AARoads Forum

I know we've had variations of this topic before, but I don't think we've done so with a focus specifically on the drive between two major cities. For the purposes of this discussion, let's say cities of 100k+ and nothing larger in between.

I think Buffalo-Syracuse is a decent candidate. Absolutely nothing of interest scenery-wise except the Montezuma refuge, and even that is a stretch.

I-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Richmond and Jacksonville along I-95.  For all the excitement there is along 95, there is nothing going on in North Carolina.  Even less in South Carolina.  At least Georgia has some decent views, but it's still 110 miles of nothingness.

Out west; you kinda expect it to be boring.  Along I-95, not so much, but this stretch is just hours of boredom.

Syracuse and Buffalo on the Thruway.  Blech.

Louisville to St. Louis. I drove this back in like 2003 and across southern Indiana I remember just tree after tree after tree then got into Illinois and it didn't get much better. At least the closer I got to St. Louis wasn't as bad as southern Indiana along I-64.

I didn't have a GPS at the time and underestimated the time to drive between the two cities which is about 4 hours.

I drove Oklahoma City to Amarillo last year, and it was worse than boring, it was rather ugly, between the oil fields and the windmills. Amarillo to Albuquerque was also boring, but once you get into NM, you start seeing plateaus along the horizon, which soften things a bit.

I also drove Lincoln NE to Cheyenne WY about 20 years ago, and that was boring, but at least the farmland was pleasant, even if it all looked more or less the same. Billings to Fargo is in the same category.

But I bore easily, anywhere that isn't significantly three-dimensional.

Louisville-Indianapolis along I-65 was a struggle for me when I did that route in 2016 - some bare trees along the way exacerbated the lack of visual appeal.

Cincy-Columbus along I-71 was not particularly exciting (in the midst of a Louisville-Cleveland roadtrip up I-71 back in 2006 with friends).

Amarillo-Oklahoma City (mentioned by another poster) was pretty rough at night along I-40 during my 2021 cross-country roadtrip.

Atlanta to Orlando.

Followed by Toledo to Dayton, which is better only because it's shorter.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 30, 2024, 11:01:34 PMRichmond and Jacksonville along I-95.  For all the excitement there is along 95, there is nothing going on in North Carolina.  Even less in South Carolina.  At least Georgia has some decent views, but it's still 110 miles of nothingness.

Out west; you kinda expect it to be boring.  Along I-95, not so much, but this stretch is just hours of boredom.

The loss of the funny South of the Border billboards was a major part of reducing the interest factor going southbound in North Carolina or northbound in South Carolina. Were they cheesy and did the puns induce groans? Of course they did. But they were something different that made you wonder what the next one was going to say. Nowadays there are far fewer of them (and, to be sure, reducing the overall number of billboards isn't necessarily a bad thing) and the ones that remain are bowdlerized to the point of inanity. I think the best remaining pun is "You never sausage a place" with a big banger underneath it.

Between Beaumont and Houston on I-10 outside of the work zone. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I do not understand how a road that's 6 lanes and as flat as a pancake can be only 65mph in Texas.

Granted, I'm slightly biased as I'm the only one who dares follow the speed limit there lol  :pan:  :sombrero:

I'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

Quote from: ElishaGOtis on July 31, 2024, 11:03:33 AMBetween Beaumont and Houston on I-10 outside of the work zone. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I do not understand how a road that's 6 lanes and as flat as a pancake can be only 65mph in Texas.

Granted, I'm slightly biased as I'm the only one who dares follow the speed limit there lol  :pan:  :sombrero:

Out of curiosity, is US 90 between the two points a more worthwhile drive?

That leads to my next example:

Between Sacramento and LA, one can either take the older 99 corridor or the 1970s-era I-5 West Side Freeway to get up towrards Wheeler Ridge.  5 between Vernalis and Wheeler Ridge is dire.  99 has more interesting cities but the drives between each of those spots are still as flat and farmland-heavy as 5, just not as much in one huge block.

Between SF and LA I strongly prefer US 101 to 580/5 (despite the 50+ miles extra length) for visual interest alone.

When I drove it during a roadtrip a couple of decades ago, I found WB I-40 from Knoxville to Nashville, TN to be beyond dreadfully boring.

 :meh:

Mike

One that got mentioned a lot in the X thread is El Paso to San Antonio on I-10. While I know it's mostly flat with not much to look at, I think I would find it at least mildly interesting, since it's so different to anything one would see in the Northeast or Great Lakes. The stretch I have driven from Kerrville to San Antonio definitely wasn't paper flat and passes through some interesting terrain, so I am assuming it flattens out west of there. Even so, at least the 80 mph speed limit allows for making good time while being bored.

Three candidates that I have driven come to my mind:

• Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
• Interstate 10 from El Paso to the I-10/I-20 split, followed by I-20 to Fort Worth
• US-95 between Winnemucca, NV and Marsang, ID aka ION highway.

I'm sure that I-10 from El Paso to San Antonio qualifies, but I haven't driven it. You have to be somewhat prepared when driving these roads, especially the lack of gas stations and cell phone service on the ION highway.

I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis would qualify.  Not much in the way of scenery or elevation change, but you'll be staring at the back of 2 semi trailers side by side for a good portion of the trip.

Honorable mention for Dayton-Indianapolis, which my Mom found so boring that she aborted her one attempt to visit Indianapolis when she lived in Dayton.

Quote from: webny99 on July 30, 2024, 10:47:53 PMI think Buffalo-Syracuse is a decent candidate. Absolutely nothing of interest scenery-wise except the Montezuma refuge, and even that is a stretch.

Quote from: Rothman on July 30, 2024, 11:32:32 PMSyracuse and Buffalo on the Thruway.  Blech.

Personally, I think the Buffalo-Cleveland stretch of I-90 is worse.  At least Syracuse-Buffalo varies, and has some features of interest to roadgeeks like the NY 64 bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0310922,-77.5150603,3a,75y,278.23h,91.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFQgR-2jaDHFI8LCdtk3zhQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DFQgR-2jaDHFI8LCdtk3zhQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D27.924105%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu) or the bridges east of exit 44 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9943041,-77.3457685,3a,32.8y,94.03h,92.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0A0HXWD0ZdQEsj16B42hag!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).  And "landmarks" like the "great switch" east of Batavia where the Thruway crosses NY 33 and the CSX line, or the silo with a smiley face on it (sadly mostly obscured by trees these days), or the Erie Canal lock.  Aside from a few fleeting glimpses of Lake Erie near the NY/PA line, Buffalo-Cleveland is 150 miles of this (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8949713,-80.6346148,3a,75y,229.33h,81.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sHkuyfCD6f73ZbJ1Ew_TREQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DHkuyfCD6f73ZbJ1Ew_TREQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D332.25702%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu), with only the Seneca Nation providing anything of interest in terms of roadway features.  Imagine if the entire length of the Buffalo-Syracuse run was like the Pembroke-Batavia stretch.

Nah, I find Buffalo to Syracuse or vice versa worse.  It just drags.  Buffalo to Cleveland goes by quicker for me, whether there's more variation if terrain or not.  I-290 to Syracuse all looks the same to me.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

I-10 is all boring from San Antonio to Jacksonville.  Never been west of Six Flags Fiesta Texas so I can't vouch for any of it to LA.

Quote from: roadman65 on July 31, 2024, 01:29:01 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

I-10 is all boring from San Antonio to Jacksonville.  Never been west of Six Flags Fiesta Texas so I can't vouch for any of it to LA.

At least you go through Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mobile, etc. to look at on the rest of the eastern section.

From Mobile to Jacksonville, you basically just see the cars in your lane as there are so many southern pines that you can't see oncoming traffic. Mix in the fact that exits are 15-20 miles apart in places and, for me, it's the worst interstate drive in the country. I hit it at night one time trying to drive from KC to Jax and had to pull over at every exit to walk around to prevent me from falling asleep.

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

Louisville to Chicago via Indy. (I-65)
Cincinnati to Cleveland via Columbus. (I-71)
Cincinnati to the Quad Cities via Indy and Peoria. (I-74)
Nashville to Little Rock via Memphis. (I-40)

I'll take I-70 from KC to Denver any day over those four listed above.

I-16  :sombrero:

Baltimore-Washington, on every single corridor between the two.

Quote from: vdeane on July 31, 2024, 12:47:30 PMPersonally, I think the Buffalo-Cleveland stretch of I-90 is worse.  At least Syracuse-Buffalo varies, and has some features of interest to roadgeeks like the NY 64 bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0310922,-77.5150603,3a,75y,278.23h,91.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFQgR-2jaDHFI8LCdtk3zhQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DFQgR-2jaDHFI8LCdtk3zhQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D27.924105%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu) or the bridges east of exit 44 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9943041,-77.3457685,3a,32.8y,94.03h,92.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0A0HXWD0ZdQEsj16B42hag!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).  And "landmarks" like the "great switch" east of Batavia where the Thruway crosses NY 33 and the CSX line, or the silo with a smiley face on it (sadly mostly obscured by trees these days), or the Erie Canal lock.  Aside from a few fleeting glimpses of Lake Erie near the NY/PA line, Buffalo-Cleveland is 150 miles of this (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8949713,-80.6346148,3a,75y,229.33h,81.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sHkuyfCD6f73ZbJ1Ew_TREQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DHkuyfCD6f73ZbJ1Ew_TREQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D332.25702%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu), with only the Seneca Nation providing anything of interest in terms of roadway features.  Imagine if the entire length of the Buffalo-Syracuse run was like the Pembroke-Batavia stretch.

Quote from: Rothman on July 31, 2024, 01:26:02 PMNah, I find Buffalo to Syracuse or vice versa worse.  It just drags.  Buffalo to Cleveland goes by quicker for me, whether there's more variation if terrain or not.  I-290 to Syracuse all looks the same to me.

Interesting. I agree that I-90 in Ohio is exceptionally boring, but Buffalo to the PA line doesn't seem as boring to me as Buffalo to Syracuse. Neither are exactly scenic, but at least the stretch west of Buffalo has Angola, the Seneca Nation, some visible development near Fredonia, and occasional visibility of the Allegany foothills. The stretch through PA is kind of a wash, but considering Erie is very near the 100k threshold, if I were to use Erie to break it in three it would be:

Most boring: Cleveland to Erie
Less boring: Buffalo to Syracuse
Least boring: Erie to Buffalo

Quote from: epzik8 on July 31, 2024, 03:40:56 PMBaltimore-Washington, on every single corridor between the two.

I think there are many people who would use a few other choice words besides "boring" to describe that corridor.  :D

Figured I'd do my top 5 greater than 200 miles.

1) Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10
2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90
3) Billings to Fargo on I-94
4) Denver to Kansas City on I-70
5) Albuquerque to Oklahoma City on I-40

In Florida you have I-75 from Naples to the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale.

You also have Florida's Turnpike from Fort Pierce to Saint Cloud.

Then you have US 19/98/ Alternate 27 from Cross City to Perry that's most boring. Even the straightaways north of Perry are less boring or the 23 mile straightaway in Levy County south of Chiefland is more interesting to drive than that ugly stretch.

