The LEAST important/consequential interstate in your state

[vdeane]

How about I-705 in Tacoma, WA.  Very short, and largely useless in my opinion.  Would be better off as just SR-7 or part of SR-509.

2dis only! That's what makes this tricky.

Washington would have to be I-90. US 101 can't make the final 150-200 miles to the Canadian border (US 97 can, however), so I-5 takes that role for the western part of Washington (US 97 only covers the middle to eastern half of the state to the Canadian border, or US 395). I-90 does go through Snowqualmie Pass, and US 2 (I-90's parallel alignment) takes a different way around, and US 2 does not barge through Seattle, but US 2 supplants I-90, except between the western terminus (of I-90) and east of Snowqualmie Pass.

Oregon: I-5, because it does not supplant US 101 in this state. US 101's US Routes it intersects go through Portland, but misses out on Bend (In Weed, CA, US 97 does not end at US 101, US 101 is still in Mendocino County.), which may or may not be a big deal. i-84 connects SLC with Portland and points east.

What about I-82?

[lordsutch]

For intrastate purposes, I think the answer for both AL and MS is the same (and surprising): I-10. In terms of Alabama, it's basically a suburban commuter route for Mobile, while in Mississippi it's basically an inland alternative to US 90, mostly carrying pass-through traffic between Louisiana and Alabama or points further east.

At least I-22 in both states connects smaller towns to regional hub cities (AL connecting Jasper and the Winfield mess to Birmingham, MS connecting Tupelo, New Albany, etc to the Memphis metro).

[noelbotevera]

How about I-705 in Tacoma, WA.  Very short, and largely useless in my opinion.  Would be better off as just SR-7 or part of SR-509.

2dis only! That's what makes this tricky.

Washington would have to be I-90. US 101 can't make the final 150-200 miles to the Canadian border (US 97 can, however), so I-5 takes that role for the western part of Washington (US 97 only covers the middle to eastern half of the state to the Canadian border, or US 395). I-90 does go through Snowqualmie Pass, and US 2 (I-90's parallel alignment) takes a different way around, and US 2 does not barge through Seattle, but US 2 supplants I-90, except between the western terminus (of I-90) and east of Snowqualmie Pass.

Oregon: I-5, because it does not supplant US 101 in this state. US 101's US Routes it intersects go through Portland, but misses out on Bend (In Weed, CA, US 97 does not end at US 101, US 101 is still in Mendocino County.), which may or may not be a big deal. i-84 connects SLC with Portland and points east.

What about I-82?

I-82 connects I-84 and I-90 (or US 2 and US 30) which connects Portland to Spokane and east, or Seattle to Boise or Cheyenne.

[kkt]

How about I-705 in Tacoma, WA.  Very short, and largely useless in my opinion.  Would be better off as just SR-7 or part of SR-509.

2dis only! That's what makes this tricky.

Washington would have to be I-90. US 101 can't make the final 150-200 miles to the Canadian border (US 97 can, however), so I-5 takes that role for the western part of Washington (US 97 only covers the middle to eastern half of the state to the Canadian border, or US 395). I-90 does go through Snowqualmie Pass, and US 2 (I-90's parallel alignment) takes a different way around, and US 2 does not barge through Seattle, but US 2 supplants I-90, except between the western terminus (of I-90) and east of Snowqualmie Pass.

Oregon: I-5, because it does not supplant US 101 in this state. US 101's US Routes it intersects go through Portland, but misses out on Bend (In Weed, CA, US 97 does not end at US 101, US 101 is still in Mendocino County.), which may or may not be a big deal. i-84 connects SLC with Portland and points east.

What about I-82?

I-82 connects I-84 and I-90 (or US 2 and US 30) which connects Portland to Spokane and east, or Seattle to Boise or Cheyenne.

From Portland to Spokane, you're only on I-82 for a couple of miles, from Umatilla to Kennewick.  If I-82 were suddenly gone, there would be easy bypasses via US 730 and 12, or via other state roads.

[GaryV]

Michigan is a hard choice, but I'd have to say I-69, despite the potential for international trade.  I-75, 94 and 96 just have more influence for the state.

[Pete from Boston]

Like the "most important" thread, this topic suffers from the ambiguity of terms like "important" or "consequential." Therefore I'll use the same definition most of Massachusetts uses–people in the western part of the state matter less, so I-91.

[vtk]

Like the "most important" thread, this topic suffers from the ambiguity of terms like "important" or "consequential."

