Since we have a thread for some of the worst interstate drives, I thought I'd start one for some of the best or most interesting(mostly in terms of scenery). There are some obvious ones, such as I-70 W. of Denver that provide lots of mountain scenery. There are a couple others though that I find particularly scenic that don't get quite as much attention.
One is I-8 across California. This one is probably more interesting westbound than eastbound(I've been over it twice and both times were westbound.) From Yuma to W. of El Centro might not be thought of as particularly scenic as it's mostly open desert. But it has some interest in that it drops below sea level to the lowest point on an interstate highway and it provides an interesting contrast to what comes next. W. of El Centro where it starts ascending to the mountains is where it gets really interesting. You can see the ascent of the road ahead long before you actually start climbing. When you reach the mountains themselves you find very rugged mountain scenery that you may not expect if you've never been through the area before. I know when I went through it the first time it was a pleasant surprise for me-I didn't know the mountains E. of San Diego were so rugged even through their elevation isn't that high. Even though you are near a major city while going through the mountains, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Then the mountains gradually give way to the foothills and the San Diego suburbs and eventually the city itself-which in my opinion has one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country.
Another interesting drive is much of I-90 from Gillette, WY to Spokane, WA. Again, this one is somewhat more interesting westbound than eastbound. Starting westbound from Gillette, it's fun to watch as the tall Bighorn Mountains to the west gradually appear on the horizon(it provides something to do as there is literally nothing in the 70 miles between Gillette and Buffalo). From the point at which the Bighorn Mountains become visible, you are almost constantly in or in view of mountains all the way westbound to Spokane. If the atmospheric conditions are right, the Beartooth Mountains are visible to the south of I-90 between Billings and Livingston(there is even a sign which points them out). Another interesting spot is when I-90 crosses over the Continental Divide at Homestake Pass and then descends into Butte-the whole city opens up below you as you make the descent. The portion of I-90 W. of Missoula along the Clark Fork River is particularly scenic as well.
agreed on I-8. It is, all around, a great drive, from Casa Grande to San Diego.
also, I rather like I-15 north of Idaho Falls into Montana.
I-87 through the Adirondacks in upstate New York.
I-93 through the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
NY 17 (future I-86) through the Catskills in upstate New York.
I-70 West of Denver, but east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
I-5 from Redding to Eugene. For me, that is one fun and pretty drive.
I-84 from Troutdale to Ontario. Columbia River Gorge, Emigrant Hill, the canyon approaching La Grande, cutting through Blue Mountains, the Snake River...
I'm strangely fond of I-29 from Council Bluffs to Kansas City- I don't know why, I just really like it. I think it's because I usually hit it in the late afternoon and something about the way the light hits the trees and the hills- who knows.
I also like I-24 from Nashville to I-57. I've only been on that once, but it was a beautiful morning, I was in an open-top Jeep Wrangler, and everything seemed swell, so I have fond memories of it. The road may or may not actually be really cool.
After years of living in mountains, I just don't appreciate mountains like I used to- rolling hills are where it's at. Mountains, especially mountains in the west with sagebrush are in my mind representative of being really, really boring. My lack of mountain appreciation actually makes me sad- it's good to appreciate mountains.
I've always enjoyed I-24 from Chattanooga up the mountain to Monteagle and down the other side.
I-84 just east of Portland, OR is by far one of the most interesting interstate " entrances to a major metropolitan area". This highway folllows the Clolumbia River with Multnomah Falls within sight of the highway. Another scenic interstate: I-85 south of Richmond, VA with forests so thick you cannot see the oncoming lanes. This impresses the heck out of me since I am from a desert state. I-40 near Flagstaff is always gorgeous any time of the year. I-25 between Santa Fe and Las Vegas is another interstate with wooded medians. I-10 in Louisiana is one I enjoy with the high bridges over the bayous and rivers around Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.
Quote from: sandiaman on September 13, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
I-84 just east of Portland, OR
That was the first that came to my mind. I-84 between Portland and The Dalles is a great scenic stretch of interstate. The view of Mt. Hood, the river, the transition between coastal forest and inland desert, the waterfalls, Beacon Rock, etc.
The long I-65 bridge just east of Mobile has always provided the definitive entrance to the Gulf Coast after the long, boring drive from Montgomery.
Ones I've done and thus can comment on:
I-10 west of Baton Rouge where it runs on a twin viaduct for 17 miles through the Atchafalaya Basin. Some pretty impressive views, and unlike Alligator Alley, all for free.
I-95 through northern Maine, especially southbound with its view of Mt. Katahdin.
I second third also like I-84 in Oregon.
I-65 through northern Alabama and through Kentucky between Louisville and Elizabethtown
I-10 across Mobile Bay
I-5 through northern San Diego County
I-15 through northern San Diego
I-55 from Manchac, LA southward then eastward into New Orleans
I-20 at Six Flags Hill west of Atlanta (especially traveling east towards the city--you can see the downtown skyline when it's not cloudy or foggy)
I-45 in South Dallas from I-20 to I-30 is one i like, all bridge, for, like, 7 miles, dallas skyline in the background, quite rural, even that close to downtown, trinity river floodplain below, great scenery and view of dallas. the only problem is: Its South fawking Dallas
I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville. I haven't been on it between Knoxville and US 74 so I can't comment on that stretch but I'm sure it's equally nice.
