It's interesting to me that of the three primary control cities on I-15 in the Greater Los Angeles area, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside, I-15 does not go through the city limits of any of them. It makes me wonder if this should be changed. If it was up to me, I would use Los Angeles as the control city on southbound I-15 from Las Vegas until the I-10 interchange, then switch to San Diego as the control city. On northbound I-15 from San Diego, I would use Ontario as the control city instead of Riverside, then switch to Las Vegas as the control city at the I-10 interchange.
I feel like this makes sense, because people going from San Diego to Los Angeles are probably going to take I-5 rather than I-15. So using Ontario as the northbound I-15 control city makes more sense. But people going from Las Vegas to Los Angeles are going to take I-15, so using Los Angeles as the southbound I-15 control city makes sense. I wouldn't use San Bernardino or Riverside as control cities on I-15. Ontario makes more sense, because I-15 actually goes through Ontario, it has the I-10 interchange in its city limits, and it has the primary commercial airport for the Inland Empire.
It seems that SoCal control/destination cities often are related more to tradition than with actual navigation. The I-10 section signed for "San Bernardino" actually goes through more of Pomona than the 60 "Pomona Freeway" does; the 210 Freeway is much more direct to San Bernardino. The westbound 91 Freeway is signed for "Artesia" even though Cerritos is larger and is a more prominent commercial destination. The northbound 55 is signed for "Anaheim/Riverside" while actually leading motorists AWAY from central Anaheim and the tourist areas. And in an earlier post I observed that with the cancellation of the 710 extension through South Pasadena, it's actually quite difficult to find one's way to Pasadena despite all of the control signs on 710 northbound. So maybe it's best to take all of the signage with a large grain of salt, or read them as "in the direction of" as opposed to actual navigation guidance.
Sometimes there just isn't a control city at all. For example 605 South (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0801925,-117.9980519,3a,75y,195.05h,88.68t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s1hqu3gUxCs4Fui1uPAxmsg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.3196673215410328%26panoid%3D1hqu3gUxCs4Fui1uPAxmsg%26yaw%3D195.05171212919433!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) ("Thru Traffic" doesn't count), or in San Diego, 805 South (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8524358,-117.1812873,3a,75y,160.09h,89.57t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9pGk2jzF5wMuperLqoA_bA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.42763548441203625%26panoid%3D9pGk2jzF5wMuperLqoA_bA%26yaw%3D160.08697147373874!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (I guess "Tijuana" is too much to ask for). In my experience San Diego is notorious for just not having control cities at all. It was hard to even find these GSV examples because CalTrans seems to avoid the question by just not putting thru BGSes on a lot of the exits.
Again, I'll point folks to https://www.cahighways.org/itypes-control.html . The set of control cities for the 2 digit interstates were established by the FHWA in the 1950s, and haven't changed. The 3-digit routes are more forward directions -- not control cities -- and are less constrained and established by the states (because the 3 digit routes tend not to cross state lines).
The thing that weirds me out is that from I-5, CA-15 north is signed for Riverside. Fair enough. But CA-163 north is signed for Escondido. Which you get to by taking CA-163 north to I-15, which passes through Escondido before it gets to Riverside...
If it were me I'd just sign the whole damn thing San Diego southbound and Las Vegas northbound. Gets the point across without having to deal with any of the awkward "it leads to a road that leads to the city" stuff.
Quote from: FredAkbar on February 09, 2026, 02:54:04 PMSometimes there just isn't a control city at all. For example 605 South (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0801925,-117.9980519,3a,75y,195.05h,88.68t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s1hqu3gUxCs4Fui1uPAxmsg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.3196673215410328%26panoid%3D1hqu3gUxCs4Fui1uPAxmsg%26yaw%3D195.05171212919433!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) ("Thru Traffic" doesn't count), or in San Diego, 805 South (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8524358,-117.1812873,3a,75y,160.09h,89.57t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9pGk2jzF5wMuperLqoA_bA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.42763548441203625%26panoid%3D9pGk2jzF5wMuperLqoA_bA%26yaw%3D160.08697147373874!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (I guess "Tijuana" is too much to ask for). In my experience San Diego is notorious for just not having control cities at all. It was hard to even find these GSV examples because CalTrans seems to avoid the question by just not putting thru BGSes on a lot of the exits.
continously.
