The flipside
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 07, 2021, 05:54:45 PM
The flipside
Is that the one where you drive on the undersurface upside-down?
I don't know if there is a "most loved" freeway - all of them are hated by their regular commuters, some are just more notorious than others.
The freeway I've had the fewest problems on locally is US 52, but northbound it still backs up horribly at I-94 during rush.
I don't think any of them is "loved" in Fresno. There is some reverence from US Route buffs about CA 99 given it was US 99.
I think in Upstate NY, there's a love-hate thing with people's views of the Thruway and Northway.
In the Bay Area, it's probably I-280, and specifically the portion between CA-85 and I-380.
I don't think this is a good question. "Most hated" works because there might be something that makes a certain freeway notoriously bad among roadgeeks and non-roadgeeks alike, other than the traffic volume. Whereas "most loved" doesn't reach through to non-roadgeeks because they see freeways simply as a way to get where they are going, so their favorite freeway is always going to be the fastest one with the least amount of traffic.
I see it as thus: 'tolerated' > 'not many fans' > 'revolting' > 'hatred' > 'living hell'.
There's doesn't seem to be any room for "most loved" since roads, in general, are something people take for granted. A freeway would have to go above and beyond to earn that "loved" status.
For WA, it's really tough. My gut has me discounting every urban freeway as there's too many people who dislike it for its existence in an urban area, plus those who were displaced by it, for it to be truly loved. That said, two I can think of:
* I-705 in Tacoma: it didn't involve too much expropriation, rarely is ever jammed, and radically improved travel times into/from downtown Tacoma. It's also quite high-speed and pretty fun.
* Alaskan Way Viaduct: it was butt-ugly, and really separated the waterfront, but it became an icon for Seattle and did have pretty spectacular views. It was also, historically, a big deal, being the first major N-S 'expressway' through the city and radically cleaned up the old Alaskan Way. By its end in 2019, while many were glad it met its maker, you could tell people were sad to see it go too.
In my area, I think that it might be US 50/Hidden I-595 from I-495 east.
At any given time in the Washington metro area, the Beltway and almost all of the "spoke" freeways (I-95, I-270, I-66, BW Parkway, etc) can be quite congested at times, but that stretch of US 50 is almost always free-flowing in my experience.
There's only one freeway in Palm Springs, I-10. Simultaneously, both the most loved and most hated freeway in my city.
I-210 from CA-118 to CA-134@CA-710 interchange because it's scenic in the LA area
CA-2 Glendale freeway would be up there for most love freeway in the LA area.
CA-163 south end in San Diego because of the parkway feel
CA-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway because it's California first freeway.
I-780 Vallejo to Benicia because this freeway is rarely jammed and it's in a suburban setting for the entire route.
CA-13 Warren Freeway because it's the Bay Area's answer to Arroyo Seco Parkway.
Quote from: bing101 on July 07, 2021, 10:52:04 PM
I-210 from CA-118 to CA-134@CA-710 interchange because it's scenic in the LA area
CA-2 Glendale freeway would be up there for most love freeway in the LA area.
CA-163 south end in San Diego because of the parkway feel
CA-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway because it's California first freeway.
I-780 Vallejo to Benicia because this freeway is rarely jammed and it's in a suburban setting for the entire route.
CA-13 Warren Freeway because it's the Bay Area's answer to Arroyo Seco Parkway.
Around Los Angeles it has to be by far the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
DC: I-366 :sombrero:
Quote from: SkyPesos on July 07, 2021, 11:35:21 PM
DC: I-366 :sombrero:
I mean, who doesn't love I-366 and it's 85 MPH speed limits?
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on July 07, 2021, 06:11:46 PM
I don't know if there is a "most loved" freeway - all of them are hated by their regular commuters, some are just more notorious than others.
The freeway I've had the fewest problems on locally is US 52, but northbound it still backs up horribly at I-94 during rush.
thanks to the stupid way they rebuilt it
For the Denver Metro, I suppose it's either US-36 or I-225. They provide either (a) a nice connection between Boulder and Northern Denver, or (b) a nice connection from the southern suburbs up toward the airport.
