Searched beforehand and couldn't find a general topic about this.
I'd nominate any of the I70 exits in STL City itself. One stretch in particular always gave off this "there's been some bad shit here" vibe; The stretch between from the O'Fallon Park to Adelaide.
Another area interchange: I44 & I55. Witnessed a car slide off the ramp from 55 NB to 44 WB late one stormy evening (brought down a pole, but everyone was all right.)
An exit closer to home: Chase Road at Mid-Cape Highway (former exit 4.) It's in a heavily wooded area and poorly lit (non-existent lighting all together.)
I-10 Exit 3 onto Summit Road in New Mexico which leads to the Steins. The underpass is a weird single lane and there was a whole murder story with the ghost town site owner.
Quote from: CapeCodder on June 08, 2022, 11:08:22 PM
Searched beforehand and couldn't find a general topic about this.
Nope, just one about bridges...
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=28764.0
As Chicago's Lower Wacker Drive begins to approach the point where it spills out onto the westbound Eisenhower, I always get the strange feeling that it isn't actually going to lead me anywhere. Like I'm just going to end up in some underground parking lot or something. And then, where the transition really does happen, the ramp starts out by going the wrong direction (east instead of west) and enters another tunnel. By the time I finally emerge (https://goo.gl/maps/Y6udLRGQ1b6Ctbc87) from the darkness, it's like, Huh, it actually worked! Every time.
Not sure if this is creepy, but in Northern Virginia, it's not too difficult for an inexperienced driver to wind up on the Pentagon parking lot, as it is adjacent to I-395, and VA-27. Before 9/11, I suppose it didn't matter much (in fact I recall my dad using the lot as a park-and-ride lot to go into DC on a weeknight, and using the Pentagon Metro station).
But now, the lot is permit-only. And for a while, I recall armed Humvees circling the lot. Certainly would be a surprised for a lost motorist!
Quote from: CapeCodder on June 08, 2022, 11:08:22 PM
I'd nominate any of the I70 exits in STL City itself. One stretch in particular always gave off this "there's been some bad shit here" vibe; The stretch between from the O'Fallon Park to Adelaide.
Most any freeway exit in the inner city will do that to you. The ones in Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Los Angeles, etc. are prime examples of that, mainly because they lead to the worst parts of their respective cities. And even downtown can be seedy as well, especially in the late hours of the night.
Quote from: kphoger on June 09, 2022, 09:50:18 AM
As Chicago's Lower Wacker Drive begins to approach the point where it spills out onto the westbound Eisenhower, I always get the strange feeling that it isn't actually going to lead me anywhere. Like I'm just going to end up in some underground parking lot or something. And then, where the transition really does happen, the ramp starts out by going the wrong direction (east instead of west) and enters another tunnel. By the time I finally emerge (https://goo.gl/maps/Y6udLRGQ1b6Ctbc87) from the darkness, it's like, Huh, it actually worked! Every time.
Interesting. I get a similar feeling further down Lower Wacker by East Water St because it actually does lead to a parking garage.
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 09, 2022, 03:35:28 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 09, 2022, 09:50:18 AM
As Chicago's Lower Wacker Drive begins to approach the point where it spills out onto the westbound Eisenhower, I always get the strange feeling that it isn't actually going to lead me anywhere. Like I'm just going to end up in some underground parking lot or something. And then, where the transition really does happen, the ramp starts out by going the wrong direction (east instead of west) and enters another tunnel. By the time I finally emerge (https://goo.gl/maps/Y6udLRGQ1b6Ctbc87) from the darkness, it's like, Huh, it actually worked! Every time.
Interesting. I get a similar feeling further down Lower Wacker by East Water St because it actually does lead to a parking garage.
That whole area has always seemed strange to me. Even creepy, perhaps, if it seemed unusually devoid of people. I used to walk across the area occasionally, on the way between Navy Pier or the Ohio Street Beach and the Randolph/Wabash L station. With all the different roadway levels going on, I was never quite sure what went where. So I would just kind of hope I didn't end up underground or on an elevated road without a sidewalk or something.
