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Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: un1 on April 05, 2009, 07:13:07 PM

Title: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: un1 on April 05, 2009, 07:13:07 PM
What states/countries are you smart at about roads or have been studying their roads? For example, say someone is smart at Texas but not New Mexico then their strength is Texas and their weakness is New Mexico.

For me, I am good at:
Ontario
New Brunswick
Iowa
Minnesota

I am studying:
United Kingdom
Quebec
Maine
Texas
New Jersey

I have barely any clue about:
California
New York
Virginia
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: 74/171FAN on April 05, 2009, 07:21:47 PM
Obviously I'm great at Virginia and am well with North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida.  I'm fine with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware as well.  However, I'm horrible with Canadian roads.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Bryant5493 on April 05, 2009, 07:22:23 PM
My strength is Georgia, as I'm a Georgia native. I've a little knowledge about Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and the Carolinas -- so, I'd say those are my lesser strengths. The rest of the country is my weakness.


Be well,

Bryant
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: corco on April 05, 2009, 07:35:00 PM
Okey doke- states and provinces ranked in order from strongest to weakest

I'm incredibly strong with (as in I essentially have a fully accurate map of the state highway system embedded into my brain):
1. Washington
2. Wyoming
3. Oregon
4. Idaho

I'm almost to that point with
5. Colorado
6. Utah
7. British Columbia
8. Nebraska (would be in the next category if it weren't for the bloody link and spur highways)

I really want to get to that point but have a few decent sized holes with
9. Montana
10. Iowa
11. Missouri
12. Arizona
13. New Mexico
14. South Dakota
15. North Dakota
16. Ohio

I've got strong general knowledge
17. Nevada
18. Illinois
19. Kansas
20. Alaska
21. California
22. Quebec
23. Alberta
24. Manitoba
25. Indiana
26. Ontario
27. Michigan
28. Sascatchewan
29. Yukon/NWT/Nunavut
30. Hawaii

A strong grasp of the US and Interstate highways with selective knowledge on the state highway system
31. New Hampshire
32. Kentucky
33. West Virginia
34. Oklahoma
35. Tennessee
36. Texas
37. The Atlantic Provinces + Newfoundland
38. Maine
39. Florida
40. Vermont
41. North Carolina
42. Louisiana
43. Arkansas
44. Mississippi
45. Massachusetts

Sketchy knowledge on the US and state highway systems, good interstate knowledge
46. Virginia
47. New York
48. Pennsyvlania
49. Georgia
50. South Carolina
51. Alabama

These states are too small and I have no idea what's going on and all knowledge is extrapolated from what I know about neighboring states
52. Rhode Island
53. Maryland
54. Delaware
55. Connecticut
56. New Jersey

I'm not really *studying* any state at o nce per se. I have my focus states (the top 8) and then am always trying to boost my knowledge of any of the other 48, but not in any particular sequence

(edited to include New York)
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: njroadhorse on April 05, 2009, 08:04:09 PM
Very Strong:
1. New Jersey
2. Pennsylvania
3. New York
4. Florida
5. Virginia

Decent:
1. Maryland
2. United Kingdom
3. Germany
4. Connecticut
5. North Carolina
6. California
7. Texas
8. Ohio
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Michael on April 05, 2009, 08:21:53 PM
I live in Central New York, so I'm good in that area.  I have a broader knowledge elsewhere in the state.  I also know some about Pennsylvania because I go down US 15 and I-81 (not as often as US 15) on a semi-regular basis.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: akotchi on April 05, 2009, 10:05:26 PM
Since I work in New Jersey, lived in Maryland, and currently live in Pennsylvania, I consider those three states to be my strongest (eastern Pa., anyway).  I generally make it a point to become familiar with the areas I have gone to in my travels, but I cannot claim anything more than working knowledge or passing interest in anywhere else.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: deathtopumpkins on April 06, 2009, 12:49:50 AM
I'm good with VA and that's about it since it's where I live... though I'm not bad at the surrounding states and a few other random ones.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Scott5114 on April 06, 2009, 03:45:20 AM
I know Oklahoma's road system quite well. I used to have people at work call out random numbers and I'd tell them where they are in the system. No mean feat considering how random OK's system is.

I know southwestern Missouri pretty well due to living in Springfield for a year. Don't know the rest of it too well, though. Also, I wish I knew Kansas better, since that's my grandma's state.

