Game: Best Freeway/Expressway

[STLmapboy]

I think I'll take 75/85 in the ATL over the Dan Ryan/Kennedy in Chicago

If the whole 90/94 routing was set up with the Local/Express like the Dan Ryan, I'd probably take 90/94. But as we all know, the Kennedy Express is Reversible, not Permanent

This one is close, tho

I'm gonna take this to Suburban Toll Roads: E-470 outside Denver or I-355 outside Chicago

355 outside Chicago. It's pretty nice (ISHTA does a good job) and I've driven it multiple times.
Beltway 8 in Houston or the PGBT in DFW?

[thspfc]

I think I'll take 75/85 in the ATL over the Dan Ryan/Kennedy in Chicago

If the whole 90/94 routing was set up with the Local/Express like the Dan Ryan, I'd probably take 90/94. But as we all know, the Kennedy Express is Reversible, not Permanent

This one is close, tho

I'm gonna take this to Suburban Toll Roads: E-470 outside Denver or I-355 outside Chicago

355 outside Chicago. It's pretty nice (ISHTA does a good job) and I've driven it multiple times.
Beltway 8 in Houston or the PGBT in DFW?

PGBT.
I'll offer some more modest cities. I-74 through Peoria or US-131 through Grand Rapids?

[triplemultiplex]

I'll offer some more modest cities. I-74 through Peoria or US-131 through Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids.  The interchanges are more interesting.

I-840 Tenn or I-840 NC?

[Henry]

I'll offer some more modest cities. I-74 through Peoria or US-131 through Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids.  The interchanges are more interesting.

I-840 Tenn or I-840 NC?

For now, TN. I'm sure the one in NC will be a great road to drive on when it's fully complete.

Going for tunnels: I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895 Harbor Tunnel Thruway?

[Ned Weasel]

Going for tunnels: I-95 through the Fort McHenry Tunnel or I-895 Harbor Tunnel Thruway?

I think I've gone both ways, but I-95 seems to be more memorable, so I'll choose I-95 for that reason, unless this sign tells me I-895 is faster: https://goo.gl/maps/DcXZHFJQhBVC5ndU7 .

I just thought of a tough one!  I-70 from Ohio to Maryland, through Pennsylvania, including Breezewood and the sub-standard section between Washington, PA and New Stanton.  Or I-70 to I-79 to I-68 and back to I-70, which avoids the Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls and the traffic signals in Breezewood.  Frankly, I don't care whether you follow I-70 through Wheeling or use I-470.  But here's the big catch:

You're driving a tractor-trailer hauling a 40,000-pound load, putting your overall weight close to the max.  But you're aren't carrying bulk HazMat, which means you are allowed to use the PA Turnpike tunnels, and you drive for a company that pays for all of your tolls.

Choose wisely! 

[TheGrassGuy]

Your choice between Delaware Mem. Bridge tolls on the NJTP, or Philly traffic on I-95.

[Ned Weasel]

You skipped mine.

[briantroutman]

I just thought of a tough one!  I-70 from Ohio to Maryland, through Pennsylvania, including Breezewood and the sub-standard section between Washington, PA and New Stanton.  Or I-70 to I-79 to I-68 and back to I-70, which avoids the Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls and the traffic signals in Breezewood.  Frankly, I don't care whether you follow I-70 through Wheeling or use I-470.  But here's the big catch:

You're driving a tractor-trailer hauling a 40,000-pound load, putting your overall weight close to the max.  But you're aren't carrying bulk HazMat, which means you are allowed to use the PA Turnpike tunnels, and you drive for a company that pays for all of your tolls.

I think both large-fleet trucking companies and independent owner-operators have already voted on this one, continuing to prefer the gentler grades (and therefore, lower fuel consumption) of the Turnpike over the free I-68 alternative. The New Stanton Interchange is routinely the second busiest entry and exit point for commercial trucks in the entire Pennsylvania Turnpike system–behind only Mid County.