At the least, I don't hear anyone complaining about US-36 or I-225.
One cannot say the same thing as regards 70 (that awful viaduct, now the awful construction), 25 ("so congested!"), 270 ("so under-built!"), 470 ("so expensive!"), US-6 ("so tight and narrow and underground!"), or Pena Boulevard ("tight merges and off-ramps south of Tower Road; too many airport cops looking for revenue east of Tower Road").
Quote from: bing101 on July 07, 2021, 10:52:04 PM
I-210 from CA-118 to CA-134@CA-710 interchange because it's scenic in the LA area
CA-2 Glendale freeway would be up there for most love freeway in the LA area.
CA-163 south end in San Diego because of the parkway feel
CA-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway because it's California first freeway.
I-780 Vallejo to Benicia because this freeway is rarely jammed and it's in a suburban setting for the entire route.
CA-13 Warren Freeway because it's the Bay Area's answer to Arroyo Seco Parkway.
I'm not a LA resident, but the Glendale Freeway is my favorite for when I do visit for business trips. I've never seen bad traffic on that road, EVER, despite being so close to downtown!
Chicago? I-90 aka the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway... advanced technology, added new ramps where there wasn't one previously, added a lane (sometimes 2) each way, lighting, higher speed limits, etc.
Indy? Gosh, I don't know! US 31, maybe?
Quote from: keithvh on July 08, 2021, 12:38:35 AM
Quote from: bing101 on July 07, 2021, 10:52:04 PM
I-210 from CA-118 to CA-134@CA-710 interchange because it's scenic in the LA area
CA-2 Glendale freeway would be up there for most love freeway in the LA area.
CA-163 south end in San Diego because of the parkway feel
CA-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway because it's California first freeway.
I-780 Vallejo to Benicia because this freeway is rarely jammed and it's in a suburban setting for the entire route.
CA-13 Warren Freeway because it's the Bay Area's answer to Arroyo Seco Parkway.
I'm not a LA resident, but the Glendale Freeway is my favorite for when I do visit for business trips. I've never seen bad traffic on that road, EVER, despite being so close to downtown!
I've only ever encountered them at the end when CA 2 transitions to Glendale Boulevard. Great back door into downtown and definitely underutilized.
Quote from: keithvh on July 08, 2021, 12:36:57 AM
For the Denver Metro, I suppose it's either US-36 or I-225. They provide either (a) a nice connection between Boulder and Northern Denver, or (b) a nice connection from the southern suburbs up toward the airport.
At the least, I don't hear anyone complaining about US-36 or I-225.
One cannot say the same thing as regards 70 (that awful viaduct, now the awful construction), 25 ("so congested!"), 270 ("so under-built!"), 470 ("so expensive!"), US-6 ("so tight and narrow and underground!"), or Pena Boulevard ("tight merges and off-ramps south of Tower Road; too many airport cops looking for revenue east of Tower Road").
I have to agree US 36 for the Denver Metro and also for my city of Westminster. Although people do complain about it too. My biggest complaint is the lack of lane parity from Sheridan Blvd to I-25. EB needs three general purpose lanes through that stretch, and the lane drop EB at Pecos where the HOT lanes merge causes slowdowns often. Also, in the world of "shoulds", they should have built a westbound auxiliary lane from the Arista bus station entrance ramp to Wadsworth Parkway/CO 121 exit ramp. That said, these are minor quibbles compared to the other freeways in the metro.
I would say the portion of I-24 West from SR 155 outbound toward the metropolitan/county line for Nashville.
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on July 08, 2021, 03:29:09 AM
Chicago? I-90 aka the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway... advanced technology, added new ramps where there wasn't one previously, added a lane (sometimes 2) each way, lighting, higher speed limits, etc.
Indy? Gosh, I don't know! US 31, maybe?
For Chicago, I nominate I-90/I-94 from either side of town heading towards the Loop. Never mind the heavy traffic, just the views of the best skyline in the world are worth it.