I'll agree with that and expand it to I-40 in Tennessee in general, as well as the adjoining stretch of I-40 in NC from the TN line to Asheville. Tennessee is pretty darn scenic throughout (though in different ways), and it comes to a climax as you cross into NC.
I can third that- I can't believe I forgot I-40 through the Smokies- that's a beautiful stretch of road
It's short, but the entirely of I-580 (CA) has always provided a very quick change of scenery. You begin at the coast just north of San Fransisco, travel through the heavily populated East Bay cities and then before you know it, you're in the rolling hills and terrain east of the Bay Area and then you enter the flat and rural Central Valley. All of this packed into about 80 miles or so makes for an interesting drive.
Even though it made a lot of folks "worst" drives, I-80 in PA is still one of my all time favorites. With the wide, often tree-filled medians, it like taking a 65 mph stroll through Penn's woods.
Actually, I put any crossing of the Appalachians in there particularly:
I-24 Nashville to Chattanooga
I-40 Knoxville to Asheville
I-81 from I-40 to Binghamton, NY (haven't been farther north than that on I-80)
I-59 from I-24 to Gadsen
Pennsylvania Turnpike (love the road, hate the PTC)
Others:
I-65 in Kentucky
I-71 from I-265 to I-75 in Kentucky
Northbound on I-71/75 on the downhill near Covington, KY with the view of the Cincinnati skyline
I-94 from Illinois state line to Milwaukee - not for the scenery but for frontage roads and the funky exits that may be gone or disappearing
future I-99 (US 15) north of Williamsport
I-80 eastbound from Sacremento to Truckee beautiful scenery while rising over 7,000 feet in 50-60 miles.
I-64 between I-77 and I-81 in West Virginia and Virginia.
I-68.
I-26/Future I-26 from Kingsport, Tenn. to Asheville, NC.
I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge in Tennessee and North Carolina.
I-70 between Denver and Grand Junction (although when I was on that route, Glenwood Canyon was not yet built.)
I-77 from Princeton, WV to Wytheville, Va. and then south to the North Carolina border.
If not for traffic issues, I'd also list I-75 from Williamsburg, Ky. to Lake City, Tenn., and all of I-81 in Virginia. Very pretty scenery in both locations.
I-390 south of Mount Morris is also really nice - better southbound. Northbound between Avon and the Thruway is also nice.
I-86 in the southern tier.
I also like I-87 (Thruway) near the Catskills.
Quote from: mightyace on September 14, 2010, 09:47:13 AM
Northbound on I-71/75 on the downhill near Covington, KY with the view of the Cincinnati skyline
Well... if the northbound I-71/75 decent into Cincinnati is going to be mentioned, I suppose it's my duty as a "yinzer" to go with I-376
(former 279) Eastbound at the end of the Ft. Pitt Tunnels entering downtown Pittsburgh.. It's certainly interesting. Though ironically, there are hours of the day where the miles leading up to this "stretch" of highway could fit into that "worst interstate drives" category.
For a more rural flavor, I'll second that I-68 mention. Not that it necessarily beats other mentions here, just that it's one I personally use more frequently.
I'll have to take your word for it. I've only ever gone west through the Fort Pitt tunnels.
Interstate 80 between Auburn and Reno - through the Donner Pass and North Tahoe areas - is as stunning as it can be tricky during a snowstorm.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on September 14, 2010, 12:09:35 PM
Quote from: mightyace on September 14, 2010, 09:47:13 AM
Northbound on I-71/75 on the downhill near Covington, KY with the view of the Cincinnati skyline
Well... if the northbound I-71/75 decent into Cincinnati is going to be mentioned, I suppose it's my duty as a "yinzer" to go with I-376 (former 279) Eastbound at the end of the Ft. Pitt Tunnels entering downtown Pittsburgh.. It's certainly interesting. Though ironically, there are hours of the day where the miles leading up to this "stretch" of highway could fit into that "worst interstate drives" category.
Best and worst. Coming out of the tunnel and getting smashed in the face by a bridge/building combo. I can speak for that.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on September 14, 2010, 12:09:35 PM
For a more rural flavor, I'll second that I-68 mention. Not that it necessarily beats other mentions here, just that it's one I personally use more frequently.
I agree on that - not to mention one of the largest rock cuts anyone may have ever seen.
Quote from: mightyace on September 14, 2010, 12:25:22 PM
I'll have to take your word for it. I've only ever gone west through the Fort Pitt tunnels.
You are missing out...the eastbound drive through the tunnel is breathtaking.
I know this doesn't count as it's not an Interstate, but US-26 between roughly Oregon 6 and Interstate 5 in Portland is very beautiful. I've been spending my summers up in the Newport and Portland areas of Oregon for about four years now and I always love that quick transition US-26 has between the rolling hills and farmland west of the metropolitan area, the suburbs of Beaverton and then the actual city of Portland. But my favorite part of the route is between Beaverton (roughly Oregon 217) and Portland (where US-26 and I-405 meet.) It travels through a forested area, near the Portland Zoo, and the highway gets narrow as it's nestled right between the hills. Then it tunnels under another hill and suddenly you're in Portland. Not sure if I explained it very well, but it's just really neat how quickly the scenery changes.
