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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM

Title: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM
This one is inspired by the NCAA tournament. Since lots of people are making brackets comparing various other things, I've come up with a bracket filled with 2di's. Here's how it works: You simply select the winner of each individual matchup, and then I'll compile a list of the votes, and whichever one gets more will advance to the next round. I've arranged each matchup by length, and according to the top seeds' length, in the Final Four, it would be East vs. Midwest, and South vs. West. For now, I've decided to leave off the H-series and future additions, such as I-87 in NC and I-69 south of Indy. This is the setup for my bracket:

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. Play-in winner
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. Play-in winner
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. Play-in winner
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. Play-in winner
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

First up is the play-in game. You now get to vote between these eight contenders:

EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
It's Front Royal-Washington against Annapolis-Baltimore.

SOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
Two intrastate interstates square off against each other.

MIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
US 41's freeway replacement faces off against the highway formerly known as IL 5.

WEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
The only interstate to be signed in metric goes up against one with Phoenix-Vegas aspirations.

I'll be back next week with the results and first-round matchups next week.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: ilpt4u on November 17, 2020, 01:16:42 PM
66 dumps the wanna-be 97 to face #1 95

12 beats 14 at the buzzer, and advances to meet its sibling-parent, 10

88W dunks on the cheesy 41 and meets another (partially) tolled route, 90

Up-and-comer 11 scores the upset over 19, making those at the sportsbook window excited! 11 advances to face the well-established 80, a route it hopes to meet someday in real life
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 17, 2020, 02:08:47 PM
EAST
66 vs. 97
the one I've been on

SOUTH
12 vs. 14
the one that should exist, in my opinion, although not necessarily with that number

MIDWEST
41 vs. 88W
the home team wins this one

WEST
19 vs. 11
the one I've clinched

On a completely irrelevant side note, I've always disliked these play-in games in the NCAA tournament. Keep the field to a power of 2.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Roadgeekteen on November 17, 2020, 02:29:08 PM
I-66 (I-97 is too damn short)

I-14 (because it's new and I-12 is just a glorified 3di)

I-88W (it's older)

I-19 (I like the unique metric signature)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on November 17, 2020, 02:40:27 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM

First up is the play-in game. You now get to vote between these eight contenders:

EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
It's Front Royal-Washington against Annapolis-Baltimore.

SOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
Two intrastate interstates square off against each other.

MIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
US 41's freeway replacement faces off against the highway formerly known as IL 5.

WEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
The only interstate to be signed in metric goes up against one with Phoenix-Vegas aspirations.

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: chays on November 17, 2020, 02:57:22 PM
66
14
41
11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on November 17, 2020, 03:02:29 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM
EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
It's Front Royal-Washington against Annapolis-Baltimore.

I-66 ties the Nation's Capital into most of the nation southwest of it.  Might be different if I-97 were extended to Norfolk and south.

QuoteSOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
Two intrastate interstates square off against each other.

I-12 is part of a major transcontinental route.  I-14 will most likely never get much longer than it is, and the number should be used on a Houston to Austin route.

QuoteMIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
US 41's freeway replacement faces off against the highway formerly known as IL 5.

I-88 used to be part of my daily commute, so it gets the nod. 

QuoteWEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
The only interstate to be signed in metric goes up against one with Phoenix-Vegas aspirations.

I might change my mind once I-11 is signed in Arizona, but, at Nogales,  I-19 connects with Mexico Federal Highway 15, which connects the USA to Hermosillo, Guadalajara, and Mexico City.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on November 17, 2020, 04:00:15 PM
66
12
41 :sombrero:
19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: bassoon1986 on November 17, 2020, 04:43:19 PM
66
12
41
19


iPhone
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: TheGrassGuy on November 17, 2020, 05:21:46 PM
66
14
41
11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on November 17, 2020, 05:57:25 PM
66
12
88W
West is a tough one.  I was leaning toward 11, but Konza's comment sold me on 19.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on November 17, 2020, 06:16:16 PM
East: 66

South: 12

Midwest: 88W

West: 19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 17, 2020, 06:52:26 PM
66
12
41
11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on November 17, 2020, 08:54:21 PM
Ooh I like this idea!

East: I-97 (unique because of its length. Besides, 66 seems that it has nothing special about it)

South: Gotta go with my boy 12 here, my only 2di clinch.

Midwest: I-41 here (what makes 88 special?)

West: Hard choice but 11. (I don't really think metric fits on American freeways)

I think I'll keep coming back to this thread over and over in the coming weeks. Great idea!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on November 17, 2020, 09:36:01 PM
East play-in: 66 becuase it sucks less
South play-in: They're both too short so by default I'll take the completed 12 over the infant 14
Midwest play-in: 41 because half of it is brand new and it has like five stack interchanges
West play-in: Similar situation to the South but I will actually take 11 here
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on November 17, 2020, 09:55:27 PM
This is the first time I've had to pick a winner for a play-in game...

East: I-97 (been on it)

South: 12 (straight and completed routing)

Midwest: I-88 (I-41/43 should be I-55/65 imo)

West: I-19 (because it will eventually reach King Angelo's standards)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: zzcarp on November 17, 2020, 10:34:30 PM
EAST
66

SOUTH
12

MIDWEST
41

WEST
11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on November 17, 2020, 10:58:12 PM
I-97
I-12
I-88
I-11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on November 18, 2020, 12:53:21 AM
I-66
I-12
I-41
I-19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: frankenroad on November 18, 2020, 12:30:22 PM
66
12
41
19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: DTComposer on November 18, 2020, 01:03:26 PM
I-66
I-12
I-41
I-11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: hbelkins on November 18, 2020, 02:57:40 PM
66, 12, 88, 19.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: formulanone on November 18, 2020, 05:52:59 PM
I-66 scenically beats I-97 handily, the junior college representative.

I-12 connects purposefully on both sides of the court against the upstart I-14, who was hobbled with delays in funding.

I-41 graduates from NCSA and wins over the NAIA I-88.

I-19 wins after I-11 had to seat two players for being US Routes, though a protest was lodged since the score was approximately 1.609 times higher than expected.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on November 18, 2020, 08:39:41 PM
Ooh, this would give me a headache if I had to compile the scores, but I like it!

Quote from: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM
EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
It's Front Royal-Washington against Annapolis-Baltimore.

SOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
Two intrastate interstates square off against each other.

MIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
US 41's freeway replacement faces off against the highway formerly known as IL 5.

WEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
The only interstate to be signed in metric goes up against one with Phoenix-Vegas aspirations.

I'm picking I-66, I-14, I-41, and I-11, mostly based on which route I find more interesting. West was definitely the toughest to pick. And not that anyone should be surprised, but I-88 and I-97 are going to need a big comeback at this point.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: ModernDayWarrior on November 19, 2020, 04:07:24 AM
EAST: I-66. Always thought 97 should have been a 3di.

SOUTH: I-12. 14 would take this one sometime in the future if/when it's ever extended, but not now.

MIDWEST: I-88W, I guess. Could have gone either way.

WEST: I-19. Same logic as the South matchup above, plus 19 gets a couple bonus points for the metric signage.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Max Rockatansky on November 19, 2020, 08:45:53 AM
East: I-66 for it's short length is a relatively important Interstate.  I-97 is...itself. 
South:  I-12 since it ought to be I-10. 
Midwest:  I-41 connects too much of Wisconsin to win out over rural Illinois.
West:  I-19 by far, I-11 barely exists. 
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on November 19, 2020, 10:51:21 AM
66
12
41
11
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on November 19, 2020, 02:53:09 PM
Already working on the next round, waiting on the play in's to wrap up. It'll be really interesting to see what's left in 2-3 rounds.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 20, 2020, 12:55:33 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 17, 2020, 12:35:59 PM
This one is inspired by the NCAA tournament. Since lots of people are making brackets comparing various other things, I've come up with a bracket filled with 2di's. Here's how it works: You simply select the winner of each individual matchup, and then I'll compile a list of the votes, and whichever one gets more will advance to the next round. I've arranged each matchup by length, and according to the top seeds' length, in the Final Four, it would be East vs. Midwest, and South vs. West.  This is the setup for my bracket:

(deleted main bracket, since its not up for vote, right now)

First up is the play-in game. You now get to vote between these eight contenders:

EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
It's Front Royal-Washington against Annapolis-Baltimore.

SOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
Two intrastate interstates square off against each other.

MIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
US 41's freeway replacement faces off against the highway formerly known as IL 5.

WEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
The only interstate to be signed in metric goes up against one with Phoenix-Vegas aspirations.

I'll be back next week with the results and first-round matchups next week.

I'll take 66 over the fake 97 in the east
I'll take 12 over the fraud 14 in the south
I'll hold my nose on 41 over 88W in the midwest
I'll take the metric 19 over the pretend 11 in the west.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on November 20, 2020, 08:18:46 PM
97
14
41
19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on November 20, 2020, 09:42:52 PM
Anyone have any ideas on potential Cinderellas? I think 17 and 26 have decent shots at being one.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on November 20, 2020, 10:37:01 PM
66 over 97 - 66 is a real interstate highway integral to the system, 97 is a regional route

12 beats 14 because 14 is a little stub while 12 is de facto express I-10

41 beats 88W - 41 serves a critical corridor while 88W is just a tollway that I-80 serves similarly well

19 over 11 because it... uhhhh... fully exists :)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Max Rockatansky on November 20, 2020, 10:46:21 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on November 20, 2020, 09:42:52 PM
Anyone have any ideas on potential Cinderellas? I think 17 and 26 have decent shots at being one.

17 is probably the most underrated Interstate in terms of scenery and importance. 
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: hbelkins on November 21, 2020, 07:39:35 PM
I couldn't in good conscience go with 41 over 88 because 41 should really be a 3di.  :pan:
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on November 21, 2020, 08:06:58 PM
66
14
88W
19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on November 21, 2020, 08:25:40 PM
66
12
88W
19
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: MaddogMicharski on November 22, 2020, 11:56:39 AM
EAST
66 (76 mi) vs. 97 (18 mi)
I'm under the belief that 97 has its number because it was supposed to be an auxiliary route but there were already too many triple digit 95's.

SOUTH
12 (87 mi) vs. 14 (25 mi)
The western terminus of 14 looks cool.

MIDWEST
41 (176 mi) vs. 88W (141 mi)
A classic match-up of Green Bay vs Chicago.

WEST
19 (63 mi/102 km) vs. 11 (23 mi)
11 has some really interesting designs for interchanges.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on November 24, 2020, 12:30:42 PM
One week later, here are the play-in results:

EAST: 66 vs. 97
This was easily a blowout, as 66 scores a 28-4 victory over 97.

SOUTH: 12 vs. 14
Although this one is not as bad as the East, 12 gets a 25-7 rout over 14.

MIDWEST: 41 vs. 88W
Not only is this the closest match of the four, but we also have the first upset of the tournament, as the new kid on the block, 41, ousters the more established 88W by a score of 19-13.

WEST: 19 vs. 11
It must be the metric, because 19 gets a 21-11 victory over 11.

Now that we got the play-ins out of the way, I can now unveil the complete bracket:

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
The Main Street of the East Coast goes up against the 2di it would've met in real life, had those DC freeway cancellations not occurred in 1977.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
A Harrisburg Special, with the north-south freeway link through Appalachia battling the one that can get you into Baltimore in 90 minutes or less.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
This Bedford Special has the Turnpike going up against the most misplaced 2di in the nation.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
Yet another special (this time from Morgantown), will it be Charleston-Pittsburgh-Erie or Morgantown-Cumberland-Hancock?

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
The original I-87 takes on a route it misses meeting by a few miles.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
The main link from CT to Canada meets one from eastern PA to NYC (with an urban Breezewood somewhere in Jersey City).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Although they miss meeting each other by less than 60 miles, the former Hartford-Providence route takes on one that connects Boston to Manchester and beyond.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
The rebooted eastern I-86 goes up against a vital link between Boston and Montreal.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
The southernmost transcontinental 2di takes on the one that connects to it at both ends.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
The 2di that connects Tampa and Atlanta to Cincinnati and Detroit faces off against the one that has a hard time getting out of NC.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
It's New Orleans-St. Louis-Chicago against Tampa-Orlando-Daytona Beach.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
The only east-west 2di to pass through Atlanta squares off against the one connecting Macon to Savannah.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
This Birmingham Special has one stopping short of Chicago against one stopping short of Memphis.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
In the Spartanburg Special, a relatively short but important I-x5 takes on the one that links Appalachia to Charleston.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
The future New Orleans-Kansas City 2di goes up against one that almost made it to St. Louis.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
US 11's companion in the Deep South takes on the shortest 2di to end in a 0.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
The nation's longest 2di and overall #1 seed takes on the upstart I-41.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
One of the most important parts of a New York-Los Angeles drive goes up against one that barely makes it from IL to MO.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
In this Milwaukee Special, the Minneapolis-Chicago-Detroit link takes on Beloit-Green Bay.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
The Midwest's most prominent north-south 2di faces off against the one that connects Detroit to Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
The 2di whose main claim to fame was subsuming the US 40 freeway in St. Louis goes up against the Normal-Rockford-Madison-Wausau link.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Will it be Route 66's successor between OKC and St. Louis or the 3C highway in OH?

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Another highway that loves the letter C takes on the OG I-69 from Indianapolis to Port Huron.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
The old-school Quad Cities-Peoria-Indianapolis-Cincinnati 2di takes on one with aspirations to connect Little Rock to Chicago.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
The second-longest 2di takes on its challenger that boasts a completely metric signing method.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
It's Barstow-Wilmington against the former I-15W.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
A well-established San Diego-Las Vegas-Salt Lake City-Pocatello-Great Falls-Canada route faces off against a small piece of the Port-to-Plains Corridor.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
The West Coast's Main Street squares off against the Corpus Christi-San Antonio connector.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
The Rockies' main 2di goes up against one that can be used as a shortcut between Salt Lake/Denver and Seattle.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Old I-80N draws former AZ 69/79 as its challenger.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The Kansas City-Dakotas route meets the former I-80S in the opening round.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Does San Diego-Yuma-Casa Grande or Galveston-Houston-Dallas take this matchup?

In one week, I'll compile the results and unveil the second-round matchups. Vote away!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on November 24, 2020, 12:41:00 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 24, 2020, 12:30:42 PM

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: ilpt4u on November 24, 2020, 12:54:06 PM
I think I will do a Region at a time. I'll start with the Midwest!

90 takes out 41. If ISTHA and IDOT would get onboard, I-90 and I-41 could actually meet IRL, someday

70 over 72. Tho some would argue that the "main"  LA/NYC route is more I-40/I-81, 72 just doesn't compete here

94. No interstate that goes to Green Bay will escape Round One!

35, even tho it has identity crises in MSP and DFW

Gonna give 39 a small upset, here. 64 gets dragged down, due to the routing squabble in IL and IN (Bias: had 64 followed the US50IL/US150IN corridor, I-24 from Marion to St Louis would probably have been built)

44 takes it in a close game, taking advantage of an injured 71, suffering from a vital bridge closure over the Ohio River

69. It is embarking on a long journey to growth and continued success!

57 wins the battle of Champaign-Urbana. While I-74 presently directly serves more population centers, I-57 is already on the Freeway link of Dallas<->Chicago, and it will become more direct when the extension is complete in MO&AR. I-74 has its own extension aspirations, but Ohio (so far) says "No!"
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on November 24, 2020, 01:28:03 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 24, 2020, 12:30:42 PM

EAST
95 (1,908 mi).

