in four directions (five, if you count the nearby M-115 running diagonally to the Traverse City area).
Quote from: roadman65 on May 29, 2016, 08:37:14 PM
Welcome centers are not just for state lines and the interstates. Many states list them on their official map publications and have them scattered throughout a state to aid visitors who travel around the state.
I am surprised that they do not put them in Airports as travelers are coming from out of state there. Then again when one arrives at a strange airport, the first thing you want to do is get your bag and leave and start enjoying your visit!
....
Your comment prompts me to remember the extremely logical Nova Scotia welcome centre in Yarmouth, which is in far southwestern Nova Scotia well away from the New Brunswick line but is the location of the ferry terminal connecting to Maine. The welcome centre is directly across the street from the ferry terminal. I don't recall whether there was anything similar in Portland, but then, we wound up at the end of the line for Customs and we just wanted to get to our motel and couldn't have cared less about looking for a welcome center. I see Google Maps shows a city-run welcome center down the street, though.
The I-65 SB in Kentucky is at MM 114 that's 23 miles south of the state line.
Quote from: wanderer2575 on May 30, 2016, 12:52:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 29, 2016, 11:03:29 AM
Michigan has the following not near a state border:
Clare (US-127 & US-10)
Marquette (US-41 & M-28)
Mackinaw City (off I-75)
Saint Igance (I-75 northbound)
Plus, most recently, one in the Mexicantown area of downtown Detroit. It's only open weekdays.
Mexicantown's not all that far from the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, thus it is near a state (and national for that matter) border.
Quote from: Brandon on May 30, 2016, 04:14:11 PM
Mexicantown's not all that far from the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, thus it is near a state (and national for that matter) border.
That one will be sandwiched between the Ambassador and Gordie Howe Bridges once the latter is built. Seems to me almost ideal in terms of location for a welcome centre.
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 30, 2016, 04:26:34 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 30, 2016, 04:14:11 PM
Mexicantown's not all that far from the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, thus it is near a state (and national for that matter) border.
That one will be sandwiched between the Ambassador and Gordie Howe Bridges once the latter is built. Seems to me almost ideal in terms of location for a welcome centre.
Isn't that center on Bagley? That's actually not a bad location in terms of placement from the Ambassador Bridge
Not truly state welcome centers - but service areas on NYS Thruway have (mostly seasonal) tourist information... rooms, I would call it - with local information, stuff present, etc. Can easily be 100 miles or more from state border.
Apparently they are taking advantage of existing service areas with lots of drivers stopping for meal, restroom or fuel anyway.
Quote from: Brandon on May 30, 2016, 04:14:11 PM
Quote from: wanderer2575 on May 30, 2016, 12:52:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 29, 2016, 11:03:29 AM
Michigan has the following not near a state border:
Clare (US-127 & US-10)
Marquette (US-41 & M-28)
Mackinaw City (off I-75)
Saint Igance (I-75 northbound)
Plus, most recently, one in the Mexicantown area of downtown Detroit. It's only open weekdays.
Mexicantown's not all that far from the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, thus it is near a state (and national for that matter) border.
*smacks head, edits post*
Connecticut has a welcome center, signed as such, about 70 miles away from the state line, on I-95 NB in Westbrook just past Exit 65. The first, official welcome center is at the Darien service plaza at around MM 10, much closer to the state line.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/2/1695/26616340226_6cd2c980e8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GxZGDG)95NB-Exit66-1mile (https://flic.kr/p/GxZGDG) by Jay Hogan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadyjay/), on Flickr
According to the NJ official site (http://www.visitnj.org/new-jersey-information-welcome-centers), thee only thing in NJ that has "welcome center" in its name is the "Ocean View Welcome Center". According to Street View, that location is the Ocean View Service Area (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1833298,-74.7224194,3a,75y,207.19h,92.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saw4V349M3yZyeFnFRWkixg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1). I'm not sure whether it says "welcome center" anywhere on the building since GSV is too blurry there. If that's correct, though, unless you came in by ferry (about 20 miles away), the nearest state crossing is over 65 miles away
Delaware really can't help having a welcome center near the state line - interestingly, its I-95 welcome center performs that duty for both northbound and southbound drivers, which is likely unique.