Noticed there were none on I-5 from SR 75 Southward to San Yisidro in 1988. I thought even Mexico would work, but Caltrans thinks otherwise.
The mileage signs use " International Border" instead of Mexico as " Canada" is often used on mileage signs in states with freeways heading to the northern border.
Quote from: cahwyguy on February 09, 2026, 03:15:27 PMAgain, I'll point folks to https://www.cahighways.org/itypes-control.html . The set of control cities for the 2 digit interstates were established by the FHWA in the 1950s, and haven't changed. The 3-digit routes are more forward directions -- not control cities -- and are less constrained and established by the states (because the 3 digit routes tend not to cross state lines).
I just wish there was more cooperation among the states regarding federally approved and mandated control cities. For example, Arizona dutifully shows "Los Angeles" as the control for I-40 westbound, and then once in California there is no mention of LA for miles. Same with I-5 north (Portland in CA, Medford in Oregon) and I-80 eastbound (New York City in Ohio, all manner of tiny towns in Pennsylvania).
Quote from: YLroadfan on February 11, 2026, 02:35:43 PMI just wish there was more cooperation among the states regarding federally approved and mandated control cities. For example, Arizona dutifully shows "Los Angeles" as the control for I-40 westbound, and then once in California there is no mention of LA for miles. Same with I-5 north (Portland in CA, Medford in Oregon) and I-80 eastbound (New York City in Ohio, all manner of tiny towns in Pennsylvania).
Are there even any overhead signs on I-40 in California that would show a control city?
Quote from: SeriesE on February 11, 2026, 06:57:23 PMQuote from: YLroadfan on February 11, 2026, 02:35:43 PMI just wish there was more cooperation among the states regarding federally approved and mandated control cities. For example, Arizona dutifully shows "Los Angeles" as the control for I-40 westbound, and then once in California there is no mention of LA for miles. Same with I-5 north (Portland in CA, Medford in Oregon) and I-80 eastbound (New York City in Ohio, all manner of tiny towns in Pennsylvania).
Are there even any overhead signs on I-40 in California that would show a control city?
The only one I can easily find is a small overhead sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8539382,-116.8841233,3a,75y,294.87h,82.49t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sb5ecMoAhooorigP17q622w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D7.510799936749777%26panoid%3Db5ecMoAhooorigP17q622w%26yaw%3D294.86769597902054!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) with control city "Barstow", but it is just a few miles outside of Barstow so I guess that makes sense. I don't know where else there would be one, other than the handful of exits I checked that just have the exit sign only.
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 09, 2026, 11:10:19 PMIf it were me I'd just sign the whole damn thing San Diego southbound and Las Vegas northbound. Gets the point across without having to deal with any of the awkward "it leads to a road that leads to the city" stuff.
The problem with signing San Diego as the control city on southbound I-15 in Las Vegas is that it would skip over the entire Greater Los Angeles area.
I think for southbound I-15 in Las Vegas, the control city should be Los Angeles and it should be consistently signed for Los Angeles all the way to I-10. Right now, there are some Los Angeles signs. There is a Los Angeles 257 mileage sign at the southern edge of Las Vegas. But in California, some signs omit Los Angeles and instead use Barstow or San Bernardino. That's the part I disagree with. I mean, if you are in Las Vegas and you want to drive to Los Angeles, the fastest way is to take I-15 to I-10, then go west on I-10 to LA. So really, Los Angeles would be an appropriate control city on I-15 from Las Vegas all the way to I-10, even though I-15 doesn't go through LA city limits. The control city on I-15 would then switch to San Diego at the I-10 interchange.
Northbound is trickier. I think it would make more sense to sign Las Vegas on northbound I-15 from San Diego than it would to sign San Diego on southbound I-15 from Las Vegas. But I still think it runs into the issue that it would skip over the entire Greater Los Angeles area. Right now, Riverside is signed, which I'm kind of okay with. Although I think Ontario would be better because it's on the route, it has the airport, and it has the I-10 junction where the signage could switch to Las Vegas.