[Ned Weasel]

Your choice between Delaware Mem. Bridge tolls on the NJTP, or Philly traffic on I-95.

All right, well, Delaware Memorial Bridge and New Jersey Turnpike, because I'm fine with using my IPass to pay for nicer roads.

Hmm....

I-405 in SoCal, or I-495 in NoVA and Maryland between the two points where I-95 splits/merges (i.e., the western side of the Beltway)?

[cpzilliacus]

Two of the Orange County, California (TCA) toll roads have great views, especially at night if it isn't too foggy or misty.

Those are:

CA-241 (Foothill Transportation Corridor and part of the Eastern Transportation Corridor); and
CA-73  (San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, though the first few miles at the north end is free of tolls and is considered the Corona Del Mar Freeway).

[cpzilliacus]

I-405 in SoCal, or I-495 in NoVA and Maryland between the two points where I-95 splits/merges (i.e., the western side of the Beltway)?

I live pretty close to I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Maryland, but am quite familiar with I-405 (San Diego Freeway). 

I would have to go with I-405, because there is more interesting things to see from the freeway.  The only large development to be seen from I-495 is Tysons Corner in Fairfax County, Virginia.

There is nothing that resembles the Sepulveda Pass on I-495. Nor is there an LAX, an interchange like the junction of I-405 and I-105.  The Springfield, Virginia interchange (junction I-495, I-395, I-95 and VA-644) compares well with the southern end of I-405 at Irvine, where it merges with I-5, for size and scale, though I think the flyover ramps are higher at Springfield.

[Henry]

Two of the Orange County, California (TCA) toll roads have great views, especially at night if it isn't too foggy or misty.

Those are:

CA-241 (Foothill Transportation Corridor and part of the Eastern Transportation Corridor); and
CA-73  (San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, though the first few miles at the north end is free of tolls and is considered the Corona Del Mar Freeway).

It's a close one, but I'll have to go with CA 73.

As far as Houston freeways (on I-10) go...

Katy or Eastex?

[CoreySamson]

Definitely the Katy. It's the widest highway in the world, I believe, plus it has nicer-looking stacks and more scenery (if you can call tall office buildings scenery) than the Eastex. The Eastex is basically just suburban sprawl until you reach Splendora, where it's not really the Eastex anymore.

If you meant the East Freeway (which I think you might have), then the Katy Freeway still beats it out, as well.

What about 2 wasteland-traversing highways in the Mid-South?
I-55 between Jackson and Memphis or I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock?

[STLmapboy]

Definitely the Katy. It's the widest highway in the world, I believe, plus it has nicer-looking stacks and more scenery (if you can call tall office buildings scenery) than the Eastex. The Eastex is basically just suburban sprawl until you reach Splendora, where it's not really the Eastex anymore.

If you meant the East Freeway (which I think you might have), then the Katy Freeway still beats it out, as well.

What about 2 wasteland-traversing highways in the Mid-South?
I-55 between Jackson and Memphis or I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock?

55 between Jackson and Memphis. 40 between Memphis and LR is boring.

55 in Illinois (STL-Chicago) or 55 in MO (STL-roughly Sikeston)?

[Ned Weasel]

55 in Illinois (STL-Chicago) or 55 in MO (STL-roughly Sikeston)?

I-55 in Missouri.  Missouri does a better job with it for the most part.

I-70 between the I-470/Kansas Turnpike merge east of Topeka and the Mississippi River, or, I-70 between the Mississippi River and the Indiana/Ohio state line?  I gave you two segments of close to equal distance for that one.  I'm already placing a mental bet on what gets chosen, but maybe someone will surprise me.

[planxtymcgillicuddy]

55 in Illinois (STL-Chicago) or 55 in MO (STL-roughly Sikeston)?

I-55 in Missouri.  Missouri does a better job with it for the most part.