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

It is, but it is desert you really can't interact with.  I always preferred CA 62, AZ 95T, AZ 72, US 60 and I-17 at least from Phoenix-Palm Springs.

Quote from: ZLoth on July 31, 2024, 12:27:53 PMThree candidates that I have driven come to my mind:

• Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
• Interstate 10 from El Paso to the I-10/I-20 split, followed by I-20 to Fort Worth
• US-95 between Winnemucca, NV and Marsang, ID aka ION highway.

I'm sure that I-10 from El Paso to San Antonio qualifies, but I haven't driven it. You have to be somewhat prepared when driving these roads, especially the lack of gas stations and cell phone service on the ION highway.

Aw, you beat me to it!  That stretch of the 5 from Sacramento to LA is 300-ish miles of Hell.

Quote from: Flint1979 on July 30, 2024, 11:52:59 PMLouisville to St. Louis.

I have found every route out of St Louis to be boring. I-44 west at least has a bit of terrain, but especially eastbound from STL is depressing for miles.

Chicago-Minneapolis is pretty dull. You stay well clear of any of the cities along the way, a few hills here and there through Wisconsin, then nothing but flat south of Madison.

Grand Rapids to Lansing.

Evansville to Indianapolis, especially the part south of Bloomington. While it's lacking in scenery, it's also lacking in traffic.

...but I appreciate that it was built.

Tupelo to Birmingham on Interstate 22/ US 78 is boring.

Quote from: Terry Shea on July 31, 2024, 06:11:59 PMGrand Rapids to Lansing.

Especially the part between about Whitneyville and Portland, it seems like that is the Lower Peninsula's version of the Seney Stretch. That thing is straight except for a little curve around M-50's western terminus for like 20 miles. Speaking of that stretch I never understood the reason for the wider median with those curves around mile marker 57 although that could have something to do with Little Creek being right there.

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 31, 2024, 05:50:43 PMChicago-Minneapolis is pretty dull. You stay well clear of any of the cities along the way, a few hills here and there through Wisconsin, then nothing but flat south of Madison.

Chicago-St. Louis is much worse.

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PMIt's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

Not even just the Deep South... the Carolinas and Virginia too. Few highways can compete with I-64 between Williamsburg and Richmond for boredom, but it'll get a bit better when the widening projects eliminate most/all of the treed median.

I'm not saying I-10 between Jacksonville and Mobile is fun, but there's at least some hills in the Panhandle between the time zone shift and Tallahassee that gives it something.

I would say the most boring drive in Florida is I-75 from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa. South of Tampa it's flat, generally not chaotic enough to make you pay attention, goes through the suburbs of the cities, and the scenery doesn't change much. I've almost fallen asleep between Fort Myers and Port Charlotte, and Alligator Alley is a beeline minus two curves.

The Turnpike between Fort Pierce and St Cloud can turn into a NASCAR race with how people drive, so I can't quite call that boring either, at least during the day. I wouldn't want to drive that on a quiet night.

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 31, 2024, 05:06:43 PM

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

It is, but it is desert you really can't interact with.  I always preferred CA 62, AZ 95T, AZ 72, US 60 and I-17 at least from Phoenix-Palm Springs.

I think that's well-put, and I agree with your preferences. But the biggest source of boredom for me is flatness, and at least that desert has small mountains scattered all over the place, so it can be rather pretty, especially on a day when there are puffy clouds casting shadows on it. So I wouldn't rate it as "most boring", like so many of the routes people are mentioning.

Quote from: pderocco on July 31, 2024, 09:08:18 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 31, 2024, 05:06:43 PM

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

It is, but it is desert you really can't interact with.  I always preferred CA 62, AZ 95T, AZ 72, US 60 and I-17 at least from Phoenix-Palm Springs.

I think that's well-put, and I agree with your preferences. But the biggest source of boredom for me is flatness, and at least that desert has small mountains scattered all over the place, so it can be rather pretty, especially on a day when there are puffy clouds casting shadows on it. So I wouldn't rate it as "most boring", like so many of the routes people are mentioning.

I'm not helped by the fact that I've driven it probably well over one hundred times.  The segment east of US 60 in particular is brutally dull.

I haven't done it in one go, but Chicago to Memphis looks pretty boring. You get the endless cornfields of I-57 in Illinois followed by a fairly dull stretch of I-55 between Sikeston and Memphis. At least the bit of I-57 that goes through the Shawnee National Forest in the southern tip of Illinois is nice.

Another boring drive is Seattle to Spokane.

Quote from: Henry on July 31, 2024, 09:49:32 PMAnother boring drive is Seattle to Spokane.

Snoqualmie Pass says hi.

Quote from: Henry on July 31, 2024, 09:49:32 PMAnother boring drive is Seattle to Spokane.

I don't think you're going to find much agreement on that from anyone east of the Mississippi. The eastern half may be boring, but the western half is among the more scenic interstates in the entire country.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 03:42:53 PMInteresting. I agree that I-90 in Ohio is exceptionally boring, but Buffalo to the PA line doesn't seem as boring to me as Buffalo to Syracuse. Neither are exactly scenic, but at least the stretch west of Buffalo has Angola, the Seneca Nation, some visible development near Fredonia, and occasional visibility of the Allegany foothills. The stretch through PA is kind of a wash, but considering Erie is very near the 100k threshold, if I were to use Erie to break it in three it would be:

Most boring: Cleveland to Erie
Less boring: Buffalo to Syracuse
Least boring: Erie to Buffalo

Huh.  Personally, I find that the Buffalo-Erie section just goes on and on and on, especially west of the Seneca Nation.  It's deceptively long.  You get to Dunkirk and think you're almost done, but actually, you're only half way!  I blame the concentration of exits on the eastern end, along with there being no service area west of Angola.  Doesn't help that the terrain is as flat as Illinois for the entire Thruway west of Batavia, or that I only know the milemarkers for what used to be the mainline ticket system and not the Erie ticket system (aside from the PA line being 496).  Doesn't help that I get reception really far west on Classic Hits 104.1 (almost to Erie; IIRC my only presets that match or exceed it in range are CKOI and Star 92.9), so heading east you feel "almost to Buffalo!" even when you're not even close.

For Buffalo-Syracuse, I have the following landmarks (in addition to exits and service areas):
-Canton Street (cute little hamlet with flashing beacon)
-Smiley face silo/Snoopy (sadly now only barely visible due to trees, if you don't know it's there, you won't see it)
-Cow pattern silo
-Tree farm at the Onondaga/Cayuga County line
-Port Byron
-Old Erie Canal lock
-Cayuga/Seneca Canal
-Montezuma (Bald Eagle sculpture)
-Del Lago
-Finger Lakes Premium Outlets
-"False Geneva" (the significant hill with the creek to the west; I used to get it confused with the actual Geneva hill when going to college)
-The nice bridges east of exit 44
-The NY 64 bridge
-Henrietta
-The swap between the Thruway and NY 33 and CSX, which is also the last hill heading west
-Batavia
-Buffalo exurbs and quarry

In contrast, the Erie stretch has:
-Wegmans (only WB, hardly left Buffalo yet)
-Seneca Nation
-Dunkirk
-Correctional facility sign
-Some views of Lake Erie on one side and the hills on the other (but you're nearly to PA, and they don't last long)

So not a lot going on, and almost all of it east of or in Dunkirk.  Combine that with going through a seemingly desolate area and being flat with nothing but trees... yeah, it's boring.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:17:05 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

Not to mention that I've found the Indiana Toll Road to be more interesting than I'd expect both times I've driven it.  The lack of pervasive tree walls west of Cleveland makes all the difference in the world.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:17:05 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

I don't know about that.  I think it's the opposite.

Quote from: thspfc on July 31, 2024, 08:38:52 PM

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 31, 2024, 05:50:43 PMChicago-Minneapolis is pretty dull. You stay well clear of any of the cities along the way, a few hills here and there through Wisconsin, then nothing but flat south of Madison.

Chicago-St. Louis is much worse.

That drive is horrid. I drove that last about 10 years ago and when I finally made it to Chicago I was pleased.

Quote from: vdeane on July 31, 2024, 10:14:29 PMHuh.  Personally, I find that the Buffalo-Erie section just goes on and on and on, especially west of the Seneca Nation.  It's deceptively long.  You get to Dunkirk and think you're almost done, but actually, you're only half way! 

Agreed that Dunkirk to Ripley in particular is deceptively long, but while it is pretty boring, it still seems different to me than Buffalo to Syracuse in a way that's kind of a nice change. Traffic and truck traffic in particular is noticeably lighter than it is east of Buffalo, which helps make up time or at least maintain cruise control, and I kind of like the intermittently treed median and occasional views of the hills off to the east. It's a reminder that the area is far from completely flat, even though the Thruway itself mostly is.

And maybe it's just that it has positive "road trip" vibes for me too, since Buffalo/Syracuse to Rochester is usually the slog at the beginning or end of a trip to Canada or points east, but getting to take I-90 south/west of Buffalo is somewhat of a treat for me. And though this is hard to pinpoint, having no super long straight stretches and traveling northeast/southwest vs. due east/west just makes it feel a bit more interesting too.

Quote from: vdeane on July 31, 2024, 10:14:29 PMFor Buffalo-Syracuse, I have the following landmarks (in addition to exits and service areas):
-Canton Street (cute little hamlet with flashing beacon)
-Smiley face silo/Snoopy (sadly now only barely visible due to trees, if you don't know it's there, you won't see it)
-Cow pattern silo
-Tree farm at the Onondaga/Cayuga County line

Interestingly, I recognized everything on this list except these first four items. I've never noticed the flashing beacon or either silo, and I've probably seen the tree farm but couldn't pinpoint it specifically.

My landmarks for the slog between Exits 41 and 39 are the truck parking area that means you're close to Exit 41 heading west, Montezuma (especially at night), this glimpse of some hills (https://maps.app.goo.gl/21ZFfNJnGv4VrU5w8) coming into Weedsport heading east, and more recently, the Exit 39 toll gantry.

For Rochester-Syracuse more broadly, Exits 42 and 44 are both set at the bottom of a hill such that you can see traffic spread out before you for several miles as you approach them, which is a worthy sight at night, and I would also add this doozy of a sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EdhmXXNnRMKnQMsa6) which I've always thought is much too far from Syracuse to do any good (who's even going to remember such a wordy message 50 miles later?), and this old steam shovel (https://maps.app.goo.gl/z8d3G1exsGB7DBSe8) that means you're almost to Exit 42 heading east.

Quote from: vdeane on July 31, 2024, 10:14:29 PM-The swap between the Thruway and NY 33 and CSX, which is also the last hill heading west

Yep, that rock cut and pair of bridges is pretty much the only saving grace of the entire Buffalo to LeRoy stretch. It's usually where traffic loosens up a bit heading eastbound too.

Quote from: Rothman on July 31, 2024, 10:26:21 PM

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:17:05 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

I don't know about that.  I think it's the opposite.