US-26 is generally a very scenic route. I really like it in eastern Oregon; and also in Wyoming.
QuoteUS-26 is generally a very scenic route. I really like it in eastern Oregon; and also in Wyoming.
Pretty solid in Idaho too- especially from ~Carey east. It's not bad in Nebraska, either, for that matter. You get the sort of extreme southern sandhills, Chimney Rock, Lake McCounaughy.
Agreed in Wyoming except for that chunk from Shoshoni to Casper- that is in my opinion the worst drive in the country- it's full of drunks going from Riverton to Casper, there's a shocking amount of traffic driving recklessly, it's remarkably flat and boring (you don't pass through ANYTHING)- just overall a horrible drive.
QuotePretty solid in Idaho too- especially from ~Carey east.
indeed. though it does go through a lot of potato country west of there ;)
QuoteIt's not bad in Nebraska, either, for that matter. You get the sort of extreme southern sandhills, Chimney Rock, Lake McCounaughy.
I've only done that section at night, unfortunately - and only from Scottsbluff west. I hear 71 heading from 30 to 26 is nice, but, again, only at night.
QuoteAgreed in Wyoming except for that chunk from Shoshoni to Casper- that is in my opinion the worst drive in the country- it's full of drunks going from Riverton to Casper, there's a shocking amount of traffic driving recklessly, it's remarkably flat and boring (you don't pass through ANYTHING)- just overall a horrible drive.
don't forget downtown Casper. On this very same night that I keep alluding to, the lights were set flashing yellow/flashing red, and apparently for drunks in large pickup trucks, flashing red means "floor the shit out of it". It was lucky that this intersection - at which US-26 with me on it had the yellow - was a wide enough boulevard that I could see someone approaching at what must've been 80mph in a 30 or 35, with absolutely no intention of stopping to give me right of way. As far as I can tell, he ran every single flashing red on that cross street. The things you do when there is minimal traffic and you assume there is none at all...
Let me add the detested I-99. I think it's a pretty drive too.
My most favorite drive is a short one - only the first 4 miles of Interstate 80 in New Jersey, but it is gorgeous, especially in the fall.
Interstate 81 in Virginia from Blacksburg to Winchester is kinda cool too, with the mountains in the distance on both sides.
US 211 over the Shenandoah is absolutely beautiful, as is US 501 over the Blue Ridge.
Interstate 84 in Putnam County, NY is pretty nice.
There are a number of interstates where I think the ride through the city they go through is pretty neat. A few examples...
I-290 through Worcester, MA
I-95 through Providence, RI, Richmond, VA, New York City, and Wilmington, DE
I-787 through Albany, NY
I-395 through Washington, DC
I-676 through Philadelphia, PA
I-84 and I-91 through Hartford, CT
I-91 through Springfield, MA
I-40 in California follows much of the original US 66 and thus passes by many ghost towns and some very rural desert en route to Needles and Kingman. It also skirts by the northern edge of the Joshua Tree National Monument, which is rather beautiful.
Quote from: PennDOTFan on September 14, 2010, 05:06:15 PM
There are a number of interstates where I think the ride through the city they go through is pretty neat. A few examples...
I-290 through Worcester, MA
I-95 through Providence, RI, Richmond, VA, New York City, and Wilmington, DE
I-787 through Albany, NY
I-395 through Washington, DC
I-676 through Philadelphia, PA
I-84 and I-91 through Hartford, CT
I-91 through Springfield, MA
Best ride in NY is I-278 on the Gowanus. I like many of your choices after that, but not the Hartford freeways. Another neat one is US 1 in Trenton, which was originally considered for I-95. For that matter, I-95 through Philly definitely tops a couple of your other city choices. And if it's not full of traffic, I-93 in Boston new and old were both unique experiences.
I-70 in Utah between Salina and Green River travels through the San Rafael Swell, which is absolutely incredible. There's a section (I think Spotted Wolf Canyon) that reminds me of I-15 through the Virgin River.
Quote from: AlpsROADS on September 14, 2010, 05:58:31 PM
For that matter, I-95 through Philly definitely tops a couple of your other city choices.
I-95 in Philly is meh. I guess that is because I have done it so many times.
Quote from: AlpsROADS on September 14, 2010, 05:58:31 PM
And if it's not full of traffic, I-93 in Boston new and old were both unique experiences.
That is a pretty neat ride too. Going under the tunnel than back onto the Zakim Bridge is pretty neat. I-90 through the tunnels to the airport is kinda cool too.
not an interstate, but 401 in Toronto has to be seen at least once.
Quote from: Quillz on September 14, 2010, 01:34:28 PM
I know this doesn't count as it's not an Interstate, but US-26 between roughly Oregon 6 and Interstate 5 in Portland is very beautiful. I've been spending my summers up in the Newport and Portland areas of Oregon for about four years now and I always love that quick transition US-26 has between the rolling hills and farmland west of the metropolitan area, the suburbs of Beaverton and then the actual city of Portland. But my favorite part of the route is between Beaverton (roughly Oregon 217) and Portland (where US-26 and I-405 meet.) It travels through a forested area, near the Portland Zoo, and the highway gets narrow as it's nestled right between the hills. Then it tunnels under another hill and suddenly you're in Portland. Not sure if I explained it very well, but it's just really neat how quickly the scenery changes.
