Most boring highway to drive down

[wphiii]

I-65 north of Indianapolis.

There's a large wind farm now on what was the most boring portion of the route between Indy and Chicago, so that really has improved the scenery of the drive.

Yeah, I drove that way for the first time last Thanksgiving and the sheer number of windmills was just majestic, stretching for what seemed like forever across the landscape. Definitely eliminates that stretch from any "most boring" lists, in my book.

The Ohio Turnpike west of Toledo still drives me crazy not only for being dull but because in my head I've always instinctively thought of Toledo as "almost to Indiana" when in reality there are still 60 miles to go.

[slorydn1]

US-70 between SR-1005 in Dover to the Glenburnie Rd exit  in New Bern is extremely boring, unless you are into "tree tunnels".  You can't see anything on either side of the highway because of the trees, and the deer just love to hide in those trees planning their sneak attacks on your car.

Yeah its only about 20 miles, but staying awake for those 20 miles after a long trip back from more scenic areas can be problematic to say the least. I really hated it back during the 55 mph days, its at least bearable now with a 70 mph speed limit.

[texaskdog]

Driving from Saint Paul to Austin when I moved, and a few times since, I-35 through Texas is not great.  It's actually scenic in Southern OK and southern Kansas, but the stretch through Iowa will put you right to sleep. 

[TEG24601]

I-69 from Lansing to Ft. Wayne
I-94 through North Dakota to Billings
I-90 from Billings to Gillette
I-80 from Evanston, WY to Cheyenne

[flowmotion]

I'm sure many have thought I-15 south of Vegas is boring, but try this - drive it at dusk or under moonlight.  Not only do you have the vast land lit up plus the Vegas light afar, but you have the snake of headlights AND tail lights in front and behind you up the bare mountains.

Once I drove I-15 at night during a rare rain shower where a low fog formed in the mountains -- beautiful.

[74/171FAN]

My friends that went to Virginia Tech and Liberty always called US 460 west of Petersburg to Roanoke boring.  For me, I just got so sick of driving that way that I took other routes home my senior year.

OTOH, I love that drive, especially heading west as the mountains start to come into view.

While that part is nice, I think I just drove it way too much.  The only changes I have noticed recently are a couple more traffic lights and that jughandle for Concord Turnpike in Lynchburg.

[Rothman]

Here's another vote for I-80 through Pennsylvania.  Just takes forever.

However, my gut reaction to the most boring stretches of road was to bring up a trip through Indiana I did some time ago (IN 18 was particularly unmemorable).  But, when I think about it, there was still some things to see along through the trip (e.g., the courthouses and other small-ish historic sites like Sycamore Row in Carroll County).

[Zzonkmiles]

Several people have mentioned that I-95 between Savannah and Richmond is horrible, but I think the North Carolina section is by far the least pleasant. The road is not in great condition, there's a lot of traffic for four lanes, there are no cities of significance, and you're kind of in the middle of nowhere. I-95 in South Carolina has slightly more interesting scenery and I-95 from the state line to Richmond is at least clean.

Someone else mentioned I-20 between Augusta and eastern Atlanta. Yeah, that is just 150 miles of absolutely nothing. Just trees and turns, trees and turns.

My new candidate for most boring is I-81 between I-77 and I-66. Yeah, I know it goes through the scenic mountains and such, but you REALLY need a town there to break up the monotony. Just you, a bunch of trucks, and exits that nobody uses. Because of all the truck traffic, you can't even see or enjoy the scenery!

I-40 between I-77 and Greensboro also drags on and on.

I actually like I-85 in Virginia because of its serenity, but the road there is now in really poor condition. Some stretches have been resurfaced, but others have moon craters bordering on downright unsafe.

[Rothman]

Just did I-81 from Abingdon, VA to I-78...yet again.  There are more boring roads out there.

[Thing 342]

My friends that went to Virginia Tech and Liberty always called US 460 west of Petersburg to Roanoke boring.  For me, I just got so sick of driving that way that I took other routes home my senior year.

OTOH, I love that drive, especially heading west as the mountains start to come into view.

While that part is nice, I think I just drove it way too much.  The only changes I have noticed recently are a couple more traffic lights and that jughandle for Concord Turnpike in Lynchburg.

I agree. While first few times down that stretch are pretty nice, the part east of Lynchburg becomes annoyingly repetitive the more frequently one drives it. I once had to drive that section with my parents six times in a month to visit my sister at summer camp, and I now make the trip about once every two months.

Several people have mentioned that I-95 between Savannah and Richmond is horrible, but I think the North Carolina section is by far the least pleasant. The road is not in great condition, there's a lot of traffic for four lanes, there are no cities of significance, and you're kind of in the middle of nowhere. I-95 in South Carolina has slightly more interesting scenery and I-95 from the state line to Richmond is at least clean.

The worst portion of that stretch is the section from north of Fayetteville to Kenly that is frequently clogged with people doing the 65mph speed limit in the left lane. In my recent trip to FL, I went quite a bit out of my way to avoid that portion.

My new candidate for most boring is I-81 between I-77 and I-66. Yeah, I know it goes through the scenic mountains and such, but you REALLY need a town there to break up the monotony. Just you, a bunch of trucks, and exits that nobody uses. Because of all the truck traffic, you can't even see or enjoy the scenery!