Having 6 lanes gets an automatic bump in my book, but even aside from that, the Turnpike seems to have been built mostly elevated at interchanges and crossroads, lending itself to better and more expansive views than the total snoozefest between the aptly-named Painesville and Erie.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 09:59:35 PM

Quote from: Henry on July 31, 2024, 09:49:32 PMAnother boring drive is Seattle to Spokane.

Snoqualmie Pass says hi.

The stretch through the mountains certainly isn't boring. One April, I encountered flurries at the top, but never does a little snow quall me.

Fredericton and Moncton, New Brunswick is JUST trees.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 11:22:41 PMAnd maybe it's just that it has positive "road trip" vibes for me too, since Buffalo/Syracuse to Rochester is usually the slog at the beginning or end of a trip to Canada or points east, but getting to take I-90 south/west of Buffalo is somewhat of a treat for me. And though this is hard to pinpoint, having no super long straight stretches and traveling northeast/southwest vs. due east/west just makes it feel a bit more interesting too.

That might be another reason.  For me, the "long slog" is Albany-Rochester, but most especially Albany-Syracuse, so maybe that's it.  45-47 is a piece that I rarely drive, but still know all the landmarks because the roads crossing the Thruway are local ones I know.  47-50 isn't a stretch I saw as often growing up or even still see a ton of now, so it feels like something special (and doesn't go on, so I have less of a chance to get bored; I also memorized the roads between 48 and 48A due to school trips to Darien Lake and there being no landmarks between those two exits).  I think the Chautauqua County part of the Thruway has the issue for me of being a slightly curvier and much longer version of the Syracuse-Utica stretch that I find truly dreadful (and tend to have the misfortune of Y94 being in a 10 minute long commercial break when I hit it; iHate iHeart's long breaks, but unfortunately can't find another wide-coverage radio station for Syracuse with music I like).

Meanwhile, when I was going to college, the Rochester-Syracuse stretch was my "back in civilization" marker, and in some ways still kinda is, with the Buffalo-Syracuse stretch being more developed than the Syracuse-Albany stretch.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 11:22:41 PMInterestingly, I recognized everything on this list except these first four items. I've never noticed the flashing beacon or either silo, and I've probably seen the tree farm but couldn't pinpoint it specifically.

A lot of those have become less visible over the years.  The beacon (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0892228,-76.3306182,3a,49.9y,40.86h,95.46t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svAcf_FfJosqipDn25Z-HPA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DvAcf_FfJosqipDn25Z-HPA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D40.857573602564386%26pitch%3D-5.45718114321167%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) seems like it's harder to catch than it used to be, and the smiley face (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0808431,-76.4568396,3a,15y,357.73h,94.23t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sH9kktEvJD4012IOnwMS5vw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DH9kktEvJD4012IOnwMS5vw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D357.7305555428582%26pitch%3D-4.226295153896444%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) definitely is (can't even find a good view on street view, although it's still easy to see from NY 31 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0827618,-76.4569068,3a,75y,2.36h,87.78t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sESpafCg30K0ZBiwKhZwQww!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DESpafCg30K0ZBiwKhZwQww%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D2.362526685095304%26pitch%3D2.2211925328289226%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu)).  The cow barn (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0794012,-76.4669872,3a,15y,350.52h,92.43t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-f5Mp5dT2XFyBf4YG_HGEw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D-f5Mp5dT2XFyBf4YG_HGEw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D350.5223107677905%26pitch%3D-2.4263063354373458%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) is just to the west, and it amazes me how long it took me to discover it was there.  The tree farm (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0747648,-76.4990428,3a,26.2y,298.61h,90.25t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYhLDjHlib-JoVpkfgmWCyw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DYhLDjHlib-JoVpkfgmWCyw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D298.61256035848265%26pitch%3D-0.2462716221912018%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) is probably more notable for me, given that I remember when it was first planted and have watched it grow over the last 10-15 years.

I-44 from Tulsa to St Louis is not an entertaining drive. You'll skirt by the edges of Joplin and Springfield along the way. But it's a long stretch between major destinations.

Road-tripping I-40 across Tennessee bored the hell out of me when I was a kid and college age adult. The stretch East of Memphis is monotonous as hell. The road is straight, but goes over one small hill after another and another and another and another. Nashville to Knoxville has somewhat more interesting terrain. One thing that will make the drive seem like a more compounded ordeal is combining I-40 in Tennessee with I-81 going up the West side of Virginia. Damn.

I'll chime in with agreement about Amarillo to OKC. I drive from Lawton thru Amarillo on the way to Colorado on a somewhat regular basis. Lawton to Amarillo is my least favorite leg of that road trip, but that drive seems to go by faster than driving from Amarillo to OKC. It's a straight shot on I-40. But it just feels like a long damned drive.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:12:12 PM

Quote from: Henry on July 31, 2024, 09:49:32 PMAnother boring drive is Seattle to Spokane.

I don't think you're going to find much agreement on that from anyone east of the Mississippi. The eastern half may be boring, but the western half is among the more scenic interstates in the entire country.

Spokane until you get just past George, I'd agree with it being boring.  From the Columbia River gorge until Seattle through the Cascades, I'd strongly disagree.

If I had to rank my personal least favorites:

5. Oklahoma City to Tulsa along I-44
It's basically boring Oklahoma on the straightest road you can imagine, but it gets a pass from the road's geometry and high speed limit. Plus, it's over pretty quickly.

4. Jackson, MS to Memphis along I-55
This drive would always get me fidgety and bored when I was a kid. It's a bit more interesting now that I've driven it in the past several years, but it's bland and there is hardly any development.

3. Little Rock to Memphis along I-40
The only saving grace that this route has is that navigating the constant congestion and truck traffic (akin to navigating the Millennium Falcon around an asteroid field) will keep you alert and awake. Otherwise, an absolute snoozefest.

2. Dallas to Houston along I-45
It's easy to forget how forgettable and boring this section actually is. Sure, the 6-laned sections are nice, and having 2 Buc-ee's on the route is a plus, but it is a long slog, particularly from Huntsville to Corsicana. Plus it forms the back stretch for my journeys from college to home, so I would say this is more of a personal dislike. But there's another stretch I hate more.

1. Corpus Christi to Houston along US 77 and US 59 (future I-69/I-69E)
I know that this is technically two routes right now, but I have to put this as my least favorite. This stretch is so gut-wrenchingly boring. It's flat, it's straight as an arrow for the most part, and the only views are of the same Texas scrubland, farmland, and windmills. The nail in the coffin is that the coastal alternative to the route, TX 35, is much less boring.

Quote from: Bobby5280 on August 01, 2024, 01:33:19 PMI-44 from Tulsa to St Louis is not an entertaining drive. You'll skirt by the edges of Joplin and Springfield along the way. But it's a long stretch between major destinations.

Huh, I drove I-44 from St. Louis to Springfield 9 years ago and I felt like it was one of the best Midwest interstates. Lots of up and down, felt like a roller coaster! (relatively speaking :D)

I-76 in Eastern Colorado was tough for me as it was already day three of a road trip working our way west toward Denver. To see the welcome sign for Colorado with the landscape still being empty and barren was a tough pill to swallow. :-D I-70 in Eastern CO/Western KS might be even worse, but I've never been on it.

Quote from: 7/8 on August 01, 2024, 03:11:51 PMI-76 in Eastern Colorado was tough for me as it was already day three of a road trip working our way west toward Denver. To see the welcome sign for Colorado with the landscape still being empty and barren was a tough pill to swallow. :-D I-70 in Eastern CO/Western KS might be even worse, but I've never been on it.

I-76 is definitely better than I-70. It's relatively hilly up by Sterling whereas I-70 is pretty bland and flat the whole way to Denver. That said, I-76 comes in to the Denver metro through arguably the least attractive side of town.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 11:33:37 PM

Quote from: Rothman on July 31, 2024, 10:26:21 PM

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:17:05 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

I don't know about that.  I think it's the opposite.

Having 6 lanes gets an automatic bump in my book, but even aside from that, the Turnpike seems to have been built mostly elevated at interchanges and crossroads, lending itself to better and more expansive views than the total snoozefest between the aptly-named Painesville and Erie.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 11:33:37 PM

Quote from: Rothman on July 31, 2024, 10:26:21 PM

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 10:17:05 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PM2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90

Agreed with this one overall, but it is worth noting that heading east out of Cleveland towards Erie is much more boring than heading west towards Toledo... and it's not particularly close IMO.

I don't know about that.  I think it's the opposite.

Having 6 lanes gets an automatic bump in my book, but even aside from that, the Turnpike seems to have been built mostly elevated at interchanges and crossroads, lending itself to better and more expansive views than the total snoozefest between the aptly-named Painesville and Erie.

Eastern terrain > western terrain.

Little Rock to Memphis ain't great but if you pick your spots, such as Sundays, it's a little better with the trucks and you can do it in under two hours. Little Rock to Texarkana has trucks but is nowhere near as bad any day of the week.

Can't believe Des Moines-Denver hasn't been mentioned. Nebraska I-80 is a  :sleep:  :sleep:  :sleep: fest

Quote from: ilpt4u on August 02, 2024, 01:05:30 AMCan't believe Des Moines-Denver hasn't been mentioned. Nebraska I-80 is a  :sleep:  :sleep:  :sleep: fest

As far as crossing the plains, it's maybe 4th worst? I-70, I-40, and I-94 are more boring.

Oklahoma City to Dallas was rather dull when I drove it a few months ago.

St. Louis-Chicago: Corn gets boring to look at after a few miles. The Macoupin County-Springfield  stretch is tedious.

St. Louis-Memphis: Apart from the spooky stretch of I-55 in NE Arkansas, there's really nothing on 55 to make the drive interesting.

Lincoln-Cheyenne and Topeka-Denver both get interesting on the west end as you can see mountains, but it's an awful lot of boring to get there.

South Bend-Toledo has nothing of interest.

Been a long time since I did Nashville-Memphis but I remember that being very boring.

I found I-80 in Nebraska much more tolerable at night.

Quote from: Bruce on August 02, 2024, 02:29:13 AMOklahoma City to Dallas was rather dull when I drove it a few months ago.

The nice thing is it gets over with pretty quick. I typically get from Gainesville to Norman in an hour and a half, and traffic isn't normally a factor unless there's construction. And the Arbuckles are fairly scenic.

Quote from: vdeane on August 01, 2024, 12:54:41 PM47-50 isn't a stretch I saw as often growing up or even still see a ton of now, so it feels like something special (and doesn't go on, so I have less of a chance to get bored;

Meanwhile, 47-50 is by far most frequented stretch of the Thruway (46-47 is second, and 44-45 is third before even getting to anything east of 44). On the 47-50 stretch I pretty much know exactly where I am and how far I am from the next exit/service area at all times - and I agree it does seem like a very short stretch relative to Rochester/Syracuse.