True.  A salient point to clarify as the basis of any response is "important" or "consequential" to whom.  Important for the region / system as a whole is an entirely different matter from important to a single state; case in point, I-70 in West Virginia.  Another critical distinction to make is whether we're talking about the importance of the Interstate route designation, or the physical highway it's designated on.  I've seen answers that go either way on each point.

[froggie]

Like the "most important" thread, this topic suffers from the ambiguity of terms like "important" or "consequential."

Not just that, but it also suffers from a "limited gene pool".

[tidecat]

Even having driven only a small part of I-75 in Florida between Gainesville and Ocala, I'd have a hard time picking I-75.      I'd be inclined to pick I-4 as any traffic from the northwest headed to Orlando would use Florida's Turnpike.

[empirestate]

Even having driven only a small part of I-75 in Florida between Gainesville and Ocala, I'd have a hard time picking I-75.      I'd be inclined to pick I-4 as any traffic from the northwest headed to Orlando would use Florida's Turnpike.

Hmm, but by the same token, if I-75 went away, then traffic bound for Tampa Bay from the north could come in via Orlando and I-4. But then, everything south of Tampa, and Alligator Alley...

I think it really is I-10. While losing that route across the Panhandle would be a tremendous blow, I just have to think that given where the majority of commerce happens in Florida, particularly of the intra-state variety, the other three routes are just too integral to the state's economy.

[Rover_0]

Utah would probably be I-70 since a lot of it can be paralleled with US highways -- current and former alignments included -- and has the least amount of traffic. 

But most importantly, Utah for a FACT considers I-70 the least important because despite most of the non-mountainous sections of the interstate being straight, flat and desolate, they still refuse to raise the speed limits there to 80 MPH while portions of I-15 between AZ and SLC (which get more traffic in a day that I-70 gets in a week) get to go 80.

Agreed. I-70 is easily the least important Interstate in Utah, though those living near it kinda revel in that fact. However, I'd wager that because of its remoteness, I-70's quality east of Salina isn't as good as the other Interstates in Utah; I recall the difference in smoothness between I-70 (not so smooth) and I-15 (more smooth). That may play a small part in why I-70 hasn't had its speed limit raised to 80 MPH.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

I can't believe no one came up with Arizona, where the answer is really easy: I-15 .

But, as always, the way the question is done I can't answer because I don't have a state to go with, and I live nowhere near an interstate anyway.

[Bickendan]

AZ I-15 was brought up earlier in thread at least twice

[empirestate]

I can't believe no one came up with Arizona, where the answer is really easy: I-15 .

But, as always, the way the question is done I can't answer because I don't have a state to go with, and I live nowhere near an interstate anyway.

AZ I-15 was brought up earlier in thread at least twice

Not only was it brought up, but it's not so easy: I-15 is only the obvious answer if we're talking about importance to the particular state. But if we're looking at importance overall, I think most people would say that I-19 or even I-17 have less importance than I-15, on the whole.

To be sure, most of us assume it's the first option, but I don't think we've gotten any clear guidance on that. (We also don't know whether we're talking about Interstate designations or actual roadways, though again most of us seem to assume roadways.)

[OCGuy81]

Here's my quick take on a few states.

California:  I'd probably go I-40 as well, despite its significance as a transcontinental (almost) route.  I-8 would be second, but plays a pretty vital role in the San Diego metro area.

Nevada:  This one is tough, with only 2 to choose from. Probably I-80 because I-15 and all the tourists it brings into Las Vegas.  I-80 does go through Reno, but the rest of it doesn't hit any population centers.

Idaho: Easy, I-86

Arizona: Easy, I-15

[thenetwork]

Utah would probably be I-70 since a lot of it can be paralleled with US highways -- current and former alignments included -- and has the least amount of traffic. 

But most importantly, Utah for a FACT considers I-70 the least important because despite most of the non-mountainous sections of the interstate being straight, flat and desolate, they still refuse to raise the speed limits there to 80 MPH while portions of I-15 between AZ and SLC (which get more traffic in a day that I-70 gets in a week) get to go 80.

Agreed. I-70 is easily the least important Interstate in Utah, though those living near it kinda revel in that fact. However, I'd wager that because of its remoteness, I-70's quality east of Salina isn't as good as the other Interstates in Utah; I recall the difference in smoothness between I-70 (not so smooth) and I-15 (more smooth). That may play a small part in why I-70 hasn't had its speed limit raised to 80 MPH.