I know the UP better than I should–somehow I always end up reviewing UP articles on Wikipedia!
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Ian on April 06, 2009, 12:14:56 PM
Strengths:
-All of New England
-New York
-New Jersey
-Pennsylvania
-Delaware
-Maryland

The rest I have trouble with.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Tarkus on April 06, 2009, 02:37:23 PM
Places I'm comfortable with:
-Oregon
-Washington
-California (parts of LA and extreme Northern California)

Places I'm somewhat familiar with:
-Idaho
-Maryland
-Montana
-Nevada
-Tennessee

Everywhere else, I have very little knowledge, but I could probably pick up quite easily with a little studying of maps.

-Alex (Tarkus)
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Michael on April 06, 2009, 02:38:20 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on April 06, 2009, 03:45:20 AM
I know Oklahoma's road system quite well. I used to have people at work call out random numbers and I'd tell them where they are in the system. No mean feat considering how random OK's system is.

I've thought of (or had my mother tell me) two random numbers, and I figure out where the routes meet.  I guess I'm not alone!
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Zezug on April 06, 2009, 02:41:56 PM
Scott- well the UP only has 2 major east-west highways and a couple north south ones, it's not that hard to remember  :-D really easy to not get lost in too
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: ComputerGuy on April 06, 2009, 05:59:00 PM
Super-Strength (my favs):

1. Washington
2. British Columbia
3. Oregon
4. Idaho
5. Hawaii
6. California
7. D.C.

Strenghts:

8. Montana
9. Minnesota
10. Michigan
11. New York
12. Arkansas
13. Alaska
14. Guam
15. U.S. Virgin Islands
16. Alberta
17. Northwest Territories
18. Nuvaut
19. Oklahoma
20. Texas
21. Utah
22. Maryland
23. Virigina

Working on:

24. Sascatchewan
25. Yukon
26. Nevada
27. Arizona
28. New Mexico
29. Colorado

No clue:

30. Neberaska
31. South Dakota
32. North Dakota
33. Wisconsin
34. Maine
35. Mass.
36. New Hampshire
37. Vermont
38. Conn.
39. Rhode Island
40. New Jersey
41. Pennsylvania
42. Ohio
43. Indiana
44. Ontario
45. Quebec
46. Montobia
47. New Brunswick
48. Newfoundland
49. Nova Scotia
50. Missouri
51. Louisiana
52. Florida
53. Georgia
54. Alabama
55. Tennesse
56. North Carolina
57. South Carolina
58. Kentucky
59. Illinois
60. Iowa
61. Kansas
62. Maryland
63. Deleware
64. West Virigina
65. Wyoming
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Alps on April 06, 2009, 08:59:19 PM
Top strength is of course NJ.  It's the only one I have detailed knowledge about the history.
Strengths: QC, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, DE, MD, CT, HI
Average: FL, NC, VA, OH, CA, ON, NS
Not a clue: ID, MT, ND, SD, NE, NM, AR, MO, IA, MB, SK, AB
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: SSOWorld on April 06, 2009, 09:45:17 PM
Tops: WI
Strengths: MN, IA, IL (unfortunately  ;-) :-P )
Average: MI, IN, MO, OK, ON,
No idea: everyone else
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Darkchylde on May 10, 2009, 08:34:48 PM
My strengths would have to be Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Colorado. I can manage to get around Alabama and Florida decently enough, but without knowing every route in those states. Everything else, I'm a bit sketchy on.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: US71 on May 13, 2009, 11:07:40 PM
My strengths would be

1 Arkansas (!)
2 Missouri  (!)
3 Illinois (!)
4 Eastern Texas
5 Mississippi (mostly US 49/US 80/US 11 corridors)
6 Oklahoma (east of OKC, especially east of Tulsa)
7 Louisiana (so-so, mostly 71/49 corridor)
8 Tennessee (west of Jackson)

I know a little bit of Colorado & Nebraska, but not a lot
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Greybear on May 14, 2009, 12:43:41 AM
My strengths would be:

1) Arkansas
2) Texas
3) Oklahoma
4) Parts of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa

Everywhere else, I'm still learning or slightly familiar with.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Chris on May 14, 2009, 04:20:59 PM
My interests comes in waves. There are some areas that are always interesting to me, mostly the United States, but sometimes I really dig into the Romanian road system, then the Spanish, then Japanese, then Russian, then Swiss, Danish, Polish etc.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on May 23, 2009, 12:59:51 AM
1. Minnesota