Personally I would prefer "THRU TRAFFIC" on I-15 both ways, maybe "other Inland
Empire Cities".
In all seriousness, I sort of disagree with this post where I feel like it doesn't really matter if a control city is on the route or not. I-15 should definitely be signed for LA out of Vegas nonetheless, as traffic that is using the 15 south out of Vegas is either going to LA, the surrounding metro(including the Inland Empire), or San Diego.
You could argue signing San Diego out of Las Vegas, but if the 5 is signed south for LA in Sacramento, I feel like the 15 should as well.
I'm pretty sure most normal folks using I-15 nowadays don't tend to stray off course from their intended destinations all that often. I'm also certain that most normals don't use control cities as a way to navigate.
Let's talk about why Santa Ana is a control city on the 5 now in southern Orange County for like 10 miles.
What is the point of that? Like I'm not even mad about it, it just seems so utterly pointless and unneeded that I'm shocked they even did it.
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 13, 2026, 12:24:46 AMLet's talk about why Santa Ana is a control city on the 5 now in southern Orange County for like 10 miles.
What is the point of that? Like I'm not even mad about it, it just seems so utterly pointless and unneeded that I'm shocked they even did it.
Santa Ana has to be the most anonymous city in the United States with a population over 300,000 people. I guess it wasn't that way once upon a time given the Santa Ana Freeway is named after it. It probably didn't help Anaheim has a larger profile in the public consciousness because of a theme park and a couple pro sports teams.
Quote from: minneha on February 12, 2026, 08:54:20 PMThe problem with signing San Diego as the control city on southbound I-15 in Las Vegas is that it would skip over the entire Greater Los Angeles area.
Good! It should do that, because it doesn't go there.
If we're just deciding control cities based on someone maybe getting off the road at some point to go somewhere that isn't on it, then I-15 north out of LV should be signed for Kansas City.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 13, 2026, 12:29:37 AMQuote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 13, 2026, 12:24:46 AMLet's talk about why Santa Ana is a control city on the 5 now in southern Orange County for like 10 miles.
What is the point of that? Like I'm not even mad about it, it just seems so utterly pointless and unneeded that I'm shocked they even did it.
Santa Ana has to be the most anonymous city in the United States with a population over 300,000 people. I guess it wasn't that way once upon a time given the Santa Ana Freeway is named after it. It probably didn't help Anaheim has a larger profile in the public consciousness because of a theme park and a couple pro sports teams.
Was it named after the city or after the general?
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 12:50:10 AMQuote from: minneha on February 12, 2026, 08:54:20 PMThe problem with signing San Diego as the control city on southbound I-15 in Las Vegas is that it would skip over the entire Greater Los Angeles area.
Good! It should do that, because it doesn't go there.
If we're just deciding control cities based on someone maybe getting off the road at some point to go somewhere that isn't on it, then I-15 north out of LV should be signed for Kansas City.
It makes sense to base it on where people are likely going on the road. I think more people coming down I-15 are headed to L.A. than to S.D., because L.A. is bigger. And since it's closer, L.A. people are less likely to fly to Vegas than people in S.D.
Quote from: pderocco on February 13, 2026, 01:23:36 AMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 12:50:10 AMQuote from: minneha on February 12, 2026, 08:54:20 PMThe problem with signing San Diego as the control city on southbound I-15 in Las Vegas is that it would skip over the entire Greater Los Angeles area.
Good! It should do that, because it doesn't go there.
If we're just deciding control cities based on someone maybe getting off the road at some point to go somewhere that isn't on it, then I-15 north out of LV should be signed for Kansas City.
It makes sense to base it on where people are likely going on the road. I think more people coming down I-15 are headed to L.A. than to S.D., because L.A. is bigger. And since it's closer, L.A. people are less likely to fly to Vegas than people in S.D.