I-70 between the I-470/Kansas Turnpike merge east of Topeka and the Mississippi River, or, I-70 between the Mississippi River and the Indiana/Ohio state line?  I gave you two segments of close to equal distance for that one.  I'm already placing a mental bet on what gets chosen, but maybe someone will surprise me.

70 between the Mississippi and the IN/OH border

Two non-interstate freeway options for NC........US-421 between Wilkesboro and Colfax, or US-29/70 between Lexington and Greensboro?

[Henry]

Definitely the Katy. It's the widest highway in the world, I believe, plus it has nicer-looking stacks and more scenery (if you can call tall office buildings scenery) than the Eastex. The Eastex is basically just suburban sprawl until you reach Splendora, where it's not really the Eastex anymore.

If you meant the East Freeway (which I think you might have), then the Katy Freeway still beats it out, as well.

Yes, I did mean the East Freeway; should've known that the Eastex is actually I-69/US 59.

55 in Illinois (STL-Chicago) or 55 in MO (STL-roughly Sikeston)?

I-55 in Missouri.  Missouri does a better job with it for the most part.

I-70 between the I-470/Kansas Turnpike merge east of Topeka and the Mississippi River, or, I-70 between the Mississippi River and the Indiana/Ohio state line?  I gave you two segments of close to equal distance for that one.  I'm already placing a mental bet on what gets chosen, but maybe someone will surprise me.

70 between the Mississippi and the IN/OH border

Two non-interstate freeway options for NC........US-421 between Wilkesboro and Colfax, or US-29/70 between Lexington and Greensboro?

US 421 for sure.

Moving on to tollways leading into Chicago from the west: Ronald Reagan or Jane Addams?

[thspfc]

Definitely the Katy. It's the widest highway in the world, I believe, plus it has nicer-looking stacks and more scenery (if you can call tall office buildings scenery) than the Eastex. The Eastex is basically just suburban sprawl until you reach Splendora, where it's not really the Eastex anymore.

If you meant the East Freeway (which I think you might have), then the Katy Freeway still beats it out, as well.

Yes, I did mean the East Freeway; should've known that the Eastex is actually I-69/US 59.

55 in Illinois (STL-Chicago) or 55 in MO (STL-roughly Sikeston)?

I-55 in Missouri.  Missouri does a better job with it for the most part.

I-70 between the I-470/Kansas Turnpike merge east of Topeka and the Mississippi River, or, I-70 between the Mississippi River and the Indiana/Ohio state line?  I gave you two segments of close to equal distance for that one.  I'm already placing a mental bet on what gets chosen, but maybe someone will surprise me.

70 between the Mississippi and the IN/OH border

Two non-interstate freeway options for NC........US-421 between Wilkesboro and Colfax, or US-29/70 between Lexington and Greensboro?

US 421 for sure.

Moving on to tollways leading into Chicago from the west: Ronald Reagan or Jane Addams?

Jane Addams because it feels like a very gradual buildup to the city. You're in the cornfields, then the outer suburbs, then the office parks of Elgin and Schaumburg, then the craziness of O'Hare.
I-10 through El Paso or I-40 through Memphis?

[ilpt4u]

Moving on to tollways leading into Chicago from the west: Ronald Reagan or Jane Addams?

Jane Addams because it feels like a very gradual buildup to the city. You're in the cornfields, then the outer suburbs, then the office parks of Elgin and Schaumburg, then the craziness of O'Hare.

The Reagan has very similar build up, from the cornfields out near DeKalb, to the outer suburbs, Office parks starting in Naperville thru Oak Brook including the side-by-side Tollways interchange with I-355, into the craziness that is Oak Brook thru Hillside with the 88/290/294 interchange

All that said, I would still give it to the Addams. Since they did the rebuild/expansion and added the "smart road"  elements, it is quite a nice ride

I have no opinion on El Paso/I-10 and Memphis/I-40

[dcharlie]

Agree on the Jane Addams.  Best road I have driven...  Lighted from OHare to Rockford.