Quote from: dvferyance on May 30, 2016, 03:24:43 PM
The I-65 SB in Kentucky is at MM 114 that's 23 miles south of the state line.
Also, I-64's eastbound welcome center is near Simpsonville in Shelby County. And I-64's westbound welcome center is about 20 miles from the West Virginia state line.
I noticed over the weekend that the Sideling Hill building on I-68 is now signed as a Maryland welcome center, which seems unusual since I can't imagine a lot of traffic moves from I-70 eastbound to I-68 westbound.
I don't have time to do them all but I am just going to check out the midwest here. In Illinois the one at I-80 WB is at MM 118 that's about 45 miles west of the Indiana state line. The one at I-55 NB is at MM 28 as is the one at I-70 EB. In Iowa the one at I-80 WB is at MM 269 that's 37 miles west of the Illinois state line. This is a strange one because it's not the first rest area in the state there is another one before it at MM 299 which should be the welcome center it's only 7 miles from the state line. In Missouri there is on on I-70 EB at MM 57 I believe there was once one closer but Missouri has been closing rest areas like crazy. In Indiana there is one on I-74 WB at MM 152 about 22 miles from the Ohio state line. In Ohio there is one at I-75 SB at MM 178 about 33 miles south of the Michigan state line. That's all I could find in those states. Found nothing in Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan that fit the criteria of this discussion and HB and myself already discussed Kentucky.
Pennsylvania has only one
PA Turnpike: King of Prussia Service Plaza at MM 328.3 and is 31 miles from the NJ State Line.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 31, 2016, 01:33:45 PM
I noticed over the weekend that the Sideling Hill building on I-68 is now signed as a Maryland welcome center, which seems unusual since I can't imagine a lot of traffic moves from I-70 eastbound to I-68 westbound.
It could also be utilized (with a decent amount of miles already driven in MD) from I-81 S -> I-68, which probably does get a lot more traffic, at least compared to I-70 EB -> I-68.
Quote from: dvferyance on May 31, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
I don't have time to do them all but I am just going to check out the midwest here. In Illinois the one at I-80 WB is at MM 118 that's about 45 miles west of the Indiana state line.
That's a rest area, not a welcome center. The welcome center/travel information center is at milepost 1 (Lincoln Oasis) on the Tri-State Tollway (I-80/294), about 4 miles west of the Indiana state line.
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2016, 06:56:31 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on May 31, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
I don't have time to do them all but I am just going to check out the midwest here. In Illinois the one at I-80 WB is at MM 118 that's about 45 miles west of the Indiana state line.
That's a rest area, not a welcome center. The welcome center/travel information center is at milepost 1 (Lincoln Oasis) on the Tri-State Tollway (I-80/294), about 4 miles west of the Indiana state line.
I have never been to that one but I have been to other Oasis along the tollway like the Lake Forest Oasis. I haven't seen one that has any maps or travel information.
Quote from: dvferyance on June 01, 2016, 10:31:35 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2016, 06:56:31 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on May 31, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
I don't have time to do them all but I am just going to check out the midwest here. In Illinois the one at I-80 WB is at MM 118 that's about 45 miles west of the Indiana state line.
That's a rest area, not a welcome center. The welcome center/travel information center is at milepost 1 (Lincoln Oasis) on the Tri-State Tollway (I-80/294), about 4 miles west of the Indiana state line.
I have never been to that one but I have been to other Oasis along the tollway like the Lake Forest Oasis. I haven't seen one that has any maps or travel information.
The travel information area is on the north side of the Lincoln Oasis. There's a kiosk where you can pick up maps and brochures 24/7.
Quote from: Brandon on June 01, 2016, 01:09:07 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 01, 2016, 10:31:35 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2016, 06:56:31 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on May 31, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
I don't have time to do them all but I am just going to check out the midwest here. In Illinois the one at I-80 WB is at MM 118 that's about 45 miles west of the Indiana state line.