2. Wisconsin

3. Iowa

4-50. Everywhere else to varying degrees
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: barcncpt44 on June 08, 2009, 05:38:37 PM
I have great knowledge of the roads in east alabama and west georgia since i am a fed ex driver and need to know the roads

I have good knowledge of roads in wyoming, montana, (akron, cleveland, hudson) ne ohio, western north and south dakota and nebraska, colorado, michigan, georgia, tennessee, and kentucky.  The rest of the country is just looking on google maps and earth and rand mcnally maps
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: codyg1985 on June 12, 2009, 02:32:37 PM
I have knowledge about Alabama, especially north of I-20/59, southern Tennessee, Mississippi, and portions of Arkansas. Since I have lived in Alabama my whole life, though, Alabama is what I know best.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 04:41:19 PM
*everything is in order from strongest to weakest*

Top Strengths:
1. Georgia (I reside here and know the most about north Georgia and the Atlanta Metro Area)
2. Tennessee
3. Florida

Moderate Strengths:
1. Alabama
2. North Carolina
3. South Carolina
4. Virginia
5. West Virginia

Slightly Above Average:
1. Kentucky
2. Mississippi
3. Ohio
4. Pennsylvania
5. Maryland
6. Colorado

-most other US states at about average-

I know about H-1, H-2, H-3, & H-201 in Hawaii, but that's about it for it, and I know practically nothing about Alaska and any other country. But I do know about the Auto Bahn in Germany and I'm aware China has a pretty big freeway system or something like that.

Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:00:33 PM
you just resurrected a five year old thread.

what the poop?
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: oscar on August 28, 2014, 05:05:45 PM
I'm really strong on the outer jurisdictions in North America (excluding Mexico and points south, about which I know almost nothing) nobody else here specializes in (Hawaii, Alaska, Canada's Arctic territories, to a lesser extent Newfoundland/Labrador).  Others I'm pretty good at include California (incompletely updated knowledge from when I grew up there), and Canada's western provinces. 

Puerto Rico, I've made the most of a long Labor Day weekend visit a dozen years ago, but almost no updating of my knowledge base (not being comfortable navigating the Spanish-language DTOP website doesn't help).  Texas, I know a lot, but there's also a lot more that I don't know.

The Mid-Atlantic states are a weak spot for me, even though I live there, but since there are lots of experts already I can leave that stuff up to them.

Other such weak spots for me include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi, Montana, and Wyoming.  Everything else is kind of a meh.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Zeffy on August 28, 2014, 05:15:36 PM
Admittedly, the only knowledge I truly possess is of New Jersey, and even then it's lacking. I tend to blame my ADHD from ever learning about new things because I get easily distracted. That being said, my knowledge on the MUTCD is pretty damn impressive, as I have read the entire document about three times, and know where to find everything I would need should I need it.

I want to learn (over anything else):
* Texas
* Pennsylvania
* New York
* Florida
* Massachusetts

Of course, I don't know where to find good places to learn anything, and most of my knowledge comes from Wikipedia, so my knowledge on history of old alignments is piss poor. The only one I truly know about is the Somerset Freeway in Central New Jersey, probably because it's in my neck of the woods.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:00:33 PM
you just resurrected a five year old thread.

what the Food?

FTFY  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: hotdogPi on August 28, 2014, 05:16:19 PM
Strengths: MA, NY (eastern), NH
Semi-strengths: RI, CT, ME, VT, NJ, QC, NY (western), Alanland
Average: DE, PA, NB, ON (what does Depanbon mean?)
Weaknesses: Most states outside the Northeast
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: 6a on August 28, 2014, 05:29:43 PM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:00:33 PM
you just resurrected a five year old thread.

what the poop?
This is going to open Pandora's Box, I'm sure, but what is the big deal about that if it is done so with new information? There have been quite a number of new people to this forum in five years (I'm sure I'm included...no idea when I registered) so to them this may very well be a new thread.  I know I'd never have noticed it was old had I not read your post.