Maybe? The problem is, Southern California is a patchwork of hundreds of municipalities, and a southbound traveler originating in LV could be headed to any of them. Los Angeles is just one destination among many—it's plausible that it's a plurality, but it's likely not a
majority once you square it against the people headed to Bakersfield, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, San Bernardino, Temecula, Escondido, Hemet, or any other random SoCal city that does not involve going through LA to get to. At that point "Los Angeles" and "San Diego" are equally good control points since they simply stand as a metonym for Southern California as a whole. And in that case, it makes sense to use the one that the road doesn't miss by 35 miles.
I have not seen a ton of LV visitation data, but what I have seen is consistent with the theory that while there are a lot of visitors from Los Angeles, there are just as many from SoCal cities for which a "Los Angeles" control point is kind of useless.
Quote from: pderocco on February 13, 2026, 01:20:23 AMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on February 13, 2026, 12:29:37 AMQuote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 13, 2026, 12:24:46 AMLet's talk about why Santa Ana is a control city on the 5 now in southern Orange County for like 10 miles.
What is the point of that? Like I'm not even mad about it, it just seems so utterly pointless and unneeded that I'm shocked they even did it.
Santa Ana has to be the most anonymous city in the United States with a population over 300,000 people. I guess it wasn't that way once upon a time given the Santa Ana Freeway is named after it. It probably didn't help Anaheim has a larger profile in the public consciousness because of a theme park and a couple pro sports teams.
Was it named after the city or after the general?
The city, which makes sense since Santa Ana is the Orange County seat.
I usually don't have a strong opinion about control cities, but I think I-15 out of Las Vegas should be signed for Barstow. Solves this whole silly problem. From Barstow, California can sign it however they want, and I'm fine with San Bernardino.
Quote from: kphoger on February 13, 2026, 09:48:37 AMI usually don't have a strong opinion about control cities, but I think I-15 out of Las Vegas should be signed for Barstow. Solves this whole silly problem. From Barstow, California can sign it however they want, and I'm fine with San Bernardino.
I guess Barstow would work, but I think it's mostly relevant as a NB I-15 to EB I-40 waypoint. It's much less relevant to a southbound traveler (unless they're headed to Bakersfield).
San Bernardino would probably be better because that's (roughly) where Los Angeles traffic turns off, but San Diego traffic still passes through it. (I-15 bypasses the bulk of SBD, but the north I-15/I-215 junction is in city limits.)
To some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMTo some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Except there's a non-trivial risk of confusion with Tejon Pass on I-5. Sometimes I confuse the two passes, even though I used to live in southern California.
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMQuote from: kphoger on February 13, 2026, 09:48:37 AMI usually don't have a strong opinion about control cities, but I think I-15 out of Las Vegas should be signed for Barstow. Solves this whole silly problem. From Barstow, California can sign it however they want, and I'm fine with San Bernardino.
I guess Barstow would work, but I think it's mostly relevant as a NB I-15 to EB I-40 waypoint. It's much less relevant to a southbound traveler (unless they're headed to Bakersfield).
San Bernardino would probably be better because that's (roughly) where Los Angeles traffic turns off, but San Diego traffic still passes through it. (I-15 bypasses the bulk of SBD, but the north I-15/I-215 junction is in city limits.)
To some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
What could be interesting is if they dual signed San Bernardino with LA or SD. I feel like that could change a lot of things with signage on both the 15 and the 215, obviously once the 15/215 occurs than there isn't really a point to dual signing them anymore, as from there(or maybe the 10 interchange) San Diego is the primary waypoint.
Quote from: oscar on February 13, 2026, 08:42:33 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMTo some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Except there's a non-trivial risk of confusion with Tejon Pass on I-5. Sometimes I confuse the two passes, even though I used to live in southern California.
Yes, that's true. There's also the non-trivial problem that a lot of maps don't label passes, so those not familiar with the area wouldn't necessarily know what it's referring to.
Quote from: oscar on February 13, 2026, 08:42:33 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMTo some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Except there's a non-trivial risk of confusion with Tejon Pass on I-5. Sometimes I confuse the two passes, even though I used to live in southern California.