In Seattle, it would be I-90 again, with the Mercer Island Floating Bridge and the cool views of the two stadiums at the very end. Honorable mention goes to I-5, with the awesome views of downtown.
US-29 (Future I-785) is the only freeway in my neck of the woods, soooo....yeah. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I-505 Vacaville because its a direct route from Oregon to the Bay Area without dealing with Downtown Sacramento traffic?
Quote from: zzcarp on July 08, 2021, 09:20:11 AM
Quote from: keithvh on July 08, 2021, 12:36:57 AM
For the Denver Metro, I suppose it's either US-36 or I-225. They provide either (a) a nice connection between Boulder and Northern Denver, or (b) a nice connection from the southern suburbs up toward the airport.
At the least, I don't hear anyone complaining about US-36 or I-225.
One cannot say the same thing as regards 70 (that awful viaduct, now the awful construction), 25 ("so congested!"), 270 ("so under-built!"), 470 ("so expensive!"), US-6 ("so tight and narrow and underground!"), or Pena Boulevard ("tight merges and off-ramps south of Tower Road; too many airport cops looking for revenue east of Tower Road").
I have to agree US 36 for the Denver Metro and also for my city of Westminster. Although people do complain about it too. My biggest complaint is the lack of lane parity from Sheridan Blvd to I-25. EB needs three general purpose lanes through that stretch, and the lane drop EB at Pecos where the HOT lanes merge causes slowdowns often. Also, in the world of "shoulds", they should have built a westbound auxiliary lane from the Arista bus station entrance ramp to Wadsworth Parkway/CO 121 exit ramp. That said, these are minor quibbles compared to the other freeways in the metro.
The only one I might nominate for "least hated" might be US285 west of Englewood. It's probably the only freeway segment in the metro I've
never run into traffic on.
Chris
DC: Agreed with the upthread nomination of US 50/I-595. If MD 200/I-370 continued west and tied into VA 28 I-366 across the Potomac, maybe I'd nominate that... :spin:
Baltimore: maybe I-895? It certainly lost this title during the Canton Viaduct replacement project since it was down to 1 lane each way thru the tunnel and over the viaduct, but that project was substantially completed with all lanes restored in December 2020. It used to sometimes have backups approaching the toll plaza due to the cash lanes, but this is also moot with MDTA remaining all-electronic permanently post-lockdown (although the toll plaza still needs to be demolished). I know that on the rare occasion I'm passing thru Baltimore on the 95 corridor, I'll always opt for I-895 over I-95 (since it, by design, has far less local traffic).
Quote from: jmacswimmer on July 08, 2021, 02:13:18 PM
DC: Agreed with the upthread nomination of US 50/I-595. If MD 200/I-370 continued west and tied into VA 28 I-366 across the Potomac, maybe I'd nominate that... :spin:
Baltimore: maybe I-895? It certainly lost this title during the Canton Viaduct replacement project since it was down to 1 lane each way thru the tunnel and over the viaduct, but that project was substantially completed with all lanes restored in December 2020. It used to sometimes have backups approaching the toll plaza due to the cash lanes, but this is also moot with MDTA remaining all-electronic permanently post-lockdown (although the toll plaza still needs to be demolished). I know that on the rare occasion I'm passing thru Baltimore on the 95 corridor, I'll always opt for I-895 over I-95 (since it, by design, has far less local traffic).
Since I live between Baltimore and Washington, I was going to give an answer for both. US 50/I-595 seemed like an easy choice for Washington, but I couldn't really come up with one for Baltimore. My best thought was to choose I-83 north of Hunt Valley, but that's far enough away from the city that it mat not really qualify as "in your city".
Also temped to say I-97 :poke: I know some of you hate the number, but I'm referring to the
pavement, not the
number. I lived here before it was built, and it did make a positive difference (Yeah, it does back up sometimes at the Annapolis end... but no road is perfect)
I've had some rough times on I-895, especially when they had one tube of the tunnel closed for work.