I love US-26 through the summit. Traffic can be rough on the Sunset, and I wish the speed limits were higher.
I-495 (LIE) westbound approaching the midtown tunnel. Manhattan looms ahead of you, you enter the tunnel, then you emerge in the midst of it. I can only imagine what this must be like for someone who's never been to New York before.
Quotedon't forget downtown Casper. On this very same night that I keep alluding to, the lights were set flashing yellow/flashing red, and apparently for drunks in large pickup trucks, flashing red means "floor the shit out of it". It was lucky that this intersection - at which US-26 with me on it had the yellow - was a wide enough boulevard that I could see someone approaching at what must've been 80mph in a 30 or 35, with absolutely no intention of stopping to give me right of way. As far as I can tell, he ran every single flashing red on that cross street. The things you do when there is minimal traffic and you assume there is none at all...
Without having any numbers to back it up, I'd bet Fremont/Natrona counties have the highest percentage of drunk drivers in the country- I've been behind some legitimately wasted people (there would be no other explanation by their driving behavior- massive speed variation, swerving all over the road, random braking) on multiple occasions in both those counties.
I can't think of a single occasion in any other county in the country where I've been around drivers that have been so obviously intoxicated
I thought northwest New Mexico got the drunken award. Plenty of awfully inebriated drivers there...
Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 14, 2010, 11:35:03 PM
I thought northwest New Mexico got the drunken award. Plenty of awfully inebriated drivers there...
Nah, Louisiana has everyone beat.
Quote from: sandiaman on September 13, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
I-40 near Flagstaff is always gorgeous any time of the year. I-25 between Santa Fe and Las Vegas is another interstate with wooded medians. I-10 in Louisiana is one I enjoy with the high bridges over the bayous and rivers around Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.
I agree with both. I have to add the Bonnet Carre Spillway eastbound as well (I-10 between Laplace and I-310). On a good day, you can't beat going over the hump, curving right and BAM, before you lies Lake Pontchartrain and in the distance, the New Orleans skyline.
I also include:
* I-55 between Brookhaven and Crystal Springs, Miss.
* I-580 between Tracy and I-980 in Oakland
Quote from: Adam Smith on September 14, 2010, 11:57:29 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 14, 2010, 11:35:03 PM
I thought northwest New Mexico got the drunken award. Plenty of awfully inebriated drivers there...
Nah, Louisiana has everyone beat.
More than likely. You can buy a daquiri from a drive thru there.
The best stretch of I-90 in Ohio hands down is the short 3-4 mile stretch of Westbound I-90 from East 72nd Street to Dead Mans Curve @ The Innerbelt.
From this stretch, you get your first real up-close look at Lake Erie from I-90 (the closest I-90 ever gets to any of the Great Lakes) and on a good day in the summer you are able to see at least 30+ miles down the shoreline to Avon Point (noted by 2 giant smokestacks at a power plant) and be able to see some beautiful blue/green water.
Even in the winter, it could look cool to see a giant white frozen-over lake with interesting ice formations where the water hit the breakwalls, depending on how you cope with long winters in the Midwest.
And its also worth the side trip to ride SR-2/West Shoreway to it's western freeway terminus by Edgewater Park & back. Even the view of downtown heading back east from Edgewater is breath-taking.
I35 from OKC to the Texas state line is pretty boring except for the Honey Springs Pass through the Arbuckles. Its especially interesting if you are southbound. From the top of the pass (abt mm48), you can see al the way to Ardmore (mm30). For Oklahoma, that's pretty darn impressive.
I-5 south of Bellingham, WA, where it does a little bit of winding through the mountains is nice, especially when it's not raining. I also enjoy I-5 south of Seattle, just for the view of Rainier. It hangs over the roadway for a few miles - it's like driving into a post card.
Agreed on I-90 around the Continental Divide area, basically there are stretches of 90 from Missoula out to Butte that are really pretty. The area immediately around the Gorge in WA is fun as well, the rapid descent and ascent and that bridge; the wind farm on the western side provided a lot of entertainment for my kids on the last trip through there. It's not super pretty to look at or anything, but I always enjoy the fact that the floating bridge across Lake Washington here in Seattle is just that - a floating bridge.
I-94 through western North Dakota is nice - around the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. The painted canyons offer a pretty view.
Any of the interstates going inbound to Chicago - except when fog rolls over.
Quote from: Master son on September 17, 2010, 10:57:34 AM
Any of the interstates going inbound to Chicago - except when fog rolls over.
Looking forward, yes, very interesting. Looking to the side, no so much. Trying to drive with the morons during rush hour, priceless for interesting. :crazy:
Just don't get stopped on I-55 near Stickney and the main waste water treatment plant for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Then the smell tends to get very interesting. X-(
Quote from: rte66man on September 16, 2010, 11:16:00 AM
I35 from OKC to the Texas state line is pretty boring except for the Honey Springs Pass through the Arbuckles. Its especially interesting if you are southbound. From the top of the pass (abt mm48), you can see al the way to Ardmore (mm30). For Oklahoma, that's pretty darn impressive.