81 (855 mi) .

76E (435 mi)

79 (343 mi)

87 (334 mi)

91 (290 mi)

93 (190 mi)

89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs.

75 (1,786 mi)

55 (1,552 mi)

20 (1,539 mi)

65 (887 mi)

85 (666 mi)

24 (316 mi).

59 (445 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) .

70 (2,151 mi)

94 (1,585 mi)

35 (1,569 mi)

39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi)

69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) .

WEST
80 (2,900 mi)

40 (2,559 mi)

15 (1,434 mi)

5 (1,381 mi)

25 (1,063 mi)

84W (770 mi)

29 (751 mi)

8 (350 mi)

In one week, I'll compile the results and unveil the second-round matchups. Vote away!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on November 24, 2020, 02:32:31 PM
Okay, here are my picks:
East:
95
81
76
79
87
78
93
89

South:
10
75
55
20
65
85
24
59

North (n.b.: I refuse to use "Midwest" in order not to leave one cardinal direction out):
90 (sorry, 41, but being my favorite number doesn't mean I'll always pick you)
70
94
35
64
44
69
57 (pretty hard matchup)

West:
80
40
15
5
25
84
76
45

Yes, I know I've listed one number twice.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on November 24, 2020, 03:54:31 PM
EAST
95
81
76E
79
87
78
84E
89

SOUTH
10
75
55
20
65
85
24
59

MIDWEST
90
70
94
35
64
44
77
57

WEST
80
40
15
5
25
84W
76W
45
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on November 24, 2020, 04:07:03 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66  No difficult decisions.
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)  The Appalachian Backbone vs the Short Connection
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)  Bud Shuster
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)  Because I've clinched it
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)  Lasted longer without a duplicate
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)  Holland Tunnel was the most interesting part of my NY trip.
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)  Whatever
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)  The less pointless interstate wins

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12   The cross country route vs the de facto 3di of the cross country route.
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)  A route I know in 3 states like the back of my hand.
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)  You'll see them in the finals, you heard it here first.
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)  Jackson to Tuscaloosa is my most driven out of state interstate stretch
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)  All good memories start with I-65
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)  I-85 is not NS, I-26 is not EW. One is less inappropriate than the other.
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)  I've been on every mile of one, and zero miles of the other.
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)  First Interstate outside Indiana that I drove on. The other was An Impostor. 1 Impostor Remaining.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41  The interstate that should be a 2di
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)  Where I learned to not use cruise control on hills
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)  Is this seriously a competition?
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)  Michigan roads = garbage
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)  Country Roads, Take Me Home, to the Place, I Belong, WEST VIRGINIA
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)  The former should be I-64, and I've driven 1 mile on the latter
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)  Memphis, but also the first Interstate I drove. Closest to home
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)  Memphis, but also the longest I've driven in one sitting (5 hours)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19  The Borman is a nightmare
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)  Tennessee
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)  Everyone needs an illogical upset in their bracket
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)  Sometimes even two
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)  Because I've been to the land of Enchantment
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)  Why I-17 starts in the 190s is beyond me.
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)  Been on 29, family used to live off 29
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)  I-45 was An Impostor. 0 Impostors Remain
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 24, 2020, 11:14:15 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Max Rockatansky on November 24, 2020, 11:32:01 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
- I-95 by far.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
-  I-81 by far, I can see it being a dark horse down the line for an upset.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
-  I'm going to go with I-99 given it upsets so many people.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
-  I-79 is pretty hand if you're going to a pretty rural part of the east coast.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
-  I have too much sentimental attachment to I-88 to not pick it in this match up.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
-  I-91, it was one of the most common Interstates I dealt with in early life.

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
-  As much as a I don't want to go against I-84 given it passed by a town in I lived in I'm not picking against the scenery of I-93.  I-93 might make it into a couple upsets.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
I-86 might be important but I-89 doesn't have to duplicate it's number, hence I-89 is the pick.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
-  As much of a bore I-10 is it will probably be around deep into this.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
-  I-75 probably can compete with I-95 for most important north/south Interstate.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
-  Going to take I-4 given how important it is connecting so much of Florida and how much consistent traffic it carries.  I can see I-4 as capable of some upsets.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
-  Both suck, at least I-20 gets you across most of the country.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
-  I-65 has way too much utility to lose to I-22.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
-  I'll go against the grain and pick I-26.  I've used I-26 far more than I-85.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
-  I-49 has much more going for it in the long run.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
-  I'm not taking a pretended X0, I-59 for me.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
-  I-90, no contest.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
-  I-70 is going to get far on Glenwood Canyon and the San Rafael Swell.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
-  I-94 gives I-90 a run for it's money west of Chicago.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
-  Sentiment over logic, I'm taking the homer pick in I-96.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
-  I-64 might be another route capable of an upset.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
-  I-44 gets a lot of attention for US 66 nostalgia, but that corridor on I-71 is too critical for me not to pick.

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
I-69 even in it's original form was a huge international corridor, only stands to be more so.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
-  I-74 has more value for me.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
-  I think I-80 can be sniped by some contenders, it ain't I-19 though.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
I-40 has way too much going for it to lose to a duplicated Interstate.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
-  I-15 is going to get far possibly on scenic value.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
Then again I-5 is by far the "Main Street" (thanks US 99) out west.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
-  Too many vital links on I-25 to lose

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
-  I-80N isn't the Historic Columbia River Highway and I-17 does it's own thing regarding scenic value (and it's an important corridor too).

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
I-29, way too important to lose to a duplicate route.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
I-8 might be another upset special, I don't see it losing to a pretender X5.

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: corco on November 24, 2020, 11:44:54 PM
The fact is that there is only one true Interstate Highway. I only acknowledge

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
It's Barstow-Wilmington against the former I-15W.

None of the other numbers listed correspond to true Interstate Highways, and are just numbers on signs posted by the deep state to trick us into thinking there is such thing as an "Interstate Highway System" and so are not worthy of a vote. Should I-86 (W) not advance beyond this round, I will stop participating in this tournament and protest its outcome as illegitimate.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: zzcarp on November 25, 2020, 01:08:21 AM
EAST
95
81
76E
68
87
91
84E
86E

SOUTH
10
75
55
20
65
26
24
59

MIDWEST
90
70
94
35
64
71
77
74

WEST
80
40
15
5
25
84W
76W
8
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 25, 2020, 04:49:45 AM
I think that 32 is a few too many matchups to have to decide at once, so I will be doing 8 matchups over the next 4 days. So, let us begin:

EAST
95 vs. 66

81 vs. 83

76E vs. 99

79 vs. 68

87 vs. 88E

91 vs. 78

84E vs. 93

86E vs. 89


Not a lot of upsets this round so far.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JoePCool14 on November 25, 2020, 09:32:00 AM
Alright, here we go with my picks. If you disagree with my picks, you can see where I live and therefore why some of my picks end up being toss-ups or irrationally decided.

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi) - I-95 is just too much of a classic. I actually have been on both, but I-95 is too important to not vote for.
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi) - I haven't traveled either route, but I-81 would probably be more enjoyable because it traverses Appalachia.
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi) - Time to be a rebel! I just like that I-99 has a length of 99 miles. Also, it's out of place, and I can relate to that sometimes.
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi) - Picking I-68 for the sole fact that it traverses the Maryland panhandle. Don't believe I've been on either route.
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi) - Going with I-87 because I-88 (IL) already has a place in my heart. Also don't think I've travelled either of these.
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi) - Urban Breezewood going into NYC sounds like a fun time.
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi) - Did not enjoy my time almost dying in an airport bus from Logan in Boston, so by process of elimination...
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi) - I don't enjoy Boston, but I do like Montreal.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi) - I-10 is too iconic not to pick. I-12 could probably be a 3DI.
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi) - I know this is the South category, but I-75 is a heavy-hitter for those up north in Michigan.
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi) - Finally, an interstate near where I live! I-55 probably sucks more than I-4, but I-55 follows the former US-66.
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi) - I-16 is pretty boring, so here's hoping I-20 is better.
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi) - I-65 is too iconic for me to skip. Anytime we vacation to the east coast, the trip doesn't begin until we exit I-94 to I-65.
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi) - I-26 isn't the most interesting, but like I-65, I associate vacations with it.
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi) - I find it amusing that an Interstate route with such a low number actually originates in Illinois.
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi) - Piercing through the heart of the DFW metroplex is pretty cool.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi) - I-90 is another "vacation" route for me. Plus the drive from IL-53 to Rockford is a masterpiece since the rebuild.
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi) - I dislike Springfield and Urbana-Champaign. Therefore, I dislike I-72.
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi) - I-94 runs through my village, spawned Chicago's longest 2DI, and also reminds me of visiting family in Michigan. I'm fond of both... but the hometown hero wins.
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi) - Going with I-96 since I've actually used it. Plus I-35 is probably going to get lots of support, so I'll support the underdog.
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi) - I-64 in Kentucky from Louisville to Lexington is a pleasant drive. The short length I drive of I-39 is trash.
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi) - If I need a good laugh, I open up Street View and browse I-44 in Oklahoma.
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi) - I-69 in Michigan is just one bit Detroit bypass, change my mind.
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi) - The closest Interstate to my house that feels so far away.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km) - Freedom units bad. :spin:
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi) - I like how I-40 is a fairly straight line overall.
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi) - Long route wins here. Haven't been on either.
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi) - Too many shenanigans from the places on I-5's route. I-5 is probably going to win, so we'll go underdog again.
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi) - If I had more interest in either of these, I think I would want to drive I-25 before I-82.
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi) - I don't think I've quite clinched I-17, but I've come damn close.
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi) - I-29 looks way more interesting. Very cool it follows the state borders.
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi) - It's been many, many years since but I have at least been on I-45 down to Galveston.

Whew, that took a long time. But it was fun! I'm enjoying this.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: hbelkins on November 25, 2020, 02:06:47 PM
I'm old enough to remember when the four NCAA regions were East, Mideast, Midwest, and West.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: bassoon1986 on November 25, 2020, 02:52:43 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
95

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
81

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
Unpopular maybe, but I'm going with 99. Yes it's in the wrong place but it's cool to actually have a 99. And everyone on here seems to always bad talk road conditions on the turnpike.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
68. I've never driven these but now I want to drive 68 because of the scenery people talk about on the forum and the cool older parts in Cumberland.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
87. I love a long intrastate.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
78

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
93. I'd love to drive the big dig.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
89. Going with the beautiful section I drove in Vermont a while ago.


SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
I love my 12, but gotta go with I-10

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
75

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
4

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
20

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
22. I'm going with a newbie rather than an oldie

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
26

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
49. Always been a fan of Louisiana's evolving interstate.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
I love me some I-30

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
41

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
70

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
94

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
35

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
64

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
44

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355)
69

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
74

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
19

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
40

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
15

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
37

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
25

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
17

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
29

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
45


iPhone
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jt4 on November 25, 2020, 03:17:26 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

Mostly chalk in the east, gotta give the edge to upsets 78 and 93 due to more interesting locations.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

Only upset is 24 over 49 because you have to be a complete route to win.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

I don't believe in the imposter 74 in North Carolina, and there's no indication that 74 will be connected.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 25, 2020, 05:14:47 PM
And now, the

SOUTH
10 vs. 12

75 vs. 73

55 vs. 4
First big upset due to location and the I-4 Ultimate project

20 vs. 16

65 vs. 22
Another upset due to newness of the designation

85 vs. 26
85 is overrated. Also, I live off I-26.

49 vs. 24
A moderate upset due to 49's construction problems.

59 vs. 30
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on November 25, 2020, 08:07:51 PM
East:
I-95
I don't care about either of 81 or 83 but I'll take 81 because it's longer
I-76, no-brainer
I-68 I guess but I don't care
I-87
I-91 because it doesn't have a Breezewood
I-93 because of the stretch through Boston
I-89 because I don't know

South:
I-10
I-75 because I-73 is a joke and will never be anywhere close to completed
I-55 by default
I-20 because I've heard nothing but bad things about I-16
I-65 but it's really a toss up
I-85
I-24 because I-49 shouldn't even be a thing (it should be I-29)
I-59 I guess but I don't like either

Midwest:
I-90
I-70
I-94
I-35
I-39 because I know it's not going to get many votes and I have to show some love for the largely irrelevant third wheel of the triplex
I-71 because of the urban stretches
I-77 because I-69 sucks
I-74 because it actually has a little bit of an identity (seriously, is there any Interstate that is more generic than I-57?)

West:
I-80
I-40
I-15 (duh)
I-5
I-25 (duh)
This is a tough one but I have to go with I-84
I-76 I guess
I-45

It's kinda funny, by virute of being an active member on this forum I am automatically one of the most knowledgeable roadgeeks in the world (impressive, I know  :-D), yet I was barely aware of the existence of some Interstates like I-27, I-37, and I-82 before this thread.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on November 25, 2020, 10:56:02 PM
Here are my picks:

East: (take my reasoning with a grain of salt as I've never visited up there)
95 vs. 66
No contest.

81 vs. 83
81's a nice scenic alternative to 95.

76E vs. 99
First of my upsets. Mostly because it looks more interesting than 76.

79 vs. 68
Another upset. The section of 68 thru Cumberland looks cool, and 79's one of those interstates I tend to forget exists.

87 vs. 88E
The NYC parts look cool.

91 vs. 78
Dunno.

84E vs. 93
The only two-lane interstate out there gets the nod here.

86E vs. 89
86 is incomplete, which gives 89 the W.

South:
10 vs. 12
Although I love 12 (I used to live in BTR) I have more emotional attachment to 10 than any other interstate.

75 vs. 73
Simply because it's longer and has more scenic parts.

55 vs. 4
Because I've clinched 55 in Mississippi as a passenger.

20 vs. 16
Not as overall boring. (But both are snoozers)

65 vs. 22
The South's biggest upset. 65 is too busy and 22 is new and cool.

85 vs. 26
Another huge upset. 26 is scenic and is one of my Cinderella candidates.

49 vs. 24
Toss-up here but went with 24 for scenery.

59 vs. 30
The hills between Texarkana and Little Rock are nice.

Midwest:
90 vs. 41
No contest again.

70 vs. 72
Biggest blowout of the tournament right here?

94 vs. 43
43 is basically (to me) useless with I-41 (or is the opposite true?)

35 vs. 96
Also no contest.

64 vs. 39
More important route and more scenery.

44 vs. 71
Parallels Route 66 and has cool scenery.

77 vs. 69
Only upset of the Midwest round, but only because of it exists in Houston and will become a cross-country route.

74 vs. 57
The NC segment gives 74 the edge.

West:
80 vs. 19
Again, no contest.

40 vs. 86W
More scenic and longer.

15 vs. 27
Go Texas! Biggest upset right here.

5 vs. 37
Or how about this one? I know 27 and 37 won't win, but you've gotta pull for your home team.

25 vs. 82
Very close call here, but gotta go with 25.

84W vs. 17
84's another of those interstates I tend to forget exists. Also 17 is a cool dark horse candidate.