I didn't even know that the Cajon Pass existed for many years, probably because the Tejon Pass is so significant, as it basically is the entry point into the LA metro.
So, you folks would be favor of reverting Tejon Pass back to "Castac Pass?"
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 13, 2026, 08:46:15 PMQuote from: oscar on February 13, 2026, 08:42:33 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMTo some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Except there's a non-trivial risk of confusion with Tejon Pass on I-5. Sometimes I confuse the two passes, even though I used to live in southern California.
I didn't even know that the Cajon Pass existed for many years, probably because the Tejon Pass is so significant, as it basically is the entry point into the LA metro.
I-15 doesn't even use Cajon Pass; it uses Cajon Summit. The actual Cajon Pass (and original National Old Trails Road) is on Forest Road 3N45.
One thing that I don't think has been brought up in this thread, but relevant for context:
IIRC I-40 for "Los Angeles" and I-15 also signed for LA both reflect when each were originally along what was US 66 (which did go to downtown LA). I-15 being signed for LA in Vegas also has a historic basis due to US 91 (which does end up heading towards Long Beach and not too far from San Pedro).
I-15's eventual California routing is essentially a patchwork of the older 395 (Hesperia south towards San Diego) and 91 (San Bernardino north towards Vegas) corridors.
This might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
Quote from: oscar on February 13, 2026, 08:42:33 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 13, 2026, 07:23:44 PMTo some extent, just about everything suggested is a way of saying "Cajon Pass" without saying "Cajon Pass", so I wonder if maybe that's the ideal solution.
Except there's a non-trivial risk of confusion with Tejon Pass on I-5. Sometimes I confuse the two passes, even though I used to live in southern California.
I sometimes confuse Cajon Pass with the city of El Cajon
Victorville
other Desert
Cities
Quote from: kphoger on February 14, 2026, 10:34:50 AMVictorville
other Desert
Cities
Does Vegas count as an
other
Desert City
In this case?
Quote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
Fair. Point to the one in Oregon :bigass:
Quote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 08:19:57 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
Fair. Point to the one in Oregon :bigass:
Oh boy. That one has its own control city issues :banghead:
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
I wanted to talk about this because not only does I-15 have little services between the Inland Empire besides the Hesperia area and Barstow, Hesperia itself is so weird.. the town is like 100k people but looks like a weird Texas-esque abandoned desert type town. Yet, right next to it is Victorville which looks like a standard California city.
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:27:44 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
I wanted to talk about this because not only does I-15 have little services between the Inland Empire besides the Hesperia area and Barstow, Hesperia itself is so weird.. the town is like 100k people but looks like a weird Texas-esque abandoned desert type town. Yet, right next to it is Victorville which looks like a standard California city.
There isn't much left of the Hesperia railroad siding aside from some of the street names from the original subdivision. It looks vastly different nowadays given all the original structures have been long demolished.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on February 14, 2026, 09:44:11 PMQuote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:27:44 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
I wanted to talk about this because not only does I-15 have little services between the Inland Empire besides the Hesperia area and Barstow, Hesperia itself is so weird.. the town is like 100k people but looks like a weird Texas-esque abandoned desert type town. Yet, right next to it is Victorville which looks like a standard California city.
There isn't much left of the Hesperia railroad siding aside from some of the street names from the original subdivision. It looks vastly different nowadays given all the original structures have been long demolished.
Huh, makes it even more interesting considering that it's population seems to be increasing.
Victorville is the bigger city though, and both are bigger than Barstow, which if it wasn't as major of a junction as it was nobody would care about.
Man, if only we could sign I-15 like this:
Baker
other Thermometer
Cities
I know that joke has become quite overused in this thread already considering the proximity of I-15 to the famous sign on the 10, but I couldn't help it.
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:50:35 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on February 14, 2026, 09:44:11 PMQuote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:27:44 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
I wanted to talk about this because not only does I-15 have little services between the Inland Empire besides the Hesperia area and Barstow, Hesperia itself is so weird.. the town is like 100k people but looks like a weird Texas-esque abandoned desert type town. Yet, right next to it is Victorville which looks like a standard California city.
