I-15 Control Cities in California

[JustDrive]

Caltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.

Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.

My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.

That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.

[cahwyguy]

Caltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.

Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.

My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.

That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.

Or, at least, that's what AASHTO chose when defining the original set of control cities (which applies to 2di) back in the 1950s. Back then, the US highway destinations made even more sense.

[YLroadfan]

Caltrans in SoCal seem to prefer signing cities in California before signing Las Vegas on northbound 15. I've noticed that on my travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Even the directional signage at the exits would have either the next town (like Yermo or Baker) or simply North or South.

Up north, Caltrans is a bit more consistent on 80. Going east from the Bay Bridge, Sacramento is primary. At the 50 split, it changes to Reno and stays that way the rest of the way. Going west from Reno, it's Sacramento to the Biz 80 split. From there, San Francisco is primary the rest of the way.

My hypothesis is (and I've posted on here a few times) that it's a relic of the old US route intersections. North of Devore, I-15 for the most part follows old US 91, and the next US route it met was 466 in Barstow. North of Barstow, old 91/466 met US 93/95 in Las Vegas, hence the signage. Furthermore, I-40/old US 66 next met US 95 in Needles.

That's also why Redding is signed on I-5 north of Sacramento (old US 299 intersection) instead of Portland.

Redding also makes sense because it is the last city of significant size on northbound I-5 in California.  It is arguably the commercial, medical and recreational hub of the region (and more direct than Chico on I-5). I suspect that after northbound drivers reach Redding, a substantial number of them are continuing into various cities in Oregon. 

[Bickendan]

This might annoy the likes of Control City Todd, but southbound I-15 out of Las Vegas should use the dual control cities of Los Angeles and San Diego (like northbound I-5's Sacramento and San Francisco north of the 99 split) until Barstow. South of Barstow until the 395 merges in, San Bernadino becomes the control. There to the 215, it's San Bernadino - Los Angeles - San Diego. Then, to the 10, it's Ontario - Los Angeles - San Diego. South of the 10, it's just San Diego.

It annoys me because the section between Barstow and Hesperia barely feels like it even exists. Coming out of Barstow, it feels like you're basically at Cajon Pass. Coming down from the pass, it feels like I-40 is about to pop up at any minute.

I've lived right next to Southern California for two years and if you wanted me to tell you where Ontario was on a map, I'd point at Canada. If you told me you meant the one in California, I'd tell you politely, yet firmly, to leave.

Fair. Point to the one in Oregon 

Oh boy. That one has its own control city issues 

To be honest, I barely pay attention to Oregon's control cities on the 5 or 84. Maybe I'll give that some thought at some point.