Quote from: vdeane on August 01, 2024, 12:54:41 PMA lot of those have become less visible over the years.  The beacon (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0892228,-76.3306182,3a,49.9y,40.86h,95.46t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svAcf_FfJosqipDn25Z-HPA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DvAcf_FfJosqipDn25Z-HPA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D40.857573602564386%26pitch%3D-5.45718114321167%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) seems like it's harder to catch than it used to be, and the smiley face (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0808431,-76.4568396,3a,15y,357.73h,94.23t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sH9kktEvJD4012IOnwMS5vw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DH9kktEvJD4012IOnwMS5vw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D357.7305555428582%26pitch%3D-4.226295153896444%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) definitely is (can't even find a good view on street view, although it's still easy to see from NY 31 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0827618,-76.4569068,3a,75y,2.36h,87.78t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sESpafCg30K0ZBiwKhZwQww!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DESpafCg30K0ZBiwKhZwQww%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D2.362526685095304%26pitch%3D2.2211925328289226%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu)).  The cow barn (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0794012,-76.4669872,3a,15y,350.52h,92.43t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-f5Mp5dT2XFyBf4YG_HGEw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D-f5Mp5dT2XFyBf4YG_HGEw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D350.5223107677905%26pitch%3D-2.4263063354373458%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) is just to the west, and it amazes me how long it took me to discover it was there.  The tree farm (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0747648,-76.4990428,3a,26.2y,298.61h,90.25t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYhLDjHlib-JoVpkfgmWCyw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DYhLDjHlib-JoVpkfgmWCyw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D298.61256035848265%26pitch%3D-0.2462716221912018%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu) is probably more notable for me, given that I remember when it was first planted and have watched it grow over the last 10-15 years.

Thanks for sharing. I'll have to remember to look for these (at least the cow barn and tree farm) next time I head east.

Quote from: Bruce on August 02, 2024, 02:29:13 AMOklahoma City to Dallas was rather dull when I drove it a few months ago.

I assume you are talking about I-35 here. It's still better than I-44 from Wichita Falls to Oklahoma City.

Quote from: CoreySamsonIt's basically boring Oklahoma on the straightest road you can imagine, but it gets a pass from the road's geometry and high speed limit. Plus, it's over pretty quickly.

The old 2x2 laned portion of the Turner Turnpike is indeed pretty boring looking. It's narrow and lined by trees a good part of the way. Add to that the immense amount of trucks. Actually it just seems more stressful than boring.

On the other hand, the newer portion OTA widened to 3x3 lanes is really pretty nice. It will take them several more years to widen I-44 to 3x3 lanes between OKC and Tulsa. The Access Oklahoma project is going to add a few more exits along the way. The Turner Turnpike will probably be the best turnpike in the state once all the work is finished.

Quote from: 7/8Huh, I drove I-44 from St. Louis to Springfield 9 years ago and I felt like it was one of the best Midwest interstates. Lots of up and down, felt like a roller coaster! (relatively speaking :D)

The problem is the road goes on and on like that for so long. Springfield and Joplin both are smaller cities. I-44 brushes the edge of both. Tulsa is signed on I-44 as a control city in St Louis. It's a relatively short drive between OKC and Tulsa, but a much longer drive from Tulsa to St Louis.

Quote from: BruceOklahoma City to Dallas was rather dull when I drove it a few months ago.

The Oklahoma portion of I-35 is indeed pretty dull. But that changes at WinStar and the Red River going Southward into Texas.

Quote from: ZLothI assume you are talking about I-35 here. It's still better than I-44 from Wichita Falls to Oklahoma City.

I actually prefer the scenery along I-44 from WFTX to OKC compared to I-35 going up to OKC. I-44 has more wide open territory. The Wichita Mountains are unobstructed a good part of the way. The OTA finally completed overhauls of the Walters, Chickasha and Newcastle toll plazas. No more slowing down to 15-20mph even when in a PikePass lane.

Quote from: pderocco on July 30, 2024, 11:58:48 PMI drove Oklahoma City to Amarillo last year, and it was worse than boring, it was rather ugly, between the oil fields and the windmills.

The Oklahoma portion isn't that bad, since there are at least some decent-sized towns along the way to add some interest, and the geography is more varied. But I agree that I-40 across the Texas panhandle has got to be one of the least attractive segments of the Interstate System. In addition to the uninspiring scenery (although the level-straight horizon is interesting for a few minutes if you haven't seen it before) it generally also smells a great deal.

I don't find windmills to be ugly, myself. Oil fields are, though, since they usually tear up the land and don't really do anything to improve the appearance of the operation.

As the cornfields give way to more rolling hills and wildflowers going westward I start to enjoy it more. I don't really remember anything about 70 through Kansas or 94 through ND outside of the badlands areas, but I do have a weird soft spot for 80 west of North Platte.

Quote from: Flint1979 on July 31, 2024, 10:59:44 PM

Quote from: thspfc on July 31, 2024, 08:38:52 PM

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 31, 2024, 05:50:43 PMChicago-Minneapolis is pretty dull. You stay well clear of any of the cities along the way, a few hills here and there through Wisconsin, then nothing but flat south of Madison.

Chicago-St. Louis is much worse.

That drive is horrid. I drove that last about 10 years ago and when I finally made it to Chicago I was pleased.

My first time going to STL I was surprised at just how rural central Illinois is. Between Rockford and Bloomington I almost never had cell service. It's weirdly creepy to see a piece of Earth that has been completely taken over by humans (read: cornfields), except no human activity is in sight besides the other cars on the road.

That reminds me of another good candidate - I-35 between Minneapolis and Des Moines. Over 220 miles with exceptionally little of interest to see along the way.

Quote from: CapeCodder on August 02, 2024, 09:39:18 AMSt. Louis-Memphis: Apart from the spooky stretch of I-55 in NE Arkansas, there's really nothing on 55 to make the drive interesting.

What is this notable for?

Quote from: bugo on August 02, 2024, 09:22:56 PM

Quote from: CapeCodder on August 02, 2024, 09:39:18 AMSt. Louis-Memphis: Apart from the spooky stretch of I-55 in NE Arkansas, there's really nothing on 55 to make the drive interesting.

What is this notable for?

All the exits and towns through that stretch and the farm fields in the area just seem strange. Most of the towns are run down, lots of abandoned places and poverty. I know I'm not the one that made the original comment regarding this but that's how I feel about I-55 between Sikeston and Memphis. Memphis is a creepy town too.

Quote from: webny99 on August 02, 2024, 08:54:33 PMThat reminds me of another good candidate - I-35 between Minneapolis and Des Moines. Over 220 miles with exceptionally little of interest to see along the way.

As a native Minnesotan, probably biased, but I kind of like when you hit the MN border northbound and immediately the amount of woodlands changes in composition and quantity.

Quote from: ilpt4u on August 02, 2024, 01:05:30 AMCan't believe Des Moines-Denver hasn't been mentioned. Nebraska I-80 is a  :sleep:  :sleep:  :sleep: fest

For the purposes of this thread, it would be Lincoln to Denver, though that doesn't change much I'm sure.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 02, 2024, 11:27:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on August 02, 2024, 08:54:33 PMThat reminds me of another good candidate - I-35 between Minneapolis and Des Moines. Over 220 miles with exceptionally little of interest to see along the way.

As a native Minnesotan, probably biased, but I kind of like when you hit the MN border northbound and immediately the amount of woodlands changes in composition and quantity.

To be honest I never really thought of there being "woodlands" in southern MN. I suppose there's slightly more trees and slightly less cornfields than Iowa, but that is an exceptionally low bar to clear.  :D  To me the difference between northern MN and southern MN is much greater than the difference between southern MN and Iowa.

Eastern Nebraska to me would seem like an extension of Eastern Kansas, where the terrain is rolling, and trees grow down in the draws while the hilltops are grassy and bare. I'm more familiar with that part of Kansas because it looks a lot like North Texas when you can find it in the wild these days.

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on July 31, 2024, 09:45:12 PMI haven't done it in one go, but Chicago to Memphis looks pretty boring. You get the endless cornfields of I-57 in Illinois followed by a fairly dull stretch of I-55 between Sikeston and Memphis. At least the bit of I-57 that goes through the Shawnee National Forest in the southern tip of Illinois is nice.

2 Mississippi River crossings though.

Anyone say SLC to Boise?

Tremonton to I-82 is pretty boring.

Quote from: Rothman on August 05, 2024, 12:31:30 PMAnyone say SLC to Boise?

Tremonton to I-82 is pretty boring.

I was going to mention this one too. There are a lot of really pretty places in Idaho. The places where I-15, I-84, and I-86 run are not those.

Quote from: Rothman on August 05, 2024, 12:31:30 PMAnyone say SLC to Boise?

Tremonton to I-82 is pretty boring.

I actually quite like the stretch of I-84 from Tremonton to I-86 (maybe that's what you meant, not 82?). Probably my favorite stretch of the Boise to SLC drive. It's more desolate than the rest of the drive (including less traffic), and there's some mountains/hills to keep it interesting. Not my favorite stretch of highway overall, by any means, but it's at least average. I can see why some people wouldn't like it though.

That said, part of the drive is quite boring. From I-86 to Bliss (past Burley, Twin Falls, and Jerome) is all pretty boring. Just farmland the whole way, and not close enough to the mountains to have any good views in the distance. The traffic is also a bit heavier (by Idaho standards) in this stretch, and lately there's been some road work too. Bliss to Mountain Home is alright. But Mountain Home to Boise is dreadful.

As a whole, definitely pretty boring by western standards, though I'd take it over stuff like I-5 in the CA Central Valley.

Quote from: thspfc on August 02, 2024, 08:10:32 PMIt's weirdly creepy to see a piece of Earth that has been completely taken over by humans (read: cornfields), except no human activity is in sight besides the other cars on the road.

Being in the middle of a sea of wind turbines at night is similarly creepy, when when all of the warning lights flash in unison.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 02, 2024, 11:27:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on August 02, 2024, 08:54:33 PMThat reminds me of another good candidate - I-35 between Minneapolis and Des Moines. Over 220 miles with exceptionally little of interest to see along the way.

As a native Minnesotan, probably biased, but I kind of like when you hit the MN border northbound and immediately the amount of woodlands changes in composition and quantity.

I actually did this drive yesterday. The Iowa section is a slog, but I agree that the Minnesota part isn't so bad.

Especially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Quote from: Molandfreak on August 11, 2024, 11:55:37 PMEspecially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Yeah, the drive between the Cities and Duluth is strangely dull, but I haven't done the drive south on I-35 yet from the Cities into Iowa.

Quote from: Rothman on August 12, 2024, 07:06:34 AM

Quote from: Molandfreak on August 11, 2024, 11:55:37 PMEspecially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Yeah, the drive between the Cities and Duluth is strangely dull, but I haven't done the drive south on I-35 yet from the Cities into Iowa.

From the Cities to Duluth, once you get to Cloquet or so, then it's pretty, but you only have about 10 miles left. The drive down the hill into Duluth is one of my favorites.

Just wanted to re-up my previous reply since it is relevant to the current discussion, particularly the bolded portion.

Quote from: webny99 on August 03, 2024, 05:38:54 PMTo be honest I never really thought of there being "woodlands" in southern MN. I suppose there's slightly more trees and slightly less cornfields than Iowa, but that is an exceptionally low bar to clear.  :D  To me the difference between northern MN and southern MN is much greater than the difference between southern MN and Iowa.