That's a rest area, not a welcome center. The welcome center/travel information center is at milepost 1 (Lincoln Oasis) on the Tri-State Tollway (I-80/294), about 4 miles west of the Indiana state line.
I have never been to that one but I have been to other Oasis along the tollway like the Lake Forest Oasis. I haven't seen one that has any maps or travel information.
The travel information area is on the north side of the Lincoln Oasis. There's a kiosk where you can pick up maps and brochures 24/7.
Ok I will have to check it out next time I am passing through there.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on May 31, 2016, 06:54:18 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on May 31, 2016, 01:33:45 PM
I noticed over the weekend that the Sideling Hill building on I-68 is now signed as a Maryland welcome center, which seems unusual since I can't imagine a lot of traffic moves from I-70 eastbound to I-68 westbound.
It could also be utilized (with a decent amount of miles already driven in MD) from I-81 S -> I-68, which probably does get a lot more traffic, at least compared to I-70 EB -> I-68.
According to the state's website, there are also Welcome Centers located between Hagerstown and Frederick on I-70.
So, they reopened the Sideling Hill buildings? Can you still walk (sort of) up the stairway along the rock cut on the Westbound side?
Quote from: sbeaver44 on June 01, 2016, 02:47:44 PM
So, they reopened the Sideling Hill buildings? Can you still walk (sort of) up the stairway along the rock cut on the Westbound side?
You could last September, when I stopped there, and walked across the pedestrian bridge, but didn't attempt the stairs because my knees don't like climbing staircases.
According to the Oregon official site (http://industry.traveloregon.com/industry-resources/destination-marketing-resources/oregon-welcome-center-locations-and-visitor-counts/)
All of ours are somewhat close to borders on main highways:
Seaside is 19 miles South of the OR-WA stateline on US 101, though I think it'd make somewhat more sense to be in Astoria.
Portland Int'l Airport is on the border with Washington, and with it being inside the airport, it is in the gateway to many travelers to Oregon's largest airport.
Oregon City is about 20 miles south of the OR-WA stateline on I-205. This welcome center is located near a significant museum, with a focus on the Oregon Trail.
The Brookings location is less than a half mile north of the OR-CA border on US101.
The Klamath Falls one (at Midland) is about 10 miles north of the OR-CA border on US 97.
The Lakeview location is about 15 miles north of the OR-CA border on US 395.
The Umatilla location is less than a mile from the OR-WA border on I-82.
The Ontario location is less than a mile from the OR-ID border on I-84.
The only remotely out of place ones would be Seaside and Oregon City
The Tennessee Welcome Visitor Center on I-26 is at Exit 46 (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0513554,-82.5135577,3a,16.7y,55.82h,88.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sN20CaypF2XVuPTnCG8oiaQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en), so quite a bit inside Tennessee form North Carolina (not sure on the mileage I wasn't paying attention when I went stopped there back in March):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww34%2Fslorydn1%2FMustang%2520Pics%2F20160312_160049_zpst97ebt21.jpg&hash=d55b9f2cd92186d3f5a8abe8f89e745f7ae57d6d)
There must be a gun range really close by, too. It sounded like WWIII had broken out off in the distance.
New York has a pair on I-87 75 miles south of the Quebec border between Exits 29 and 30. 1 in each direction. SB is often the site of a Customs checkpoint that causes a fatal accident each time it is open (slight exaggeration).
I was told today that the facility on southbound I-71/I-75 in northern Kentucky is no longer considered to be a welcome center, but just a rest area. I don't know if signage has been changed to reflect that or not.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 16, 2016, 08:42:15 PM
I was told today that the facility on southbound I-71/I-75 in northern Kentucky is no longer considered to be a welcome center, but just a rest area. I don't know if signage has been changed to reflect that or not.
Was just by there last month, and I believe the signage has been changed.