There is no hell quite like being on that stretch stuck behind a truck governed at 64 mph trying to pass another governed at 63 while going uphill.

[hotdogPi]

[Roadster]

I've driven to alot of places in my time, across statelines, country, etc., and living in the Great State of Texas, probably one of the more boring and dreaded drives is the drive down to South Padre Island taking Route 77 (specifically) between Kingsville and Raymondville.  It can sure can be challenging in the sense that I consider it probably one of most long-ass boring drive times anyone can take, and if you brake down well you can just forget about it!
It's over!  Your SOL!
The drive is desolate!  Nothing and I mean, there's just nothing in between! Just one state rest stop and your lucky if you make it there! But other than that, when starting that journey, specifically through that section, prepare for the worst and pray for the best. 

But "over-all" once you arrive in South Padre Island, well then you think to yourself that it was all worth it!  (until the drive back!  )

Hey y'all! 

Well, once again, getting ready to take that drive down to South Padre Island (heading out early (tomorrow) Saturday morning) and yes that dreadful driving-section once you pass Kingsville (the area between Kingsville to Raymondville) not looking forward to it at all-both going and coming! 

Wish me luck!   

[Mileage Mike]

I-40: Everything west of Memphis

I drove cross country from Raleigh to Palm Springs back in 2007 and this was probably the most boring cross country trip imaginable in terms of what can be seen from the freeway.

[MrDisco99]

Surprised to see the NY Thruway on mentioned here.  There are some parts west of Albany where the scenery is fantastic.

I-95 through the Carolinas is mentioned a lot.  However, that's probably the best road in the country to play the license plate game.  Pretty sure I've seen all 50 states on that road in one trip.

No, my most boring road is definitely I-65 south of Montgomery.  It's about 140 miles of literally nothing until you get to the causeway over wetlands north of Mobile which is at least interesting.

I-10 through Florida is pretty bad, too.  As is I-16.

[vdeane]

Surprised to see the NY Thruway on mentioned here.  There are some parts west of Albany where the scenery is fantastic.

And there are parts west of Syracuse that are excruciatingly dull.  It's good in the Hudson valley and Mohawk valley, but aside from that, not much of interest.

[ModernDayWarrior]

For me, it's I-55 in Mississippi. I've had the misfortune of taking this drive numerous times, and without question it's my absolute least favorite. So, so boring, no scenery at all, just total flatness and trees lining both sides of the highway. No redeeming characteristics at all. I-65 in central/southern Alabama and I-10 in the Florida Panhandle are pretty terrible also.

[busman_49]

I-65 north of Indianapolis.

There's a large wind farm now on what was the most boring portion of the route between Indy and Chicago, so that really has improved the scenery of the drive.

Yeah, I drove that way for the first time last Thanksgiving and the sheer number of windmills was just majestic, stretching for what seemed like forever across the landscape. Definitely eliminates that stretch from any "most boring" lists, in my book.

I've been up to Illinois four times in the last year and have taken that stretch of road.  I absolutely love it!  The windmills certainly help, but it's not the only reason.

My least favorite stretch is I-70 from Englewood to the Indiana state line. 

[wphiii]

My new candidate for most boring is I-81 between I-77 and I-66. Yeah, I know it goes through the scenic mountains and such, but you REALLY need a town there to break up the monotony. Just you, a bunch of trucks, and exits that nobody uses. Because of all the truck traffic, you can't even see or enjoy the scenery!

There are at least a dozen legitimate towns along this stretch of I-81, not the least of which is Roanoke, with nearly 100,000 people.

[hbelkins]

Staunton is a bit off the interstate, but the development pretty much goes on the east side of the interstate at Harrisonburg, so I'd say that qualifies as a town along the route.

[xcellntbuy]

One of the most interesting sites you will see periodically along Interstate 81 are the small, very well tended graveyards, often a small cluster of a few headstones with a small fence around them with a big American flag.  You will find these little memorials dotted along the valleys and the folds of Blue Ridge Mountains.  Honorable men who fought for the North or the South in the Civil War.  Boring?  I think not.

[Thing 342]

What's weird about I-81 in Virginia is that despite passing through several decently-sized towns (especially Roanoke), development never seems to come particularly close to the freeway. In Roanoke, 81 is two lanes and tree-lined despite being only being about five miles from the city center.

Nexus 6

[AlexandriaVA]

What's weird about I-81 in Virginia is that despite passing through several decently-sized towns (especially Roanoke), development never seems to come particularly close to the freeway. In Roanoke, 81 is two lanes and tree-lined despite being only being about five miles from the city center.

Nexus 6

Easy answer...development is along the railroad and emanates from there.

[noelbotevera]

yawn

[GaryV]

Probably great stretches of the fictional Britain to America road via the Bering Strait, being talked about in another thread.  Might also find a new longest "Next Services" sign.

[TravelingBethelite]

US 6 across Central Pennsylvania is a snore. Trees, trees, trees, hey, it's the Allegheny National Forest!, trees, town, trees, trees, town, town, trees, trees, trees, boom, I-81, Scranton.