UDOT has done quite a bit of resurfacing in recent years either side of the Swell.  And in the past 9 years that I have driven on that stretch of road -- newly resurfaced or not -- I can tell you that even the older stretches of road were of decent shape and could easily support the state's maximum speed limits.

[noelbotevera]

MA: I-95. It's canceled routing through Boston REALLY killed it off here in this state. I-91 goes through Springfield, which is something. I-95 goes through nothing. NOTHING. I-90 connects I-91 and I-93 and enters Boston (and I-93). So I-95 takes home here. US 1 EASILY replaces I-95 in this state.

[JakeFromNewEngland]

MA: I-95. It's canceled routing through Boston REALLY killed it off here in this state. I-91 goes through Springfield, which is something. I-95 goes through nothing. NOTHING. I-90 connects I-91 and I-93 and enters Boston (and I-93). So I-95 takes home here. US 1 EASILY replaces I-95 in this state.

I disagree. I-95 is heavily traveled even though it doesn't go through the actual city of Boston. It directs a lot of traffic out of downtown. It also provides access to Providence to the south and New Hampshire and Maine to the north. Just because I-91 goes through Springfield, that doesn't mean it's more important than I-95. In fact, once I-91 leaves the Springfield metro it's a rural interstate all the way up to the Canadian border.

[TXtoNJ]

CO: I-76
NE: I-76

The x6s are getting no love in this thread.

[JustDrive]

I-40 in California

I would have said I-8, but it's a vital link between San Diego and the Imperial Valley and there's no other route aside from REALLY rural CA 78. If you want to go to Needles and points east, it's accessible from Las Vegas in the north (via US 95) and from the south (via I-10 to US 95 in Blythe).

[noelbotevera]

MA: I-95. It's canceled routing through Boston REALLY killed it off here in this state. I-91 goes through Springfield, which is something. I-95 goes through nothing. NOTHING. I-90 connects I-91 and I-93 and enters Boston (and I-93). So I-95 takes home here. US 1 EASILY replaces I-95 in this state.

I disagree. I-95 is heavily traveled even though it doesn't go through the actual city of Boston. It directs a lot of traffic out of downtown. It also provides access to Providence to the south and New Hampshire and Maine to the north. Just because I-91 goes through Springfield, that doesn't mean it's more important than I-95. In fact, once I-91 leaves the Springfield metro it's a rural interstate all the way up to the Canadian border.

Good point. Even though Springfield is I-91's last city, just across the state line into Portsmouth, NH, traffic levels drop considerably. US 1 and the Tobin Bridge also directs traffic right out of Boston, which is why "US 1 replaces I-95 in MA".

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Here's my quick take on a few states.

Idaho: Easy, I-86

It may be in overall importance. But to the state, it is I-90.

[Pete from Boston]

MA: I-95. It's canceled routing through Boston REALLY killed it off here in this state. I-91 goes through Springfield, which is something. I-95 goes through nothing. NOTHING. I-90 connects I-91 and I-93 and enters Boston (and I-93). So I-95 takes home here. US 1 EASILY replaces I-95 in this state.

I disagree. I-95 is heavily traveled even though it doesn't go through the actual city of Boston. It directs a lot of traffic out of downtown. It also provides access to Providence to the south and New Hampshire and Maine to the north. Just because I-91 goes through Springfield, that doesn't mean it's more important than I-95. In fact, once I-91 leaves the Springfield metro it's a rural interstate all the way up to the Canadian border.

Good point. Even though Springfield is I-91's last city, just across the state line into Portsmouth, NH, traffic levels drop considerably. US 1 and the Tobin Bridge also directs traffic right out of Boston, which is why "US 1 replaces I-95 in MA".

This is a misapprehension.  Come sit with me on I-95 later this morning, where four lanes in one direction are crammed far beyond capacity.  Regardless of routing through Boston or its fractured identity, it's pretty critical as a through route (or pair of them, anyway) and beltway. 

Saying "I-91 goes through Springfield, which is something" may assume too much about Springfield. Springfield's importance may be paramount to Western Mass., but see my comment above about Western Mass. (a place near and dear to my heart, but let's be realistic).

I see where you're coming from, but maps and history books don't tell the whole story.

[The Nature Boy]

I'll make the argument that I-95 is an important interstate as a whole but is pretty damn unimportant to intrastate drivers in most of the states it serves. This is surprising for an interstate that is basically Main Street for the BosWash corridor.