I found one in Wyoming a fairly good jog north of Cheyanne on the US 18/26 intersection. I thought it was strange that even on a US Highway that it would be that far from the southern or eastern border of the state.
Quote from: dvferyance on May 31, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
In Iowa the one at I-80 WB is at MM 269 that's 37 miles west of the Illinois state line. This is a strange one because it's not the first rest area in the state there is another one before it at MM 299 which should be the welcome center it's only 7 miles from the state line.
Yeah, that's only partly true. There's another welcome center just off of US-67 in LeClaire, I'm assuming that's why the Bettendorf rest area isn't considered a welcome center.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 16, 2016, 08:42:15 PM
I was told today that the facility on southbound I-71/I-75 in northern Kentucky is no longer considered to be a welcome center, but just a rest area. I don't know if signage has been changed to reflect that or not.
It has been marked as just a rest area for a few months--I believe since February. Demounted the Welcome Center off the sign.
I am not sure if the rest areas on I-75 and I-71 north of Cincinnati are considered Welcome Centers anymore. I know the one on I-71 is closed because of the bridge project over the Little Miami River but if they are still considered Welcome Centers, then the one on I-75 is 27 miles north of the KY/OH border and the one on I-71 is 34 miles north of the same border.
If the rest area on I-75 south of Bowling Green, OH (and US 6) is considered a Welcome Center, then this would be 33 miles south of the MI/OH border.
Quote from: amroad17 on July 03, 2016, 07:19:20 PM
I am not sure if the rest areas on I-75 and I-71 north of Cincinnati are considered Welcome Centers anymore. I know the one on I-71 is closed because of the bridge project over the Little Miami River but if they are still considered Welcome Centers, then the one on I-75 is 27 miles north of the KY/OH border and the one on I-71 is 34 miles north of the same border.
If the rest area on I-75 south of Bowling Green, OH (and US 6) is considered a Welcome Center, then this would be 33 miles south of the MI/OH border.
Last time I was through there, it was. Being as it is the first rest area, this is unsurprising.
Louisiana has 2. I-49 Welcome Center right smack in the middle of the state at exit 94. And the Atchafalaya Welcome Center where I-10 crosses the Atchafalaya River at exit 121 (Butte La Rose). Both are considered and labeled as Welcome Centers although they aren't a welcome center exit. They both are just off the exit accessible from the state highways.
Arkansas will have two in about a year around MM 75-ish on I-40.
Missouri has "Welcome Centers" around MM 110 on I-44, though technically they are "Route 66 Welcome Centers"
In TN, there is one on I-24 WB at Nickajack Lake/Tennessee River. It is several miles from the state line. It is for traffic coming off I-59, which intersects I-24 where it dips down into Georgia for a few miles
Quote from: Brandon on May 29, 2016, 11:03:29 AM
Illinois has the following not within 5-10 miles of a state border:
Peotone/Monee (I-57)
I-57 northbound (milepost 33)
The others on I-55, I-64, and I-70 are all near Saint Louis and are just at the edges of the metro area.
Are those actual welcome centers, ot just rest areas with maps? To me a welcome certer is staffed with state tourism officals (for lack of a better word,) huge walls of brochures, and more. I don't recall any of these types of things in Illinois.
When I was a kid on vacation, we always looked forward to visiting Florida because of the welcome centers. Staffed with knowledgable people, and FREE SAMPLES of orange juice. Those were welcome centers.
Quote from: inkyatari on July 07, 2016, 08:56:14 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 29, 2016, 11:03:29 AM
Illinois has the following not within 5-10 miles of a state border:
Peotone/Monee (I-57)
I-57 northbound (milepost 33)
The others on I-55, I-64, and I-70 are all near Saint Louis and are just at the edges of the metro area.
Are those actual welcome centers, ot just rest areas with maps? To me a welcome certer is staffed with state tourism officals (for lack of a better word,) huge walls of brochures, and more. I don't recall any of these types of things in Illinois.
When I was a kid on vacation, we always looked forward to visiting Florida because of the welcome centers. Staffed with knowledgable people, and FREE SAMPLES of orange juice. Those were welcome centers.