There isn't much left of the Hesperia railroad siding aside from some of the street names from the original subdivision. It looks vastly different nowadays given all the original structures have been long demolished.
Huh, makes it even more interesting considering that it's population seems to be increasing.
Victorville is the bigger city though, and both are bigger than Barstow, which if it wasn't as major of a junction as it was nobody would care about.
Man, if only we could sign I-15 like this:
Baker
other Thermometer
Cities
I know that joke has become quite overused in this thread already considering the proximity of I-15 to the famous sign on the 10, but I couldn't help it.
Here are some vintage Hesperia photos showing what it looked like in the Auto Trail era:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021840461559870/permalink/1340946696315910/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021840461559870/permalink/1590643871346190/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021840461559870/permalink/1932857090458198/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271889456298313/permalink/1834525710034672/
The NOTR in Hesperia, Cajon Pass and Crowder Canyon can be seen as they were on page 16 here:
https://archive.org/details/nationaloldtrail00autorich/page/n9/mode/2up
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMIt annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
Followed by half an hour of puzzled glancing at your watch.
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:27:44 PMI wanted to talk about this because not only does I-15 have little services between the Inland Empire besides the Hesperia area and Barstow, Hesperia itself is so weird.. the town is like 100k people but looks like a weird Texas-esque abandoned desert type town. Yet, right next to it is Victorville which looks like a standard California city.
Hesperia and Victorville both had the misfortune of being chopped up by the railroad and the mostly dry Mojave River, with only three roads across them, Main St in Hesperia, Bear Valley Rd along the border, and 18 in Victorville. They've mitigated it some with the addition of Ranchero Rd in Hesperia and Green Tree Blvd/Yucca Loma Rd in Victorville, but that's still a pretty annoying barrier that makes the parts feel like separate isolated communities.
Since most of the recent discussion is about I-15, I'll add my thoughts.
This is a 2di. It links national cities and goes to multiple states. The destination cities on the BGS should be well-known and reflect where people are traveling to.
Southbound: From Las Vegas the southbound control is properly Los Angeles. This should be the southbound control all the way to I-10. The control should not change to San Bernardino, simply because the state line is crossed.
Smaller cities can be mentioned if the signs are big enough. I'm OK with using secondary controls to highlight the approach of a significant smaller city IN ADDITION TO, not instead of a main city control. So additional cities of Baker, Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, and, yes, San Bernardino may be placed in addition, but never instead of L.A. on the entire stretch between NV and the I-215 split at Cajon Summit. While I am OK with using the secondary control, my preference is just Los Angeles, since I believe that is all that is needed.
The current signage at the split is perfect: I-15 south to Los Angeles, San Diego. I-215 south to San Bernardino, Riverside.
The dual controls of Los Angeles and San Diego should be signed from the I-215 split to the I-10 interchange. I think a sign on the side of the road, approaching CA-210, should state that traffic to San Fernando Valley should use CA-210 west (that is currently signed for Pasadena). I would keep Pasadena as the control for 210 west, but the sign does let people know that a good part of Metro L.A. (and technically speaking almost half of the City of L.A.'s land area is better reached by way of 210 than by 10.)
South of I-10, the control for I-15 SB should be San Diego. The control for the 91 west ramp from I-15 (and from all points within Riverside county) should read "Anaheim" instead of "Beach Cities". It is a non-descript destination that should be changed.
South of CA-163, the control for I-15 SB should be National City, until I-5. (The control for the ramp from SB CA-15 to NB I-5 should read "Downtown" instead of "Los Angeles.")
Northbound: The northbound control for CA-15, I-15 and CA-163 in the San Diego area should be consistent. The consistent choice is Riverside. (Escondido can be used as a secondary control, in addition to but not instead of Riverside).
At the 215/15 split in Murieta, I prefer Corona/Las Vegas for the control for I-15. (The control of Riverside/San Bernardino for 215 can stay.) A sign on the side should direct traffic to Metro Los Angeles to utilize I-15 north.