Yeah, the Arbuckles are pretty neat. If you really want to have a blast, take the Davis exit and switch over to US 77, and follow it through Springer. You get some honest-to-god hairpin turns on 77. But I think in general, I-35 south of OKC is a tad bit more interesting than north of OKC to Kansas.
Quote from: golden eagle on September 14, 2010, 12:03:13 AM
I-20 at Six Flags Hill west of Atlanta (especially traveling east towards the city--you can see the downtown skyline when it's not cloudy or foggy)
Tonight, while driving home from a high school football game in Gwinnett County, I thought of this thread. One of my favorite night-time views of Atlanta skyline is, while driving south on I-85, take Exit 86/ GA 13; you drive upwards on a single lane bridge, curve to your left and BOOM, you have a great elevated view of Midtown/ Downtown skyline. Then, you have the added roadgeek treat of driving on the original I-85 alignment (today's GA 13 in that short stretch) before you have the opportunity to merge back onto I-85. If you ultimately want to go to I-75N, this is a great way to avoid the problematic I-85/ GA 400 merge; the merge-back to I-85S puts you directly into "exit only" lane for I-75N. As I often do, I took this route tonight.
Just thought of a couple skyline-from-Interstate views I captured today:
- Interstate 5 entering downtown Sacramento from the north
- Interstate 80 entering San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood going west
For that matter, Interstate 110's northernmost segment (between US 101 and the Santa Monica Freeway) in downtown Los Angeles works for this as well...
One good perspective of Salt Lake City's skyline is entering the city from the north on I-15 between 2300 North and 600 North. The mountains in the background and the good angle of the view make for a great sight.
I-680 through Omaha.
I-80 through Nebraska and Iowa.
I-380 in Iowa
I-35 in Iowa between US 20 and the Missouri state line. (only part I've been through)
In terms of going into a city interesting, I personally like:
- I-84 East into Waterbury
- I-84 through Hartford
- I-376 into Pittsburgh
- I-279 into Pittsburgh
I-80 WB into Salt Lake City at night on a clear night. Great view as the lights just come up at you. Same with I-15 SB into Las Vegas.
I-376 EB through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. I-90 EB through Cleveland (always love deadman's curve).
Sykotyk
QuoteI-80 through Nebraska and Iowa.
Always an under-appreciated choice- nice!
One other that I enjoy is I-495 in Delaware, especially where it parallels the Delaware River.
In terms of city entrances, I love I-75 northbound heading down "Death Hill" in Kentucky and seeing the Cincinnati skyline.
Interstate 45 here in Houston is a pretty interesting and fun drive from the North Loop to the South Loop. Both are old style freeway to freeway interchanges.. the north loop features flyunders while the interchange at the South Loop is not even a full connection, with several directions requiring you to exit onto the frontage road and make turns to get back onto the other freeway. The drive through downtown is pretty fun too.. IH 45 curves around the west side of downtown between US 59/State Highway 288 and IH 10 on an elevated stretch that provides great views of the city skyline and feels like a roller coaster to drive through. Add to that the fact that the flow of traffic (outside of rush hour) is usually about 80 and it's a fun little stretch. The disgn is pretty unique too with left exits and a stretch where the mainlines are in a trench but the ramps are elevated.
This stretch also features the double decked section near the University of Houston which will soon be the northern terminus of the State Highway 35 freeway.
Here's some shots from the aaroads focus page on Houston:
https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_046a_01.jpg
that's the dual freeway heading north
https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_046a_02.jpg and another
https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_047b_04.jpg
The elevated stretch through downtown, called the Pierce elevated
https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_047b_12.jpg
This is the stretch where the mainlines are depressed below street level, and the ramps are elevated, making a three level design: mainlines, then street grid, then ramps.
https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_047b_13.jpg
and finally: a left exit for Allen Parkway and a right exit for Memorial and Houston Avenue at the same location.
The Beartooth Highway is an interesting interstate drive.
All interstates with speed limits of 75 or higher. Driving at those speeds is interesting no matter what the scenery or road is like.
Quote from: corco on September 19, 2010, 03:43:06 PM
QuoteI-80 through Nebraska and Iowa.
Always an under-appreciated choice- nice!
I agree, a very scenic drive
H-1 and H-3, especially H-3. Very scenic. H-1 makes my list as well simply because after a 10.5-hour nonstop flight from Newark to Honolulu to go out on the Interstate and see the mountains looming up so close like t hat is just rejuvenating. First time I visited Hawaii there also happened to be a double rainbow visible over the mountains right as we left the airport, which simply made it even more spectacular. While plenty of Interstates run through or near mountains, there's just something special about the type of mountains you see on a tropical island.
Closer to home, I-87 through the Adirondacks is at the top of my list, especially during the winter when the rock facings on the sides of the road are covered in all sorts of interesting ice formations due to melting and refreezing.
I recently drove future I-295 around the east side of Jacksonville (current FL-9A) for the first time and found it to be an interesting drive due to the Dames Point Bridge (very nice-looking bridge) and a power plant nearby that I thought was a nuclear reactor when I saw it but apparently is not.