Aaaaaaaanyway, I'm a terrible roadgeek. You would have a better chance with handing me a dart than asking me to point out a specific route in my own state. I guess my main draw comes from the design and geometry and "how are they gonna fix that mess" part of it. I do like old alignments and abandoned bits, etc. but I have no idea if or where SR 729 is in Ohio or anywhere else.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: CNGL-Leudimin on August 28, 2014, 05:40:11 PM
Great Strenght: Spain.
Strenghts: USA, China, most of Europe.
Weaknesses: Rest of the Universe.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:43:02 PM
I can "navigate like a local" in several large cities (i.e. know how to avoid the traffic), especially San Diego and Los Angeles, but even so there are certain unfamiliarities, like "wow, that 57 shield is a patch and I don't know what it covers up" (no, it's not 210... I'm thinking of a sign at the northbound split with CA-60).
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: 6a on August 28, 2014, 05:48:59 PM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:43:02 PM
I can "navigate like a local" in several large cities (i.e. know how to avoid the traffic), especially San Diego and Los Angeles, but even so there are certain unfamiliarities, like "wow, that 57 shield is a patch and I don't know what it covers up" (no, it's not 210... I'm thinking of a sign at the northbound split with CA-60).
Now that you mention the navigating like a local thing, my wife (who travels a hell of a lot more than I do) is amazed at my ability to navigate in a new city. When I was a kid my dad always had a travel atlas in the bathroom. You know, just some light reading. So I read it too and have always liked maps. I guess I just picture the map even if I've never been there.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 06:24:20 PM
Quote from: 6a on August 28, 2014, 05:29:43 PM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:00:33 PM
you just resurrected a five year old thread.

what the poop?
This is going to open Pandora's Box, I'm sure, but what is the big deal about that if it is done so with new information? There have been quite a number of new people to this forum in five years (I'm sure I'm included...no idea when I registered) so to them this may very well be a new thread.  I know I'd never have noticed it was old had I not read your post.


Yeah, that's pretty much a good explanation. A lot of times I resurrect old threads, I look around in the deep untreked pits of the forum for stuff to read and possibly comment on, LOL.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 28, 2014, 05:43:02 PM
I can "navigate like a local" in several large cities (i.e. know how to avoid the traffic), especially San Diego and Los Angeles, but even so there are certain unfamiliarities, like "wow, that 57 shield is a patch and I don't know what it covers up" (no, it's not 210... I'm thinking of a sign at the northbound split with CA-60).

I could navigate like a local in places as far from me as the Miami Metro Area (I have much knowledge of Florida as said).

Quote from: Zeffy on August 28, 2014, 05:15:36 PM

Of course, I don't know where to find good places to learn anything, and most of my knowledge comes from Wikipedia, so my knowledge on history of old alignments is piss poor. The only one I truly know about is the Somerset Freeway in Central New Jersey, probably because it's in my neck of the woods.


I usually use Wikipedia researching things about roads. It's about 99% trustable tbh, at least with roads. I highly doubt anyone would try to say GA SR 71 runs through Los Angeles and troll everyone. I would laugh my @$$ off if someone did that if they were thinking I'd believe that, then at the same time I would be ticked someone would have messed up a road page on Wikipedia  :-D
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: 6a on August 28, 2014, 06:57:51 PM

Quote from: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 06:24:20 PM

I usually use Wikipedia researching things about roads. It's about 99% trustable tbh, at least with roads. I highly doubt anyone would try to say GA SR 71 runs through Los Angeles and troll everyone. I would laugh my @$$ off if someone did that if they were thinking I'd believe that, then at the same time I would be ticked someone would have messed up a road page on Wikipedia  :-D
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F28%2F9d6658e17556caa278a2df5822d78500.jpg&hash=ceb33722a610361efea706579e3af5cba9db08cb)
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: algorerhythms on August 28, 2014, 07:06:41 PM
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 06:24:20 PM
I usually use Wikipedia researching things about roads. It's about 99% trustable tbh, at least with roads. I highly doubt anyone would try to say GA SR 71 runs through Los Angeles and troll everyone. I would laugh my @$$ off if someone did that if they were thinking I'd believe that, then at the same time I would be ticked someone would have messed up a road page on Wikipedia  :-D
Now I'm tempted to make an edit to the page for Georgia State Route 71...
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 07:13:31 PM
Quote from: algorerhythms on August 28, 2014, 07:06:41 PM
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on August 28, 2014, 06:24:20 PM
I usually use Wikipedia researching things about roads. It's about 99% trustable tbh, at least with roads. I highly doubt anyone would try to say GA SR 71 runs through Los Angeles and troll everyone. I would laugh my @$$ off if someone did that if they were thinking I'd believe that, then at the same time I would be ticked someone would have messed up a road page on Wikipedia  :-D
Now I'm tempted to make an edit to the page for Georgia State Route 71...