Thing is, such centers location are better defined by region/landmark, not by administrative subdivisions. And usually people are either passing by, or heading to a region. Very few travelers would take southbound highway instead of westbound because there is something cool south of their location.
NYC is located at the edge of the state (I don't know how to say that correctly, but you know what I mean). It makes perfect sense to have welcome center in NJ to provide information about NYC (and I don't know how things are actually done).
Opposite situation is with finger lakes, which is a tourist region in the center of NYS, good 100 driving miles from any border. It makes perfect sense to have a welcome center nearby - and there are actually staffed information centers on Thruway service areas.
Yes, there are different names - "state welcome", "tourist information" etc - idea is still the same.
I have seen a few dedicated buildings at state borders. Which makes sense as a first point of contact... But my personal impression is that these centers are pretty empty compared to nearby service plazas. I assume idea of dedicated welcome center is going to fade as more and more roads are tolled with on-highway service areas with lots of people.
Quote from: inkyatari on July 07, 2016, 08:56:14 AM
When I was a kid on vacation, we always looked forward to visiting Florida because of the welcome centers. Staffed with knowledgable people, and FREE SAMPLES of orange juice. Those were welcome centers.
I remember on a vacation in the summer of 1977, the SB I-71/I-75 Welcome Center in Northern KY was giving away free samples of "Kentucky Coca-Cola". Not sure what was so special about Kentucky Coke, but I did indulge in multiple samples!!!
Quote from: exit322 on June 29, 2016, 04:54:56 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 16, 2016, 08:42:15 PM
I was told today that the facility on southbound I-71/I-75 in northern Kentucky is no longer considered to be a welcome center, but just a rest area. I don't know if signage has been changed to reflect that or not.
Was just by there last month, and I believe the signage has been changed.
I was able to verify this last Friday.
Quote from: inkyatari on July 07, 2016, 08:56:14 AM
When I was a kid on vacation, we always looked forward to visiting Florida because of the welcome centers. Staffed with knowledgable people, and FREE SAMPLES of orange juice. Those were welcome centers.
I recall them having a car wash to get rid of the road salt too. (Although after a couple days at the beach, the car now had a sea-salt coating.)
I know from my recent trip to Canada that the Ontario information centre coming in from Windsor is a good 60 kilometers to the east on Highway 401 at a service center off the highway. I recall that there were two in Windsor just south of the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. According to the Ontario road map the one in Windsor appears to still be there.
Oklahoma has a welcome center in the northeast part of the city where I-35 meets I-44.
The rest area off of I-64 EB near mile marker 214 (13 miles east of I-295) has been inexplicably signed as a 'Welcome Center' for a few years, despite being nearly 70+ miles from a state border.
The Garden State Parkway used to have one in the Service Area in Cape May County. It was only seasonal along with the Service Area itself due to low demand in the winter time. Now it serves two purposes as it welcomes out of state people to the resort areas of Cape May County, as well as provides Delaware travelers exiting the Cape May Ferry a place to obtain information if their journey requires them to use The Parkway from the Ferry northward.
Now this facility was not exactly near the state border as it was over 25 miles away, the area it was in is just south of Exit 20 on The Parkway.
Quote from: roadman65 on July 10, 2016, 04:43:49 PM
The Garden State Parkway used to have one in the Service Area in Cape May County. It was only seasonal along with the Service Area itself due to low demand in the winter time. Now it serves two purposes as it welcomes out of state people to the resort areas of Cape May County, as well as provides Delaware travelers exiting the Cape May Ferry a place to obtain information if their journey requires them to use The Parkway from the Ferry northward.
Now this facility was not exactly near the state border as it was over 25 miles away, the area it was in is just south of Exit 20 on The Parkway.
The GSP does still have one at the north end of the Parkway. Stop there to get gas when driving through the area on the Thruway, as it's not too far out of the way and, since it's in the median, I can get there and back without paying an extra toll.
