MOMENTOUS INTERCHANGES

[cpzilliacus]

(1) Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County, Va.

(2) Several in and around greater Los Angeles, starting with the Judge Pregerson Interchange (I-110 and I-105).

(3) The reconstructed I-95/I-695 interchange on the north(east) side of Baltimore.

(4) The I-85/I-285 interchange, on the northeast side of Atlanta.

[1995hoo]

Thought of another: the northern junction of I-95 and I-295 near Jacksonville. When we reach that, we've been on I-95 for a long time (even if we take a different route through Virginia and North Carolina) and exiting onto I-295 feels like a change of pace that signals that we got somewhere. Of course it's still two or three more hours to my sister-in-law's place.....

[kphoger]

KP, which refinery near the Des Plaines River? The one by Arsenal Rd south of Joliet or the Lemont ones which are visible from 55 or the Argo plant at 1st Ave?

Arsenal Road.

And, you know, that Des Plaines river bridge, just yards past the Arsenal Road exit, does an awesome job of heralding your entry to the Chicago area.  My memory of it stretches way back into childhood, before I even knew the number of the highway it was on.

[HazMatt]

For me it's the I-85/US 70 interchange in Durham.  After driving 60 boring miles from VA you come over a ridge and you're suddenly thrust back into civilization as the road suddenly opens up to 6 and then 8 lanes and you see the flyover ramps for 70.

[Brandon]

KP, which refinery near the Des Plaines River? The one by Arsenal Rd south of Joliet or the Lemont ones which are visible from 55 or the Argo plant at 1st Ave?

Arsenal Road.

Ah, the ExxonMobil (formerly Mobil) refinery.  That's one of three that serve the Chicago area.

[vdeane]

For me, the I-90/I-81 interchange, signifying the leaving/entering of civilization before/after a trek to/from the North Country on I-81 on my trips between Rochester and Potsdam.  Now it signifies which side of Syracuse I'm on for my Rochester/Rome trips.

[ET21]

I-355 and I-88, always know I'm either 5 minutes away from my family, 20-30 minutes from friends depending on direction, 35 minutes from home going east, and 35 minutes away from NIU going west.

[MrDisco99]

I have a lot of these, I tend to think of as "moments of transition" on our way up to NYC.

Passing spaghetti junction on the other side of Atlanta is the moment it becomes real that we're not just headed up to the city... we're actually going somewhere.  Southbound, it's our transition back to the familiar.

The 85/40 split in Durham is another big milestone since it's right about at halfway.

Then the merge with 95 traffic in Petersburg signals the end of "the south" and the beginning of the northeast urban corridor.  It's also right about where the sweet tea line is.  Southbound, it's famous for its ambitious control cities, Miami and Atlanta.  One of these days I'll get a picture of that sign.

The Fort McHenry Tunnel is the first of many tolls (boo!)

The massive Delaware interchange and the magnificent bridges to the NJ Turnpike are a teaser that we're getting close to Robert Moses territory.

And finally exit 10 is the reverse of what spaghetti junction was in Atlanta.  It's where the NYC metro really starts.


Headed south there's a few major landmark interchanges for me as well.

The 10/12/59 interchange (where I-10 exits itself) is an indication that we've just about arrived in New Orleans.

The I-75/Turnpike split in Florida is another major landmark... transitioning from crowded interstate to older but smoother (and more expensive) Turnpike.

The Golden Glades interchange is like a giant "Welcome to Miami" sign.  And 95 becomes a totally different road once it passes south of the Dolphin Expressway... rather than headed toward the city center and its buildings and lights, it becomes part of it... more like a local access highway than an interstate.

I could go on...

[kennyshark]

Not the most exciting interchange in the world, but for me it's where US 23 splits off from I-75 near Standish MI going northbound (Exit 188).  For a city boy like me, it means "You're getting close to Up North territory--away from civilization and all your troubles."  (Could be Traverse City, Mackinac, Oscoda, Houghton Lake or any number of places.)

And for that matter, further north, Exit 254 at Grayling is a major gateway for me.  Traverse City is one hour west via M-72, and the Mackinac Bridge is an hour north.  I've always loved the TC area, the Mackinac area, and especially the UP.

[hbelkins]

In keeping with the spirit of this thread.

If I'm traveling toward home from the west or north, the milestones are the I-64/I-75 southern split at Lexington and the Mountain Parkway exit (Exit 98) on I-64 at Winchester.

Traveling from the northeast, the end of I-79 at Charleston and then either the US 23 or KY 1/KY 7 exits from I-64 in Kentucky.

[jwolfer]

When traveling via Kentucky, a significant milestone is the 71/75 interchange in Cincinnati, with its ramps nearly clipping the corners of that DunnHumby building*, and of course the adjacent Brent Spence Bridge.  The fact that I'm about to leave / just re-entered my home state adds to the importance here.