I agree with the people who have mentioned that the entrances to Pittsburgh, especially via the Fort Pitt Tunnel, are very impressive. The inbound approach to the Fort Pitt Tunnel feels kind of isolated, but when you emerge from the tunnel downtown is right in front of you across the river. Pittsburgh is not my favorite city, but that approach is great if you're not stuck in traffic.
For my home state i do love the I-10 from Baton Rouge to Lafayette
Also:
I-210 bridge and I-10 Crazy tall bridge in Lake Charles
US 90/Future I-49/mystery number between Morgan City and Houma...it's a different kind of raised interstate thru the swamp than I-10
I also like the more mountainous parts of I-30 and I-40 in Arkansas and I-64 in eastern Kentucky
The rise above the Mississippi River on Westbound on I-90 right after La Crosse is one of my personal favorites.
The following are my choices:
I-57 south of Mt Vernon IL through the Shawnee Forest to Charleston MO - Rolling rock cut hills/valleys and then a cool crossing of the Mississippi River at Cairo.
I-355 in Chicagoland - Find it interesting how a suburban interstate can "change" scenery very quickly in 30+ miles. Also the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Des Plaines River has cool views over the river.
I-90 around La Crosse / La Crescent MN - Cool Mississippi crossing.
I-90 WB on the Chicago Skyway - Great view of the skyline.
I-94 in the Twin Cities to Hudson WI - within the 494/694 loop is a tunnel (tunnels are always cool) and nice views of the Mississippi both in St Paul and in Minneapolis. Then you get a beautiful view of the St Croix Valley.
I-794 NWB only in Milwaukee - Neat view of the skyline.
I-93 Big Dig in Boston - Coolest tunnel with exits.
I-80 from Youngstown to east of Delaware Water Gap - Prettiest stretch of I-80 by far going thru the Apps Mtns and Susq Valley.
I-25 between Cheyenne and Denver - Great view of the mountains in Rocky Mtn NP but you never get any closer than 40 miles.
Oregon: I-5 in Portland between the Terwilliger Curves and the Marquam Bridge has a section that lets one see the "sea of lights" effect of easterm Portland. I-84 has huge natural vistas open up at various places. One can see Mount Hood, the opening up of the Columbia Gorge and plenty of mountains on the way to the Snake River.
Utah: I-215 on the east side offers the "sea of lights" view for a longish stretch as it runs N/S from I-80 on it's way to I-15.
Louisiana: I-310 in the New Orleans area has a magnificent bridge that is quite high. Not many tall perspectives exist in south Louisiana and this one gives a good view of the Mississippi as well as an interchange at the south end of the bridge with a huge vertical difference between the start and end of the interchange that will challenge your vertigo...LOL!
Arizona: I-15 through the Virgin River area. I-10 in the middle of Phoenix has lots of decoration in the concrete.
California: I 15 between Barstow and Vegas has huge visual perspectives letting one see around 10 miles of freeway heading through the deserts and mountains. I call this the "land ocean effect".
Alabama: I-10 in Mobile at night with the USS Alabama all lit up will certainly get one's attention!
Washington: I-82 between Ellensburg and Yakima crosses a lot of interesting terrain with the highlight being a huge gap crossed by a two-span bridge as I recall. The land as it runs toward the river is rather high and then it does a 90 degree turn downward to create quite the canyon effect.
Texas: I-10 heading east of El Paso makes one think they're on Mars. All rocky ground with mountains in the background and not a hint of vegetation. The stark landscape is beautiful in it's own way.
Those are some of my favorite views from Interstate highways that I have enjoyed over the decades!
Rick
Quote from: hobsini2 on January 18, 2012, 09:36:30 PM
The following are my choices:
I-57 south of Mt Vernon IL through the Shawnee Forest to Charleston MO - Rolling rock cut hills/valleys and then a cool crossing of the Mississippi River at Cairo
But getting there from the north has to be one of the worst drives in the system. I went that way on my cross-country move because of the bridge in Louisville being out; I wanted to bash my head on something.
I-24 east in Tennessee, Georgia, and back to Tennessee is quite scenic.
I-280 west of Newark. There is 6% grade going up the mountain/hill. Good view of NYC going east.
I-95/NJTP near Newark Airport. 14 lanes the airport right next to the road. definite not scenic beauty but interesting none the less
I-70, Glenwood Canyon - impressive geotechnical engineering
I-5 through Santa Ana/Anaheim - interesting elevated HOV lane and general rampiness
I-95 over G. W. Bridge and into the Trans-Manhattan "tunnel" and on to the Cross Bronx - Hudson River splendor and general urban craziness (and two ways to do it: upper or lower; it's cool how the lower deck pierces the Palisades on the west end of the bridge)
I-376 in Pittsburgh - the Fort Pitt experience, and mind-boggling multi-level crossword puzzle of a highway
I-77 in Virginia - beautiful, Copland-esque Appalachian scenery south of Wytheville, and the unparalleled views heading up to Fancy Gap
I-15 in Arizona - through the Virgin River narrows
I-H3 - you've never seen anything like it on the continent
I-376 East through the Fort Pitt Tunnel
I-10 west of Baton Rouge (either direction)
I-70 over the San Rafael Swell
I-90 over Lookout Pass
I-15 California and the Utah line (you get Vegas and the Virgin River Gorge)
I-8 over the sand dunes
I-80 over the Great Salt Lake Desert
I-26 between Columbia SC and I-90 (just a nice drive)
Quote from: Duke87 on September 14, 2010, 08:30:44 PM
I-495 (LIE) westbound approaching the midtown tunnel. Manhattan looms ahead of you, you enter the tunnel, then you emerge in the midst of it. I can only imagine what this must be like for someone who's never been to New York before.