The I-95 Fredericksburg one is more a Fredericksburg information center, but I agree that it also works as a general Virginia welcome center. There is however a set of rest areas in between exits 152 and 156 in Prince William County, which has a weird setup with the HOV lanes.
It's simply hard for Maryland to have their welcome centers near state borders. There are ones along U.S. 301 and U.S. 13 right at the Virginia border. But on the interstates there's no choice but to have them further up the road. The Howard County welcome center on I-95 is a good example.
Quote from: epzik8 on July 30, 2016, 06:53:34 AM
The I-95 Fredericksburg one is more a Fredericksburg information center, but I agree that it also works as a general Virginia welcome center. There is however a set of rest areas in between exits 152 and 156 in Prince William County, which has a weird setup with the HOV lanes.
It's simply hard for Maryland to have their welcome centers near state borders. There are ones along U.S. 301 and U.S. 13 right at the Virginia border. But on the interstates there's no choice but to have them further up the road. The Howard County welcome center on I-95 is a good example.
There's another example, unless I'm missing one on I-83.
South Mountain welcome center at I-70, mile 39
Sideling Hill welcome center at I-68, mile 75 (though I think this was downgraded to a rest area)
There's one on I-95 NB in Connecticut a little south/west of I-395. By that point, you're almost to Rhode Island.
Quote from: cl94 on July 30, 2016, 05:18:25 PM
There's one on I-95 NB in Connecticut a little south/west of I-395. By that point, you're almost to Rhode Island.
I remember that one, but wasn't there another one near Bridgeport? My last trip through there was in 2010, but I might recall it being near CT 8.
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 30, 2016, 05:23:56 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 30, 2016, 05:18:25 PM
There's one on I-95 NB in Connecticut a little south/west of I-395. By that point, you're almost to Rhode Island.
I remember that one, but wasn't there another one near Bridgeport? My last trip through there was in 2010, but I might recall it being near CT 8.
The one you're thinking of is in Darien. It is a little more than 15 minutes to the southwest of Route 8. It is close to U.S. 7, though, another north-south expressway. :nod:
Might of been mentioned, but California literally has them all over the state. There is one in Ventura near the 101. However, I would imagine the placement is relative to nearby airports.
Quote from: Mapmikey on May 29, 2016, 11:50:50 AM
I-95 SB into Virginia has its Welcome Center at MM 131 in Fredericksburg, nearly 50 miles from 95's entry into Virginia...
The one NB at MM 108 is also a welcome center although there is also one near the North Carolina state line. The explanation for that could be I-95 is a high tourism corridor being between Richmond and DC.
One that just popped into mind is the Utah Welcome Center on I-70 near Thompson Springs, located 40-some miles west of the Colorado border, mainly because there is literally no civilization in those first dozens of miles westbound.
I don't feel like starting a new thread, it doesn't strictly qualify for the thread title but the I-35 welcome center in Duluth is on a road that isn't coming from another state. Are there other welcome centers not located on roads that enter/exit an adjoining state?
Quote from: Brian556 on July 06, 2016, 08:26:32 PM
In TN, there is one on I-24 WB at Nickajack Lake/Tennessee River. It is several miles from the state line. It is for traffic coming off I-59, which intersects I-24 where it dips down into Georgia for a few miles
Could also be used for I-24 traffic coming from I-75 that could have missed the I-75 rest area near the GA state line because getting in and out of that one when you need to keep left for I-24 isn't the best course of action.
Also in TN is a rest area that doubles as a full blown visitors center on I-40 near the Smith/Putnam County line.
All TN welcome centers were originally built and maintained by the TN Dept of Commerce and Tourism, with all other regular rest areas maintained by TDOT. A few years ago TDOT took over control of the welcome centers, and IMO maintenance seems to have taken a turn for the better because the rest rooms smell better!
US 65's north welcome center in Arkansas is south of the US 62 junction, about 15 miles south of Missouri
MoDOT closed the Route 66 Welcome Centers on I-44. The rest facilities are open, but the info centers are closed.
65's south welcome center is about 20 miles north of the Louisiana State Line.