Detroit's is probably the Jeffries. It has express-local lanes for awhile through the city. I don't think it's really loved though. It's certainly not the Chrysler, the Fisher, the Ford, the Lodge, the Southfield or the Reuther.
Hmmm... I don't even know what ours would be in Houston. Mine personally is probably Interstate 45
I could support the Dan Ryan being best in Chicago. The views are indeed pretty cool, but when there's traffic it's pretty terrible.
I-90 out west where it's been built is very nice to drive. Plenty of space and backups are rare. The Tri-State north of O'Hare is also pretty nice when there are no backups. Again, plenty of room and merge space. Views certainly aren't anything to write home about though...
Oh, and Lake Shore Drive. I'm stupid. Of course it's Lake Shore Drive for Chicago.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 07, 2021, 11:07:21 PM
Quote from: bing101 on July 07, 2021, 10:52:04 PM
I-210 from CA-118 to CA-134@CA-710 interchange because it's scenic in the LA area
CA-2 Glendale freeway would be up there for most love freeway in the LA area.
CA-163 south end in San Diego because of the parkway feel
CA-110 Arroyo Seco Parkway because it's California first freeway.
I-780 Vallejo to Benicia because this freeway is rarely jammed and it's in a suburban setting for the entire route.
CA-13 Warren Freeway because it's the Bay Area's answer to Arroyo Seco Parkway.
Around Los Angeles it has to be by far the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
With the subpar curves and the people barreling up on you in the right lane while you're dodging cars exiting and entering the freeway at unsafely slow speeds. Not sure about that.
I'd say it has to be the Hollywood Freeway between the Cahuenga Pass and Melrose. It has the elevation change, the historic buildings and landmarks, and the views of the Basin.
Quote from: thspfc on July 07, 2021, 07:35:12 PM
I don't think this is a good question. "Most hated" works because there might be something that makes a certain freeway notoriously bad among roadgeeks and non-roadgeeks alike, other than the traffic volume. Whereas "most loved" doesn't reach through to non-roadgeeks because they see freeways simply as a way to get where they are going, so their favorite freeway is always going to be the fastest one with the least amount of traffic.
I don't think that's a good way of looking at roads. One doesn't have to be a car enthusiast to love a car, so why should one have to be a roadgeek to love a freeway?
Sure, maybe your most loved car is the one that's most efficient and most reliable, but I still think there's something about cars that holds special value for people, even outside of auto enthusiast circles, so roads should be seen in the same kind of light.
Quote from: stridentweasel on July 10, 2021, 11:06:12 AM
Quote from: thspfc on July 07, 2021, 07:35:12 PM
I don't think this is a good question. "Most hated" works because there might be something that makes a certain freeway notoriously bad among roadgeeks and non-roadgeeks alike, other than the traffic volume. Whereas "most loved" doesn't reach through to non-roadgeeks because they see freeways simply as a way to get where they are going, so their favorite freeway is always going to be the fastest one with the least amount of traffic.
I don't think that's a good way of looking at roads. One doesn't have to be a car enthusiast to love a car, so why should one have to be a roadgeek to love a freeway?
Sure, maybe your most loved car is the one that's most efficient and most reliable, but I still think there's something about cars that holds special value for people, even outside of auto enthusiast circles, so roads should be seen in the same kind of light.
Well, there's a commercial interest in glorifying the car and creating car enthusiasts, so there's tons of things like car commercials, car shows, car trade shows, media outlets that breathlessly cover all of the minute details of yet-to-be-released models of cars, fictional characters in TV shows depicted as being "car people" (think of Tim Allen in Home Improvement), etc. All of this generates tremendous amounts of interest about cars.
Road people don't have anything like that. We have road meets and hobbyist blogs but there isn't like a road convention or anything you can go to. Nobody covers SCOURN meetings in the media. If a roadgeek appeared in a sitcom they'd be the weird nerd character and not something that the viewer is supposed to identify with, like the car guy.
