Daily conversation: What is the worst possible answer?

[kphoger]

9/8/2025

Why are interstates ending in 0 or 5 normally longer than others?

Because they're the easiest numbers to express using tally marks.

I think this is needed.

[Big John]

9/8/2025

Why are interstates ending in 0 or 5 normally longer than others?

the align with the speed limits.

[Henry]

9/8/2025

Why are interstates ending in 0 or 5 normally longer than others?

Originally, they wanted all the routes to stretch all over the country, like the US routes were doing at the time, but then decided to cut back on a lot of mileage so that those with numbers divisible by 5 could be the dominant ones.

[kphoger]

9/8/2025

Why are interstates ending in 0 or 5 normally longer than others?

It's a relic of the system's having been created in BASIC.

[Max Rockatansky]

9/8/2025

Why are interstates ending in 0 or 5 normally longer than others?

So a TikTok video creator could wow the normals with Interstate factoids in 2024. 

[pderocco]

They originally planned a bunch of cross-country routes, and numbered them 1 to 9 from south to north. Then, they realized they really ought to have a bunch of Mexico or Gulf to Canada routes, and numbered them 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, up to 9.5. Eventually, they were so in love with the idea of Interstate Highways that they decided to create a whole slew of other shorter routes. Then someone finally came up with the bright idea of multiplying all the route numbers by 10 to get rid of all those decimal points.

[freebrickproductions]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

[xonhulu]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

On all the vertical overhead & roadside signs.

[Big John]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Somewhere in Illinois.

[formulanone]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Wherever your master brake cylinder has failed you.

[Max Rockatansky]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

On all the vertical overhead & roadside signs.

Especially the segment of former US 66 over Mount Illinois.  I'm shocked that AASHO was cool with a US Route crossing through a tundra environment like that.  That 40% descent from the southern slope approaching the Missouri state line is quite something.  Indeed, Illinois is "not flat!"

[PColumbus73]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

I-695 / Francis Scott Key Bridge

[paulthemapguy]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

I-695 / Francis Scott Key Bridge

Yeah, I heard that it goes from 25 feet above sea level, to sea level, in the matter of inches.

[kphoger]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Bajo Nuevo Bank, near the lighthouse on Low Cay.

[kphoger]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

For Interstates, it's this curb on I-44.

For US Routes, it's this one on US-51.

[kphoger]

9/6/2025:

What should be done about cars using bus-only lanes?

Allow cars to self-identify as buses.

Like this:

[CoreySamson]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Milemarker 820 on I-10 in TX.

[Dirt Roads]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

US-441 heading up to Mount Dora, Florida.

[1995hoo]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Anywhere there is a restaurant, rest area, or store that sells ready-to-drink tea.

[kphoger]

Milemarker 820 on I-10 in TX.

Is Jenkins Road closed for the winter yet?  I drove it in April once, and I was glad my truck had both snow tires and a separate aftermarket transmission cooler.

[kphoger]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

US-6, mile marker 214, near Stoung

[pderocco]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

US-6, mile marker 214, near Stoung

Wow. US-6 is back to being the longest route.

[kphoger]

Wow. US-6 is back to being the longest route.

Not everyone considers them to be all one route.

[formulanone]

9-9-25: Where is the steepest grade on an Interstate or US Route located?

Do they grade on a curve?