[SeriesE]

I-10 Katy Freeway or I-5 Santa Ana Freeway from CA-55 to Orange/Los Angeles County line?

[Ned Weasel]

Not to be pedantic, but can we answer the last one before doing a new one?

I-10 through El Paso or I-40 through Memphis?

If it's finished, I-10 through El Paso.  But that construction zone was a nightmare every time I drove through it.

I-10 Katy Freeway or I-5 Santa Ana Freeway from CA-55 to Orange/Los Angeles County line?

I-5 because I've driven it less.  Big Texas Freeways are one of those things that are kind of cool at first and then kind of get old after you've driven them a few times.

Okay, new one:

US 54/400/Kellogg Avenue Freeway in Wichita, or I-40/Coronado Freeway in Albuquerque?

[hobsini2]

I-85 in Atlanta or I-85 in Charlotte?

Atlanta.  Atlanta is always interesting.  I love it, and I miss being there and driving through there.  Part of me is tempted to pick Charlotte, though, because I've actually never driven that way.

How about Lake Shore Drive in Chicago (not technically a freeway I guess but close enough) vs I-376 in Pittsburgh?

I-376 in Pittsburgh.  No second thoughts on that one.

Umm. Lake Shore Dr has iconic shots of the skyline coming from either side of town, the Museum Campus and Soldier Field. What does I-376 have?  This is what I call a bad take my friend.

I-376 has views of the Pittsburgh skyline.  Every city with at least a quarter of a million people has some sort of skyline.  So what?  I-376 also has mountains.  Illinois has flatness.  And worst of all, does Chicago even know what it's doing with traffic engineering?  Their roads are such a mess, I'd rather stick to driving the Tri-State Tollway and anything outside of that semi-circle, because once you get inside, it's traffic hell and crap engineering.  PennDOT is actually pretty good with traffic engineering; their only problem is their roads are so old, many of them don't meet contemporary standards, but at least they acknowledge it and try to fix it where they can.

So, I stand by my "bad" take.  And, aside from traffic engineering, I really don't have anything against Chicago.  I just have a lot more love for Pennsylvania than Illinois.

We can disagree on your choice, but your reasoning is awful. First, yes, every sizeable city has a skyline. But you have Wichita, then you have Pittsburgh, then you have Chicago. Chicago is a world-class skyline. Pittsburgh is not. So "every city has a skyline" is not a reason. Second, did you consider that Chicago's traffic might be worse than Pittsburgh's because it's a metropolis of 9.5 million people compared to 2.4 million? Third, "Pennsylvaina good, Illinois bad" is not a relevant reason in the slightest to a discussion strictly about comparing two highways.
Overall, it sounds like you've either
a. Never been to Chicago (which is fine, but if that's the case then don't act like you're an expert on it)
b. Really love Pennsylvania for no justifiable reason.

Don't forget the fact that Lake Shore Dr has a little something called Lake Michigan right freaking next to it. And it goes through Grant Park. And traffic south of I-55 and north of the Oak St Curve moves very nicely. Thank you. Don't get me wrong. Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. But there are some great gems in Illinois and LSD is one of them.

[nexus73]

Most of I-15 in Utah/Salt Lake counties is my nomination for best flowing urban freeway.  Oh if only PDX had such a great setup for I-5....

Rick

[STLmapboy]

Not to be pedantic, but can we answer the last one before doing a new one?

I-10 through El Paso or I-40 through Memphis?

If it's finished, I-10 through El Paso.  But that construction zone was a nightmare every time I drove through it.

I-10 Katy Freeway or I-5 Santa Ana Freeway from CA-55 to Orange/Los Angeles County line?

I-5 because I've driven it less.  Big Texas Freeways are one of those things that are kind of cool at first and then kind of get old after you've driven them a few times.

Okay, new one:

US 54/400/Kellogg Avenue Freeway in Wichita, or I-40/Coronado Freeway in Albuquerque?

The new Kellogg is pretty nice.

I-78 in PA or I-76 in PA?