To most people, "name your favorite freeway" would come off exactly like the random Pink Jazz threads we get sometimes where he asks about our favorite kind of faucet or favorite brand of polo shirt or whatever and we're all like "ummm, were we supposed to have an opinion on that?"
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 10, 2021, 01:26:26 PM
Quote from: stridentweasel on July 10, 2021, 11:06:12 AM
Quote from: thspfc on July 07, 2021, 07:35:12 PM
I don’t think this is a good question. “Most hated” works because there might be something that makes a certain freeway notoriously bad among roadgeeks and non-roadgeeks alike, other than the traffic volume. Whereas “most loved” doesn’t reach through to non-roadgeeks because they see freeways simply as a way to get where they are going, so their favorite freeway is always going to be the fastest one with the least amount of traffic.
I don't think that's a good way of looking at roads. One doesn't have to be a car enthusiast to love a car, so why should one have to be a roadgeek to love a freeway?
Sure, maybe your most loved car is the one that's most efficient and most reliable, but I still think there's something about cars that holds special value for people, even outside of auto enthusiast circles, so roads should be seen in the same kind of light.
Well, there's a commercial interest in glorifying the car and creating car enthusiasts, so there's tons of things like car commercials, car shows, car trade shows, media outlets that breathlessly cover all of the minute details of yet-to-be-released models of cars, fictional characters in TV shows depicted as being "car people" (think of Tim Allen in Home Improvement), etc. All of this generates tremendous amounts of interest about cars.
Road people don't have anything like that. We have road meets and hobbyist blogs but there isn't like a road convention or anything you can go to. Nobody covers SCOURN meetings in the media. If a roadgeek appeared in a sitcom they'd be the weird nerd character and not something that the viewer is supposed to identify with, like the car guy.
To most people, "name your favorite freeway" would come off exactly like the random Pink Jazz threads we get sometimes where he asks about our favorite kind of faucet or favorite brand of polo shirt or whatever and we're all like "ummm, were we supposed to have an opinion on that?"
I would guess that more people would have an interest in non highway scenic roads.
Because freeways for the most part are not scenic and don't interest people. They're the Everyman of roads, unspectacular and utilitarian, and fairly uniform to the untrained eye. Charles Kuralt quoted in one of his books that Interstates make it possible to travel from coast to coast (or perhaps coat to cost) without seeing anything. You never see freeways in car ads. People see the real adventures as being off freeways.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 10, 2021, 01:28:17 PM
I would guess that more people would have an interest in non highway scenic roads.
I don't even think that's a thing many people have an interest in. Most people don't leave their metro area on a regular basis, and when they do, they have a specific non-road destination in mind. Exploring scenic routes is not something most people do as a regular recreational activity.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 10, 2021, 02:22:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on July 10, 2021, 01:28:17 PM
I would guess that more people would have an interest in non highway scenic roads.
I don't even think that's a thing many people have an interest in. Most people don't leave their metro area on a regular basis, and when they do, they have a specific non-road destination in mind. Exploring scenic routes is not something most people do as a regular recreational activity.
Not most people, but a larger subset of the population.
Quote from: jmacswimmer on July 08, 2021, 02:13:18 PM
I'll always opt for I-895 over I-95 (since it, by design, has far less local traffic).
Interesting pick. I'd actually go against 895 for that same reason. I lived in the Baltimore area briefly and have visited several times. Because of 895's layout, it doesn't really serve local traffic. In fact, I've clinched every mile of interstate in Baltimore City/County except for 895, which I've been on zero times.
Personally, I've always liked the JFX (83) best, mainly for the views.
I'm not sure if the average person can "love" a freeway, but if I had to pick one in Salt Lake it would be the I-215 east belt (from 62nd South up to I-80). It has great views of the Wasatch Mountains/Salt Lake Valley/downtown SLC and traffic is almost always pretty good on it. Also, northbound is way better - there's a sound wall on the west side that blocks some of the view from the southbound lanes, but the northbound lanes are a bit higher and you can for the most part see over the sound wall from there.
If you are having trouble with the question try "most disliked".