Haha, I was just kidding. At least the last time I checked, no one has ever messed up that Wikipedia page. But maybe we should check..you never know  :hmmm: :-D
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: hotdogPi on August 28, 2014, 07:19:09 PM
One person messed up MA 28. It ended at I-80, crossed I-995 twice, and had exit numbers on non-freeway portions. This lasted for SEVENTEEN days before I fixed it.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Thing 342 on August 28, 2014, 07:43:53 PM
I tend to focus on metro areas more than I do entire states. I know a lot about the Atlanta Metro area but very little about the rest of Georgia.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: MillTheRoadgeek on August 28, 2014, 08:13:12 PM
Strengths:
: DC/Baltimore area
: Richmond area
: Norfolk/SE Virginia area
: Salt Lake City area
: Minneapolis/St. Paul area
: Eastern Maryland/Delaware

OK:
: Connecticut
: New Jersey
: NE Colorado
: SoCal

Rest is weak.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: hbelkins on August 28, 2014, 09:29:32 PM
On a related subject, I am terrible about geography in California and Florida. I know where SF, LA, San Diego and Sacramento are, but name another decent-sized city and I have no clue where in the state it's located. I couldn't tell you if San Jose is in the bay area or in southern California.

Same is true for Florida. I know Tampa/St. Pete, Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville, Daytona and Miami, but most everything else is a blank. I have no idea if Palm Beach is on the Gulf coast or Atlantic coast, nor if it's in the northern or southern part of the state.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: cpzilliacus on August 28, 2014, 10:43:20 PM
Strengths:

(1) Maryland
(2) Virginia
(3) District of Columbia
(4) West Virginia
(5) Delaware
(6) Pennsylvania
(7) North Carolina
(8) South Carolina
(9) New Jersey
(10) New York
(11) Georgia
(12) Vermont
(13) New Hampshire
(14) Maine
(15) Massachusetts
(16) California
(17) Sweden
(18) Finland

Medium:

(19) Rhode Island
(20) Ohio
(21) Michigan
(22) Indiana
(23) Illinois
(24) Kentucky
(25) Florida
(26) Oregon
(27) Ontario
(28) Quebec
(29) New Brunswick
(30) Denmark
(31) Estonia
(32) Iceland
(33) Great Britain (England only)
(34) Baja California
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: sammi on August 28, 2014, 11:00:08 PM
Philippines

I know the MacArthur Highway — SCTEX — NLEX ­— EDSA corridor from Laoag City to Pasay City (~500 km), especially in its pre-2010 state. I can probably name you every town and city the roads pass through in order.

I also partly know the SLEX corridor from Parañaque City to Batangas City (~100 km), but I've only been on it twice.

Canada

I know the 401 corridor (Windsor — Cornwall), but I'm less familiar with Pickering and east. Also the other 400-series highways in the Greater Toronto—Hamilton Area. Only the 400-series highways though. :/

I can name in order the major roads (the ones that form the grid) in Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and eastern Brampton and Mississauga. Some downtown city streets I also know, but I sometimes get confused by their order. (Remind me to make a map of where I've been in Toronto.)

I only know a few of the non-400-series highways. I think I've only been on Hwys 3 and 6.

United States

I sorta know I-94 from Chicago to Detroit, especially the part from Chelsea, MI eastward (I did a lot of research around the Chelsea area because of the car accident that happened last winter). That's about it. :/
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Roadrunner75 on August 28, 2014, 11:01:43 PM
Quote from: 6a on August 28, 2014, 05:48:59 PM
Now that you mention the navigating like a local thing, my wife (who travels a hell of a lot more than I do) is amazed at my ability to navigate in a new city. When I was a kid my dad always had a travel atlas in the bathroom. You know, just some light reading. So I read it too and have always liked maps. I guess I just picture the map even if I've never been there.
Same here.  And the latest Rand McNally atlas sits on top of the pile in the basket in our bathroom.  Thanks to this, and the drawer full of road maps in my childhood home, I can probably do just fine getting around in many American cities that I've never been to.  The internet and with it aerial maps / street view images have made it all the better.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: SSOWorld on August 29, 2014, 12:12:41 AM
Now that it's been 4 years since last post in this ancient thread...