... and I would add, Forest Lake to Duluth isn't particularly exciting either, but it's still very different than southern MN in terms of the presence of "woodlands". It really comes down to personal preference as to which is more boring.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 12, 2024, 11:28:51 AM

Quote from: Rothman on August 12, 2024, 07:06:34 AM

Quote from: Molandfreak on August 11, 2024, 11:55:37 PMEspecially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Yeah, the drive between the Cities and Duluth is strangely dull, but I haven't done the drive south on I-35 yet from the Cities into Iowa.

From the Cities to Duluth, once you get to Cloquet or so, then it's pretty, but you only have about 10 miles left. The drive down the hill into Duluth is one of my favorites.

I hereby agree with this observation.

The entire 46 mile drive north of Lusk, WY on the US 18/85 concurrency is boring.😴   I know it don't count, but it is truly a bad drive.

Plus Lusk is a major settlement in the very rural Wyoming anyway.😊

Quote from: roadman65 on August 12, 2024, 01:43:48 PMThe entire 46 mile drive north of Lusk, WY on the US 18/85 concurrency is boring.😴   I know it don't count, but it is truly a bad drive.

Plus Lusk is a major settlement in the very rural Wyoming anyway.😊

Spice it up by taking WY 270 instead.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 12, 2024, 11:28:51 AM

Quote from: Rothman on August 12, 2024, 07:06:34 AM

Quote from: Molandfreak on August 11, 2024, 11:55:37 PMEspecially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Yeah, the drive between the Cities and Duluth is strangely dull, but I haven't done the drive south on I-35 yet from the Cities into Iowa.

From the Cities to Duluth, once you get to Cloquet or so, then it's pretty, but you only have about 10 miles left. The drive down the hill into Duluth is one of my favorites.

For that fleeting couple weeks in late September through the first week and a half of October, I-35 is maybe an actually underrated drive from about Carlton CSAH 4 or TH 210 into Duluth as the leaves change.

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on August 12, 2024, 03:00:28 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 12, 2024, 11:28:51 AM

Quote from: Rothman on August 12, 2024, 07:06:34 AM

Quote from: Molandfreak on August 11, 2024, 11:55:37 PMEspecially if you know what you're looking for, there are multiple scenic sites along I-35 through southern Minnesota:

• Albert Lea Lake/Myre-Big Island State Park
• Kaplan's Woods/Lake Kohlmeier
• Wells Lake/King Mill Dam

Between Faribault and Lakeville, yeah, there isn't much but at least it isn't intolerably boring. I'd even call I-35 south of the cities a better drive than I-35 from Forest Lake to Hinckley.

Yeah, the drive between the Cities and Duluth is strangely dull, but I haven't done the drive south on I-35 yet from the Cities into Iowa.

From the Cities to Duluth, once you get to Cloquet or so, then it's pretty, but you only have about 10 miles left. The drive down the hill into Duluth is one of my favorites.

For that fleeting couple weeks in late September through the first week and a half of October, I-35 is maybe an actually underrated drive from about Carlton CSAH 4 or TH 210 into Duluth as the leaves change.

Nah.

I-20 from Ft Worth to Odessa/Midland has never done a lot for me.

Quote from: Rothman on August 12, 2024, 08:33:06 PM

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on August 12, 2024, 03:00:28 PMFor that fleeting couple weeks in late September through the first week and a half of October, I-35 is maybe an actually underrated drive from about Carlton CSAH 4 or TH 210 into Duluth as the leaves change.

Nah.

Yah.

For the most part, I agree with the discussion in the beginning of the thread about the Thruway being boring.  As a passenger, I find it boring outside of Exits 34A-44 since that's the section I most traveled on growing up and am most familiar with.  Outside of exits 36-42 is a little bit boring, since I'm less familiar with those sections because we didn't go on them as often.  As a kid, I always thought the wide median section just east of exit 43 was interesting, and it was also a landmark meaning we were close to our exit since we'd use either Exit 43 or 44 to go to Canandaigua.  Another interesting part, but somewhat less of a landmark is the rock cut near Phelps (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9691196,-77.0672254,3a,37.5y,274.01h,91.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQfsQx5CDX2b8VPNAmOlVfQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwMi4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).  I always thought it was interesting that the guardrail was "wide" (I didn't know what "thrie beam" was as a kid), and this was the only place I'd ever seen it used.  I never realized until the past several years that it was also used on some bridge rails (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0601563,-76.5701231,3a,75y,311.92h,78.37t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sCGpleYIwSHywcRwdnsWNmg!2e0!5s20071001T000000!7i3328!8i1664?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwMi4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).  I've always assumed the rail near Phelps was used to prevent rocks from rolling into the road.  Knowing what a clear zone is now, it may be for that, but why haven't I seen it used for that anywhere else?

After my first few trips to Darien Lake, the section between exits 44 and 48A has gotten boring.  I always thought being near Rochester meant that we were almost there, but it's only halfway.  A few years ago, I went on a trip with some friends to Erie, PA, and I went on the Buffalo-PA line section for the second (or technically 3rd and 4th, since it was my second round trip) time in my life.  I thought it would be exciting since it was only my second trip on that section, but I was extremely bored.  I always thought that section is shorter than it actually is.

As a driver, I've only driven the Thruway between exits 33 and 41 (or possibly 42), and even that section has gotten boring as I've gotten older.  Unless it doesn't make sense, I avoid the Thruway, and now that it's switched to AET, I avoid it altogether since I only use cash, and paying at a Moneygram location would have a fee possibly more than the toll itself.

---

I-81 heading south is another extremely boring road for me, especially in PA.  I've only been on this section as a passenger.  Growing up, I never realized how far apart Syracuse, Cortland, and Binghamton were.  It's gotten better as I've gotten older and more familiar with that section, but it's still pretty boring.  Once you get to the PA line, I've always thought "Oh, not too far until Clarks Summit", but I never realized that it's another 40 minutes away.  South of Scranton/Wilkes Barre to Harrisburg is even worse.  It's just hills with nothing, or hills with lights off in the distance at night.  I much prefer US 15 through the mountains south of Corning to central PA, and US 11/15 from there along the Susquehanna River to Harrisburg.

55 and 57 through Illinois caould be the definition of Illinois... Flat.

I-39 is one of the most boring drives known to man.

Though the Metro Manila Skyway offers a varied, intriguing drive from Makati to Manila to Caloocan, the expressways that lead into it are not fun (and I have driven the full lengths of both)

- the Skyway section south of Makati is dead-on straight with only one curve before Alabang.  Especially fatiguing northbound even though only about 10 miles long, due to a near total lack of signage and exits and curves.

- SLEX and STAR Tollway from Alabang to the port city of Batangas is painfully devoid of curves as well, overloaded with traffic (and some construction due to widening projects), and just seems to go on and on until you finally reach the Batangas metro area.  The eventual SLEX extension southeast of Carmona will be going through much different terrain, though it's nowhere close to opening yet.

- Heading north of Caloocan, NLEX may only be about 50 miles long, but past Valenzuela it strays very far from all the communities it serves (especially at its northern terminus near Angeles), so there's never a sense of leaving farmland with the possible exception of the San Fernando exit.  While there's a view of Mt. Arayat towards the northern part of the highway, overall the expressway feels quite isolated and repetitive.  Also almost completely lacking in curves.

Quote from: SSOWorld on September 04, 2024, 07:41:29 PM55 and 57 through Illinois caould be the definition of Illinois... Flat.

I-39 is one of the most boring drives known to man.

Outside of Chicago-St. Louis, none of those are between large cities.

Quote from: Michael on September 04, 2024, 07:24:59 PMI-81 heading south is another extremely boring road for me, especially in PA.  I've only been on this section as a passenger.  Growing up, I never realized how far apart Syracuse, Cortland, and Binghamton were.  It's gotten better as I've gotten older and more familiar with that section, but it's still pretty boring.  Once you get to the PA line, I've always thought "Oh, not too far until Clarks Summit", but I never realized that it's another 40 minutes away.

Meanwhile, when starting from Syracuse, I find the section in PA seems relatively short. It is more boring than the NY section overall, but you're already 2/3 of the way to Scranton by the time you get to the PA line.

Quote from: Michael on September 04, 2024, 07:24:59 PMSouth of Scranton/Wilkes Barre to Harrisburg is even worse.  It's just hills with nothing, or hills with lights off in the distance at night.  I much prefer US 15 through the mountains south of Corning to central PA, and US 11/15 from there along the Susquehanna River to Harrisburg.

I've only been on a small part of I-81 between Scranton and Harrisburg, but I think hills with lights in the distance is usually a good vibe.  I will never pass up a chance to agree regarding US 15 though, it is a great route from Corning south to Williamsport.

11/15 south of I-80?  There's good reason the CSVT is being built. The stretch through Shamokin Dam and Selinsgrove is miserable.

I have a few contenders.

I-71. The entire darn thing apart from right around the Spence Bridge.

CA 99 and I-5 between Bakersfield and Sacramento, including Fresno and Stockton. For a state with some of the most interesting scenery in the country, the Central Valley isn't.

I-90 between Syracuse and Chicagoland, with the exception of downtown Cleveland, including Rochester, Buffalo, Erie, and Toledo.

I-70 between Columbus and St Louis. Yawn.

I-10 east of Mobile. The Florida panhandle is dull as can be.

Quote from: Rothman on September 04, 2024, 11:56:16 PM11/15 south of I-80?  There's good reason the CSVT is being built. The stretch through Shamokin Dam and Selinsgrove is miserable.

No doubt about that, but it is a decently high quality and scenic road between Selinsgrove and Harrisburg... the type of road I wish we had more of in NY instead of two-lane slogs.

From a trip in the Midwest two years ago I agree with a lot of these but I'm surprised that two weren't mentioned:
 
 I-71 from Cleveland to Columbus
 and I-65 from Indianapolis to Chicago

I thought both of those, especially 71, were extremely boring.

My wife had one for the Big Island.  She made a comment yesterday that HI 190 between Kona and Waimea was the "most boring drive ever."  The scenery isn't bad, but I guess the dry conditions and slow 50 MPH speed limit got to her.

I'd say any place where the view is blocked by trees most of the way (i.e. Boston to New York, Atlanta to Charlotte).

Wilmington to Clayton on I-40 in North Carolina. Yawn.

Quote from: kernals12 on October 23, 2024, 02:42:33 PMI'd say any place where the view is blocked by trees most of the way (i.e. Boston to New York, Atlanta to Charlotte).

K12 always with the lukewarm take.  (Boston to NYC?  Boring?)

Quote from: Rothman on October 23, 2024, 04:22:30 PM

Quote from: kernals12 on October 23, 2024, 02:42:33 PMI'd say any place where the view is blocked by trees most of the way (i.e. Boston to New York, Atlanta to Charlotte).

K12 always with the lukewarm take.  (Boston to NYC?  Boring?)

Kind of depends on the route you take. I-95 has plenty of "stuff" on it, but none of it is beautiful. I always preferred Mass Pike, I-84, Merritt Pkwy, Hutchinson River Pkwy.