29 vs. 76W
Meh vs. meh, but gotta take 29.

8 vs. 45
I like 8, but I want to go with 45 here because GO TEXAS!


Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on November 25, 2020, 11:20:52 PM
EAST
95 beats 66 - I-95 is arguably the country's most iconic highway, so as fun as I-66 is, it doesn't make the cut.

81 over 83 - I-83 takes you between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and nobody has yet explained to me why I'd ever want to go to either.

99 over 76 - as great as the Pennsylvania Turnpike is, I'm from State College and so I can't really vote against I-99. Thanks, Bill Shuster - you did one thing (and only one) right!

79 over 68 - 79 gives us Pittsburgh-Erie while 68 is basically a spur of I-70 to Morgantown.

87 over 88 - is this even a question? Who would vote to have a famous toll road beaten out by a little fake 2di in the middle of rural Appalachia? Certainly not me.

78 over 91 - this one's close but (maybe it's because I'm seventeen) I'll take a busy freeway in the Tri-State Area any day over a scenic trip through the mountains.

93 over 84 - The tunnels through Boston are really cool, and for some reason I hate the jagged up-down route I-84 takes through New York. And the two-lane stretch through Franconia Notch is pretty cool, though I've never been on it.

89 over 86 - it connects two cities, I-86 really doesn't.

SOUTH
10 over 12 - without 10, 12 would be pointless. (Although, 12 should be a part of 10!)

75 over 73 - this one's a default because I-75 is major and also finished.

55 over 4 - my condolences to I-4, which would have beaten several of the other winners here.

20 over 16 - major cross-country route versus little Southeastern connector.

65 over 22 - major routes are usually gonna win, but I've never been on either.

26 over 85 - I have major objections to I-85 being a major north-south route and so the sooner it's gone, the better.

49 over 24 - 49 should just be 29, while I-24 is a solid road in its own right.

30 over 59 - 59 should be 81, while 30 is a critical connector.

MIDWEST
90 over 41 - sorry, I-41, but you're just not that important.

72 over 70 - I've never been on I-72 at all, but the non-Turnpike parts of I-70 in Pennsylvania (mostly my experience on 70) completely suck and so I'm going with 72.

94 over 43 - the real I-90 wins this one.

35 over 96 - hey, it leaves the state!

64 over 39 - it connects Richmond to Hampton Roads, what's not to like?

71 over 44 - 71 is a pretty critical connector, and I'm sorry, I-44, but if you dead-end randomly you don't get to win.

77 over 69 - can't say I love I-77 (with no experience on it) but I'm not quite sure what the point of I-69 is. Stretched beyond its limits, shall we say.

57 over 74 - can't get over the fact that I-74 in NC is a north-south route, and sadly that drags all of 74 down with it.

WEST
80 over 19 - easy.

40 over 86 - why is 86 even a 2di?

15 over 27 - I-27's dead end in Lubbock seals the deal.

5 over 37 - although it's a little dry and misses the Bay Area, I-5 is an iconic route that I-37 really isn't.

25 over 82 - only time I've been on either is 25 from Denver to Colorado Springs, and it was beautiful. 25 wins.

84 over 17 - pretty, according to GSV, but that's all I can comment.

76 over 29 - both worthy contenders, but 76 is a critical component of the major NYC-LA cross-country route. So 76 takes the cake.

45 over 8 - 45 just connects more important places than 8.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: M3100 on November 25, 2020, 11:59:54 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 24, 2020, 12:30:42 PM

Here are my choices, tilted towards routes I have traveled more (including the oddball 99)

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

In one week, I'll compile the results and unveil the second-round matchups. Vote away!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on November 26, 2020, 08:05:20 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on November 25, 2020, 10:56:02 PM
94 vs. 43
43 is basically (to me) useless with I-41 (or is the opposite true?)
Neither that nor the opposite is true. I-41 and I-43 both serve an important purpose.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 26, 2020, 11:00:40 PM
And now for the . . .
MIDWEST

90 vs. 41

70 vs. 72
My favorite to win the competition makes it past the first round.

94 vs. 43

35 vs. 96
I-35 is upset by having E and W suffixed routes.

64 vs. 39

44 vs. 71

77 vs. 69
A narrow win for I-77 due to the interestingness of watching I-69's construction.

74 vs. 57
The one I've cliched.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Caps81943 on November 27, 2020, 04:22:06 PM


EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
Easy win for one of the most important corridors in the country.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
Another easy win. 81 is a highly important interstate and very scenic for much of it.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
The Turnpike (an engineering marvel) vs. the stupidest interstate in America? Easy win for 76E.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
A very close one. 68 is very pretty and one I use often, while 79 is also pretty but I do not use often. That being said, by virtue of 79 connecting much larger areas, it gets the edge.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
Neither highway is particularly special, but 87 is slightly more scenic and I've used it more (1 time vs. 0)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
In my first upset, the far more important 78 takes out the moderately important 91. Both okay interstates to me, but I don't have much experience with either (been on 91 once years and years ago but that's it).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Easy upset for me. 93 is highly important and very very scenic up north. 84 is just meh.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
Beautiful and important 89 takes the upset over a partially completed interstate any day.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
10 easy. A very important transcontinental corridor vs. a glorified 3DI.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
For me, partially completed interstates never take win, especially if it's against a major national corridor. 75 easily advances.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
The terrible 4 is easily blown out by the incredibly important 55.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
This one's a snoozer between two pretty bad interstates. 16 gets docked major points for being intrastate (I-675 anyone), and 20 advances because it does connect some major markets (just an underwhelming x0 for me).

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
An easy one for me. 65 is pretty important and I travel it a lot from Indy north, so I am partial to it. 22, while decently important, is under development and I have no partiality to it.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
A surprise upset from me . While 26's number is questionable, I have been to cities on both ends (Asheville and Charleston) and adored my time there, and I have traveled on portions of 26 (including the scenic Asheville-81 portion).

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
24 is kinda meh, but I never like incomplete interstates like 49. 24 it is.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
59 is a good solid nonmajor interstate. 30 is a Bargain Basement major interstate. 59 it is.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
Ewww, 41. Even though it passes through areas near and dear to me, the road was perfectly fine with US 41 and the I shield seems like a showoff. It also cheats by ending at the first exit in Illinois. The ever-important I-90 (which I have traveled plenty) easily wins this matchup.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
I have traveled a huge chunk of 70 four times a year for most of my life. 70 holds a special place in my heart. Definitely not getting past a measly competitor in 72.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
This one's tough. I love 43 because it's the interstate that many of my family members live off of, but being intrastate, the very important 94 (perhaps the most important nonmajor), just edges it.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
Long interstate through multiple very major cities vs. an intrastate highway in  a state I don't even like? 35 easy.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
64 easy. Goes through my home state and its eastern portion brings back many good childhood memories. 39's that mostly is on a corridor where another interstate is not needed.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Another very important nonmajor solidly defeats an interstate that I am completely nonpartial to.

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Since you are using the original 69, it gets my vote because it is the interstate that much of my extended family lives off of (as you can see, my extended family is rather expansive).

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
Two routes that I am completely impartial to. 74 gets my vote simply for length (and isn't nearly intrastate like its opponent).

WEST (not a lot of experience out here)
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
Never been on 19, been on 80 a ton. 19 is intrastate, 80 is dodeca-interstate. 80, in all its importance, takes the easy win.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
The quintessential American interstate easily gets defeats a laughably small opponent.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
Never been on either, but 27 is a small intrastate while 15 is a major corridor. 15 easily.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
See above, except I've been on like 2 miles of 5. 5 easily.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
Beautiful 25 defeats north/south poser 82.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17(146 mi)
I've heard both interstates are absolutely gorgeous, and 84 gets bonus points for not being intrastate and connecting three major(ish) cities.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
Yet again, I've never been on either, but 76W seems to be kind of a weak interstate (despite being fairly important), and 29 at least connects multiple major cities in one route. I guess 29 gets it, though I'm pretty impartial to both.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
This is a toughie. Not a fan of 45's number (47 perhaps?) or its intrastate-ness, but it makes up a lot of ground in connecting two MASSIVE metro areas. I've never been on 8, while I've been on 45. Completely impartial to 8, but 45 has some connection to me, so I guess it gets the upset.


[/quote]
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 05:20:12 PM
95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: hotdogPi on November 27, 2020, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 05:20:12 PM
95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 07:48:39 PM
Quote from: 1 on November 27, 2020, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 05:20:12 PM
95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DSyCW4mnhrA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: hotdogPi on November 27, 2020, 07:53:21 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 07:48:39 PM
Quote from: 1 on November 27, 2020, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 05:20:12 PM
95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DSyCW4mnhrA/maxresdefault.jpg)

Did you try to actually decipher it?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on November 27, 2020, 09:11:04 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
99 shouldn't even exist.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
North Carolina sucks.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
Legally traveled from Charleston to Columbia in the eastbound lanes (Hurricane Dorian), which was kinda cool.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
I once got a flat after running over a nail in a work zone near Joplin.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
I-70 west of Denver is probably the most beautiful area I've seen in person.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
I've lived within a mile of I-35 for the majority of my life, and traveled more miles on it than any other interstate.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
I'm all for the 16-1 upset, and the metric signage does it for me.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Especially along the Columbia River, I-84 looks quite scenic.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The link between the first two metro areas I lived in, Omaha and KC.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Never been, but I-8 through SoCal looks like a great drive.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 09:35:21 PM
Quote from: 1 on November 27, 2020, 07:53:21 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 07:48:39 PM
Quote from: 1 on November 27, 2020, 05:34:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on November 27, 2020, 05:20:12 PM
95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DSyCW4mnhrA/maxresdefault.jpg)

Did you try to actually decipher it?

Well, I know there's a puzzle there of some kind, but I'm not entirely sure if it's a math-based puzzle or a substitution cipher, so I'm not entirely certain how to proceed.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 27, 2020, 09:38:15 PM
And now to conclude with the . . .

WEST
80 vs. 19
It’s the upset of upsets! It’s the road version of UMBC over Virginia! I-19 takes it by virtue of its metric quirkiness and lack of a long concurrency with another competitor in the tournament.

40 vs. 86W
My second favorite to win the tournament after I-70.

15 vs. 27

5 vs. 37

25 vs. 82

84W vs. 17

29 vs. 76W

8 vs. 45
The desert scenery and reverse median take I-8 over the intrastate I-45.

Only one upset in this bracket.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on November 27, 2020, 11:38:10 PM
East:  95, 81, 76E, 68, 88E, 78, 93, 89

South:  10, 75, 4, 20, 65, 85, 24, 59

Midwest:  90, 70, 94, 96, 64, 71, 77, 74

West:  80, 40, 15, 5, 25, 17, 29, 45
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on November 28, 2020, 02:01:24 AM
EAST
95 vs. 66
81 vs. 83
76 vs. 99
79vs. 68
87 vs. 88
91 vs. 78
84 vs. 93
86 vs. 89

SOUTH
10 vs. 12
75 vs. 73
55 vs. 4
20 vs. 16
65 vs. 22
85 vs. 26
49 vs. 24
59 vs. 30

MIDWEST
90 vs. 41
70 vs. 72
94 vs. 43
35 vs. 96
64 vs. 39
44 vs. 71
77 vs. 69
74 vs. 57

WEST
80 vs. 19
40 vs. 86
15 vs. 27
5 vs. 37
25 vs. 82
84 vs. 17
29 vs. 76
8 vs. 45
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on November 28, 2020, 05:41:38 PM
EAST
95
81
76E
79
87
91
93
89

SOUTH
10
75
55
20
65
85
49
30

MIDWEST
90
70
94
35
64
71
77
74

WEST
80
40
15
5
25
17
29
8
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: ftballfan on November 29, 2020, 10:02:56 AM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi) - Almost have I-66 clinched despite only being to the DC area twice
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi) - Been on I-81 (and have it clinched in WV!)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi) - Been on I-76E
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi) - Haven't been on either, but have gone past a terminus of both
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've crossed I-10
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi) - Been on a significant portion of I-75
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi) - I've been on more of I-4 than I-55
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've crossed I-20
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi) - Have a good chunk of I-65 clinched (the entire thing north of I-840)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi) - Been on I-85 (only when concurrent with I-75)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi) - Been on a good chunk of I-24
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've gone past I-59's northern terminus

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi) - Been on I-90
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi) - Been on I-70
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi) - Been on both, but have I-94 clinched from Gurnee to Mt. Clemens
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi) - Been on I-96 and have it clinched (or close to it)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi) - Been on a short section of I-64
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi) - Been on I-71
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi) - Have the original I-69 clinched from Indy to Flint
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi) - Only been on I-74 via its concurrency with I-465, but it counts

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km) - Even though the Borman sucks, I still have to take I-80
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi) - I've been on a small portion of I-40
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on November 29, 2020, 05:38:46 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)  Grand Daddy.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)  Scenic for long stretches.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi) Because it's weird.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi) No real reason.  Barely driven on either.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)  See above.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)  Scenery rules.

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)  See above.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)  See above.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)  One of the most important.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)  Let's be honest.  Does I-73 exist?

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)  I'd prefer not to have 132 miles of suburban sprawl.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)  I-16 is among the most anonymous 2dis.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)  A vote for the new guy!

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)  Charleston is awesome.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)  I like the area around the 'Noog.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)  Eh.  Slightly more important I feel.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)  Big daddy.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)  Easy choice.  Look where I live.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)  Actually scenic in places!

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)  My first 2di driven on.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)  Pretty through Virginia.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi) Ozarks y'all.

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)  My 15 year old self likes the joke.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)  Meh.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)  More interesting to be honest.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)  Says less for I-40 than it does for I-86.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)  Lots of pretty parts.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)  Less pretty than some East Coasters would think it is.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi) See above.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi) Columbia River Gorge.  The end.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)  Ick.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi) I like deserts.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on November 29, 2020, 06:07:23 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

Most of my choices being the first player in each pair is entirely coincidental.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on November 29, 2020, 06:14:04 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
The Main Street of the East Coast goes up against the 2di it would've met in real life, had those DC freeway cancellations not occurred in 1977.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
A Harrisburg Special, with the north-south freeway link through Appalachia battling the one that can get you into Baltimore in 90 minutes or less.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
This Bedford Special has the Turnpike going up against the most misplaced 2di in the nation.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
Yet another special (this time from Morgantown), will it be Charleston-Pittsburgh-Erie or Morgantown-Cumberland-Hancock?