Westport off the B-W Parkway
Quote from: kphoger on June 09, 2022, 03:42:32 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 09, 2022, 03:35:28 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 09, 2022, 09:50:18 AM
As Chicago's Lower Wacker Drive begins to approach the point where it spills out onto the westbound Eisenhower, I always get the strange feeling that it isn't actually going to lead me anywhere. Like I'm just going to end up in some underground parking lot or something. And then, where the transition really does happen, the ramp starts out by going the wrong direction (east instead of west) and enters another tunnel. By the time I finally emerge (https://goo.gl/maps/Y6udLRGQ1b6Ctbc87) from the darkness, it's like, Huh, it actually worked! Every time.
Interesting. I get a similar feeling further down Lower Wacker by East Water St because it actually does lead to a parking garage.
That whole area has always seemed strange to me. Even creepy, perhaps, if it seemed unusually devoid of people. I used to walk across the area occasionally, on the way between Navy Pier or the Ohio Street Beach and the Randolph/Wabash L station. With all the different roadway levels going on, I was never quite sure what went where. So I would just kind of hope I didn't end up underground or on an elevated road without a sidewalk or something.
My youth group used to go down every Christmas morning to feed and clothe the homeless down there. Some fascinating stories for another time.
Quote from: CapeCodder on June 08, 2022, 11:08:22 PM
Searched beforehand and couldn't find a general topic about this.
I'd nominate any of the I70 exits in STL City itself. One stretch in particular always gave off this "there's been some bad shit here" vibe; The stretch between from the O'Fallon Park to Adelaide.
Over 30 years ago, my then-partner had a flat tire as he was on the way home from work in East St Louis. (He ran a pharmacy in the city. He was quite safe as the local gangs had family who got their prescriptions there and if anyone messed with him the gangs would protect him. Life in the Inner City.) He pulled off the freeway at the Tudor Av exit right in the heart of the ESL ghetto. Rather than call the auto club, he called me. He had a spare and jack, but unfortunately his jack would have destroyed the fender of the Camaro so I ended up calling the auto club anyway. I was lucky that it was winter and about -10F, so nobody was hanging out by the convenience store pay phone.
But as Henry said, many urban exits are pretty creepy looking. And they're often at least as creepy as they look.
Quote from: AlexandriaVA on June 09, 2022, 09:51:00 AMNot sure if this is creepy, but in Northern Virginia, it's not too difficult for an inexperienced driver to wind up on the Pentagon parking lot, as it is adjacent to I-395, and VA-27. Before 9/11, I suppose it didn't matter much (in fact I recall my dad using the lot as a park-and-ride lot to go into DC on a weeknight, and using the Pentagon Metro station).
In the early 2000s, the Post did an article about the high number of DUIs issued near the Pentagon, since it was very easy to get into the Pentagon parking lot, but very hard to find your way out if you weren't intimately familiar with it - as well as the fact that those charged with DUI had their case heard at the Eastern District of Virginia, since the Pentagon is federal property.
When I was a kid my Dad told me "the legend of 27B", that anyone who took exit 27B on I-80 in New Jersey disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. To this day I still feel my heart rate increase if I have to take that exit, so I'd say it's a pretty creepy vibe for me personally :-D
Quote from: interstate73 on June 09, 2022, 06:32:24 PM
When I was a kid my Dad told me "the legend of 27B", that anyone who took exit 27B on I-80 in New Jersey disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. To this day I still feel my heart rate increase if I have to take that exit, so I'd say it's a pretty creepy vibe for me personally :-D
Exit 27B for NJ 183 in Netcong? Or a different exit before they were renumbered?
I'd say maybe the 5th and 6th Street exit off of i-675 in Saginaw. The entire area is pretty abandoned and run down.
I-40 in Only, TN at Exit 152 at night. There is a creepy adult bookstore there, a rundown motel and the road looks like it winds into nowhere at night.