Quote from: pderocco on October 23, 2024, 08:26:44 PM

Quote from: Rothman on October 23, 2024, 04:22:30 PM

Quote from: kernals12 on October 23, 2024, 02:42:33 PMI'd say any place where the view is blocked by trees most of the way (i.e. Boston to New York, Atlanta to Charlotte).

K12 always with the lukewarm take.  (Boston to NYC?  Boring?)

Kind of depends on the route you take. I-95 has plenty of "stuff" on it, but none of it is beautiful. I always preferred Mass Pike, I-84, Merritt Pkwy, Hutchinson River Pkwy.

Merritt is anything but boring.  It's our no-speed-limit Autobahn.

I was about to ask why no-one's brought-up the snoozefest that is I-81 across Tennessee/Virginia yet, but it turns-out that none of the cities it passes between on this stretch (save for Knoxville if we want to count that) is above 100k.

Quote from: freebrickproductions on October 24, 2024, 09:42:31 AMI was about to ask why no-one's brought-up the snoozefest that is I-81 across Tennessee/Virginia yet, but it turns-out that none of the cities it passes between on this stretch (save for Knoxville if we want to count that) is above 100k.

The trucks on I-81 make the trip very interesting.

Quote from: freebrickproductions on October 24, 2024, 09:42:31 AMI was about to ask why no-one's brought-up the snoozefest that is I-81 across Tennessee/Virginia yet, but it turns-out that none of the cities it passes between on this stretch (save for Knoxville if we want to count that) is above 100k.

Nor are Harrisburg, Scranton, or Binghamton, so I was thinking you'd have to go Knoxville-Syracuse, which is almost 800 miles and a roughly 12-hour trip. It's a rather boring trip overall but definitely not in contention for "most boring".

However, if you want to get really technical, Roanoke, VA had a 2020 census population of 100,011, so you could also break it up there... though that doesn't change the equation much IMO.

I think I-81 from its southern terminus to Binghamton is a beautiful drive. Sure, it's a long way, and the truck traffic is aggravating, but scenery is nothing to sneeze at.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 24, 2024, 01:10:22 PMI think I-81 from its southern terminus to Binghamton is a beautiful drive. Sure, it's a long way, and the truck traffic is aggravating, but scenery is nothing to sneeze at.

Chacun à son goût. I drove most of that about a year ago, and it was pleasant, but there was no variety on it. I felt the same when I started out on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, which I bailed from because it all looked the same. That's the problem with lots of trees.

I-91 from Springfield to New Haven is pretty boring, pretty... generic.

I-95 from New Haven to Providence is also pretty bland.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 24, 2024, 01:10:22 PMI think I-81 from its southern terminus to Binghamton is a beautiful drive. Sure, it's a long way, and the truck traffic is aggravating, but scenery is nothing to sneeze at.

Some of the most gorgeous Interstate mountain views I've laid my eyes upon have been on I-81 essentially the whole length of Virginia, and I-81 from Harrisburg to Hazleton give or take.

Since Chicago-St. Louis is well represented here, I'd have to then say Chicago-Indianapolis, followed by Chicago-Detroit. It's just all pool-table flat with ag fields and dull-looking trees.

I'd nominate US 93 between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Especially the portion of US 93 between Kingman, AZ and Las Vegas.

Quote from: doorknob60 on August 05, 2024, 03:57:28 PM

Quote from: Rothman on August 05, 2024, 12:31:30 PMAnyone say SLC to Boise?

Tremonton to I-82 is pretty boring.

I actually quite like the stretch of I-84 from Tremonton to I-86 (maybe that's what you meant, not 82?). Probably my favorite stretch of the Boise to SLC drive. It's more desolate than the rest of the drive (including less traffic), and there's some mountains/hills to keep it interesting. Not my favorite stretch of highway overall, by any means, but it's at least average. I can see why some people wouldn't like it though.

That said, part of the drive is quite boring. From I-86 to Bliss (past Burley, Twin Falls, and Jerome) is all pretty boring. Just farmland the whole way, and not close enough to the mountains to have any good views in the distance. The traffic is also a bit heavier (by Idaho standards) in this stretch, and lately there's been some road work too. Bliss to Mountain Home is alright. But Mountain Home to Boise is dreadful.

As a whole, definitely pretty boring by western standards, though I'd take it over stuff like I-5 in the CA Central Valley.

Late reply here, but I need to agree that I really like I-84 between Burley and Tremonton. The rolling hills look especially gorgeous in spring when everything is green.

The part of 84 in Idaho that parallels US 30 is considerably less interesting. I haven't been west of Bliss in years, so I won't comment on that section, but Bliss to Burley is nothing but flat farm fields. South of Tremonton on 15 is not too bad, especially north of Ogden once you're out of any traffic. I will say though that of all the highways through the Wasatch Front, SLC to Ogden is probably my favorite segment to drive (at least when there isn't a bunch of construction).

Quote from: ztonyg on November 02, 2024, 12:27:24 PMI'd nominate US 93 between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Especially the portion of US 93 between Kingman, AZ and Las Vegas.

The area around Hoover Dam is awesome and makes up for anything else on that segment in my opinion.

Railroad Pass has some nice views of Las Vegas Valley also. 

Quote from: roadman65 on October 23, 2024, 03:37:52 PMWilmington to Clayton on I-40 in North Carolina. Yawn.

Oh, the segment of I-40 that should be something else anyway.

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

I agree. I did the desert drive this week and I never got bored once. The desert and the hills. It was an austere beauty.

Quote from: achilles765 on November 02, 2024, 06:09:40 PM

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

I agree. I did the desert drive this week and I never got bored once. The desert and the hills. It was an austere beauty.

It's a matter of what you're used to. I thought the drive on I-8 from LA to Tucson was fascinating because there's nothing like it near me. People who drive it often are probably bored to tears.

There certainly much going on with I-8 east of Yuma. 

I-55 in NW Arkansas definitely makes the grade, It's absurdly flat, nothing but fields and short stubby trees along fence rows. It makes other roads like I-39 in Illinois seem interesting to drive by comparison. The trees along I-55 south of Memphis to New Orleans are an improvement.

I-96 between Grand Rapids and Lansing in Michigan never struck me as boring - traffic is too hectic. It's nothing special to look at - only approaching M-6 from the east and driving through Portland has any real visual interest. |

I liked the hills and trees along I-90 east of Cleveland v.s the Turnpike west of Cleveland. I got so bored with that section of turnpike that I started driving out of my way to avoid it. I once dropped down to US-30, took it to Fort Wayne, then came into Lansing via I-69, just to give me something different to drive. Ditto US-20 in central Ohio, which I could charitably say has an identity crisis. It can't decide whether it's a rural 4-lane divided highway, a freeway, or a narrow small-town street.

I-76/I-80 between Denver and Lincoln is pretty boring to look at - and it smells, at least in Nebraska.

Quote from: achilles765 on November 02, 2024, 06:09:40 PM

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

I agree. I did the desert drive this week and I never got bored once. The desert and the hills. It was an austere beauty.

Well, there's desert and there's desert. I find I-10 in western AZ rather boring. I-8 is a little better, although I'd rather drive the old US-80 parallel to it where it exists. But I'd say the desert between Vegas and Reno, usually driven on US-95, has a lot of visual interest. Phoenix to Salt Lake can be spectacular.

Quote from: JREwing78 on November 02, 2024, 07:25:19 PMI-55 in NW Arkansas definitely makes the grade, It's absurdly flat, nothing but fields and short stubby trees along fence rows. It makes other roads like I-39 in Illinois seem interesting to drive by comparison. The trees along I-55 south of Memphis to New Orleans are an improvement.

I-96 between Grand Rapids and Lansing in Michigan never struck me as boring - traffic is too hectic. It's nothing special to look at - only approaching M-6 from the east and driving through Portland has any real visual interest. |

I liked the hills and trees along I-90 east of Cleveland v.s the Turnpike west of Cleveland. I got so bored with that section of turnpike that I started driving out of my way to avoid it. I once dropped down to US-30, took it to Fort Wayne, then came into Lansing via I-69, just to give me something different to drive. Ditto US-20 in central Ohio, which I could charitably say has an identity crisis. It can't decide whether it's a rural 4-lane divided highway, a freeway, or a narrow small-town street.

I-76/I-80 between Denver and Lincoln is pretty boring to look at - and it smells, at least in Nebraska.

I-96 between GR and Lansing has perhaps the longest straight section of Interstate in Michigan. It's not exactly straight as an arrow but it's 16 miles of straight highway. There are two curves one near the Saranac Rest Area and another one between Hastings Road and the Nash Highway exit. But I would say that's a boring section of I-96.

Quote from: US 89 on November 02, 2024, 02:06:14 PM

Quote from: ztonyg on November 02, 2024, 12:27:24 PMI'd nominate US 93 between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Especially the portion of US 93 between Kingman, AZ and Las Vegas.

The area around Hoover Dam is awesome and makes up for anything else on that segment in my opinion.

Nevada makes a hell of a first impression if that's your first contact with it, as it was for me.

Quote from: pderocco on November 03, 2024, 03:09:38 AMWell, there's desert and there's desert. I find I-10 in western AZ rather boring. I-8 is a little better, although I'd rather drive the old US-80 parallel to it where it exists. But I'd say the desert between Vegas and Reno, usually driven on US-95, has a lot of visual interest. Phoenix to Salt Lake can be spectacular.

So what I'm hearing is that the Mojave Desert is interesting and the Sonoran Desert is boring. :P

Quote from: Scott5114 on November 03, 2024, 07:56:46 AMSo what I'm hearing is that the Mojave Desert is interesting and the Sonoran Desert is boring. :P

On the average, yes. There are exceptions here and there, certainly.

But neither holds a candle to southern Utah and northern Arizona. But most of that area isn't on the way between two major cities.

Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on November 02, 2024, 06:12:30 PM

Quote from: achilles765 on November 02, 2024, 06:09:40 PM

Quote from: bugo on July 31, 2024, 02:21:34 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on July 30, 2024, 10:53:51 PMI-10 between Los Angeles and Phoenix doesn't do a whole lot. 

Is it desert? Because I would love that. I haven't been to the desert since I was 2 or 3 years old, and I hope to see it again one day. It's those endless pine groves in the Deep South that bore me to tears. I-20 in Mississippi and I-16 in Georgia are two good examples.

I agree. I did the desert drive this week and I never got bored once. The desert and the hills. It was an austere beauty.

It's a matter of what you're used to. I thought the drive on I-8 from LA to Tucson was fascinating because there's nothing like it near me. People who drive it often are probably bored to tears.

I did wonder about that. Like what it must be like to drive through something so breathtaking everyday.

Quote from: MikieTimT on November 02, 2024, 05:10:27 PM

Quote from: roadman65 on October 23, 2024, 03:37:52 PMWilmington to Clayton on I-40 in North Carolina. Yawn.

Oh, the segment of I-40 that should be something else anyway.

I agree, though i must say i appreciate the consistent low traffic volumes. I have certainly gone from exit 309 to End I-40 without changing lanes once.