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
The original I-87 takes on a route it misses meeting by a few miles.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
The main link from CT to Canada meets one from eastern PA to NYC (with an urban Breezewood somewhere in Jersey City).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Although they miss meeting each other by less than 60 miles, the former Hartford-Providence route takes on one that connects Boston to Manchester and beyond.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
The rebooted eastern I-86 goes up against a vital link between Boston and Montreal.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
The southernmost transcontinental 2di takes on the one that connects to it at both ends.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
The 2di that connects Tampa and Atlanta to Cincinnati and Detroit faces off against the one that has a hard time getting out of NC.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
It's New Orleans-St. Louis-Chicago against Tampa-Orlando-Daytona Beach.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
The only east-west 2di to pass through Atlanta squares off against the one connecting Macon to Savannah.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
This Birmingham Special has one stopping short of Chicago against one stopping short of Memphis.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
In the Spartanburg Special, a relatively short but important I-x5 takes on the one that links Appalachia to Charleston.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
The future New Orleans-Kansas City 2di goes up against one that almost made it to St. Louis.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
US 11's companion in the Deep South takes on the shortest 2di to end in a 0.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
The nation's longest 2di and overall #1 seed takes on the upstart I-41.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
One of the most important parts of a New York-Los Angeles drive goes up against one that barely makes it from IL to MO.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
In this Milwaukee Special, the Minneapolis-Chicago-Detroit link takes on Beloit-Green Bay.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
The Midwest's most prominent north-south 2di faces off against the one that connects Detroit to Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
The 2di whose main claim to fame was subsuming the US 40 freeway in St. Louis goes up against the Normal-Rockford-Madison-Wausau link.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Will it be Route 66's successor between OKC and St. Louis or the 3C highway in OH?

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Another highway that loves the letter C takes on the OG I-69 from Indianapolis to Port Huron.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
The old-school Quad Cities-Peoria-Indianapolis-Cincinnati 2di takes on one with aspirations to connect Little Rock to Chicago.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
The second-longest 2di takes on its challenger that boasts a completely metric signing method.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
It's Barstow-Wilmington against the former I-15W.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
A well-established San Diego-Las Vegas-Salt Lake City-Pocatello-Great Falls-Canada route faces off against a small piece of the Port-to-Plains Corridor.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
The West Coast's Main Street squares off against the Corpus Christi-San Antonio connector.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
The Rockies' main 2di goes up against one that can be used as a shortcut between Salt Lake/Denver and Seattle.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Old I-80N draws former AZ 69/79 as its challenger.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The Kansas City-Dakotas route meets the former I-80S in the opening round.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Does San Diego-Yuma-Casa Grande or Galveston-Houston-Dallas take this matchup?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on November 29, 2020, 06:32:01 PM
This is silly, but I'm bored so why not


EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on November 30, 2020, 01:47:52 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 24, 2020, 12:30:42 PM
EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
The Main Street of the East Coast goes up against the 2di it would've met in real life, had those DC freeway cancellations not occurred in 1977.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
A Harrisburg Special, with the north-south freeway link through Appalachia battling the one that can get you into Baltimore in 90 minutes or less.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
This Bedford Special has the Turnpike going up against the most misplaced 2di in the nation.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
Yet another special (this time from Morgantown), will it be Charleston-Pittsburgh-Erie or Morgantown-Cumberland-Hancock?

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
The original I-87 takes on a route it misses meeting by a few miles.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
The main link from CT to Canada meets one from eastern PA to NYC (with an urban Breezewood somewhere in Jersey City).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Although they miss meeting each other by less than 60 miles, the former Hartford-Providence route takes on one that connects Boston to Manchester and beyond.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
The rebooted eastern I-86 goes up against a vital link between Boston and Montreal.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
The southernmost transcontinental 2di takes on the one that connects to it at both ends.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
The 2di that connects Tampa and Atlanta to Cincinnati and Detroit faces off against the one that has a hard time getting out of NC.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
It's New Orleans-St. Louis-Chicago against Tampa-Orlando-Daytona Beach.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
The only east-west 2di to pass through Atlanta squares off against the one connecting Macon to Savannah.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
This Birmingham Special has one stopping short of Chicago against one stopping short of Memphis.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
In the Spartanburg Special, a relatively short but important I-x5 takes on the one that links Appalachia to Charleston.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
The future New Orleans-Kansas City 2di goes up against one that almost made it to St. Louis.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
US 11's companion in the Deep South takes on the shortest 2di to end in a 0.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
The nation's longest 2di and overall #1 seed takes on the upstart I-41.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
One of the most important parts of a New York-Los Angeles drive goes up against one that barely makes it from IL to MO.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
In this Milwaukee Special, the Minneapolis-Chicago-Detroit link takes on Beloit-Green Bay.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
The Midwest's most prominent north-south 2di faces off against the one that connects Detroit to Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
The 2di whose main claim to fame was subsuming the US 40 freeway in St. Louis goes up against the Normal-Rockford-Madison-Wausau link.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Will it be Route 66's successor between OKC and St. Louis or the 3C highway in OH?

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Another highway that loves the letter C takes on the OG I-69 from Indianapolis to Port Huron.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
The old-school Quad Cities-Peoria-Indianapolis-Cincinnati 2di takes on one with aspirations to connect Little Rock to Chicago.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
The second-longest 2di takes on its challenger that boasts a completely metric signing method.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
It's Barstow-Wilmington against the former I-15W.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
A well-established San Diego-Las Vegas-Salt Lake City-Pocatello-Great Falls-Canada route faces off against a small piece of the Port-to-Plains Corridor.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
The West Coast's Main Street squares off against the Corpus Christi-San Antonio connector.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
The Rockies' main 2di goes up against one that can be used as a shortcut between Salt Lake/Denver and Seattle.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Old I-80N draws former AZ 69/79 as its challenger.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The Kansas City-Dakotas route meets the former I-80S in the opening round.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Does San Diego-Yuma-Casa Grande or Galveston-Houston-Dallas take this matchup?

There you go, again mostly going with the route I find more interesting, although I did go with several underdogs, especially in the South, most notably I-4, I-16, I-22, and I-37.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: frankenroad on December 01, 2020, 02:22:44 PM
Hope I'm not too late....

EAST
95 > 66
81 > 83
76E > 99
79 > 68
87  > 88E
91 > 78
93 > 84E
89 > 86E

SOUTH
10 > 12
75 > 73
55 > 4
65 > 22
85 > 26
49 > 24
59 > 30

MIDWEST
90 > 41
70 > 72
94 > 43
35 > 96
64 > 39
44 > 71
77 > 69
74 > 57


WEST
80 > 19
40 >  86W
15 > 27
5 > 37
25 > 82
84W > 17
29 > 76W
8 > 45
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
The first round has now ended, and here are the results:

EAST
95 vs. 66
95 advances with a 27-1 victory over 66.

81 vs. 83
This one was no contest either, as 81 scores a 26-2 win over 83.

76E vs. 99
The eastern I-76 survives a somewhat challenging match with I-99, 20-8.

79 vs. 68
I-70's shunpike route gets a narrow 15-13 win over I-79.

87 vs. 88E
I-87 beats the eastern I-88 handily, 24-4, which means that neither iteration of 88 has survived.

91 vs. 78
78 wins the toughest battle of the East with a 15-13 win over 91.

84E vs. 93
By virtue of the Big Dig and Franconia Notch Parkway, I-93 takes this matchup, 20-8.

86E vs. 89
The Thruway's free alternative goes down hard against I-89, 22-6.

SOUTH
10 vs. 12
We have some shutouts to report, starting with 10's 28-0 score over 12.

75 vs. 73
Different contenders, same score, with 75 advancing.

55 vs. 4
It's 55 moving on with a 20-8 win over 4.

20 vs. 16
16 barely avoids the shutout, but still loses to 20, 26-1.

65 vs. 22
The Battle of Birmingham goes to 65, by a score of 21-7.

85 vs. 26
This was the closest match of the tournament at this point, and 26 pulls the mighty upset against 85, with a narrow 15-14 victory. (With the tiebreaker, I give it to I-26)

49 vs. 24
24 cruises to a 21-7 win over 49.

59 vs. 30
59 survives against 30 with a 18-10 win.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 41
90 rolls to a 28-1 win over 41.

70 vs. 72
70 obliterates 72 by the same score.

94 vs. 43
Another shutout to report, as 94 blanks 43, 29-0.

35 vs. 96
35 gets a comfortable 23-6 win over 96.

64 vs. 39
64 cranks out a 24-5 victory over 39.

44 vs. 71
In this hotly contested match, 44 ekes out a 18-11 win over 71.

77 vs. 69
69 advances, 17-12, over 77.

74 vs. 57
In a matchup of 2di's with extensions planned for them, 57 takes a close 16-13 match over 74.

WEST
80 vs. 19
80 eliminates the metric-minded 19 with a 21-7 victory.

40 vs. 86W
40 rolls to a 26-3 win over the western 86, and thus eliminating another set of twins altogether.

15 vs. 27
15 has no problem getting past 27, 26-2.

5 vs. 37
Score a 23-5 win for 5.

25 vs. 82
25 rides a mile high to a 27-1 rout of 82.

84W vs. 17
The western I-84 gets a 18-10 win over I-17, and avenges its eastern twin's loss.

29 vs. 76W
The western I-76 fails to join its eastern twin in the second round, falling, 20-8, to I-29.

8 vs. 45
The West's tightest contest goes to 8, with a 16-12 win over 45.

Now here are the second-round matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 89
It's a matchup of two routes that blew their chance at meeting up somewhere north of Boston.

68 vs. 87
Can the famous shunpike route score another upset against the New York-Montreal link?

81 vs. 93
Here, we have a matchup of scenic 2di's that have mountains serving as the main backdrop.

76E vs. 78
While these two don't actually meet with the latter stopping short of Harrisburg, they'll face each other in the second round.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
I-10 takes on the other 2di it meets in Slidell.

20 vs. 65
Birmingham Special 2.0, need I say more?

75 vs. 24
In the Battle of Chattanooga, the two routes that make up a nonstop trip from Atlanta to Nashville take on each other.

55 vs. 26
The 2di that has a gradual buildup from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling coast city of Charleston (and vice versa) tries to take down another I-x5.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
While they both get you to Chicago but haven't met there since the former switched routings with 94, this is our second-round meeting.

35 vs. 64
Will it be the one with a pair of E/W splits or the one with a wrong-way ending in Tidewater?

70 vs. 69
While they won't actually meet each other for a few more years, these two Indianapolis 2di's battle it out here.

94 vs. 44
Who will reign supreme in this matchup of I-x4's?

WEST
80 vs. 8
The mighty 80 takes on a route that's exactly a tenth of its number.

5 vs. 25
West Coast or Rocky Mountains?

40 vs. 29
While I-49 prevented these two from meeting each other, we have this matchup to make up for that.

15 vs. 84W
In the Utah Special, 15 goes up against the western 84.

Results will be posted next week.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 01, 2020, 02:44:53 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
(With the tiebreaker, I give it to I-26)

What is the tiebreaker here?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on December 01, 2020, 03:00:09 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
Now here are the second-round matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 89

68 vs. 87

81 vs. 93

76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59

20 vs. 65

75 vs. 24

55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57

35 vs. 64

70 vs. 69

94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8

5 vs. 25

40 vs. 29

15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: clong on December 01, 2020, 03:47:04 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
Not even a thought for me - I'll take 95.

68 vs. 87
Went with 87 goes near West Point.

81 vs. 93
More useful connector.

76E vs. 78
Not sure why.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
Much more important corridor and less pine trees.

20 vs. 65
In the town where they meet, 65 is king.

75 vs. 24
Even though I don't love it's "get to a city and turn" routing in TN.

55 vs. 26
River over Mountains.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
Maybe 57 will grow up one day and be a big-boy interstate.

35 vs. 64
So grand they had to split it twice.

70 vs. 69
For now anyway.

94 vs. 44
44 SW ending isn't fantastic.

WEST
80 vs. 8
No contest.

5 vs. 25
Again.

40 vs. 29
Cross country prevails.

15 vs. 84W
Vegas, baby!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 01, 2020, 04:50:17 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89

68 vs. 87

81 vs. 93

76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59

20 vs. 65

75 vs. 24

55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57

35 vs. 64

70 vs. 69

94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8

5 vs. 25

40 vs. 29

15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on December 01, 2020, 05:22:06 PM
Here are my picks. I don't pick any Interstate that got over my first round picks.
East:
95
87
81
76

South:
10
20 (hard matchup)
75
55

North:
90
35
70
94

West:
80
5
40
15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on December 01, 2020, 05:28:10 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: corco on December 01, 2020, 05:33:46 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
The first round has now ended, and here are the results:


I hereby protest the outcome of this tournament due to the dozens of ineligible fake interstate highways that were included. I-86 (W) is the only possible winner of this tournament.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on December 01, 2020, 05:41:34 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on December 01, 2020, 05:45:33 PM
EAST
95

87

93

76E

SOUTH
10

65

75

55

MIDWEST
90

35

70

94?

WEST
80

5

40

15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 01, 2020, 06:19:00 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
Main street East Coast U.S.A.

68 vs. 87
One for the little guy.

81 vs. 93
Higher percentage of 93's mileage is pretty.

76E vs. 78
Ick.  I guess cheering for the Holland Tunnel?

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
Longest bridge in the U.S.

20 vs. 65
No real reason.  I like Mobile.

75 vs. 24
Alligator Alley > Lookout Mountain

55 vs. 26
Scenery rules.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
The western portion of 90 gives it the win.

35 vs. 64
Lived in Minneapolis and Kansas City.  Gets my vote by default.

70 vs. 69
Colorado.  Utah.

94 vs. 44
Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

WEST
80 vs. 8
80 is very boring for most of its journey.

5 vs. 25
5 is the ugliest highway in California.

40 vs. 29
Asheville is nice.

15 vs. 84W
Columbia. River. Gorge.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on December 01, 2020, 07:05:43 PM
EAST
95
87
81
76

SOUTH
10
65
75
26

MIDWEST
90
35
70
94

WEST
80
5
40
15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on December 01, 2020, 07:51:56 PM
95 68 81 76E
10 20 24 55
57 35 70 44
80 25 40 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: M3100 on December 01, 2020, 08:00:29 PM
M3200 choices
{shamelessly stole format from another poster & changed some votes to my selections}:

EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on December 01, 2020, 10:44:23 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on December 01, 2020, 11:20:41 PM
EAST
95
68
81
76E

SOUTH
10
20
75
26

MIDWEST
90
64
70
94

WEST
80
5
40
15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Max Rockatansky on December 01, 2020, 11:34:34 PM

EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on December 01, 2020, 11:44:55 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM

Now here are the second-round matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 89
It's a matchup of two routes that blew their chance at meeting up somewhere north of Boston.

68 vs. 87
Can the famous shunpike route score another upset against the New York-Montreal link?

81 vs. 93
Here, we have a matchup of scenic 2di's that have mountains serving as the main backdrop.

You have to like i-81's function in the greater grid.

Quote76E vs. 78
While these two don't actually meet with the latter stopping short of Harrisburg, they'll face each other in the second round.

I-78 serves a vital purpose connecting NYC to the southwest, but the edge goes to the route that was vital enough that it predated the Interstate system by over fifteen years.

QuoteSOUTH
10 vs. 59
I-10 takes on the other 2di it meets in Slidell.

20 vs. 65
Birmingham Special 2.0, need I say more?

Chicago-Indianapolis-Louisville-Nashville beats out anywhere I-20 goes.

Quote75 vs. 24
In the Battle of Chattanooga, the two routes that make up a nonstop trip from Atlanta to Nashville take on each other.

55 vs. 26
The 2di that has a gradual buildup from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling coast city of Charleston (and vice versa) tries to take down another I-x5.

Ridin' on the City of New Orleans...

QuoteMIDWEST
90 vs. 57
While they both get you to Chicago but haven't met there since the former switched routings with 94, this is our second-round meeting.

35 vs. 64
Will it be the one with a pair of E/W splits or the one with a wrong-way ending in Tidewater?