Quote from: webny99 on June 09, 2022, 06:40:16 PM
Quote from: interstate73 on June 09, 2022, 06:32:24 PM
When I was a kid my Dad told me "the legend of 27B", that anyone who took exit 27B on I-80 in New Jersey disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. To this day I still feel my heart rate increase if I have to take that exit, so I'd say it's a pretty creepy vibe for me personally :-D
Exit 27B for NJ 183 in Netcong? Or a different exit before they were renumbered?
Indeed that's the one!
I-75 exit 122 in Michigan. The I-75/Pierson Rd area has fallen so hard that Meijer left that area for I-69/Morrish Rd a few years ago! Also several other chains have left that exit in recent years, namely Applebee's, Bob Evans, Burger King, KFC, and Denny's.
Quote from: ftballfan on June 14, 2022, 09:33:38 PM
I-75 exit 122 in Michigan. The I-75/Pierson Rd area has fallen so hard that Meijer left that area for I-69/Morrish Rd a few years ago! Also several other chains have left that exit in recent years, namely Applebee's, Bob Evans, Burger King, KFC, and Denny's.
That exit used to be a lot better but it's rather run down and abandoned now. The Cracker Barrel still does alright from what I see it's usually got cars in it's lot there when I go by. I've stopped at the Big John Steak & Onion at Pierson and Linden and it's alright in there. It looks kind of creepy where the Meijer used to be it's just a big empty lot. The one in Swartz Creek opened around the same time the one on Pierson closed so that was it's replacement.
A few years ago (a few years pre-covid so probably 5 or so years ago) I was sitting in my car at the McDonald's parking lot at that exit and a car pulled up two spots from me and I had my window down I heard the guy say I'm trying to make it back to Tawas and am about to run out of gas I said well I can't really help you and then he asked me what city is this? I said it's Flint, Michigan and to be honest this isn't really the best of areas so my best advice for you if you are trying to get to Tawas is to get back on I-75 and get outta here. He actually took my advice and got back on the highway. I followed him up two exits to Mount Morris Road where he stopped at the Beacon & Bridge and I told him I'd put $10 in his gas tank for him which I did so if anything it just cost me $10. He told me he was coming from UofM in Ann Arbor.
The same thing 27 miles north at exit 149 which is the M-46/Holland Road exit. There is a big Nexteer plant there, used to be Saginaw Steering Gear, part of General Motors. At one time there were over 10,000 people working there now there are about 2,000. The exit has taken a turn for the worse. Fort Saginaw Mall was demolished over a decade ago and still lingering on are two abandoned hotels, a Red Roof Inn, Speedway, BP, McDonald's, Popeyes, an abandoned Burger King which I think is something else now but I've never seen them open, Taco Bell, Arby's, Big John Steak & Onion. There used to be a Wendy's on Outer Drive years ago. The entire exit though is in pretty bad shape, MDOT just rebuilt the exit so there is nothing wrong with the design or pavement quality but the crime around there is bad and the two abandoned hotels are front and center right when you drive west of the highway. The old Ramada Inn, Rodeway Inn and whatever the hell it was called at the end is in the worst of shape. I would certainly qualify that as creepy vibes.
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 10, 2022, 12:22:15 AM
I-40 in Only, TN at Exit 152 at night. There is a creepy adult bookstore there, a rundown motel and the road looks like it winds into nowhere at night.
Those type of exits have a foreboding aura. Plus there's a prison nearby.
Quote from: CapeCodder on June 15, 2022, 08:24:12 PM
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on June 10, 2022, 12:22:15 AM
I-40 in Only, TN at Exit 152 at night. There is a creepy adult bookstore there, a rundown motel and the road looks like it winds into nowhere at night.
Those type of exits have a foreboding aura. Plus there's a prison nearby.
Oh that is correct. I forgot to mention the nearby prison.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 08, 2022, 11:32:23 PM
I-10 Exit 3 onto Summit Road in New Mexico which leads to the Steins. The underpass is a weird single lane and there was a whole murder story with the ghost town site owner.
Hahaha!! I love that exit. Made a special detour there to check out the ghost town once.
How about Exit 0 on I-40 in TX. There is a I-40 Business Loop sign but no longer any open businesses. A business loop for a ghost town that doesn't even official loop back to I-40.