It's even better coming from the other side towards the Lincoln Tunnel in NJ where the road takes the helix downhill and you get that spectacular view of the west side. But that's not an interstate (anymore). ;)
I'm also a big fan of I-278 when it's the BQE under the promenade, especially at night.
Closer to home, I-85 through Atlanta is pretty awesome, too.
For natural beauty, I like I-75 around the KY/TN border.
I-55 between McComb and the Copiah-Hinds county line is mighty scenic, IMO.
The section of I-80 (Ohio Turnpike) through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park south of Cleveland (east of I-77, west of SR-8) is scenic, including the Cuyahoga River bridge. Plus, if you're eastbound, you go OVER I-271 but westbound traffic goes UNDER I-271 because of the terrain.
Another favorite of mine (already mentioned) is I-24 from near Nashville to Chattanooga.
A few of my favs:
-I-35 northbound into Duluth, MN - A great urban drive after an 'airplane' descent into the city.
-I-39 south of Rockford, IL - There is something about the flat prairie scenery that mesmerizes me.
-I-39 north of I-90/94 - one of the most varied I-route drives that I know of.
-I-70 west of Denver, CO - for the reasons everyone else gave.
-I-86 (east) - a fantastic drive.
-I-87 north of Albany, NY - (echoing the others)
-I-88 (east), especially westbound - WOW! And I like how they threaded it into the north end of the Binghamton, NY area (near I-81).
-I-90 between Tomah, WI and Rochester, MN - great ridgetops, coolies, valleys and the transitions between them.
-I-90 east of I-87 - that is the sweetest setting fr a tollgate that I know of, eastbound at the MA/NY state line.
-I-90/94 approaching downtown Chicago - both directions. NB is one of the very BEST urban interstate highway views of all, especially at night and SEB, it looks like the highway just disappears into a mountain of tall buildings.
-I-91 in Vermont - amazing drive along those hills.
-I-93 in northern New Hampshire - STUNNING though the 'Notch'!
-I-794 northbound across the Hoan Bridge - a SWEET view of the downtown Milwaukee skyline.
Mike
I've always enjoyed driving on the interstates leading into Chicago (I-55, I-90, I-94) because you can see the city skyline looming into your view, with the Sears Tower dominating it. Same is true for Seattle, where you can see the Space Needle and the rest of that city's skyline coming in on I-5 or I-90.
Many fine segments of Interstate mentioned up-thread, but not these:
I-66 in Virginia - between I-81 and Exit 40, U.S. 15 (Haymarket). Nice views of the Virginia Blue Ridge though Manassas Gap and then descending slightly to the Piedmont horse country across Fauquier County, then through Thoroughfare Gap to Haymarket.
I-64, also in Virginia - between I-81 and Exit 118, U.S. 29 (Charlottesville). Pretty spectacular crossing of Afton Mountain.
I-95 in South Carolina, between I-26 and I-20 (Florence). Long bridge over Lake Marion is impressive, then the wide, often forested median and lack of development along I-95 is stunning for persons like me that are used to other scenes from the freeway further north.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike from I-81 (US 11) to New Stanton is a great drive. Lots of farm land and hillsides.
I-24 from Chatanooga to Nashville. Also from KY/ TN Line to Paducah.
I-57 from Effingham to Champaign.
I-87 from Lake George to Plattsburg, NY.
I-35 from Emporia, KS to Wichita over the Flint Hills is pretty scenic.
Oh yeah, and cannot forget the drive into Vegas the first time on I-515 where I seen all the Strip Hotels and the Stratosphere stood out. It was impressive after climbing over Railroad Pass and seeing the whole skyline ahead across the desert in front of you.
Quote from: roadman65 on January 28, 2012, 04:03:46 PM
I-57 from Effingham to Champaign.
Seriously? Wow, I find it to be incredibly boring. To each his own...
Quote from: roadman65 on January 28, 2012, 04:03:46 PM
I-35 from Emporia, KS to Wichita over the Flint Hills is pretty scenic.
Yes, but you can definitely hit it at the wrong time of year. Woe to you if the farmers just got done with range burning! It's actually pretty cool to drive through there
while they're doing range burning, but the landscape becomes rather bleak once they're done. My favorite time of year to drive in the Flint Hills is late Spring, when the grass is a beautiful green.
Quote from: kphoger on January 28, 2012, 04:21:31 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on January 28, 2012, 04:03:46 PM
I-57 from Effingham to Champaign.
Seriously? Wow, I find it to be incredibly boring. To each his own...
Quote from: roadman65 on January 28, 2012, 04:03:46 PM
I-35 from Emporia, KS to Wichita over the Flint Hills is pretty scenic.
Yes, but you can definitely hit it at the wrong time of year. Woe to you if the farmers just got done with range burning! It's actually pretty cool to drive through there while they're doing range burning, but the landscape becomes rather bleak once they're done. My favorite time of year to drive in the Flint Hills is late Spring, when the grass is a beautiful green.