Gotta go with the almost border to border north south route here.

Quote70 vs. 69
While they won't actually meet each other for a few more years, these two Indianapolis 2di's battle it out here.

Even if extended all the way to the Rio Grande Valley, I-69 will only pass through one city with a major league baseball team, while I-70 connects Baltimore (with a spur into Washington, DC), St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver.

Quote94 vs. 44
Who will reign supreme in this matchup of I-x4's?

I-94 is longer and connects more and larger metropolitan areas.

QuoteWEST
80 vs. 8
The mighty 80 takes on a route that's exactly a tenth of its number.

5 vs. 25
West Coast or Rocky Mountains?

I-5 goes border to border and simply connects larger cities, while I-25 doesn't even make it into Montana.

Quote40 vs. 29
While I-49 prevented these two from meeting each other, we have this matchup to make up for that.

15 vs. 84W
In the Utah Special, 15 goes up against the western 84.

If I-15 did not extend north of of Salt Lake City, it would still beat the western I-84.

QuoteResults will be posted next week.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 02, 2020, 08:30:09 AM
East:
I-95: because I-89 doesn't enter any large metropolitan areas
I-68: Toss up but I'll go with I-68 because it seems scenic and I would have driven it this spring if China virus didn't happen
I-93: Another close one, I'll take I-93
I-76: bc no Breezewood (well, to an extent)

South:
I-10
I-20 because Atlanta skyline > Nashville skyline
I-24 because of Monteagle
I-26 because of the mountains (interesting that I did not vote for I-26 against I-85 in the first round, yet here I am)

Midwest:
I-90 (duh)
I-35: Really good matchup of similar Interstates here. I'll give I-35 the narrow edge because it can claim both the Minneapolis and St. Paul stretches as its own, giving it more impressive urban stretches than I-64.
I-70 (duh)
I-94 because it is one of my all time favorite highways (see profile pic), and Chicago + Milwaukee + MSP trumps St. Louis and the Oklahoma cities any day of the week

West:
I-80 because that's just how it is, and you gotta respect its possession of the nation's farthest control city not signed by IDOT
I-5: I thought about taking one of the only Western Interstates that I've actually driven but then I actually thought for a second and decided on I-5
I-40: They're both a little bland but I'll take I-40 because it's more scenic
I-84: Maybe unpopular but give me I-84, so much scenery packed into its relatively short length

Good to see that we got almost all of the incomplete/short/boring Interstates out of the way in round 1.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 02, 2020, 10:28:35 AM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 01, 2020, 02:44:53 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
(With the tiebreaker, I give it to I-26)

What is the tiebreaker here?
The final tally was actually a 14-14 tie in the case of I-26 vs. I-85, and so I had to cast the deciding vote (which I will do in the event a tie is recorded in any matchup in the tournament). I'll admit I was going to vote for I-85 based on the fact that it goes through many major metropolitan areas in the Southeast, but then read the comments of I-26's scenic nature, and that's what convinced me to give it the win instead.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on December 02, 2020, 11:22:55 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 01, 2020, 02:33:45 PM
EAST
95 vs. 89
It's a matchup of two routes that blew their chance at meeting up somewhere north of Boston.
68 vs. 87
Can the famous shunpike route score another upset against the New York-Montreal link?
81 vs. 93
Here, we have a matchup of scenic 2di's that have mountains serving as the main backdrop.
76E vs. 78
While these two don't actually meet with the latter stopping short of Harrisburg, they'll face each other in the second round.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
I-10 takes on the other 2di it meets in Slidell.
20 vs. 65
Birmingham Special 2.0, need I say more?
75 vs. 24
In the Battle of Chattanooga, the two routes that make up a nonstop trip from Atlanta to Nashville take on each other.
55 vs. 26
The 2di that has a gradual buildup from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sparkling coast city of Charleston (and vice versa) tries to take down another I-x5.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
While they both get you to Chicago but haven't met there since the former switched routings with 94, this is our second-round meeting.
35 vs. 64
Will it be the one with a pair of E/W splits or the one with a wrong-way ending in Tidewater?
70 vs. 69
While they won't actually meet each other for a few more years, these two Indianapolis 2di's battle it out here.
94 vs. 44
Who will reign supreme in this matchup of I-x4's?

WEST
80 vs. 8
The mighty 80 takes on a route that's exactly a tenth of its number.
5 vs. 25
West Coast or Rocky Mountains?
40 vs. 29
While I-49 prevented these two from meeting each other, we have this matchup to make up for that.
15 vs. 84W
In the Utah Special, 15 goes up against the western 84.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 02, 2020, 11:41:48 AM
EAST
95 vs. 89     Relevance

68 vs. 87     I learned many good lessons on this route

81 vs. 93     Widen to 6 lanes in VA, until then I-81 isn't good enough

76E vs. 78    Keep the extension dreams alive!

SOUTH
10 vs. 59     As I've said before this is one of my most driven routes

20 vs. 65     My gateway to the South

75 vs. 24     For my college application essay

55 vs. 26     Need I say more?

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57     Also responsible for me driving on I-64

35 vs. 64    Country Roads

70 vs. 69    It's only getting better

94 vs. 44     Continuing my bigotry toward I-44 not being I-64

WEST
80 vs. 8      Iowa may not be the most scenic but I've at least been there

5 vs. 25      Reasons

40 vs. 29     Don't mess with I-40. Even where it ain't in Texas.   

15 vs. 84W The other one killed I-40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 02, 2020, 10:20:22 PM
NORTH
95 over 89 - I know Interstate 95. Interstate 95 is a friend of mine. I-89, you're no I-95.
87 over 68 - Thruway versus a little I-70 spur? No question.
81 over 93 - 81 may be boring at times but it's the backbone of Appalachia.
76 over 78 - Home could be the Pennsylvania Turnpike...

SOUTH
10 over 59 - major cross-country route wins almost any day.
65 over 20 - very close, but ultimately 65 just goes to places I'd rather go to...
75 over 24 - when I see 75mph posted on 24 I may reconsider.
55 over 26 - not sure what the controversy will be here...

MIDWEST
90 over 57 - Aside from being numbered wrong in half the country, 90 gets the nod.
35 over 64 - one is a cohesive highway, one is not. Get rid of the 35W/E splits and it's a bigger win.
69 over 70 - 69 doesn't need to exist but I'm voting against 70 on principle because it sucks in Pennsylvania. Sorry...
94 over 44 - 94 should be I-90!

WEST
80 over 8 - I don't even think I-8 should be in the second round.
5 over 25 - Dream of Californiacation!
40 over 29 - I-40 should go to Virginia Beach but it's still a fantastic highway.   
15 over 84 - I-84 is what happens when I-15 gets lost and wanders west.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 02, 2020, 10:21:10 PM
Quote from: I-55 on December 02, 2020, 11:41:48 AM
75 vs. 24     For my college application essay
I'm gonna jump in and assume there's a story here?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 02, 2020, 10:58:51 PM
Quote from: Ketchup99 on December 02, 2020, 10:21:10 PM
Quote from: I-55 on December 02, 2020, 11:41:48 AM
75 vs. 24     For my college application essay
I'm gonna jump in and assume there's a story here?

I've explained it in another thread but for those who didn't see it, my college admissions essay was on relieving I-24 congestion in Chattanooga. The solution I came up with was to build a new freeway in Georgia that connected to I-59 on the west end, roughly followed the routing of GA-2, and ended at I-75.

Also I've clinched I-24 as a passenger, but only drove on the portions where it's concurrent with I-69
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on December 02, 2020, 11:12:36 PM
EAST:  95, 68, 81, 76E
SOUTH:  10, 65, 75, 26
MIDWEST:  90, 64, 70, 94
WEST: 80, 5, 40, 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on December 03, 2020, 04:54:35 PM
East:
95 vs. 89
95's too important.

68 vs. 87
Again, the Cumberland parts look interesting.

81 vs. 93
I'll take the upset here and go for the scenic looks of 93.

76E vs. 78
Not really that close.

South:
10 vs. 59
10 all the way.

20 vs. 65
Very close, but I'll give 20 the nod.

75 vs. 24
Longer and goes more interesting places.

55 vs. 26
Although I've ridden all of 55 in Mississippi, 26 still looks more scenic and fun.

Midwest:
90 vs. 57
90's been getting all the cupcakes.

35 vs. 64
I've actually driven on 35, plus I'd argue 35 is one of the most important interstates in the nation. Easy win.

70 vs. 69
Can't overlook that Rocky Mountain section on 70. That alone gives it the nod.

94 vs. 44
Very tough choice, but 44 has the history to compete.

West:
80 vs. 8
8 is interesting for a large portion of its routing. 80's got more boring sections. Big upset.

5 vs. 25
The mountains of 25 give it the win.

40 vs. 29
Easy win, even though 40's not the most scenic interstate.

15 vs. 84W
Hardest-to pick of the West, but still a clean victory.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 03, 2020, 05:57:21 PM
Like last time, I will limit my choices to eight per day. So, let's begin:

EAST
95 vs. 89

68 vs. 87

81 vs. 93
Probably the hardest decision I've had to make so far, but the more local road to me takes it.

76E vs. 78
I-78 is too far off standards at its eastern terminus to win.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59

20 vs. 65

75 vs. 24
I-75 has pretty much has everything I-24 has and more.

55 vs. 26
I-26 pulls off another upset due to its scenicness.

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: DTComposer on December 03, 2020, 06:49:31 PM
EAST
95
81
76E
79
87
91
93
89

SOUTH
10
75
55
20
65
85
49
30

MIDWEST
90
70
94
35
64
44
77
74

WEST
80
40
15
5
25
84
29
45
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on December 03, 2020, 08:32:42 PM

EAST
95 vs. 89
Underdog pick. Helps that I've been on 89.

68 vs. 87
I'll take the Quebecois Special.

81 vs. 93
The Notch.

76 vs. 78
Holland Tunnel approach.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
Nearly non-stop drive from NOLA to LACA in 36 hours.

20 vs. 65
The short portion of 20 I drove was pretty. Haven't been on 65.

75 vs. 24
Mackinac Bridge.

55 vs. 26
Eh.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
Badlands; the drive down from Montana to Spokane.

35 vs. 64
Better question is: 35W vs. 35E

70 vs. 69
Top of the Interstate System!

94 vs. 44
Ok, I liked the ND portion of 94. And the MSP portion is dynamic.

WEST
80 vs. 8
Nod to the Bay Bridge, wrong way overlap with 580, Biz 80, the Salt Flats, and missing NYC by a hair.

5 vs. 25
The Grapevine, and Redding-Portland define I-5 for me.

40 vs. 29
"Get your kicks/
On Route/
Six-Six"

15 vs. 84
COLUMBIA. RIVER. GORGE.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: adwerkema on December 04, 2020, 10:21:17 AM
EAST
95 over 89 - 95 connects much more of the country
87 over 68 - Shunpike is nice, but connection between NYC and Montreal is more important
81 over 93 - 93 has some nice sights (Big Dig, Franconia Notch), but 81 is the backbone of the Appalachians
76 over 78 - 76 is the gateway between Washington/Baltimore/Philly and the Great Lakes. 78 sort of vomits into NYC

SOUTH
10 over 59 - 10 connects much more of the country
65 over 20 - Both are arguably of the same importance, but the consensus seems that 20 is more boring
75 over 24 - Everyone in Michigan knows 75 goes to Florida, highlighting its importance
55 over 26 - I disagree with 26 winning over 85, so I'm definitely going to pick 55

MIDWEST
90 over 57 - Longest interstate vs Chicago shortcut? These are two different leagues
35 over 64 - 64 leans on the help of 75/77/81 to cross the Appalachians. 35 is the most well known N/S road in the Plains
70 over 69 - Until 69 can get its act together, I'm not rooting for it. Plus 70 through UT/CO/KS/PA is partially scenic
94 over 44 - Tough one. 94 grossly bending south along Lake MI is hard to ignore. But ND/MN/WI's reliance on 94 beats out 44

WEST
80 over 8 - How is this even the same league? 80 all the way
5 over 25 - The larger population served and border-to-border length hands the win over to I-5
40 over 29 - 40 is definitely more classic of an American highway. CA to NC!
15 over 84 - Both are neat and scenic, but 15 is neat and scenic for longer
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 04, 2020, 08:52:21 PM
And now, for the second half of the second round:

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
I-90's long concurrency with I-80 gets it knocked out by the longest route I've clinched.

35 vs. 64
Linking a pair of twin cities gives I-35 the win.

70 vs. 69
My favorite to win it all makes it to the next round.

94 vs. 44
The hometown route takes it.

WEST
80 vs. 8
I-80's long concurrency with I-90 gets it knocked out by a route I've traveled a hefty chunk of.

5 vs. 25
I-25 in New Mexico is gorgeous. Also, sentimental reasons. When my dad dropped me off at grad school, we traveled this route.

40 vs. 29
My second favorite to win it all also makes it to the next round.

15 vs. 84W
It's the western half of the western I-84 that takes the win.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 06, 2020, 09:46:01 AM
EAST
95 vs. 89
68 vs. 87
81 vs. 93
76E vs. 78

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
20 vs. 65
75 vs. 24
55 vs. 26

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
35 vs. 64
70 vs. 69
94 vs. 44

WEST
80 vs. 8
5 vs. 25
40 vs. 29
15 vs. 84W
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 08, 2020, 12:09:58 PM
With the second round ending, here are the final results:

EAST
95 vs. 89
I-95 runs away with a 25-1 win over I-89.

68 vs. 87
I-87 ekes out a 14-12 victory over I-68.

81 vs. 93
In another close matchup, it's I-81 advancing with a 15-11 advantage over I-93.

76E vs. 78
I-78 reaches yet another premature end, with a 21-5 loss to I-76.

SOUTH
10 vs. 59
I-10 comes out on top with a 23-3 win.

20 vs. 65
I-65 emerges victorious once again with a 14-12 win over the other 2di it meets in Birmingham.

75 vs. 24
I-75 gets an easy 22-4 win over I-24.

55 vs. 26
While I-26 gives its all against I-55, it falls just short, 16-10.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 57
I-90 gets a very comfortable 23-3 victory over I-57.

35 vs. 64
I-35 advances with a 20-6 win over I-64.

70 vs. 69
Score another big win for I-70, as it eliminates the ever-growing I-69 by a 24-2 score.

94 vs. 44
I-94 gets the last Midwest spot in the next round with a 22-4 win over I-44.

WEST
80 vs. 8
With a 21-5 win, I-80 advances.

5 vs. 25
This is the closest match in the West, but I-5 survives with a 17-9 victory over I-25.

40 vs. 29
I-40 cruises to a 22-4 win over I-29.

15 vs. 84W
With a 20-6 loss, this means that I-84 will not appear in the later rounds in either form.

Now let's take a look at the Sweet 16:

EAST
95 vs. 87
This is a Battle of the Big Apple, where Boston-Philly takes on Albany-Montreal.

81 vs. 76E
In yet another meeting of Harrisburg-area 2dis, the Appalachian freeway corridor takes on the famed Turnpike.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
This time, we have a Mobile Special.

75 vs. 55
Sault Ste. Marie-Miami or Chicago-La Place?