I've been told that Exit 347 off I-70 in Kansas is one of the Gateways to Hell, but I don't know where to find it once you get off the freeway.
https://goo.gl/maps/WzgvaVyzJuRjP6Cx9
Don't other states have these, too? I think somebody once said that about one of the exits off the New Jersey Turnpike, but I don't remember which one. Have Gateways to Hell popped up in all 50 states yet? And do they have barbecue-flavored potato chips? For some reason, I've always associated the scent and flavor of barbecue potato chips with the ambience of Hell. But I could be wrong.
There's the bow-tie exit between US 9 and the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on June 17, 2022, 05:25:47 AM
There's the bow-tie exit between US 9 and the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Why is that creepy?
I don't recall the numbers or locations, but some of the more rural I-95 exits in Georgia and South Carolina could qualify in my view. Many exits have a few modern gas stations, truck stops and fast food places, but some seem to have just one or a few older, run-down gas stations with or without a convenience store. Especially for overnight travel, we make some efforts to avoid those and go to the exits with at least a couple of larger stations and a few all-night fast food places.
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 08:25:01 AM
Many exits have a few modern gas stations, truck stops and fast food places, but some seem to have just one or a few older, run-down gas stations with or without a convenience store.
That sounds completely normal to me.
Quote from: kphoger on June 17, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 08:25:01 AM
Many exits have a few modern gas stations, truck stops and fast food places, but some seem to have just one or a few older, run-down gas stations with or without a convenience store.
That sounds completely normal to me.
I actually prefer that.
Quote from: kphoger on June 17, 2022, 09:48:48 AM
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 08:25:01 AM
Many exits have a few modern gas stations, truck stops and fast food places, but some seem to have just one or a few older, run-down gas stations with or without a convenience store.
That sounds completely normal to me.
Becoming less common over the years along the I-95 corridor. Many exits now have one or more big TA, Love's, Pilot, etc. and a selection of new fast-food places.
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 09:56:16 AM
Becoming less common over the years along the I-95 corridor. Many exits now have one or more big TA, Love's, Pilot, etc. and a selection of new fast-food places.
That may be, but I'm used to exits like
this (https://goo.gl/maps/zfJ4tBpTJ3PGhCUc7).
Quote from: kphoger on June 17, 2022, 10:10:20 AM
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 09:56:16 AM
Becoming less common over the years along the I-95 corridor. Many exits now have one or more big TA, Love's, Pilot, etc. and a selection of new fast-food places.
That may be, but I'm used to exits like this (https://goo.gl/maps/zfJ4tBpTJ3PGhCUc7).
I prefer this. (https://goo.gl/maps/Zdv5wAsRyYSVAm447)
Quote from: kphoger on June 17, 2022, 10:10:20 AM
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 09:56:16 AM
Becoming less common over the years along the I-95 corridor. Many exits now have one or more big TA, Love's, Pilot, etc. and a selection of new fast-food places.
That may be, but I'm used to exits like this (https://goo.gl/maps/zfJ4tBpTJ3PGhCUc7).
That one looks perfectly nice and uncreepy to me. The ones I'm thinking of in the southeast have a whole different look and feel. Especially for a 3 AM gas stop.
WB I-94 Exit 210B in Detroit has given me bad vibes since I was a wee lad. Before I-96 was finished, this was the way home from downtown to the west side suburbs I grew up in. Up a short ramp, right turn onto a well-worn Addison Street (see Google Maps image), then left on McGraw for a couple of blocks to actually get to M-153 (Ford Road).
https://goo.gl/maps/VjVW3Ue5yufuLXNt6
I-26 Exit 187 in SC feels off. Been to a gas station over there and it just overall looked old, also, the road for the exit doesn't really go anywhere besides a much smaller town a little off the way.
A couple ones on 75 in North Georgia too, especially during the rain.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 08, 2022, 11:32:23 PM
I-10 Exit 3 onto Summit Road in New Mexico which leads to the Steins. The underpass is a weird single lane and there was a whole murder story with the ghost town site owner.