The strongest
WI, IL, IA, MN, MI, CA (mostly southern 2/3s) and AZ

Strong
MT, Eastern ND, MI (UP mostly, but some sections of the LP),

Moderate
North Jersey, SE NV, UT, OK, MO, ON, IN, New England SW of Portland, ME to NYC

Don't look at me for the SE or NW right now

Not as diverse as Oscar or Jake, but I've covered lots of territory in the last two years alone.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: US81 on August 29, 2014, 09:05:17 AM
Strong on Texas: I'm pretty good on the whole state even though the vast majority of my time and travels are within the Houston/DFW/San Antonio triangle. Moderate on LA, AR, OK, NM, AZ, TN, CO, MS and progressively weaker further away from TX.  Some limited awareness of Mex, Canada and the rest of the world. Often use this board or current events (hurricanes, earthquakes, mud slides, bridges tilting or collapsing, etc) as a starting place to learn more.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Brandon on August 29, 2014, 09:51:53 AM
Holy necro thread, Batman!

Now that you mention it...

Very Strong
Illinois
Michigan - LP & UP

Strong
Indiana
Iowa
Wisconsin
Ohio
SW Ontario

Moderate
Missouri
Nebraska

Other than that, not very strong at all, IMHO.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: mrsman on August 29, 2014, 10:29:15 AM
Very Strong

California (esp. LA area, major highways, Sacramento area)
NYC area
NJ along NJTP and nearby corridor
MD
DC


Strong

Rest of California


OK

Washington
Arizona
Greater Chicago area (IL)
Northern Virigina
Metro Atlanta
SE Florida (Miami area)


The rest of the country is not familiar to me, but if I ever travel to those areas, I'll sure study up on it.  And I'm happy to reference maps to try to be knowledgable on a topic on this forum, even if it's in an area of the country that I'm unfamiliar.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: pianocello on August 29, 2014, 04:06:01 PM
My scope is pretty limited. I've got a good handle on the interstates nationwide (except sometimes I have to refresh myself on a few short 3dis), and I know the majority of the US highways. Outside the Midwest, I know a few notable state routes, but that's about it.

State-wise, I'm incredibly biased toward the places I frequent. For example, I know eastern Iowa a lot better than western Iowa. My other strengths are northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and the southern half of Michigan.

I would like to familiarize myself more with the rest of the Midwest, and eventually venture into the rest of the country, but that might take a while, especially if I stay around here for the rest of my life.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Laura on August 30, 2014, 03:48:34 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 29, 2014, 12:12:41 AM
Now that it's been 4 years since last post in this ancient thread...

The strongest
WI, IL, IA, MN, MI, CA (mostly southern 2/3s) and AZ

Strong
MT, Eastern ND, MI (UP mostly, but some sections of the LP),

Moderate
North Jersey, SE NV, UT, OK, MO, ON, IN, New England SW of Portland, ME to NYC

Don't look at me for the SE or NW right now

Not as diverse as Oscar or Jake, but I've covered lots of territory in the last two years alone.

I'd love for all of the original posters from 5 years ago to comment again on this thread to see if they have expertise in new areas!

I'm decent in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. That's about it. However, I love learning about different roads in different states whenever I can.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: corco on August 30, 2014, 05:29:32 PM
Quote from: Laura on August 30, 2014, 03:48:34 PM


I'd love for all of the original posters from 5 years ago to comment again on this thread to see if they have expertise in new areas!

I'm decent in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. That's about it. However, I love learning about different roads in different states whenever I can.

Finnnneee. On the whole, I'm pretty sure I know less than I did in 2009 (certainly my knowledge, of, say US routes in Florida is a hell of a lot weaker than it used to be- stupid brain being only so big and more important information taking over), though the knowledge is more targeted.

Super strengths (driven the entire state highway system or in Idaho's case just about the entire state highway system with an end in immediate sight):
WA, WY, AZ, ID

I know a lot, but don't have the level of knowledge that comes from actually driving the entire system:
MT, NE, NM, UT, CO, SD, OR

I can have a competent conversation about:
ND, NV, BC, AB, KS, OK, TX, IA, MO, IL, OH

Meh:
Everything else.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Duke87 on August 30, 2014, 10:42:37 PM
It's tough for me to categorize where I do and don't know about since it's patchy, not regional. The roads I know best are, of course, the roads I have clinched. As I clinch a lot of roads in an area I will start to remember the names of towns in that area and where they are relative to each other.

