Top 10 most important roads in your state

[cpzilliacus]

(The same principle of attempting to view the Commonwealth as a whole is why I didn't list anything, other than I-81 and US-58, in the far part of Southwest Virginia.)

Though you did list U.S. 460 (a choice at first I was not so enthused about, but after thinking about it, makes plenty of sense), and 460 serves a fair amount of Southwest Virginia as well.

[1995hoo]

(The same principle of attempting to view the Commonwealth as a whole is why I didn't list anything, other than I-81 and US-58, in the far part of Southwest Virginia.)

Though you did list U.S. 460 (a choice at first I was not so enthused about, but after thinking about it, makes plenty of sense), and 460 serves a fair amount of Southwest Virginia as well.

You know, I was thinking of how 460 crosses into West Virginia near the Christiansburg area and that's why I phrased my comment as "didn't list anything ... in the far part of Southwest Virginia." In my mind, the part of Southwest Virginia beyond I-77 is "far Southwest Virginia," an area much further away and more isolated than the portions including Roanoke and Radford and Christiansburg (no doubt part of this is due to the number of people from Northern Virginia attending Radford and that other school located nearby). Frankly, I forgot Route 460 drops back into Virginia after you pass Bluefield.

I pondered whether to include Route 460 on the list because the Petersburg-to-Suffolk portion is one road that's often mentioned in the context of an alternate route to avoid I-64 traffic, similar to the reason I didn't list US-17. But overall it's more important than that. As a route from Southwest Virginia to Richmond it's an important road too given the distance savings versus going north to I-64. I spent a fair amount of time driving around Southside Virginia during the early 1990s and Route 460 was always an important link at some point wherever I was heading.

[Kacie Jane]

Not in order -- though I-5 is clearly first -- but these would probably be the ten.

I-5
I-405
I-90
SR 520
US 101
US 2
SR 20
I-82
US 395
US 12

[ET21]

IL (at least Northern IL interstates)
I-39
I-55
I-80
I-90
I-94
I-294

I would include I-88, but I kinda think that is mainly a commuter interstate between I-39 and Chicagoland and another way to get to the Quad Cities by avoiding all the I-80 traffic.

[briantroutman]

(No, really, I would replace 322 with 220.)

I would otherwise agree, but if I-99/US 220 disappeared, the old alignment would still be there and probably not as overwhelmed as others on this list would be. That reasoning is also why I omitted I-78. I would have left off US 222 for the same reason, although there are stretches between the Kutztown Bypass and Reading to the south and Breinigsville to the north were there is no other alignment–and the road is already an overwhelmed commuter route as it is.

Why the omission of I-95?  That's the main artery southwest/northeast artery through Philadelphia, Bucks & Delaware Counties.

I left off I-95 for a few reasons. In Pennsylvania, it's almost entirely a local route and doesn't serve much of an inter-regional purpose within the state. Also, I think that, among the commuter routes in Philadelphia, it has the most alternates available to it. Airport-to-city traffic still has PA 291, and I think the arterial alternatives are better and more numerous from the northeast and southeast (US 1, US 13, PA 611) than the alternatives to the other corridors. Commuters would also have the R2, R3, and R7 lines if they'd be willing to give up their cars.

Now I still think that losing I-95 would cause tremendous headaches, but I think the collective pain wouldn't be as great as if, say, US 322 disappeared and there was no way for motorists to get to State College from the southeast without going dozens of miles out of their way through Mt. Union or Lewisburg. (And then of course add in all of the other little commuter segments of US 322, such as between Harrisburg to Hershey, Concordville to Chester, and so on.) To an extent, it's a matter of degree of inconvenience vs. the number of people affected, and I think I-95 is just shy of the top ten.

[PHLBOS]

I left off I-95 for a few reasons. In Pennsylvania, it's almost entirely a local route and doesn't serve much of an inter-regional purpose within the state.

Those who live in Bucks County, Northeast & South Philly, Delaware County and even Center City (though begrudgingly for the latter) would disagree w/you on such. 

Also, I think that, among the commuter routes in Philadelphia, it has the most alternates available to it. Airport-to-city traffic still has PA 291, and I think the arterial alternatives are better and more numerous from the northeast and southeast (US 1, US 13, PA 611) than the alternatives to the other corridors.

With all due respect, you clearly have never been to the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area in making that statement.  While those alternative corridors indeed exist; every single one of them is predominantly signalized and the majority of those stretches are not a freeway by any stretch of the imagination.  PA 291 ain't going to help somebody in NE Philly get to the Airport.

Commuters would also have the R2, R3, and R7 lines if they'd be willing to give up their cars.

Yes & no.  The Regional Rail system has proven more than once that it can not handle a surge of passenger loads.  During the 2008 Phillies World Series Parade (which took place on a weekday), I took my chances and drove in to work.  It turned out to be a wise move.  The entire SEPTA system, including the Regional Rail was overburdened with those heading out to the parade.  As result, many regular commuters either couldn't board their trains or couldn't get off until the trains went beyond their normal stops.