- In Georgia and the Carolinas, it just exists to serve thru traffic to Florida. Savannah is on Georgia's stretch of I-95 but that hardly qualifies it for importance because it doesn't connect Savannah to anything in the state.

- In Pennsylvania, it only serves Philly and doesn't do much else so it pales in comparison to most of the other interstates in the state. I would argue that I-76 is more important than 95.

- In New York, it serves only NYC and Westchester County. You could argue that alone grants it some intrastate value. After all, NYC is the largest city in the state and commuting traffic is important. However, I would argue that I-87 as a connector between Albany and NYC is much more important.

- As Pete just said, I-95 in Massachusetts doesn't even go through Boston. Even if I-95 did go through Boston, I don't know if that would put I-95 above I-90. I-84 might actually be the least important to intrastate traffic in MA since I-84 just serves to connect eastbound Connecticut drivers to the Mass Pike. The Mass Pike/I-90 is most important for intrastate drivers here though because it connects Springfield to Worcester to Boston.

- In New Hampshire, it just exists to connect Massachusetts to Maine. I don't know of a lot of Seacoasters who use I-95 to travel within the Seacoast.

It is important to Florida because it connects the Atlantic coastal cities of Florida, Virginia because it connects Richmond to DC and is the main highway through the Virginia suburbs of DC, Maryland for the same reason as Virginia but replace "Richmond" with "Baltimore," Delaware because it is the only interstate in the state, New Jersey because much of I-95 is the New Jersey Turnpike, Rhode Island because it runs through Providence and Maine because it is the only interstate in the state.

Connecticut is one that I am iffy on. It runs out of NYC and through New Haven, although its importance is eclipsed to intrastate drivers by I-91 and possibly even I-84. I-91 connects Hartford and New Haven so I imagine that that gets a fair amount of intrastate traffic. I-95 seems like it might just get people driving through but if one were going from NYC to Boston, you'd take I-91 up to I-84. I don't see there being a lot of people who would drive through CT on I-95 simply because it's impractical to do so unless you're going to RI.

[iBallasticwolf2]

I'll make the argument that I-95 is an important interstate as a whole but is pretty damn unimportant to intrastate drivers in most of the states it serves. This is surprising for an interstate that is basically Main Street for the BosWash corridor.

- In Georgia and the Carolinas, it just exists to serve thru traffic to Florida. Savannah is on Georgia's stretch of I-95 but that hardly qualifies it for importance because it doesn't connect Savannah to anything in the state.

- In Pennsylvania, it only serves Philly and doesn't do much else so it pales in comparison to most of the other interstates in the state. I would argue that I-76 is more important than 95.

- In New York, it serves only NYC and Westchester County. You could argue that alone grants it some intrastate value. After all, NYC is the largest city in the state and commuting traffic is important. However, I would argue that I-87 as a connector between Albany and NYC is much more important.

- As Pete just said, I-95 in Massachusetts doesn't even go through Boston. Even if I-95 did go through Boston, I don't know if that would put I-95 above I-90. I-84 might actually be the least important to intrastate traffic in MA since I-84 just serves to connect eastbound Connecticut drivers to the Mass Pike. The Mass Pike/I-90 is most important for intrastate drivers here though because it connects Springfield to Worcester to Boston.

- In New Hampshire, it just exists to connect Massachusetts to Maine. I don't know of a lot of Seacoasters who use I-95 to travel within the Seacoast.

It is important to Florida because it connects the Atlantic coastal cities of Florida, Virginia because it connects Richmond to DC and is the main highway through the Virginia suburbs of DC, Maryland for the same reason as Virginia but replace "Richmond" with "Baltimore," Delaware because it is the only interstate in the state, New Jersey because much of I-95 is the New Jersey Turnpike, Rhode Island because it runs through Providence and Maine because it is the only interstate in the state.

Connecticut is one that I am iffy on. It runs out of NYC and through New Haven, although its importance is eclipsed to intrastate drivers by I-91 and possibly even I-84. I-91 connects Hartford and New Haven so I imagine that that gets a fair amount of intrastate traffic. I-95 seems like it might just get people driving through but if one were going from NYC to Boston, you'd take I-91 up to I-84. I don't see there being a lot of people who would drive through CT on I-95 simply because it's impractical to do so unless you're going to RI.

I forgot about I-95 in Georgia. I would say that I-95 is Georgia's most unimportant interstate.