During a roadtrip a couple of decades ago, I found WB I-40 between Knoxville, and Nashville, TN to be remarkably long, neverending and outright boring.    :sleep:

Mike

Mike

Quote from: mgk920 on November 07, 2024, 10:29:54 AMDuring a roadtrip a couple of decades ago, I found WB I-40 between Knoxville, and Nashville, TN to be remarkably long, neverending and outright boring.    :sleep:

Mike

Mike

I would disagree with that. The traffic is a bit harrowing (similar to I-81) but the ride over the Cumberland Plateau and into/out of the foothills (roughly the I-75 split to Lebanon) is enjoyable.

Now, between Nashville and Memphis, I would agree.

Quote from: JREwing78 on November 02, 2024, 07:25:19 PMI-55 in NW Arkansas definitely makes the grade, It's absurdly flat, nothing but fields and short stubby trees along fence rows. It makes other roads like I-39 in Illinois seem interesting to drive by comparison. The trees along I-55 south of Memphis to New Orleans are an improvement.

I-96 between Grand Rapids and Lansing in Michigan never struck me as boring - traffic is too hectic. It's nothing special to look at - only approaching M-6 from the east and driving through Portland has any real visual interest. |

I liked the hills and trees along I-90 east of Cleveland v.s the Turnpike west of Cleveland. I got so bored with that section of turnpike that I started driving out of my way to avoid it. I once dropped down to US-30, took it to Fort Wayne, then came into Lansing via I-69, just to give me something different to drive. Ditto US-20 in central Ohio, which I could charitably say has an identity crisis. It can't decide whether it's a rural 4-lane divided highway, a freeway, or a narrow small-town street.

I-76/I-80 between Denver and Lincoln is pretty boring to look at - and it smells, at least in Nebraska.

I live in NW Arkansas.  We gladly claim I-49, I-40 along the fringe, and whatever US-412 ultimately gets designated along AR-612/US-412 to the OK border.  You can't make us claim I-55, though.

Except for the fancy overpasses in Texarkana, Dallas to Little Rock is certainly not one of my favorite drives.

The 71 miles of I-55 in Arkansas is boring but brief. You have the new-school US 78 monopoles to tide you over. Most of the other 200 miles to St. Louis isn't much better, but at least north of Sikeston you get out of the delta and start getting some terrain.

Rockford to Bloomington IL was God awful when they built it and still is.  Straight and nothing really on it.  Most boring freeway I've ever been on.

Quote from: webny99 on July 31, 2024, 11:38:54 AMOne that got mentioned a lot in the X thread is El Paso to San Antonio on I-10. While I know it's mostly flat with not much to look at, I think I would find it at least mildly interesting, since it's so different to anything one would see in the Northeast or Great Lakes. The stretch I have driven from Kerrville to San Antonio definitely wasn't paper flat and passes through some interesting terrain, so I am assuming it flattens out west of there. Even so, at least the 80 mph speed limit allows for making good time while being bored.

I like I-10.  We take it from Fredericksburg to Fort Stockton when we go to Big Bend or Fort Davis and it's a nice road.  Lots of hill cuts.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 03:49:48 PMFigured I'd do my top 5 greater than 200 miles.

1) Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10
2) Chicago to Cleveland on I-80/90
3) Billings to Fargo on I-94
4) Denver to Kansas City on I-70
5) Albuquerque to Oklahoma City on I-40

Billings to Fargo is dreadful. I used to always take I-90 across South Dakota because the western part was nice.  I-94 was soooooo boring.

US 421 between Sanford and Greensboro, NC. I go up that way each year for the holidays and it's usually lightly traveled with a lot of trees. Heading south after getting off of I-85, 421 feels like a chance to relax after going through Winston-Salem and the canyon that is I-40 between Salem Pkwy and the Outer Loop. But the further away from I-85 you go, it goes back to being a boring ol' drive.

Anything involving the Central Valley. Visalia to Fresno is boring farmland. Fresno to Sacramento is boring farmland. (With a short break in Stockton as you cross the Sacramento River).

Quote from: Quillz on November 09, 2024, 11:20:32 PMAnything involving the Central Valley. Visalia to Fresno is boring farmland. Fresno to Sacramento is boring farmland. (With a short break in Stockton as you cross the Sacramento River).

Golden State Boulevard is enough of a 1950s relic (US 99) that it would spice your trips up.  Not exactly impractical between Fresno and Kingsburg. 

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on November 09, 2024, 11:21:55 PM

Quote from: Quillz on November 09, 2024, 11:20:32 PMAnything involving the Central Valley. Visalia to Fresno is boring farmland. Fresno to Sacramento is boring farmland. (With a short break in Stockton as you cross the Sacramento River).

Golden State Boulevard is enough of a 1950s relic (US 99) that it would spice your trips up.  Not exactly impractical between Fresno and Kingsburg. 

Most of my Central Valley trips have recently involved CA-245 since it is one of the few south-north routes to go through the Sierra. Makes the trip between Visalia and Fresno a lot longer but it's interesting.

Quote from: hbelkins on July 31, 2024, 02:34:41 PMCincinnati to the Quad Cities via Indy and Peoria. (I-74)

Surprised no one else has echoed this.  Cincy to Indy is a slog.

I-69 between Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
I-75 between Atlanta and Orlando (includes Florida's Turnpike).
Georgia is nothing but billboards and cops.

Quote from: texaskdog on November 09, 2024, 04:24:20 AMRockford to Bloomington IL was God awful when they built it and still is.  Straight and nothing really on it.  Most boring freeway I've ever been on.

While storm chasing that section between LaSalle/Peru and Bloomington feels like forever.

I'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Any interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PM

Quote from: texaskdog on November 09, 2024, 04:24:20 AMRockford to Bloomington IL was God awful when they built it and still is.  Straight and nothing really on it.  Most boring freeway I've ever been on.

While storm chasing that section between LaSalle/Peru and Bloomington feels like forever.

I'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

At least you have the world's largest truck stop between the Quad Cities and Des Moines lol. Haven't been out that way in about 4 years now.

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

Not sure about that at all. You have the obvious counter examples like I-70 west of Denver, but even in the Northeast there's plenty of interesting drives (I-87 north of Albany, US 15 (future I-99) in northern PA, etc.)

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

*notes Illinois and flat are mentioned together again*

Quote from: Rothman on November 19, 2024, 10:23:30 PM

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 19, 2024, 10:47:50 AM

Quote from: mgk920 on November 19, 2024, 09:34:38 AMAny interstate-style roadway will be a snoozefest if one knows nothing about the area where it was built.  I-39 (Rockford-Normal, IL) is a clear example.

Mike

What is there to know about the stretch between Rockford and Normal?

I know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

*notes Illinois and flat are mentioned together again*

Starved Rock isn't flat, but when the non-flat part of the state is special enough to become a state park, it's the exception that proves the rule.

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D7Ens6jaxsaty1hh8)
There's the Illinois River valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKWdQFac3jpa9rPH9)
Hill north of Troy Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUpvpvChJLC6YKaH7)
Hill north of Mendota (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6rjQ26qGKWvDd8GA9)
Hill north of US 30 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENoFRct22wbSLP7w5)
Hill north of IL 72 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uFpoheGWZJRq9ANA)
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QShj4TMU1cHszFgi9)

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D7Ens6jaxsaty1hh8)
There's the Illinois River valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKWdQFac3jpa9rPH9)
Hill north of Troy Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUpvpvChJLC6YKaH7)
Hill north of Mendota (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6rjQ26qGKWvDd8GA9)
Hill north of US 30 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENoFRct22wbSLP7w5)
Hill north of IL 72 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uFpoheGWZJRq9ANA)
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QShj4TMU1cHszFgi9)

The historic Lincoln Highway and the very busy railfan park at Rochelle, IL.

Mike

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D7Ens6jaxsaty1hh8)
There's the Illinois River valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKWdQFac3jpa9rPH9)
Hill north of Troy Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUpvpvChJLC6YKaH7)
Hill north of Mendota (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6rjQ26qGKWvDd8GA9)
Hill north of US 30 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENoFRct22wbSLP7w5)
Hill north of IL 72 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uFpoheGWZJRq9ANA)
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QShj4TMU1cHszFgi9)

Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

Quote from: webny99 on November 20, 2024, 11:32:56 AM

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D7Ens6jaxsaty1hh8)
There's the Illinois River valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKWdQFac3jpa9rPH9)
Hill north of Troy Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUpvpvChJLC6YKaH7)
Hill north of Mendota (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6rjQ26qGKWvDd8GA9)
Hill north of US 30 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENoFRct22wbSLP7w5)
Hill north of IL 72 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uFpoheGWZJRq9ANA)
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QShj4TMU1cHszFgi9)

Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

So now I know slightly more about the stretch from Normal to Rockford. Boring.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on November 20, 2024, 11:40:51 AM

Quote from: webny99 on November 20, 2024, 11:32:56 AM

Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2024, 11:06:32 PM

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on November 19, 2024, 10:21:21 PMI know plenty of things about the geography and history of northern Illinois, and it doesn't make that drive any less boring. You can make side trips to see interesting things like Starved Rock State Park or the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but if you're just passing through it's two hours of flat cornfields.

I'm not going to disagree with it being mostly boring (unless there's higher end thunderstorms around), but I dispute the "two hours" of flatness:

Hill near Mile 17 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D7Ens6jaxsaty1hh8)
There's the Illinois River valley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bKWdQFac3jpa9rPH9)
Hill north of Troy Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUpvpvChJLC6YKaH7)
Hill north of Mendota (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6rjQ26qGKWvDd8GA9)
Hill north of US 30 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENoFRct22wbSLP7w5)
Hill north of IL 72 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uFpoheGWZJRq9ANA)
Valley with rock cuts on the approach to Rockford (https://maps.app.goo.gl/QShj4TMU1cHszFgi9)

Woe betide if anyone from Appalachia reads this, calling those "hills". The river valley and the rock cut are the only geographic features of note here.

So now I know slightly more about the stretch from Normal to Rockford. Boring.

"Technically, it is not flat.  If you view it under an electron microscope, little bumps are revealed."

I drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

Quote from: Flint1979 on November 20, 2024, 05:42:53 PMI drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

I drove it at night and it wasn't too bad, though I was also on a Discord call with friends at the time as well.

Quote from: freebrickproductions on November 20, 2024, 06:04:49 PM

Quote from: Flint1979 on November 20, 2024, 05:42:53 PMI drove from the Quad Cities to Indy one time and thought I-74 was one of the most boring highways I have ever driven on. Around Peroia it was ok but outside of that it was pure boredom. The same repeat scenery over and over and flat farm fields all the way across. Neither Indiana or Illinois have anything interesting along I-74.

I drove it at night and it wasn't too bad, though I was also on a Discord call with friends at the time as well.