To me it was interesting to see the grain silos and vast farm land.
I drove I-35 in late Spring when you said it is good. Thanks for the fire info. I saw signs along the way stating that they do occur.
Quote from: kphoger on January 28, 2012, 04:21:31 PM
Yes, but you can definitely hit it at the wrong time of year. Woe to you if the farmers just got done with range burning! It's actually pretty cool to drive through there while they're doing range burning, but the landscape becomes rather bleak once they're done. My favorite time of year to drive in the Flint Hills is late Spring, when the grass is a beautiful green.
I drove through the Missouri Bootheel and Northeastern Arkansas last year during range burning. It was pretty awful.
I-35 in the Flint Hills is all right, and can be picturesque, but after the first ten minutes or so, gets pretty monotonous. El Dorado Lake is pretty neat, though.
Quote from: roadman65 on January 28, 2012, 04:03:46 PM
The Pennsylvania Turnpike from I-81 (US 11) to New Stanton is a great drive. Lots of farm land and hillsides.
I-24 from Chatanooga to Nashville. Also from KY/ TN Line to Paducah.
I-57 from Effingham to Champaign.
I-87 from Lake George to Plattsburg, NY.
I-35 from Emporia, KS to Wichita over the Flint Hills is pretty scenic.
Oh yeah, and cannot forget the drive into Vegas the first time on I-515 where I seen all the Strip Hotels and the Stratosphere stood out. It was impressive after climbing over Railroad Pass and seeing the whole skyline ahead across the desert in front of you.
I completely forgot about the Flint Hills on I-35 in KS. They are cool. I remember the first time driving that section of 35 with no exits south of Emporia for like 40 miles. That i thought was great.
Yeah the section of I-35 south of Emporia is neat without exits for almost 40 miles. Its like driving the FL Turnpike from Yeehaw Junction to Fort Pierce as far as exit distance goes.
I-26 ascending the Blue Ridge between Tryon, NC and Hendersonville is one of my favorites. Also, if you go the other way towards Spartanburg the views of upstate SC are cool.
Another favorite stretch is I-40 westbound from the top of the mountain west of Old Fort down into the valley approaching Asheville.
See, I always hate long stretches with no exits. Being a roadgeek, I'm in it for the signs. :P
Quote from: InterstateNG on January 28, 2012, 06:33:55 PM
I drove through the Missouri Bootheel and Northeastern Arkansas last year during range burning. It was pretty awful.
I can't think of a more awful drive I've taken anywhere than I-55 through Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel. Flat, boring, pavement that rivals the worst Rust Belt states have to offer (at least before Arkansas repaved their stretch). Utterly stupid freeway interchanges (plus the bridges are built with shocking steep grades, making for a real adventure in icy weather). Also, nothing to look at for hours until you get down to Memphis or up to the I-57 interchange.
One of the most impressive stretches of interstate I've come across is I-89 in Vermont from I-91 to Burlington...just gorgeous. My wife and I took a road trip through the Northeast this past summer, and she got wonderful pictures of the scenery. Also, I agree about I-68...had an out-of-town job in Cumberland, MD, and drove from my worksite in Delaware City, DE all the way out. As an NJ residents, I'd say the best interstate drives are the western sections of both I-78 and I-80...gorgeous mountain scenery, as well as some beautiful views of valleys, especially between the 10 and 12 mile marker on I-78. And, I would agree about both I-81 through western VA, and I-40 in TN. My wife and I have started taking prolonged road trips to locations we've never been before. So far we did NJ/PA/MD/WV/VA/TN/KY/IL/MO/IL/IN/KY/OH/PA/NY/ONT/NY/PA/NJ two years ago, and NJ/NY/CT/MA/NH/VT/NY/QUE/NY/PA/NJ last summer, and I have the appetite to see a whole lot more.
If you are eve
Quote from: jas on February 04, 2012, 06:30:35 PM
One of the most impressive stretches of interstate I've come across is I-89 in Vermont from I-91 to Burlington...just gorgeous. My wife and I took a road trip through the Northeast this past summer, and she got wonderful pictures of the scenery. Also, I agree about I-68...had an out-of-town job in Cumberland, MD, and drove from my worksite in Delaware City, DE all the way out. As an NJ residents, I'd say the best interstate drives are the western sections of both I-78 and I-80...gorgeous mountain scenery, as well as some beautiful views of valleys, especially between the 10 and 12 mile marker on I-78. And, I would agree about both I-81 through western VA, and I-40 in TN. My wife and I have started taking prolonged road trips to locations we've never been before. So far we did NJ/PA/MD/WV/VA/TN/KY/IL/MO/IL/IN/KY/OH/PA/NY/ONT/NY/PA/NJ two years ago, and NJ/NY/CT/MA/NH/VT/NY/QUE/NY/PA/NJ last summer, and I have the appetite to see a whole lot more.
If you are ever out west try driving I-70 from its western terminus to Denver. Really nice scenery, and the terrain looks great (no greenery though) during the 108 mile stretch without gas (Green River, UT to Salina, UT). Got some rest areas and overlooks along this way and in Colorado its just grand from the Utah Border into Denver running along side the Colorado River and through the Rockies.