Once within the Corona city limits, the main northbound control should be Las Vegas. I am OK with secondary controls like Ontario, Victorville, or Barstow, but I think Las Vegas has to be primary.
TLDR: My primary controls for SB 15 are Los Angeles until the Cajon split, then Los Angeles/San Diego between 215 and 10, and then San Diego. For NB 15: Riverside until the Marieta split, then Corona/Las Vegas, and then Las Vegas. The reason is to emphasize the main cities that are primary destinations of travel, even those not directly on the 15 corridor.
Quote from: mrsman on February 16, 2026, 07:49:54 PMSouth of CA-163, the control for I-15 SB should be National City, until I-5. (The control for the ramp from SB CA-15 to NB I-5 should read "Downtown" instead of "Los Angeles.")
This idea actually leads to an interesting thought exercise:
Given how substandard 163 is (due to being a pre-1950 freeway build as US 395), wouldn't it make sense to have 15 south still point people to downtown via 94 west? Or at least maybe signed as a truck route.
What this makes me think of is the whole 170/5 split where 170 gets "Hollywood" and 5 "Los Angeles" southbound, even though 170/101 more directly leads to the north part of downtown LA.
I've always been a fan of two control cities (one local/nearby, one far away and well-known) in dense settings. They serve different purposes.
For example, I-5N at the 101 split (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0257982,-118.2063444,3a,75y,292.24h,85.06t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svlKYSLhEzfILslSat4rZKA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D4.93821696819883%26panoid%3DvlKYSLhEzfILslSat4rZKA%26yaw%3D292.24155939945825!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) could be signed for "Glendale / Sacramento". Perhaps I-5S at the 133 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.6812787,-117.7624659,3a,75y,148.38h,88.98t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRzV8AMBWNRflrrWqahOGmQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.018421491500618%26panoid%3DRzV8AMBWNRflrrWqahOGmQ%26yaw%3D148.3770365119241!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) could be "Mission Viejo / San Diego". And so forth.
Maybe the northbound I-15 control city should be Nipton.
Quote from: mrsman on February 16, 2026, 07:49:54 PMSince most of the recent discussion is about I-15, I'll add my thoughts.
This is a 2di. It links national cities and goes to multiple states. The destination cities on the BGS should be well-known and reflect where people are traveling to.
Southbound: From Las Vegas the southbound control is properly Los Angeles. This should be the southbound control all the way to I-10. The control should not change to San Bernardino, simply because the state line is crossed.
Smaller cities can be mentioned if the signs are big enough. I'm OK with using secondary controls to highlight the approach of a significant smaller city IN ADDITION TO, not instead of a main city control. So additional cities of Baker, Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, and, yes, San Bernardino may be placed in addition, but never instead of L.A. on the entire stretch between NV and the I-215 split at Cajon Summit. While I am OK with using the secondary control, my preference is just Los Angeles, since I believe that is all that is needed.
The current signage at the split is perfect: I-15 south to Los Angeles, San Diego. I-215 south to San Bernardino, Riverside.
The dual controls of Los Angeles and San Diego should be signed from the I-215 split to the I-10 interchange. I think a sign on the side of the road, approaching CA-210, should state that traffic to San Fernando Valley should use CA-210 west (that is currently signed for Pasadena). I would keep Pasadena as the control for 210 west, but the sign does let people know that a good part of Metro L.A. (and technically speaking almost half of the City of L.A.'s land area is better reached by way of 210 than by 10.)
South of I-10, the control for I-15 SB should be San Diego. The control for the 91 west ramp from I-15 (and from all points within Riverside county) should read "Anaheim" instead of "Beach Cities". It is a non-descript destination that should be changed.
South of CA-163, the control for I-15 SB should be National City, until I-5. (The control for the ramp from SB CA-15 to NB I-5 should read "Downtown" instead of "Los Angeles.")
Northbound: The northbound control for CA-15, I-15 and CA-163 in the San Diego area should be consistent. The consistent choice is Riverside. (Escondido can be used as a secondary control, in addition to but not instead of Riverside).