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
This Albert Lea Special has the longest 2di taking on the only 2di that still has splits in its route (and it has two, for that matter).

70 vs. 94
US 40's superior goes up against the Midwest's major metropolitan connector.

WEST
80 vs. 5
Who will win the Battle of Sacramento?

40 vs. 15
This is the Route 66/Barstow Special, with both 2di's replacing parts of the Mother Road.

Again, the results will be posted next week.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on December 08, 2020, 12:17:31 PM
95
76E

10
75

90
94

5
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: clong on December 08, 2020, 12:17:50 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87
No contest.

81 vs. 76E
Free roller coaster ride with every drive

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
Midwest Beach Traffic Express

75 vs. 55
Less river smell

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
Destinations

70 vs. 94
Spent too much time on it in MO not to vote for it

WEST
80 vs. 5
This was tough to pick

40 vs. 15
So many terrain changes and nearly cross-country
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on December 08, 2020, 01:34:05 PM
EAST
95
76E

SOUTH
10
75

MIDWEST
90
70

WEST
80
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on December 08, 2020, 01:36:24 PM
My picks. Some are quite hard, especially 80 vs 5:
East:
95
81

South:
10
75

North:
90
70

West:
80
15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on December 08, 2020, 01:44:58 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 08, 2020, 12:09:58 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87

81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65

75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35

70 vs. 94

WEST
80 vs. 5

40 vs. 15

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 08, 2020, 02:21:28 PM
95
81

65
55

35
94

80
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on December 08, 2020, 02:56:07 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 08, 2020, 12:09:58 PM

Now let's take a look at the Sweet 16:

EAST
95 vs. 87
This is a Battle of the Big Apple, where Boston-Philly takes on Albany-Montreal.

The longer length of I-95 and the number of states and important markets it connects makes it the easy winner here.

Quote81 vs. 76E
In yet another meeting of Harrisburg-area 2dis, the Appalachian freeway corridor takes on the famed Turnpike.

I'm a big fan of I-81 for a number of reasons, but I have to go back to the fact that the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the original US superhighway and predated the Interstate system by fifteen years.

QuoteSOUTH
10 vs. 65
This time, we have a Mobile Special.

This one was a tough call, as I now live close to I-10 and the route from home to college was I-65.  I'm thirty miles or so from clinching I-65 and have driven I-10 from Mobile to west of Phoenix.  Nevertheless, I-10 is the southern route across the country and there really aren't a lot of alternates.

Quote75 vs. 55
Sault Ste. Marie-Miami or Chicago-La Place?

I-75 connects the Midwest to Florida, and Detroit-Cincinnati-Atlanta-Tampa beats Chicago-St. Louis-Memphis-New Orleans.

QuoteMIDWEST
90 vs. 35
This Albert Lea Special has the longest 2di taking on the only 2di that still has splits in its route (and it has two, for that matter).

Tougher than I thought it would be, but a transcontinental east-west route will generally beat out a border to border north-south route, even as important as I-35 is to the nation's heartland.

Quote70 vs. 94
US 40's superior goes up against the Midwest's major metropolitan connector.

From Detroit to Minneapolis, I-94 probably wins this, but US 40 has been called America's Main Street, and I-70 parallels it from Washington, PA to west of Denver. and I-70 west of Denver is more important than I-94 west of the Twin Cities.

QuoteWEST
80 vs. 5
Who will win the Battle of Sacramento?

Based on what I'm offered above, I didn't want to vote this way, but I-5 connects virtually every major city on the West Coast, and although it connects the New York City and San Francisco metro areas, I-80 is a relief route across PA, skirts both Cleveland (a nod here to I-480) and Chicago, and is a rural Interstate between Omaha and Salt Lake City.  Add on the long duplex across Indiana and Ohio, and although I've driven a lot of miles om I-80 in Iowa and Illinois, I have to go with I-5 here.

Quote40 vs. 15
This is the Route 66/Barstow Special, with both 2di's replacing parts of the Mother Road.

I look at I-40 as a national route, while I-15 is more of a regional route, especially north of I-70.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: M3100 on December 08, 2020, 03:26:17 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 08, 2020, 12:09:58 PM

M3200's selections

EAST
95 vs. 87

81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65

75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35

70 vs. 94

WEST
80 vs. 5

40 vs. 15

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on December 08, 2020, 03:34:00 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87 - not a huge fan of either, but a greater percentage of 87 is cool compared to 95
81 vs. 76E - the vast majority of 76 is tolled, which I'm not really a fan of

SOUTH
10 vs. 65 - As cross-country interstates go, I-10 takes a path that misses lots of the good stuff and leaves much to be desired.
75 vs. 55 - I'm biased since I've lived within sight of it, but 55 is just too boring. 75 at least has some terrain variation, and I especially like the parts in the GA/TN border region.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35 - No real reason other than I'd rather this not be a battle between the four transcon x0's. Plus I've been on more of 35.
70 vs. 94 - Glenwood Canyon and San Rafael Swell.

WEST
80 vs. 5 - You're doing the West Coast wrong if you're on 5. Annoyingly low speed limits and truck trarffic knock this one down, plus you can do so much better on roads like US 101 or California's SR 1. 80 is the classic American interstate, has some neat sections like Donner Pass and the Salt Flats, and goes through my hometown SLC.
40 vs. 15 - See I-10 above. I-15 has the Virgin River Gorge, but even beyond that it takes you through a pretty good cross section of the diverse terrain the West has to offer. There's a little bit of everything - deserts, canyons, cities, mountains, plains, and more.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vsaharan on December 08, 2020, 03:42:47 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87

I-95 no doubt

81 vs. 76E

Have to vote 76E because I've never been on 81 :/

SOUTH
10 vs. 65

I-10

75 vs. 55


I-75 all the way. MI represent! (very southern state indeed)

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35

Sheeesh this is tough, I-90 is the great one but I-35 is one unique highway. I'll pick I-35 just cuz of the Minneapolis splits, which have always intrigued me.

70 vs. 94

I-70, only because of Denver and westward

WEST
80 vs. 5

I-5. Vertebrae of the Pacific.

40 vs. 15

Another tough one, I'll go with I-40 because of the AZ stretch
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on December 08, 2020, 03:55:33 PM
EAST
95
81

SOUTH
10
75

MIDWEST
90
70

WEST
80
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on December 08, 2020, 04:54:53 PM
I was kind of afraid this would just turn into an x0/x5 fest, and it seems like it has. Ah well.

Short enough now I actually feel like writing my justifications out.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 08, 2020, 04:55:06 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87

81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65

75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35

70 vs. 94


WEST
80 vs. 5

40 vs. 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on December 08, 2020, 05:04:09 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 08, 2020, 04:54:53 PM
  • I-95: No contest here. Albany and Montreal versus Miami to Maine?

Funny thing is, I-87 might have the edge or at least get into toss-up range based on scenery. It's a beautiful drive north of Albany, while almost all of I-95 is pretty blah despite its importance.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on December 08, 2020, 07:30:10 PM
East:
95 vs. 87
95's still really important, even if it lacks scenery.

81 vs. 76E
Very, very close, but I'll have to go with 76 for its history and scenery.

South:
10 vs. 65
10 is my favorite interstate.

75 vs. 55
Was leaning toward 75, but Scott's comments convinced me that 55 was the way to go. Also, the only interstate to cross the Mississippi twice.

Midwest:
90 vs. 35
The section between Dallas and San Antonio is arguably the most important interstate corridor in the country, if you ask me.

70 vs. 94
Kinda easy win here. 70 is cool looking.

West:
80 vs. 5
I don't see all that much to love about 5 compared to other western interstates.

40 vs. 15
15's scenery is probably some of the best left in the bracket.


It seems like the Cinderellas here are 76 and 87. Was really hoping for a funner underdog.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on December 08, 2020, 08:38:48 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87
81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
70 vs. 94

WEST
80 vs. 5
40 vs. 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vdeane on December 08, 2020, 09:02:57 PM
I have decently strong opinions on most of these, so I guess it's time for me to start voting in this.

EAST
95 vs. 87
I-87; I-95 may be more important, but there's more to life than that.  Not only is I-87 my main interstate, the Adirondack Northway and the portion of the Thruway with I-87 are quite nice in terms of scenery.  Meanwhile, I-95 in the Carolinas is arguably the most boring interstate I've ever driven on.

81 vs. 76E
I-81; both have their merits, but I have many fond memories of I-81 from our annual family vacations to the Thousand Islands and my drives to/from college.  Much of the route is quite scenic as well.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
I-10; I don't know why, but I've always been intrigued by it.  Maybe it's the fast that it spends 880 miles in Texas alone, or that it's the longest interstate in Florida that I haven't clinched.

75 vs. 55
I-75; can't argue with the Mackinac Bridge and Alligator Alley.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
I-90; I'll admit, growing up in Rochester and living in the Capital District, there may be some hometown bias here.  Still, I've always felt attached to I-90 and want to clinch it one day, and I can't say I have any particular feelings for I-35 (aside from the suffixes, which I'm not exactly a fan of).

70 vs. 94
I-70; can't argue with the scenery in Colorado and Utah.

WEST
80 vs. 5
I-80; another interstate I've been intrigued by, especially with the Freewayjim videos of the portions across Nevada and Utah.

40 vs. 15
I-15; I have less of an opinion on this one, but I-15 is nice in Arizona and has more western scenery than I-40.

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 08, 2020, 04:54:53 PM
I was kind of afraid this would just turn into an x0/x5 fest, and it seems like it has. Ah well.
Such is inevitable if one votes primarily by importance, as most here seem to be doing.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: bassoon1986 on December 08, 2020, 09:11:42 PM
I didn't vote last round so I'm getting back into it.


EAST
95 vs. 87
I've only been on a Virginia stretch of 95 and none of 87. I gotta go with the beast that is 95.

81 vs. 76E
Neither really hold any kind of nostalgia for me. I'm going with 81 for the little bit of scenery I remember.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
Gotta go with powerhouse 10 here.

75 vs. 55
I need to vote for another LA native here. Also love it's quirkiness in places like Jackson and Memphis.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
35. Too major to pass up. A powerhouse in Texas alone. And I've lived very close to it.

70 vs. 94
70

WEST
80 vs. 5
I didn't think I'd vote this way, but voting for 5. It's the one I want to drive more than the other.

40 vs. 15
40


iPhone
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: BigRTM on December 08, 2020, 11:35:48 PM
75's representation in Florida irks me some reason. The fact that it manages to NOT go into downtown Tampa or downtown Miami just rubs me the wrong way.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on December 09, 2020, 03:54:10 AM
Quote from: vdeane on December 08, 2020, 09:02:57 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 08, 2020, 04:54:53 PM
I was kind of afraid this would just turn into an x0/x5 fest, and it seems like it has. Ah well.
Such is inevitable if one votes primarily by importance, as most here seem to be doing.

Might be fun to do a "junior league" bracket that consists of all of the non-x0/x5s, then. Or everything that didn't make it to the last 16.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 09, 2020, 11:54:24 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87
Longer.  More states.

81 vs. 76E
Spine of Appalachia vs. just another road for me.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
Coast to coast baby.

75 vs. 55
Pretty in places unlike 55.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
The highway so nice it splits itself twice.

70 vs. 94
Mountains.

WEST
80 vs. 5
Both are ugly for most of their length, but I actually like I-80 in Nevada.

40 vs. 15
Prettier overall.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 10, 2020, 12:30:05 AM
Here are my picks for the round, all at once for once.

EAST
95 vs. 87

81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65

75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
The long concurrency with I-80 loses it for I-90.

70 vs. 94
My favorite to win pulls through again, if all goes well.

WEST
80 vs. 5
The long concurrency with I-90 loses it for I-80.

40 vs. 15
My second favorite also makes it to the next round, I hope.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 10, 2020, 08:41:46 AM
East:
I-95. Due to their lengths they really aren't comparable. I-87's cinderella run will probably end in the sweet 16.
I-76. Didn't vote for I-81 last time either, so I hope it gets eliminated.

South:
I-10. The world's widest freeway is hard to ignore.
I-75. I don't get how I-55 has made it so far, it's very dull over its entire length.

Midwest:
I-90. Sorry I-35, you're a good Interstate but you're just way overmatched here.
I-70. Hey, a matchup of two of my favorites! I think there's a real argument for I-94 since I-70 doesn't have anything like Chicago, but mile for mile I-70 wins.

West:
I-80. It doesn't have the wow factor that I-5 does but I have too many good memories of driving I-80 to not vote for it against a west coast Interstate.
I-15. Not as lengthy, but much better mile for mile. Of course, I voted for I-84 over I-15 last week, so that means I-84>I-40.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 10, 2020, 08:52:32 AM
Okay I thought I-90 was going to beat I-35 in a landslide but it seems like I-35 has a large advantage right now. People voting I-35, may I ask, why? I-90 has better scenery, similar or better urban stretches, and less overall congestion. To me, the tolls are the only reason to even consider I-35.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: formulanone on December 10, 2020, 11:25:03 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 09, 2020, 03:54:10 AM
Quote from: vdeane on December 08, 2020, 09:02:57 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 08, 2020, 04:54:53 PM
I was kind of afraid this would just turn into an x0/x5 fest, and it seems like it has. Ah well.
Such is inevitable if one votes primarily by importance, as most here seem to be doing.

Might be fun to do a "junior league" bracket that consists of all of the non-x0/x5s, then. Or everything that didn't make it to the last 16.

An NIT for three-digit interstates?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on December 10, 2020, 12:09:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 08, 2020, 12:09:58 PM
Now let's take a look at the Sweet 16:

EAST
95 vs. 87
This is a Battle of the Big Apple, where Boston-Philly takes on Albany-Montreal.

81 vs. 76E
In yet another meeting of Harrisburg-area 2dis, the Appalachian freeway corridor takes on the famed Turnpike.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
This time, we have a Mobile Special.

75 vs. 55
Sault Ste. Marie-Miami or Chicago-La Place?

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
This Albert Lea Special has the longest 2di taking on the only 2di that still has splits in its route (and it has two, for that matter).

70 vs. 94
US 40's superior goes up against the Midwest's major metropolitan connector.

WEST
80 vs. 5
Who will win the Battle of Sacramento?

40 vs. 15
This is the Route 66/Barstow Special, with both 2di's replacing parts of the Mother Road.

I planned to mostly save my analysis for the final two rounds, but a few things...

-I'm picking I-87 over I-95 because even though I-87 is shorter, I think it's much better on a per-mile basis. I-95 is pretty boring.
-Not a fan of the I-76 (E) vs. I-81 matchup. I went with I-81 because of home-state bias plus the fact that I simply find it more interesting.
-I considered picking I-35 over I-90 because I-90 is such an obvious choice, but since it looks like a potential upset, I went with I-90 anyways because I don't really want it to lose.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dkblake on December 10, 2020, 09:18:40 PM
East:
95 over 87
81 over 76E

South:
10 over 65
75 over 55

Midwest:
90 over 35
94 over 70

West:
80 over 5
15 over 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on December 10, 2020, 11:43:15 PM
EAST:  95 and 81
SOUTH:  10 and 75
MIDWEST:  90 and 70
WEST:  80 and 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on December 10, 2020, 11:50:35 PM
East: 95 and 87
South: 10 and 75
Midwest: 90 and 94
West: 5 and 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 13, 2020, 10:42:46 AM
EAST
95 vs. 87
81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
75 vs. 55:  Hometown favorite wins out.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
70 vs. 94:  Again, the hometown favorite.