Conversely, Exit 390 in AZ onto Cavot Rd appears to go absolutely nowhere inside of desolate nowhere, so it just feels eerie.
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on June 17, 2022, 10:13:44 AM
Quote from: kphoger on June 17, 2022, 10:10:20 AM
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 09:56:16 AM
Becoming less common over the years along the I-95 corridor. Many exits now have one or more big TA, Love's, Pilot, etc. and a selection of new fast-food places.
That may be, but I'm used to exits like this (https://goo.gl/maps/zfJ4tBpTJ3PGhCUc7).
I prefer this. (https://goo.gl/maps/Zdv5wAsRyYSVAm447)
NOT a freeway... just nothing (https://goo.gl/maps/wkFMd9Eom6G7z9CF8)
Quote from: Ned Weasel on June 16, 2022, 10:13:33 PM
Have Gateways to Hell popped up in all 50 states yet? And do they have barbecue-flavored potato chips? For some reason, I've always associated the scent and flavor of barbecue potato chips with the ambience of Hell. But I could be wrong.
I tend to associate it with stale cigarette smoke and loud carpet, myself.
Quote from: Jim on June 17, 2022, 08:25:01 AM
I don't recall the numbers or locations, but some of the more rural I-95 exits in Georgia and South Carolina could qualify in my view. Many exits have a few modern gas stations, truck stops and fast food places, but some seem to have just one or a few older, run-down gas stations with or without a convenience store. Especially for overnight travel, we make some efforts to avoid those and go to the exits with at least a couple of larger stations and a few all-night fast food places.
That reminds me of the time a few years ago where I was driving through eastern Georgia on I-16 at night. We stopped at one old gas station that was pretty much the only thing at its exit (don't remember exactly where). It had a men's restroom with a window to the outside on the opposite wall as 3-4 urinals. Not a frosted glass window, but a clear window that spanned the length of the restroom. When I was in there, I assumed it was one-way glass...nope. Any random person of normal height standing in the parking lot could easily look in and watch dudes take their piss from behind. Perhaps the strangest restroom setup I have ever seen.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 08, 2022, 11:32:23 PM
I-10 Exit 3 onto Summit Road in New Mexico which leads to the Steins. The underpass is a weird single lane and there was a whole murder story with the ghost town site owner.
I can see this being scary at night.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2270222,-108.9886915,3a,21.6y,361.91h,88.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srCRm-t7hS5aaxslg4Usx9w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Quote from: bugo on July 02, 2022, 08:02:42 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 08, 2022, 11:32:23 PM
I-10 Exit 3 onto Summit Road in New Mexico which leads to the Steins. The underpass is a weird single lane and there was a whole murder story with the ghost town site owner.
I can see this being scary at night.
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2270222,-108.9886915,3a,21.6y,361.91h,88.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srCRm-t7hS5aaxslg4Usx9w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
*shrug*
Quote from: Ned Weasel on June 16, 2022, 10:13:33 PM
I've been told that Exit 347 off I-70 in Kansas is one of the Gateways to Hell, but I don't know where to find it once you get off the freeway.
The cemetery in Stull is supposed to be a "portal to hell". The church in the pictures in this link was removed in 2002. I drove by there once, but couldn't really see anything. They say the locals act really weird about it and if you stop it won't be long until somebody comes along and harasses you. The way the locals act is weirder than the "portal to hell" to me.
http://www.weirdus.com/states/kansas/stories/gateway_to_hell/
Quote from: bugo on July 02, 2022, 08:14:48 AM
Quote from: Ned Weasel on June 16, 2022, 10:13:33 PM
I've been told that Exit 347 off I-70 in Kansas is one of the Gateways to Hell, but I don't know where to find it once you get off the freeway.
The cemetery in Stull is supposed to be a "portal to hell". The church in the pictures in this link was removed in 2002. I drove by there once, but couldn't really see anything. They say the locals act really weird about it and if you stop it won't be long until somebody comes along and harasses you. The way the locals act is weirder than the "portal to hell" to me.
http://www.weirdus.com/states/kansas/stories/gateway_to_hell/
So I am now very curious. I didn't know there were multiple gateways to hell.