In addition & under normal conditions, the frequencies of those fore-mentioned rail lines turn to absolute garbage (once an-hour, or even once every 2 hours for more-remote stations) during off-peak & weekends.

Now I still think that losing I-95 would cause tremendous headaches, but I think the collective pain wouldn't be as great as if, say, US 322 disappeared and there was no way for motorists to get to State College from the southeast without going dozens of miles out of their way through Mt. Union or Lewisburg. (And then of course add in all of the other little commuter segments of US 322, such as between Harrisburg to Hershey, Concordville to Chester, and so on.) To an extent, it's a matter of degree of inconvenience vs. the number of people affected, and I think I-95 is just shy of the top ten.

However & a guess on my part, the traffic volumes on I-95 alone in southeastern PA likely dwarf those of the US 322 corridor.

[JCinSummerfield]

Here's my view of Michigan, kind of in order:

I-75
I-94
I-696
M-6
US-131
M-28
I-96
US-127
US-23
US-2

[1995hoo]

....

Also, I think that, among the commuter routes in Philadelphia, it has the most alternates available to it. Airport-to-city traffic still has PA 291, and I think the arterial alternatives are better and more numerous from the northeast and southeast (US 1, US 13, PA 611) than the alternatives to the other corridors.

With all due respect, you clearly have never been to the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area in making that statement. ....

From the original post in this thread:

.... Instead of disagreeing with people's lists, you can use your own criteria to create a second list!

....

[vdeane]

New York:
-Thruway
-I-95
-I-81
-Southern Tier Expressway (I-86)
-I-495
-Adirondack Northway
-I-390
-I-190
-US 11
-I-781

Vermont:
-I-89
-I-91
-I-189
-US 7
-US 2
-I-93
-US 4
-VT 9
-VT 15
-VT 100

[PHLBOS]

From the original post in this thread:

.... Instead of disagreeing with people's lists, you can use your own criteria to create a second list!

Fair enough.

Pennsylvania (roughly based on traffic patterns):
1. I-76
2. I-95
3. I-476
4. I-376
5. I-81
6. I-83
7. I-80
8. I-78
9. I-79
10. I-99/US 220

[briantroutman]

I left off I-95 for a few reasons. In Pennsylvania, it's almost entirely a local route and doesn't serve much of an inter-regional purpose within the state.

Those who live in Bucks County...would disagree w/you on such. 

"Inter-regional"  would be between multiple regions, and I would consider Bucks and Philadelphia to be a part of one region–the Delaware Valley.

With all due respect, you clearly have never been to the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area...

I actually used to live a block off US 13 in Glenolden–and spent the better part of a decade living in the Philadelphia metro area.

While those alternative corridors indeed exist; every single one of them is predominantly signalized and the majority of those stretches are not a freeway by any stretch of the imagination.

You're right; none of those routes is anything approaching a freeway–and I never said that they were. That's why I referred to them as arterial alternatives. And I wouldn't think for a moment that any single one of them would be even a remotely suitable replacement to all of the needs that I-95 serves. What I am suggesting is that all of the arterial roads combined, plus the roundabout freeway alternates, plus the SEPTA lines would help to spread out the impact in a way that isn't possible for most other routes on the list.

[bzakharin]

Here's how I would do NJ:

1. NJ Turnpike / I-95 (the only heavily used through route(s) from PA and Delaware into NY, also heaviest used longer-range commuter route in NJ)
2. Garden State Parkway (the other heavily used commuter route, also heavily used for shore traffic)
3. I-78 (distant runner-up for through traffic, also, a portion is heavily used for traffic into and out of Newark and New York City)
4. I-80 (The developing Pocono exurbs provide some through traffic from PA into NYC)
5. I-76/42 freeway (heavily used as the only all-freeway direct NJ/Philadelphia commuter link. Also shore traffic when in season from Philadelphia and South Jersey will almost certainly be using at least a part of it)
6. I-278 (Heavily used by commuters via Staten Island)
7. I-287/NJ 440 (southern parts heavily used for local and NYC commutes)
8. I-195 (in-state commutes and shore traffic)
9. I-295 (locally heavy commute traffic)
10. Atlantic City Expwy. (heavy shore traffic. Also, I use most of it every weekday)

US-1 is a virtual tie for 10th place, but it is only used for relatively short-distance trips. US-206 is also close for commuters trying to get to 287 from south Jersey.

[TEG24601]

Not in order -- though I-5 is clearly first -- but these would probably be the ten.

I-5
I-405
I-90
SR 520
US 101
US 2
SR 20
I-82
US 395
US 12

Personally, I would not have included 101, but instead used SR-99 or 18 due to traffic volumes, and maybe US-395 instead of US-12 for the same reason (and that it is nearly a freeway).