WEST
80 vs. 5:  80 and 90 can't both win due to their long concurrency.  I'll take 90 due to length and overall scenery.
40 vs. 15

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 13, 2020, 12:46:04 PM
Quote from: thspfc on December 10, 2020, 08:52:32 AM
Okay I thought I-90 was going to beat I-35 in a landslide but it seems like I-35 has a large advantage right now. People voting I-35, may I ask, why? I-90 has better scenery, similar or better urban stretches, and less overall congestion. To me, the tolls are the only reason to even consider I-35.

COYS.

For me, I think 35 is plenty interesting because of the two splits.  Underrated scenery wise in Minnesota, southern Iowa, and parts in Kansas.  I'm definitely biased as I was born in Minneapolis and lived for a long time in KC.  90 is definitely more scenic from, say, central South Dakota and west, but if we wanted to avoid having x0's all moving to the final four, one has to lose somewhere.  I wouldn't be upset if 90 moved on though.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: zzcarp on December 13, 2020, 02:09:52 PM
EAST
I-95 over I-87

I-81 over I-76

SOUTH
I-65 over I-10

I-75 over I-55

MIDWEST
I-90 over I-55

I-70 over I-94

WEST
I-80 over I-5

I-15 over I-40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 14, 2020, 10:36:42 AM
EAST
95 over 87 - I-95 is a strong favorite to win the whole thing.

76 over 81 - while 81 is a great highway and a backbone of the Interstate system, it doesn't have the history and it isn't as fun to drive as the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

SOUTH
10 over 65 - 10 is a key cross-country route and the south's equivalent of I-90.

55 over 75 - never been on it, but I-55 sounds like a fascinating route - Chicago to New Orleans!

MIDWEST
90 over 35 - I-90 is a great route through almost all of the East and Midwest.

94 over 70 - due to its suckiness in Pennsylvania, I will continue my anti-70 crusade by voting for I-94.

WEST
80 over 5 - very close, but a cross-country route's gonna win.

40 over 15 - I think, given my deference to cross-country highways so far, I have to pick 40 - although it should be noted that when these two highways meet in California, 15 is the only survivor.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on December 14, 2020, 09:46:32 PM
EAST
95 vs. 87
81 vs. 76E

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
75 vs. 55

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
70 vs. 94

WEST
80 vs. 5
40 vs. 15
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 15, 2020, 08:05:45 PM
Another week passed, another round over. Here are the final results:

EAST
95 vs. 87
I-95 makes this look too easy, as it moves on with a 23-5 rout of I-87.

81 vs. 76E
Not even the PA Turnpike can save the eastern I-76 against I-81, as it loses 18-10 and becomes the last duplicated 2di to be eliminated.

SOUTH
10 vs. 65
I-10 rolls on with a 23-5 rout of I-65.

75 vs. 55
I-75 also advances with a 22-6 victory over I-55.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 35
I-90 survives a tough battle against I-35, 18-10.

70 vs. 94
Meanwhile, I-70 lays a severe whipping on I-94, 20-8.

WEST
80 vs. 5
I-80 cruises to a 20-8 win over I-5.

40 vs. 15
By a 15-13 margin, I-40 squeaks past I-15.

And now, these are the Elite Eight matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 81
The East Coast's most vital freeway meets up with the only non-major 2di to make it this far.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75
Who will take the Battle of Lake City?

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70
These two may as well be mirror images of each other (quirks in their routings, spanning both the Rockies and Appalachians, tolled in the East, connecting major cities across the nation, etc.)

WEST
80 vs. 40
It's SF-NYC against Barstow-Wilmington.

Once more, results will come next week.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on December 15, 2020, 08:20:12 PM
95
75
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on December 15, 2020, 08:22:38 PM
East:
95 vs. 81
More scenic, plus it's the only non x0/x5 left.

South:
10 vs. 75
Maybe 10 is somewhat lacking in the scenery department, but to me it makes up for it because I have emotional attachment to it, plus it connects larger cities. Los Angeles-Phoenix-San Antonio-Houston-New Orleans-Jacksonville beats Miami-Tampa-Atlanta-Cincinnati-Detroit any day.

Midwest:
90 vs. 70
70 arguably has the best scenery of any interstate.

West:
80 vs. 40
Gonna go against the grain here because I've actually driven part of 40 plus it goes through Texas.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on December 15, 2020, 08:24:46 PM
EAST
95 - As important as I-81 is in the overall scheme of the Interstate system, I-95 is even more important due to linking the major cities of the East Coast.

SOUTH
10 - While I-75 is a vital link between the Midwest and Florida, I-10 connects 4 of the 10 largest cities in the US (Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston)

MIDWEST
90 - While I-70 has sentimental value to me, I-90 doesn't have Breezewood so it wins in a squeaker.

WEST
80 - Close one, but having NYC and San Francisco as bookends puts I-80 over I-40 in my book.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on December 15, 2020, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 15, 2020, 08:05:45 PM
And now, these are the Elite Eight matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 81

SOUTH
10 vs. 75

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70

WEST
80 vs. 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: SkyPesos on December 15, 2020, 09:13:10 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81
95 wins hands down for me; it's pretty much the Main Street of the east coast.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75
I do give 75 a hard time for all the endless construction on the highway in the 6 states it goes through, but as someone in Cincinnati, it's one of my most used interstates

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70
As much as I like 90, 70 has a special place in me. I grew up in Columbus and St. Louis, which are both on 70, and now live in Cincinnati, which has 70 as the closest through E-W interstate 60 miles north. And there's the section in western Colorado and its unique termius at a parking lot.

WEST
80 vs. 40
My favorite interstate at one point, for all the metro areas it goes through. There's some of the country's most important like San Francisco, Chicago and NYC, as well as smaller but also important ones like Salt Lake City, Omaha, Cleveland and barely misses Pittsburgh
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 15, 2020, 09:54:50 PM
East:
I-95. Seriously, is I-81 really the second best eastern Interstate? I-95 was always going to come out on top, but I would pick I-76, I-84, I-91, and I-93 over I-81.

South:
I-75. Difficult choice, but I feel like I-10 has become really suburbanized and representative of the dark side of the US' freeway culture.

Midwest:
I-70. Best matchup of the tournament so far, easily. I think the Denver to Grand Junction drive is the deciding factor.

West:
I-80. I-40 is the second weakest remaining Interstate after I-81 IMO. Where's the knockout punch? The six "worthy" Interstates to make it this far (95, 10, 75, 70, 90, 80) all have it. I-40 doesn't.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vdeane on December 15, 2020, 10:01:39 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81
I-81; once again, I am shaking my head at the people who are voting only by importance in a contest with no criteria (which thereby implies favoritism instead).  I-81 is scenic.  I-95 holds one of the most boring stretches of interstate I've ever driven on.  No contest.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75
I-75; it was a tough one, but I decided to vote for the Mackinac Bridge and Alligator Alley, even if I don't like the stretch between Chattanooga and Knoxville.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70
I-90; I suspect that I'm going to vote hometown all the way, at the rate things are going.  Besides, it's the only x0 interstate I have a burning desire to clinch.

WEST
80 vs. 40
I-80; I-80 was the subject of multiple of my favorite Freewayjim videos - on the other hand, I don't have much to say for or against I-40, so it loses on the grounds of not feeling particularly remarkable.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 15, 2020, 10:07:38 PM
Well looks like I lost. In a way I had a bit of a cinderella run there.  :bigass:
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on December 15, 2020, 10:08:01 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81

SOUTH
10 vs. 75

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70

WEST
80 vs. 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on December 15, 2020, 10:45:09 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81

SOUTH
10 vs. 75

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70

WEST
80 vs. 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dkblake on December 15, 2020, 10:52:21 PM
81
10
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 15, 2020, 10:55:56 PM
95
10
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on December 16, 2020, 08:02:28 AM
My picks for the quarterfinals:
East: 95
South: 10
North: 90
West: 80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 16, 2020, 09:37:25 AM
95, 10, 70, 80

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on December 16, 2020, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 15, 2020, 08:05:45 PM
And now, these are the Elite Eight matchups:

EAST
95 vs. 81
The East Coast's most vital freeway meets up with the only non-major 2di to make it this far.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75
Who will take the Battle of Lake City?

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70
These two may as well be mirror images of each other (quirks in their routings, spanning both the Rockies and Appalachians, tolled in the East, connecting major cities across the nation, etc.)

WEST
80 vs. 40
It's SF-NYC against Barstow-Wilmington.

I foresee some juicy matchups in the middle bookended by some blowouts.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on December 16, 2020, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 15, 2020, 08:05:45 PM

EAST
95 vs. 81
The East Coast's most vital freeway meets up with the only non-major 2di to make it this far.

When you look at what each of these routes connects, this really is no contest.  Loved driving I-81 from I-78 to I-26, though...

QuoteSOUTH
10 vs. 75
Who will take the Battle of Lake City?

Let's see here:  LA- Phoenix- Tucson- El Paso- San Antonio- Houston- New Orleans- Jacksonville vs. Detroit- Toledo- Dayton- Cincinnati- Knoxville- Chattanooga- Atlanta- Tampa- Miami.  I-10 connects three of the five most populous cities in the United States.  Can another route make that claim?

QuoteMIDWEST
90 vs. 70
These two may as well be mirror images of each other (quirks in their routings, spanning both the Rockies and Appalachians, tolled in the East, connecting major cities across the nation, etc.)

Coast-to-Coast wins out here.  I-90 definitely wins in the Eastern Time Zone, the Central is pretty much a draw, and I-70 wins in the Mountain Time Zone.  But I-70 doesn't make it to the Pacific Time Zone.

QuoteWEST
80 vs. 40
It's SF-NYC against Barstow-Wilmington.

Even if I-80 skirts most of the big cities it connects, it still connects them.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on December 17, 2020, 09:31:13 AM
81
75
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 17, 2020, 01:27:22 PM
95 over 81 - no contest. I-95 is urban, fun to drive, on occasion clogged, absolutely critical. It's emblematic of the Northeast Corridor and wins in a landslide.

10 over 75 - neither one comes anywhere near me, but I'll vote I-10 for its usefulness and big city portions.

90 over 70 - I haven't voted for I-70 a single time, and don't plan on ending that streak now.

80 over 40 - maybe I'm partial to the North, but I-80 is a great road.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on December 17, 2020, 04:52:45 PM
81
10
90
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on December 17, 2020, 04:58:22 PM
81, 10, 70, 40

Hope all y'all voting for 80 get stuck in the snow. 40's clearly the better coast-to-coast of the two.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 17, 2020, 10:44:39 PM
I have to admit, I'm hoping for more upsets this time, as opposed to last time's zero. That said, here are my choices:

EAST
95 vs. 81
I-81 just doesn't have enough to pull off the upset.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75
The variety of unique landscapes, such as the Everglades, wins this one for I-75.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70
My favorite to win it all faces its biggest challenge yet, but a short Breezewood wins over a long concurrency.

WEST
80 vs. 40
While I-40 does not reach the coast, it also wins out over along concurrency.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on December 17, 2020, 11:40:52 PM
95, 75, 70, 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 18, 2020, 09:15:03 AM
Quote from: vdeane on December 15, 2020, 10:01:39 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81
I-81; once again, I am shaking my head at the people who are voting only by importance in a contest with no criteria (which thereby implies favoritism instead).  I-81 is scenic.  I-95 holds one of the most boring stretches of interstate I've ever driven on.  No contest.
I'm shaking my head at you, voting only by scenery in a contest with no criteria.

Voting purely on scenery is no better than voting purely on importance.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vdeane on December 18, 2020, 01:06:17 PM
Quote from: thspfc on December 18, 2020, 09:15:03 AM
Quote from: vdeane on December 15, 2020, 10:01:39 PM
EAST
95 vs. 81
I-81; once again, I am shaking my head at the people who are voting only by importance in a contest with no criteria (which thereby implies favoritism instead).  I-81 is scenic.  I-95 holds one of the most boring stretches of interstate I've ever driven on.  No contest.
I'm shaking my head at you, voting only by scenery in a contest with no criteria.

Voting purely on scenery is no better than voting purely on importance.
Technically I'm voting by favoritism, so not just scenery... though scenery is important.  Nostalgia and fascinations are big ones too, though they might be more reflected in my comments for the last round than this one.  I-95 can be fun in the NEC portions (at least for roadgeeks) when there's no traffic, but that's a pretty big ask for the NEC, which is quite often congested (I was VERY frustrated with it and practically crying the last time I drove the DC-Richmond portion).  Honestly, at this point I'm tempted to just keep voting against I-95 just because so many people are voting for it with "no contest" comments in every match it's in, just to keep things real, although in truth, I-95 is one of the 2dis I would like to clinch (I have everything south of US 201 in Maine).

I'm starting to wonder if the importance factor is an inherent thing in these types of voting brackets.  The same thing happened both years the We've Got Ward podcast did March's Madness (https://www.doofmedia.com/marchmadness/), with the protagonist of the serial they were focusing on for that year getting first place and Tattletale second place.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: M3100 on December 19, 2020, 12:15:48 AM
81
10
70
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: TJS23 on December 20, 2020, 01:51:44 AM
90
10
70
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 20, 2020, 09:25:16 AM
EAST
95 vs. 81

SOUTH
10 vs. 75

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70

WEST
80 vs. 40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 20, 2020, 05:53:56 PM
81
75
70
40
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 22, 2020, 07:48:49 PM
Well, here we are near the end of the tourney, and these are the final results:

EAST
95 vs. 81

While I-95 faces its toughest challenge to this point, it does move on with a 14-11 win over I-81.

SOUTH
10 vs. 75

By a single point (13-12), I-75 manages to eliminate I-10 and advance to the Final Four.

MIDWEST
90 vs. 70

The Breezewood and bizarre ending at a parking lot finally do I-70 in, as it falls to I-90, 14-11.

WEST
80 vs. 40

While the other three contests were close, this one was not, as I-80 clinches the last spot in the semifinals with a 17-8 victory over I-40.

And now,  the moment you've been waiting for...the Final Four! As noted on the first post in this thread, East takes on Midwest, and South goes up against West. So these are the matchups:

SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

Which of these 2di's will be the King of Boston?

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80

Here's a Toledo Special for you...

Results will come next week, along with the finals matchup.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on December 22, 2020, 07:50:09 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 22, 2020, 07:48:49 PM

SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on December 22, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
How did all the interstates I picked last round lose?  :confused: :-D
Whatever.
95 vs. 90
75 vs. 80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bickendan on December 22, 2020, 08:05:53 PM
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: SkyPesos on December 22, 2020, 08:06:13 PM
95 vs. 90

75 vs. 80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vdeane on December 22, 2020, 08:11:59 PM
SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90
90; gotta vote for my hometown 2di (and one I really want to clinch).

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80
I-75; this was a somewhat tough decision to make, as I don't feel as strongly about either one, but I already voted for one east-west transcontinental, so I'll give this vote to the north-south one.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on December 22, 2020, 08:16:06 PM
SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90 - In an upset, I-95 narrowly defeats I-90. I-90 came in with the better overall record, but I-95 had superb efforts from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. Upstart Miami sunk in a buzzer beater to clinch the victory.



SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80 - I-80 defeats I-75 based on a superb 1st half from San Francisco and 2nd half from Chicago. For I-75, Detroit and Atlanta both put in valiant efforts, but it wasn't enough to pull off a victory.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 22, 2020, 08:39:10 PM
90
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: I-55 on December 22, 2020, 08:49:44 PM
75
95
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dlsterner on December 22, 2020, 09:15:04 PM
95 and 75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 22, 2020, 11:36:31 PM
90 & 75.

I feel like those of you voting 80 have never driven it between central PA and UT where it's pretty horrible.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 23, 2020, 12:03:10 AM
I'm voting for I-95 and I-80. Maybe it's favoritism because those are the roads I take to visit family every (normal) Christmas, but their national significance gives them the wins.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on December 23, 2020, 12:18:16 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on December 22, 2020, 11:36:31 PM
I feel like those of you voting 80 have never driven it between central PA and UT where it's pretty horrible.

Or maybe the other portions are good enough to make up for the boring parts through the center of the country?

Also, I actually like I-80 through Wyoming. Sure, the western US has better roads...but there's something to be said about driving an interstate through open country where it's just you and the road (and the truck traffic, sure). Even if you're looking for scenery, the mountains east of Laramie are pretty memorable, as is the segment west of Fort Bridger (https://goo.gl/maps/bN8QRmktu8oiqVpu7) where you're heading dead straight for miles. Plus the tunnel in Green River is cool.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Scott5114 on December 23, 2020, 01:58:40 AM
I vote for all four to lose.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s1gWrTsKHj8/hqdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on December 23, 2020, 08:34:01 AM
I predict the final will be 95 vs 80. 80 in compliance of not picking an Interstate that wasn't picked in the previous round (I picked 10 over 75); and 95, well, it was hard to decide between that or 90, but eventually 95 wins because 90 has a whole lot of nothing West of Wisconsin, while 95 still goes through somewhere South of the Northeast Corridor.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 23, 2020, 09:17:57 AM
Other than I-75 making it while I-70 didn't, it's hard to disagree with the final four. My picks:

I-90. I-95 wins the importance and urban categories, I-90 wins everything else.
I-80. I-80 beats I-75 in pretty much every metric imaginable.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 23, 2020, 09:26:23 AM
Quote from: CNGL-Leudimin on December 23, 2020, 08:34:01 AM
90 has a whole lot of nothing West of Wisconsin
That's false. Badlands, Homestake Pass, Lookout Pass, Spokane, Snoqualmie Pass, Seattle. I'll take that lineup any day against Richmond, Jacksonville, south Florida, and a whole lot of nothing in terms of secnery.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: webny99 on December 23, 2020, 09:36:22 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 22, 2020, 07:48:49 PM
SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

Which of these 2di's will be the King of Boston?

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80

Here's a Toledo Special for you...

Gotta go with I-90, and I never considered myself a big I-75 fan, but I really can't find too much to dislike about it.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 23, 2020, 11:15:16 AM
SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90:  I think overall I-90 gives a more enjoyable and diverse scenery experience.

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80:  Hometown favorite, I-80 through Nebraska and Iowa is like being stuck in the doldrums, and I think this all needs to come down to an east-west route squaring off against a north-south one.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on December 23, 2020, 02:41:21 PM
90
75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on December 23, 2020, 03:13:33 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 22, 2020, 07:48:49 PM

SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

Which of these 2di's will be the King of Boston?

While I-90 is the longest Interstate, from Richmond north I-95 is the conduit that connects the East Coast.

QuoteSEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80

Here's a Toledo Special for you...

New York to San Francisco (much of it supplanting or paralleling the Lincoln Highway) wins out over Mackinac to Miami.

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: bassoon1986 on December 23, 2020, 08:08:51 PM
90 and 75 are my winners.


iPhone
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 23, 2020, 11:30:55 PM
Both of my favorites to win have been knocked out, so I am sad.

SEMIFINALS
95 vs. 90
I-95 has the population going for it, but I-90 has had some of my favorite drives, so despite the long concurrency, it wins.

75 vs. 80
I-75 is the one I've driven more on, and so it emerges as the winner here.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on December 24, 2020, 02:27:15 PM
95 vs. 90
75 vs. 80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: M3100 on December 24, 2020, 04:31:02 PM
95
80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 24, 2020, 06:12:56 PM
Quote from: jayhawkco on December 22, 2020, 11:36:31 PM
90 & 75.

I feel like those of you voting 80 have never driven it between central PA and UT where it's pretty horrible.

Chris
I've driven it many times from eastern Iowa to Wyoming. The highway itself is boring but I have many fond memories of driving on it. Nostalgia definitely factors into this heavily for every voter, even if they don't openly admit it. And the stretch of I-80 from Cheyenne to Laramie is the most underrated Interstate segment in the country IMO.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 25, 2020, 09:07:27 AM
Completely understood and no offense intended.  I just think sometimes East Coasters that maybe haven't traveled too extensively out west think that just because the highway is within a couple hundred miles of mountains, that it's scenic.  I liken it to I-5  where it seems like it should be pretty, but, especially in California, it's among the least scenic drives in the state for most of its mileage. 

My nostalgic vote went for I-35 earlier. :)

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on December 25, 2020, 08:08:02 PM
90
80

Gotta go for the Ohio Turnpike bros
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dkblake on December 26, 2020, 10:20:04 AM
90 and 75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: zzcarp on December 26, 2020, 10:33:50 AM
I-90
I-75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jflick99 on December 29, 2020, 09:14:38 AM
SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: DTComposer on December 29, 2020, 01:02:10 PM
80 vs. 75
80 serves more major markets, larger markets, is a more vital link in the nation's transportation infrastructure, and in historical context (for better or worse) is the later-20th Century manifestation of the nation's urge to push west.

95 vs. 90
Similar arguments here (with 95's historical context being the spine of the original colonies). An exception is that 90 might be more "vital" in that there's far fewer alternate routes, but 95 connecting Boston-New York-Philadelphia-Washington is just too much to overcome.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on December 29, 2020, 07:22:01 PM
Can I vote for 80 and 75?  :poke:
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on December 29, 2020, 08:10:48 PM
Quote from: US 89 on December 29, 2020, 07:22:01 PM
Can I vote for 80 and 75?  :poke:
Those two would cancel each other out, so that one does not count, but I can certainly see where you're going with this, as I-80 goes through SLC and I-75 through Atlanta.

Another round down, one more to go. But first, I must report the semifinal results, and here we go:

SEMIFINAL #1
95 vs. 90

The nation's longest 2di delivers the knockout punch to the East Coast's Main Street by a score of 17-9.

SEMIFINAL #2
75 vs. 80

I-75 gave its all, but in the end, I-80 prevailed in a 14-12 victory.

And now that the final round has been set, I present to you... (drumroll)

FINAL
90 vs. 80

Sure, these two share a concurrency between Chicago and Cleveland, but which one's the better route? Also, since both finalists happen to be east-west routes, I've thrown in a new twist to this event, a consolation game to determine which one of the semifinal losers is better, which is...

CONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75

Only one of these can lay claim to the best north-south 2di.

Final voting starts...NOW!!! Results come in one week from today.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Big John on December 29, 2020, 08:14:45 PM
90

75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 29, 2020, 08:35:41 PM
I have to go with I-80. Too many tolls on I-90.

I-75 for the third place game.

This has been really fun. Great idea, Henry.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: vdeane on December 29, 2020, 08:45:33 PM
FINAL
90 vs. 80
I-90; gonna stick with my hometown 2di here.  Plus it's the east-west 2di I most want to clinch.

CONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75
I-95; I think I'll buck my previous trends here since we're now at the end and I don't feel a need to vote against I-95 to "keep things honest" (plus it looks like the winds may have shifted the other way judging by the last two votes).  I still hate the Richmond-DC congestion and boringness of the Carolinas, but it's also the x5 I most want to clinch (missing most of Maine).
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on December 29, 2020, 08:47:41 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 29, 2020, 08:10:48 PM

FINAL
90 vs. 80

CONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75


I've been primarily voting for whichever interstate is closest to me, hoping for a 80-94 final in which I'd have to flip a coin. As it goes, I look out my window at 80 so that gets my vote.

75 is my vote for the consolation game.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: SkyPesos on December 29, 2020, 08:59:07 PM
FINAL
90 vs. 80

CONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on December 29, 2020, 10:16:23 PM
Final:
90 vs. 80

Consolation:
95 vs. 75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: zzcarp on December 29, 2020, 10:26:51 PM
Final:
I-80

Consolation:
I-75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 29, 2020, 10:44:36 PM
90

75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 29, 2020, 11:40:30 PM
90 for the win.

I would have voted for 75 for 3rd, but after the sweet hell that was three lanes of traffic for three hours today from Cordele, GA to Ocala, FL, 95 gets the nod out of spite.

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: FrCorySticha on December 30, 2020, 12:33:41 AM
90 vs. 80 - Glad to see one of the Interstates that run through Montana make to the finals, and hopefully the win!
95 vs. 75 - I've been on or crossed over 75 far more times than 95.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Ketchup99 on December 30, 2020, 01:00:51 AM
80 over 90 - home-state bias definitely plays a role, but this interstate is fantastic.

95 over 75 - are you kidding? I-95 could have won the whole thing!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: wanderer2575 on December 30, 2020, 01:24:52 AM
I-90

I-75

Thanks Henry!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on December 30, 2020, 07:34:14 AM
I've been voting based on importance. I-80 goes from New York City to Chicago, and then the majority of trucks going to the West Coast stay on it until the routes start to diverge at Big Springs NE. I-90, on the other hand, doesn't see even half of that through South Dakota and especially Wyoming (the two times I've seen Big Rig Steve taking that route, he took the US 212 shortcut only to break down around Sioux Falls). Therefore, I-80 is my overall winner. Had I-75 beaten I-80, due to my policy of not picking routes that weren't picked by me in the previous round, I would have rooted for a massive earthquake instead.

I wanted I-95 to get to the final, only to cancel the match due to the coronavirus and declare both it and I-80 co-champions xD, as I cannot decide which one to pick. However, since it got beaten by I-90, I pick it to get the bronze.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: ftballfan on December 30, 2020, 09:21:48 AM
Final: I-80
Consolation: I-75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: dkblake on December 30, 2020, 10:49:36 AM
Final- I-90
Consolation- I-95
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: DTComposer on December 30, 2020, 12:40:56 PM
Final: I-80
Consolation: I-95
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on December 30, 2020, 02:19:14 PM
80

75
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Konza on December 30, 2020, 05:14:46 PM
Quote from: Henry on December 29, 2020, 08:10:48 PM
FINAL
90 vs. 80

I'm going to pick New York to San Francisco over Boston to Seattle, although I lived a few miles north of I-90 for over 27 years.  East of the concurrency, the edge might go to I-90, but it's worth noting that the "Keystone Shortway" is one of the few segments of the Interstate System was built even though it didn't replace or parallel an existing well-traveled route.  And west of Chicago, there's really not much on I-90 except Madison and Spokane, while I-80 follows the Lincoln Highway and passes through or near six state capitals.

QuoteCONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75

Whether it's the best or not can be debated, but I-95 is the most important route in the most densely populated area of the country.  It connects the nation's capital and its largest city.

Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: jmd41280 on December 30, 2020, 08:27:07 PM
Final: I-80

Consolation: I-95
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: US 89 on December 30, 2020, 08:30:08 PM
So this is just the two longest interstates in the final and the two longest north-south interstates as a consolation prize.

Why even bother with going through the whole bracket?
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 30, 2020, 09:49:53 PM
Quote from: US 89 on December 30, 2020, 08:30:08 PM
So this is just the two longest interstates in the final and the two longest north-south interstates as a consolation prize.

Why even bother with going through the whole bracket?
Thanks for the input, Tom Brady
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: TJS23 on December 30, 2020, 11:58:36 PM
80
95

There should be an NIT tournament where x0/5 routes aren't allowed that would be fun!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 31, 2020, 01:37:55 AM
FINAL
90 vs. 80
Since both of my favorites have been eliminated, I'm choosing here the ones I've clinched more of, which in this case is 62% for I-90 as opposed to 8% for I-80.

THIRD-PLACE
95 vs. 75
I have about 33% of I-95 clinched, but 55% of I-75.

Comment edited to correct vote for I-90.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: JayhawkCO on December 31, 2020, 07:43:10 AM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 31, 2020, 01:37:55 AM
FINAL
90 vs. 80
Since both of my favorites have been eliminated, I'm choosing here the ones I've clinched more of, which in this case is 62% for I-90 as opposed to 8% for I-80.

THIRD-PLACE
95 vs. 75
I have about 33% of I-95 clinched, but 55% of I-75.

So wouldn't that mean you were voting for I-90?

Chris
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 31, 2020, 01:54:02 PM
Quote from: jayhawkco on December 31, 2020, 07:43:10 AM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 31, 2020, 01:37:55 AM
FINAL
90 vs. 80
Since both of my favorites have been eliminated, I'm choosing here the ones I've clinched more of, which in this case is 62% for I-90 as opposed to 8% for I-80.

THIRD-PLACE
95 vs. 75
I have about 33% of I-95 clinched, but 55% of I-75.

So wouldn't that mean you were voting for I-90?

Chris

Yes, yes it would.

Henry, I apologize for my error here, but please make sure my vote is for I-90. I will edit my main comment to reflect that.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: thspfc on December 31, 2020, 09:34:49 PM
Quote from: TJS23 on December 30, 2020, 11:58:36 PM
80
95

There should be an NIT tournament where x0/5 routes aren't allowed that would be fun!
Just so that we can watch I-81 and I-94 face off in the final!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Henry on January 05, 2021, 12:10:48 PM
The end has finally come, and first of all, thank you for your votes! Now let's reveal the winners...

FINAL
90 vs. 80
This is a close game, but with an 11-10 final score, I-80 beats I-90 for the Best Overall 2di title.

CONSOLATION GAME
95 vs. 75
Deja vu here, with the exact same score, but we can say that I-75 is the best among north-south 2di's, and thus deserving of third place, which is not a bad thing.

And that does it for this challenge! If you have any ideas of a future road-related tournament, we'd love to hear them. I had lots of fun making up this challenge, and I'm sure the rest of you did playing it.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: Buck87 on January 05, 2021, 02:49:55 PM
80, 90 and 75 finish 1-2-3......Holy Toledo!
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: SkyPesos on January 05, 2021, 03:12:13 PM
Maybe a game for 3di? Pick out some of the most used or longest cumulative 3di numbers. Each number will represent all variants of it. I have in my mind thinking 270, 275, 294, 465 for Midwest, 287, 295, 495, 695 for East, 280, 405, 710, 880 for West, 285, 410, 595, 610 for South as some possible groupings. Of course fill it up to 16 in each.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CoreySamson on January 05, 2021, 07:08:53 PM
What about a worst interstate bracket challenge? I know it could be predictable, but it would be interesting to see which interstate is actually hated the most.
Title: Re: The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on January 06, 2021, 06:45:50 AM
I-80 won as I predicted, after all it is THE major road freight corridor across the country. I-95 deserved a medal.