*I am actually familiar enough with this building to name it because I pass through this interchange on nearly every work trip to Cincinnati.

Not really an interchange but I like coming down the hill on 71/75 in Kentucky going into Cincinnati.  You have to slow down and it makes you really appreciate the view...

[vtk]

Oh yeah, that's always cool.

[TEG24601]

The I-84 Terminus at I-5 in Portland for me, simply because of the former symmetry, that was removed when they removed a couple of the ramps on the North side.

As someone who grew up near Seattle, the SR-520/I-5 Interchange, with its left in/out from I-5 South, and the corresponding sign was always a bellwether that something good was going on.
There was always something about the I-5/I-405/SR-525 Interchange, aka the Swamp Creek Interchange, was also a sign I was almost home, not only growing up but when I was driving cross-country.

[Kacie Jane]

As someone who grew up near Seattle, the SR-520/I-5 Interchange, with its left in/out from I-5 South, and the corresponding sign was always a bellwether that something good was going on.

Define "good".  For me it's usually a bellwether of "The traffic jam you're currently sitting in may dissipate slightly once you pass the exit, only to come back with a vengeance as you deal with cars trying to cross four lanes of traffic trying to get from 520 to Mercer Street."

[Darkchylde]

For me, the I-49/US 71, I-435 and I-470 interchange. For me, it either means the trip is just beginning, or almost over.

[KEVIN_224]

Otherwise, the tipping point in either direction between NY and Boston is, of course, the glorified highway junction called Hartford.

And think how the I-84 and I-91 junction was before 1990!

As for me, starting out or returning home, I'd go with "The Stack". That's where CT Route 9 ends/starts and junctions with I-84/US 6 in Farmington, near the West Hartford town line. Three levels of roadway, with one of them still sitting unused, for the northwest part of a Hartford beltway which was never constructed. This is considering that the last section of CT Route 9 (from CT Route 175 in Newington northward) opened on September 30, 1992.

[hobsini2]

KP, which refinery near the Des Plaines River? The one by Arsenal Rd south of Joliet or the Lemont ones which are visible from 55 or the Argo plant at 1st Ave?

Arsenal Road.

And, you know, that Des Plaines river bridge, just yards past the Arsenal Road exit, does an awesome job of heralding your entry to the Chicago area.  My memory of it stretches way back into childhood, before I even knew the number of the highway it was on.

Oh I can completely understand that. It's a beautiful steel bridge on 55. I always thought though that the Cal Sag bridges, with the exception of 57 and 294, are really neat too.

[DTComposer]

For traveling between L.A. and the Bay Area:

Going north on I-5, heading down the Grapevine into the San Joaquin Valley, seeing the I-5/CA-99 split. When the sky is relatively cloud and pollution-free you can see both roads heading off into the endless valley...it's the warning that hours of boring blacktop lay ahead.

Going south on I-5, as the Grapevine/Tejon Pass come into view, and then trucks along CA-99 far to your left, slowly getting closer until the freeways merge, then beginning the climb up the Grapevine...it's the we-made-it-through-the-boring-part feeling.

[jp the roadgeek]

Otherwise, the tipping point in either direction between NY and Boston is, of course, the glorified highway junction called Hartford.

And think how the I-84 and I-91 junction was before 1990!

As for me, starting out or returning home, I'd go with "The Stack". That's where CT Route 9 ends/starts and junctions with I-84/US 6 in Farmington, near the West Hartford town line. Three levels of roadway, with one of them still sitting unused, for the northwest part of a Hartford beltway which was never constructed. This is considering that the last section of CT Route 9 (from CT Route 175 in Newington northward) opened on September 30, 1992.

For me on a trip to Boston, it's I-84 Exit 65, where the darkness of the Vernon-Sturbridge stretch begins/ends and the lights through Hartford end/begin.  Coming from NYC, has to be the I-84/CT-8 mixmaster.  From New Haven and Springfield, would then be the I-91/CT 15/I-691/CT 66 junction, and the I-84/91 junction.