In other words, a great road for multi-tasking  :sombrero:

I-5 from Los Angeles to Sacramento
I-10 from Mobile to Jakcksonville
I-16
I-20 from Jackson to Birmingham and Atlanta to Columbia
I-22 from Tupelo to Birmingham
I-35 from Austin to Dallas/Ft. Worth
I-40 from Oklahoma City to Ft. Smith, Memphis to Nashville, and Winston-Salem to Wilmington
I-44 from Tulsa to Springfield
I-45 from Houston to Dallas
I-55 from New Orleans to Memphis
I-59 from New Orleans to Birmingham
I-64 from Louisville to Huntington
I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery and Louisville to Indianapolis
I-75 from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, Tampa to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Knoxville
I-80 from Davenport to Youngstown
I-85 from Montgomery to Atlanta and Durham to Richmond
I-90 from Gary to Cleveland
I-95 from Jacksonville to Richmond

Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PMI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)

Quote from: pianocello on January 25, 2025, 07:51:14 AM

Quote from: ET21 on November 18, 2024, 01:35:55 PMI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)

Others in here will disagree with me on this, but in my experiences, I-80 across Illinois is significantly more boring  :sleep: than is I-39.

Mike

For within my home state (Wisconsin), IMHO the most boring major drive is US 151/WI 26 between Madison and the Fox Valley (I-41 in Oshkosh).  Staying on US 151 to I-41 in Fond du Lac is even worse. I dread that drive every time I have to head on down to and beyond Madison.

Mike

Quote from: mgk920 on January 25, 2025, 01:07:43 PM

Quote

QuoteI'd throw in I-80 between Quad Cities and Des Moines

Of the four Interstates that radiate out of the Quad Cities, I've always considered this one the least boring.

...which makes it not surprising that the other three have also been mentioned in this thread. :)

Others in here will disagree with me on this, but in my experiences, I-80 across Illinois is significantly more boring  :sleep: than is I-39.

However, I-39 is not one of the four interstates that radiates from the Quad Cities.

I'm honestly taken aback by the suggestion of I-80 in Iowa being the best of the four. That's a pretty low bar. The fact that this is even possible speaks pretty poorly of I-80, I-88 and I-74 in Illinois.

Quote from: webny99 on January 25, 2025, 03:38:59 PMI'm honestly taken aback by the suggestion of I-80 in Iowa being the best of the four. That's a pretty low bar. The fact that this is even possible speaks pretty poorly of I-80, I-88 and I-74 in Illinois.

You're not wrong, but I stand by it. To be honest, for me it really just comes down to the terrain. At least the Iowa stretch has a few rolling hills, even more so once you get towards Des Moines. On the three Illinois Interstates, your field of view is about 3 counties in all directions if you're in the right vehicle.

Quote from: Gnutella on January 25, 2025, 04:37:43 AMI-5 from Los Angeles to Sacramento
...

I'd shift this a bit: I-5 from Grapevine to Orland. The mountains north of LA are nice and kind of fun, and the Sacramento River Valley is boring unless you're driving along the dikes.

But a lot of your other choices are duller than any part of I-5.

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

A couple weeks ago on my Tampa trip I figured out that you are exactly right. The Florida panhandle is deceptively long, there are hardly any exits or towns along the route, and you don't even get a view of Tallahassee. I'm so glad that on the way back I used US 98 instead.

Quote from: CoreySamson on January 25, 2025, 08:08:27 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

A couple weeks ago on my Tampa trip I figured out that you are exactly right. The Florida panhandle is deceptively long, there are hardly any exits or towns along the route, and you don't even get a view of Tallahassee. I'm so glad that on the way back I used US 98 instead.

I wouldn't be upset if I went my whole life without visiting that part of Florida.

The drive between Raleigh and Wilmington NC is so boring, i wish they would raise the speed limit to 80 just so it takes less time.

Quote from: epzik8 on January 25, 2025, 09:02:25 PM

Quote from: CoreySamson on January 25, 2025, 08:08:27 PM

Quote from: JayhawkCO on July 31, 2024, 11:05:24 AMI'm going Mobile to Jacksonville on I-10. Miserable.

A couple weeks ago on my Tampa trip I figured out that you are exactly right. The Florida panhandle is deceptively long, there are hardly any exits or towns along the route, and you don't even get a view of Tallahassee. I'm so glad that on the way back I used US 98 instead.

I wouldn't be upset if I went my whole life without visiting that part of Florida.

The Forgotten Coast part is great if you want beaches that ain't crowded, and the Florida, Gulf, and Atlantic Railroad has some great older wayside signals (including a bunch of old SAL ones from Tallahassee eastwards). But otherwise it ain't the most interesting part of Florida.

Quote from: Gnutella on January 25, 2025, 04:37:43 AMI-65 from ... Louisville to Indianapolis

I'd argue I-65 from Louisville to Gary as a whole, TBH, though the wind farm you get to go through does break-up the monotony some.

I-16 I found to be alright, the fact that it was still almost entirely all concrete made it at least a bit more interesting for me when I last drove it back in 2021.

Quote from: Gnutella on January 25, 2025, 04:37:43 AMI-44 from Tulsa to Springfield

Tulsa to Miami, maybe. East of the Spring River the geography gets a lot more interesting as you enter the Ozarks, making the Missouri portion not really that boring.

Quote from: freebrickproductions on January 27, 2025, 08:49:16 PMThe Forgotten Coast part is great if you want beaches that ain't crowded, and the Florida, Gulf, and Atlantic Railroad has some great older wayside signals (including a bunch of old SAL ones from Tallahassee eastwards). But otherwise it ain't the most interesting part of Florida.

I've still been to and enjoy essential parts of the state, like Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Cape Canaveral and Key West. Not to mention my dad and stepmom live along the Gulf.

Quote from: fillup420 on January 26, 2025, 02:28:32 PMThe drive between Raleigh and Wilmington NC is so boring, i wish they would raise the speed limit to 80 just so it takes less time.

Really between Raleigh and everywhere that isn't west of it. Raleigh-Wilmington, Raleigh/Durham-Richmond, Raleigh-Norfolk, Raleigh-Fayetteville. All through a whole lot of nothing.

Los Angeles to Honolulu

Unless this is U.S. cities only, Adelaide - Darwin is pretty boring. Or Adelaide - Perth. Or Perth - Darwin. Or literally any drive between two cities in Australia.

Quote from: jlam on January 30, 2025, 10:37:54 PMUnless this is U.S. cities only, Adelaide - Darwin is pretty boring. Or Adelaide - Perth. Or Perth - Darwin. Or literally any drive between two cities in Australia.

Have you driven them?

Quote from: Rothman on January 30, 2025, 10:57:51 PMHave you driven them?

No, but given that there are multiple stretches of 500+ miles of no services through the desert, I think I can safely assume that the drives are a bit bland. I don't think this thread specified that we have to have driven these.

Quote from: NE2 on January 30, 2025, 08:26:06 PMLos Angeles to Honolulu

https://maps.app.goo.gl/f4RojhihmxSUsCN57

Quote from: jlam on January 30, 2025, 11:42:00 PM

Quote from: Rothman on January 30, 2025, 10:57:51 PMHave you driven them?

No, but given that there are multiple stretches of 500+ miles of no services through the desert, I think I can safely assume that the drives are a bit bland. I don't think this thread specified that we have to have driven these.

When it comes to determining if an actual drive is boring, personal experience is paramount.  I didn't find driving US 6 across Nevada boring at all, for example, but some people just looking at a map could come to a different and silly conclusion.

So, guessing something's boring is a lot different than actually knowing it's boring.

Quote from: jlam on January 30, 2025, 10:37:54 PMUnless this is U.S. cities only, Adelaide - Darwin is pretty boring. Or Adelaide - Perth. Or Perth - Darwin. Or literally any drive between two cities in Australia.

Melbourne to Sydney (https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.6736848,147.3918562,3a,39.3y,82.22h,86.13t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s7TSliVFxt9gKOdFvzDlI4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.8691727482680704%26panoid%3D7TSliVFxt9gKOdFvzDlI4g%26yaw%3D82.22022457037875!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) looks like it might be interesting.

My recollection of I-16 was that it was miles and miles of interstate with nothing much but pine trees along the interstate to look at...except, perhaps, for occasional bits of contraflow infrastructure.

Admittedly determining "most boring" relies on personal tastes.  My own tastes are such that I find even flat, empty landscapes beautiful (especially if there are a few clouds in the sky).

But going mile after mile with only the same-looking highway, lined by nearly identical trees... thank goodness for audiobooks!

Quote from: MikeTheActuary on January 31, 2025, 03:51:43 PMMy recollection of I-16 was that it was miles and miles of interstate with nothing much but pine trees along the interstate to look at...except, perhaps, for occasional bits of contraflow infrastructure.

Admittedly determining "most boring" relies on personal tastes.  My own tastes are such that I find even flat, empty landscapes beautiful (especially if there are a few clouds in the sky).

But going mile after mile with only the same-looking highway, lined by nearly identical trees... thank goodness for audiobooks!

I agree, TBH. I-16's definitely far from the most interesting drive, I suppose at least it is/was still concrete.

I-81's a similarly boring Interstate for me for the same reasons, as I've mentioned before.

Quote from: vdeane on January 31, 2025, 12:38:26 PM

Quote from: jlam on January 30, 2025, 10:37:54 PMUnless this is U.S. cities only, Adelaide - Darwin is pretty boring. Or Adelaide - Perth. Or Perth - Darwin. Or literally any drive between two cities in Australia.

Melbourne to Sydney (https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.6736848,147.3918562,3a,39.3y,82.22h,86.13t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s7TSliVFxt9gKOdFvzDlI4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.8691727482680704%26panoid%3D7TSliVFxt9gKOdFvzDlI4g%26yaw%3D82.22022457037875!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) looks like it might be interesting.

Try being a train driver to Perth or Darwin!  They even have wacko 'deadman' controls that are intended to keep operating crews alert!

Mike

At the risk of getting ridiculed for never having driven the roads in question; even with no such experience, I think it's reasonable to say that Darwin to Sydney would be a horrendous drive. 42 hours of almost all desert and extremely sparse civilization. That's a different level from anything you would find in the US.

QuoteMost Boring Drive Between Two Major Cities?

I have to admit that I've never been bored on a long-distance drive. Long-distance driving is my jam, as the youth no longer say.

Quote from: thspfc on February 01, 2025, 04:20:38 PMDarwin to Sydney

Is a city of about 140k considered "major"?

Quote from: GaryV on February 01, 2025, 06:20:31 PM

Quote from: thspfc on February 01, 2025, 04:20:38 PMDarwin to Sydney

Is a city of about 140k considered "major"?

By Australian standards? I'd say so.

Quote from: thspfc on February 01, 2025, 04:20:38 PMAt the risk of getting ridiculed for never having driven the roads in question; even with no such experience, I think it's reasonable to say that Darwin to Sydney would be a horrendous drive. 42 hours of almost all desert and extremely sparse civilization. That's a different level from anything you would find in the US.

Also the 'road train' ultra-heavy haul truck drivers, who deliver bulk commodities in places where railroads were never laid.  That is wide open, *sparse* development.

Mike

I know I'm waking up an old thread but I can't believe nobody mentioned I-29 between Sioux Falls and Fargo. 200+ miles that are largely flat and treeless and devoid of places to stop.

The same can be said of US 20 between Waterloo, IA and Sioux City, IA. It feels more like being at sea than driving on a highway.