[dgolub]

Connecticut (in no particular order)

I-95
I-84
I-91
I-395
CT 15
CT 8
CT 9
US 1
CT 10
US 7

[Bitmapped]

For West Virginia, I'd say:
1. I-77
2. I-64
3. I-79
4. US 19 (Corridor L part)
5. US 50 (Corridor D part)
6. US 35
7. I-70
8. US 119 (Corridor G part)
9. I-81
10. WV 2

For Ohio, I'd go with:
1. I-71
2. I-75
3. I-71
4. I-77
5. Ohio Turnpike corridor
6. I-90 (non-Turnpike part)
7. US 23/SR 15 corridor
8. US 30
9. I-76/I-80 corridor (non-Turnpike part)
10. US 33

[thenetwork]

In Colorado, I-70 west of Denver is #1 - #10 priority...Period!!!

If the Continental Divide, Vail Pass, or the canyons on either side of Glenwood Springs are closed for an indefinite period of time, then the only options are 100+ mile detours. 

[corco]

Not in order -- though I-5 is clearly first -- but these would probably be the ten.

I-5
I-405
I-90
SR 520
US 101
US 2
SR 20
I-82
US 395
US 12

Personally, I would not have included 101, but instead used SR-99 or 18 due to traffic volumes, and maybe US-395 instead of US-12 for the same reason (and that it is nearly a freeway).

For me SR 20 is the stretch. I went with 16 over 99 or 18, but I could see those too. Besides Whidbey and Anacortes, 20 doesn't do much. A good chunk of it isn't open year round, and east of the Cascades it doesn't really connect any population. It's a gorgeous road, and one every Washingtonian should drive in its entirety, but I don't see it falling anywhere near the top 10.

[bugo]

Arkansas:

10. AR 375 (the western segment)
9. AR Airport 980 (the one in Nashville)
8. Polk County 74
7. US 59
6. AR 59
5. US 71B freeway spur between I-540 and mainline US 71B on north side of Fayetteville
4. US 271
3. I-69
2. AR 400
1. US 71

Oklahoma:

10: US 266
9. OK 144
8. Stillwater Spur, Cimarron Turnpike
7. I-444
6. OK 412P
5. US 54
4. US 56
3. OK 77S
2. OK 63A
1. Chickasaw Turnpike

[AsphaltPlanet]

Ontario:

1.  401
2.  17/417
3.  400/69
4.  11
5.  QEW
6.  7
7.  403
8.  402
9.  6
10. 416

[pianocello]

Iowa:

1. I-80
2. I-35
3. I-29
4: IA-27/I-380/Avenue of the Saints
5. I-680
6. US-20
7. US-61
8. IA-163/US-34
9. IA-330/US-65
10. US-30

I took this to mean important cross-state routes, so that's why I left out urban freeways like I-235, I-74, and IA-5/US 65 bypass.

Illinois:

1. I-55
2. Tri-State
3. Addams/Kennedy/Ryan/Bishop Ford
4. I-80
5. I-88
6. Eisenhower
7. Skyway
8. I-70
9. I-57
10. I-74

I tried to stick with cross-state highways, but Chicago is too important to avoid 90, 94, 290, and 294.


iPhone

[oscar]

Since Alaska has only twelve numbered routes (1-11, 98), I only need to select two routes to drop, to get to the top ten.  The most dispensable route (and the most likely to be decommissioned) is 8, which used to be the only access to Denali National Park, but now almost everybody uses AK 3.  6 is the next one to drop, serving no major destinations.  5 would've been a candidate, except the southern half is part of the popular "Top of the World" loop through Dawson City YT.

[SD Mapman]

In order (for SD, of course):
I-90
I-29
US 14
US 12
US 81
US 83
US 212
SD 34
US 281
SD 50

[hbelkins]

For Ohio, I'd go with:
1. I-71
2. I-75
3. I-71

Which one's the typo?

[bassoon1986]

For Louisiana:

1) I-10
2) I-20
3) I-49
4) I-55
5) US 90 between Lafayette and NOLA
6) US 165
7) US 71
8) US 61
9) LA 1
10) US 171

I-10
I-12
I-20
I-49
US 165
US 90 east (south) of Lafayette
US 171
US 71 north of Shreveport (not for much longer)
US 167 north of Alexandria
LA 28

I could go back and forth on some of these. It's pretty much the same as Anthony's, though.

[Thing 342]

Since Alaska has only twelve numbered routes (1-11, 98), I only need to select two routes to drop, to get to the top ten.  The most dispensable route (and the most likely to be decommissioned) is 8, which used to be the only access to Denali National Park, but now almost everybody uses AK 3.  6 is the next one to drop, serving no major destinations.  5 would've been a candidate, except the southern half is part of the popular "Top of the World" loop through Dawson City YT.

1) AK-1
2) AK-2
3) AK-3
4) AK-11
5) AK-4
6) AK-7
7) AK-98
8) AK-10
9) AK-9
10) AK-5