[Interstatefan78]

These are my Momentous Interchange list all of these I've driven through
1.) I-78,US-1&9 US-22  RT-21, I-95 Newark Airport Interchange- massive size due to ramps connecting RT-21 to I-78,US-1 & 9 and US-22 and other roads around EWR
2.) I-280,I-680 and US-101 interchange stack interchange with flyovers from I-680 to US-101 or US-101 to I-280 and I-680 San Jose,CA
3.) Mac Arthur Maze Oakland,Ca I-880,I-580 and I-80 are all main approach routes into the SF bay bridge
4.)Springfield Interchange-Springfield VA
5.) Mid County Interchange Plymouth Meeting,Pennsylvania

[Alps]

Several approaches to home:
I-80 EB: Starts at I-81 interchange, then again at I-380
I-78 EB: US 22 split
I-95 SB: Starts at I-91 interchange, then again at I-287
CT 15/Hutch SB: Cross County Parkway (there's just not enough to see on the whole Parkway route, so I don't start dreaming until I'm off it)
I-84 WB/I-684 SB combo: At their interchange
I-95 NB: DE 1 interchange
GSP NB (rare): Exit 123
NJTP NB (rare): Exit 9/NJ 18

This pretty much works for leaving home as well, although state border crossings factor much more into that feeling.

[Pete from Boston]

Otherwise, the tipping point in either direction between NY and Boston is, of course, the glorified highway junction called Hartford.

And think how the I-84 and I-91 junction was before 1990!

As for me, starting out or returning home, I'd go with "The Stack". That's where CT Route 9 ends/starts and junctions with I-84/US 6 in Farmington, near the West Hartford town line. Three levels of roadway, with one of them still sitting unused, for the northwest part of a Hartford beltway which was never constructed. This is considering that the last section of CT Route 9 (from CT Route 175 in Newington northward) opened on September 30, 1992.

For me on a trip to Boston, it's I-84 Exit 65, where the darkness of the Vernon-Sturbridge stretch begins/ends and the lights through Hartford end/begin.  Coming from NYC, has to be the I-84/CT-8 mixmaster.  From New Haven and Springfield, would then be the I-91/CT 15/I-691/CT 66 junction, and the I-84/91 junction.

One of my main complaints about the Mass Pike is that there really is no such moment going east until 128, and at that point the road's almost over.  There's an argument for the 495 interchange -- it's the end of the last long (~9-10 miles) exitless stretch, amid which is the midpoint of the 84-to-128 run.  Still, and perhaps because it avoids most cities and built-up areas, the Mass Pike is a road of very little drama, good or bad.

[roadman]

The split between US 1 and MA 99 60 interchange when heading into Boston, because it means I can stop worrying about people pulling out from a dead stop right in front of me, and start driving even faster.

FTFY. 

Between MA 99 & MA 60; US 1 South has entryways for both a small shopping plaza (featuring Brenner's Discount) and the Town Line Inn; not to mention the short and sharp exit ramps for the Lynn St. interchange (from both north & southbound driections).

Im my opinion, you're not really clear of the obstacles until you're south of MA 60.  Depending on the time of day/day of week, the off-ramp to MA 60 usually backs on to the US 1 southbound mainline, many times as far back as the Lynn Street ramps.  It's the fact that the ramp to MA 60 dumps into a rotary, plus the volume of traffic heading to MA 1A and Logan Airport from US 1.

[Alps]

Otherwise, the tipping point in either direction between NY and Boston is, of course, the glorified highway junction called Hartford.

And think how the I-84 and I-91 junction was before 1990!

As for me, starting out or returning home, I'd go with "The Stack". That's where CT Route 9 ends/starts and junctions with I-84/US 6 in Farmington, near the West Hartford town line. Three levels of roadway, with one of them still sitting unused, for the northwest part of a Hartford beltway which was never constructed. This is considering that the last section of CT Route 9 (from CT Route 175 in Newington northward) opened on September 30, 1992.

For me on a trip to Boston, it's I-84 Exit 65, where the darkness of the Vernon-Sturbridge stretch begins/ends and the lights through Hartford end/begin.  Coming from NYC, has to be the I-84/CT-8 mixmaster.  From New Haven and Springfield, would then be the I-91/CT 15/I-691/CT 66 junction, and the I-84/91 junction.

One of my main complaints about the Mass Pike is that there really is no such moment going east until 128, and at that point the road's almost over.  There's an argument for the 495 interchange -- it's the end of the last long (~9-10 miles) exitless stretch, amid which is the midpoint of the 84-to-128 run.  Still, and perhaps because it avoids most cities and built-up areas, the Mass Pike is a road of very little drama, good or bad.

Heading to Boston, I don't start getting excited until I'm inside 495, whether on 20 or 9 (my approaches of choice). The 9/16 interchange is my "momentous" one after which everything is familiar. From I-95 South it would be the 128 junction.

[hm insulators]

Driving back and forth between Phoenix and Los Angeles, my momentous landmark is a major power line crossing over I-10 about eight miles west of the freeway's junction with Arizona 85. Heading toward LA, once I pass those power lines, I know there's a couple hundred miles of rather boring highway between the lines and Desert Center, California. Driving back to Phoenix, when I see the lines in the distance, I know I'm getting close to home.