Realistically, though, I'm the sort of person who's a lot better at knowing what's where in the field than sitting in my apartment. I have clinched the entire CT state highway system and naturally I can navigate around Connecticut quite well. But if you mention the number of a CT state highway out of context there's a 50/50 chance I won't know where it is. Often I have to either be looking at the road in person or looking at a map in order to recognize it. I'm very visual that way. For example I know there is a road which makes a U-shaped loop directly north of Waterbury, CT. I can picture what it is shaped like on a map in my head, and I can picture what several spots on the road look like in my head. But what is the number of this route, or the name of any of the streets it runs along? I haven't a damned clue without looking it up, or physically being there and seeing signs for it.


It is also worth noting that I might not have much or any memorization of what state highways go where for a given state, but I might still have a good theoretical understanding of how that state's highway system works and how they do things. West Virginia would be a good example of this.

Indeed, I tend to focus more on understanding how the system works than on memorizing the system. The former can be useful for on the fly compensation for gaps in the latter.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: jakeroot on August 31, 2014, 03:11:58 AM
Memorizing routes gives me a headache...my specialty is traffic flow more than anything else.

The geographic areas that I am most familiar with are Washington, British Columbia, and the United Kingdom.

Regarding signing practices, I am strongest with British Columbia, then Washington, followed by the United Kingdom.

Regarding route numbering, all three confuse me greatly.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: Bruce on September 01, 2014, 04:58:39 PM
Strongest: Washington, Oregon, California, British Columbia

Weakest: Everywhere else
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: okc1 on September 02, 2014, 09:10:49 AM
Strongest - Western NY (where I grew up), rest of upstate NY W of I-81, Mohawk Valley, Adirondacks

Somewhat strong - Central PA & S Ontario, Oklahoma, N Texas
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: vtk on September 02, 2014, 05:14:05 PM
Rather than break this down by state, I'll break it down by highway importance:

2-digit Interstates: I know most of them over most of the US, though my knowledge tends to be vague in areas far from the Midwest.

3-digit Interstates: Aside from a few notable ones in large cities, I don't really know the 3dIs outside of Ohio.

US routes: Mostly in and around Ohio.

State routes: I'm aware of a few notable state routes around the country, many of the major Ohio state routes (plus a few in Indiana and Michigan), most state routes near the places I drive to for work (mostly radiating from Columbus towards Portsmouth, Cincinnati, Dayton, Sandusky, Mansfield, Athens) and nearly all of them in the Columbus vicinity.

County roads: I have a working knowledge of some of the more useful county highways in rural west-central Ohio, and most of the county roads immediately northwest, west, southwest of Columbus.

I guess, to summarize, I know what I need to know considering where I go, perhaps with a little extra breadth and depth so I can come up with sensible alternate routes on the fly.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: ronaldlee11 on December 13, 2014, 12:38:00 PM
Favorite Areas to Make Road Sign Pics: Kentucky includes Lexington, Ashland, Maysville, Pikeville, Richmond, London, Corbin, Williamsburg, Ohio (Portsmouth, Jackson, Ironton, Chillicothe, Gallipolis), Central  Western and Southern West Virginia (Huntington, Charleston, Beckley, Bluefield), Southwestern Virginia (Wytheville, Bristol, Roanoke, Wise), Western North Carolina (Asheville) and Piedmont which includes Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Mount Airy, Eastern Tennessee includes Knoxville, Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: kurumi on December 13, 2014, 01:40:25 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on August 30, 2014, 10:42:37 PM
For example I know there is a road which makes a U-shaped loop directly north of Waterbury, CT. I can picture what it is shaped like on a map in my head, and I can picture what several spots on the road look like in my head. But what is the number of this route, or the name of any of the streets it runs along?

CT 262.

That's crowding out other arguably more useful information, like the credentials to the View Composer database I set up myself a couple days earlier :-/

Oh, and Frost Bridge Road is one of the streets, and there's a newer 3-lane section which is just "Route 262", and the U has this weird notch because the bridge is too far north, and for a while 262 extended south into Waterbury, and... a lot of other trivia.
Title: Re: Roadgeek Strengths and Weaknesses
Post by: freebrickproductions on December 15, 2014, 10:28:41 AM
I'm pretty good at navigating around Huntsville, AL and I'm somewhat good at getting around Madison, AL and Triana, AL, but I'm not very good elsewhere.