At the 215/15 split in Murieta, I prefer Corona/Las Vegas for the control for I-15. (The control of Riverside/San Bernardino for 215 can stay.) A sign on the side should direct traffic to Metro Los Angeles to utilize I-15 north.
Once within the Corona city limits, the main northbound control should be Las Vegas. I am OK with secondary controls like Ontario, Victorville, or Barstow, but I think Las Vegas has to be primary.
TLDR: My primary controls for SB 15 are Los Angeles until the Cajon split, then Los Angeles/San Diego between 215 and 10, and then San Diego. For NB 15: Riverside until the Marieta split, then Corona/Las Vegas, and then Las Vegas. The reason is to emphasize the main cities that are primary destinations of travel, even those not directly on the 15 corridor.
Caltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.
Quote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
This is true in some cases (that's how you end up with destinations like Needles and El Centro), but they do at least sign Las Vegas at the major interchanges, for example the 40 split (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.885825,-117.0127767,3a,75y,88.32h,78.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.454923877391693%26panoid%3Dog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q%26yaw%3D88.32330893661397!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and the 58 merge (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8743636,-117.0805678,3a,75y,134.71h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sid41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0%26panoid%3Did41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw%26yaw%3D134.7098!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
Quote from: FredAkbar on February 18, 2026, 05:57:53 PMQuote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
This is true in some cases (that's how you end up with destinations like Needles and El Centro), but they do at least sign Las Vegas at the major interchanges, for example the 40 split (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.885825,-117.0127767,3a,75y,88.32h,78.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.454923877391693%26panoid%3Dog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q%26yaw%3D88.32330893661397!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and the 58 merge (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8743636,-117.0805678,3a,75y,134.71h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sid41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0%26panoid%3Did41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw%26yaw%3D134.7098!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
Double checking Google Maps Street View, it's basically just those two. Barstow is signed way more than Las Vegas
Quote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 07:47:05 PMQuote from: FredAkbar on February 18, 2026, 05:57:53 PMQuote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
This is true in some cases (that's how you end up with destinations like Needles and El Centro), but they do at least sign Las Vegas at the major interchanges, for example the 40 split (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.885825,-117.0127767,3a,75y,88.32h,78.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.454923877391693%26panoid%3Dog8lYHYoVnY7s2v8H3xC7Q%26yaw%3D88.32330893661397!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and the 58 merge (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8743636,-117.0805678,3a,75y,134.71h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sid41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0%26panoid%3Did41pmgF0AVW7cxXT_Leaw%26yaw%3D134.7098!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
Double checking Google Maps Street View, it's basically just those two. Barstow is signed way more than Las Vegas
Yeah, my two examples are in Barstow, so it's more like Barstow is the primary, then Las Vegas. Barstow is at least respectable as it's a hub for the 58/40. I imagine a lot of northbound I-15 traffic is headed to I-40.
Quote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.
My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.
That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.
Quote from: JustDrive on February 18, 2026, 11:34:19 PMQuote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.
My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.
That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.
Or, at least, that's what AASHTO chose when defining the original set of control cities (which applies to 2di) back in the 1950s. Back then, the US highway destinations made even more sense.
Quote from: JustDrive on February 18, 2026, 11:34:19 PMQuote from: US 395 on February 18, 2026, 05:47:20 PMCaltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.
Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.
My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.
That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.
Redding also makes sense because it is the last city of significant size on northbound I-5 in California. It is arguably the commercial, medical and recreational hub of the region (and more direct than Chico on I-5). I suspect that after northbound drivers reach Redding, a substantial number of them are continuing into various cities in Oregon.
Quote from: PNWRoadgeek on February 14, 2026, 09:25:46 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 08:19:57 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on February 14, 2026, 07:39:59 PMQuote from: Bickendan on February 14, 2026, 01:03:37 AMThis might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.
It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.
I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.
Fair. Point to the one in Oregon :bigass:
Oh boy. That one has its own control city issues :banghead:
To be honest, I barely pay attention to Oregon's control cities on the 5 or 84. Maybe I'll give that some thought at some point.