Things that irk you about roads the most

[adventurernumber1]

The main thing I can think of that irks me about roads the most is when there are violations or less-than-optimally numbered highways in the grid, since I am a grid nazi. 

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

This stuff bothers me a good bit. 

[Henry]

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

Well, I can tolerate I-99, since it is going to eventually connect Altoona, PA to Rochester, NY. I-97 and I-238 I can agree with, as the former should've been an extension of I-70 or I-83, or perhaps I-995, and the latter should be renumbered to I-480 (although I can see why nobody in the Bay Area wants it back because it once belonged to the despised Embarcadero Freeway that damn near ruined San Francisco). I-82 is a remnant from when I-84 was still known as I-80N, so that also gets a pass from me. But yeah, I-180 is one huge pain in the ass.

As for my own pet peeves about highways, it's stretches of urban freeway where there are no working streetlights. This makes nighttime driving dangerous, and I've always hated when they don't turn on because of a number of factors (light burnout, stolen copper wire, etc.) Hell, I'd even take the orange sodium-vapor lights over no lighting any night, although I'm liking the white of the new LEDs as well.

[hotdogPi]

I-82 is a remnant from when I-84 was still known as I-80N, so that also gets a pass from me.

If it was an odd number, there would be no problem.

If there were no duplicated even numbers near 82, it also would not be a problem.

Both of these combined make it a problem.

[Max Rockatansky]

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

Well, I can tolerate I-99, since it is going to eventually connect Altoona, PA to Rochester, NY. I-97 and I-238 I can agree with, as the former should've been an extension of I-70 or I-83, or perhaps I-995, and the latter should be renumbered to I-480 (although I can see why nobody in the Bay Area wants it back because it once belonged to the despised Embarcadero Freeway that damn near ruined San Francisco). I-82 is a remnant from when I-84 was still known as I-80N, so that also gets a pass from me. But yeah, I-180 is one huge pain in the ass.

As for my own pet peeves about highways, it's stretches of urban freeway where there are no working streetlights. This makes nighttime driving dangerous, and I've always hated when they don't turn on because of a number of factors (light burnout, stolen copper wire, etc.) Hell, I'd even take the orange sodium-vapor lights over no lighting any night, although I'm liking the white of the new LEDs as well.

I-238 distracts everyone from how unnecessary the I-980 designation is.  IMO it should still be part of CA 24.

[adventurernumber1]

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

Well, I can tolerate I-99, since it is going to eventually connect Altoona, PA to Rochester, NY. I-97 and I-238 I can agree with, as the former should've been an extension of I-70 or I-83, or perhaps I-995, and the latter should be renumbered to I-480 (although I can see why nobody in the Bay Area wants it back because it once belonged to the despised Embarcadero Freeway that damn near ruined San Francisco). I-82 is a remnant from when I-84 was still known as I-80N, so that also gets a pass from me. But yeah, I-180 is one huge pain in the ass.

As for my own pet peeves about highways, it's stretches of urban freeway where there are no working streetlights. This makes nighttime driving dangerous, and I've always hated when they don't turn on because of a number of factors (light burnout, stolen copper wire, etc.) Hell, I'd even take the orange sodium-vapor lights over no lighting any night, although I'm liking the white of the new LEDs as well.

I-238 distracts everyone from how unnecessary the I-980 designation is.  IMO it should still be part of CA 24.

Interstate 238 must really be a distraction, because apparently I don't think I even knew that I-980 existed until just now. 

And now that I know about it, not only is it unnecessary, but it looks like Interstate 980 itself is even a numbering violation, since it has an odd first number (as a 3di, and it is supposed to be a spur), but it ends at interstates on both ends. 

[jwolfer]

I-82 is a remnant from when I-84 was still known as I-80N, so that also gets a pass from me.

If it was an odd number, there would be no problem.

If there were no duplicated even numbers near 82, it also would not be a problem.

Both of these combined make it a problem.

I think I-82 got it's even number because o it's function of taking traffic from the East to Seattle region( and vice versa) .  The overall corridor is east west... Like i4 takes traffic between the east and west coast of Florida but for much of it's route and through the busy Orlando metro it is due North-south for the most part

Z981

[MNHighwayMan]

I think I-82 got it's even number because o it's function of taking traffic from the East to Seattle region( and vice versa) .

Things like I-82, US-52, and MN-23 make me wish there were NW/SE/NE/SW directional banners in the MUTCD. That way DOTs don't have to shoehorn diagonal routes into one or the other.

[jakeroot]

I think I-82 got it's even number because of it's function of taking traffic from the East to Seattle region( and vice versa) .

This has been my understanding as well. Obviously, Inland Empire residents use I-82 for travel between (eg) the Tri-Cities, Selah, or Yakima, but more traffic is bound for cross-pass travel than anything else (and thus a more east-west movement). I can't support that assertion with data, however. Just a hunch.

[20160805]

The main thing I can think of that irks me about roads the most is when there are violations or less-than-optimally numbered highways in the grid, since I am a grid nazi. 

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

This stuff bothers me a good bit. 

Preach!

[sbeaver44]

Intersections without advance warning signs for the cross street, like we have all over Maryland.

Pennsylvania is one of the worst at this.  When I drive in MD and NY I feel like I'm going into the future.

Nexus 6P

[Hurricane Rex]

The main thing I can think of that irks me about roads the most is when there are violations or less-than-optimally numbered highways in the grid, since I am a grid nazi. 

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

This stuff bothers me a good bit. 

Same here. US 30 being north of 26 and both being north of US20 and all 3 being north of US 6.

Also heavy (20 MPH or more) drops in the speed limit bugs me. Improper/too little warning for upcoming streets/exits and lane ending then comes back in a mile bugs me.

[Super Mateo]

For me, it's the Interstate system in general.  I don't care so much about numbering violations, but slapping Interstate numbers where they don't belong is becoming more common.  Such reasons include:

-Interstates with stoplights:  I-70 PA, I-676 PA, I-180 WY, etc.
-Incomplete Interstates that disappear in the middle of nowhere: I-73 NC, I-74 NC, I-69 IN, etc.
-Interstates that terminate without any way to continue on the Interstate system:  I-72 IL, I-180 IL, etc.
-Interstates entirely covered by a US route: I-41 WI, I-865 IN, etc.

Honestly, if time isn't a concern, I'd stay off of them.  The traffic is heavy, the drivers are mostly dumb, the cops patrol them a lot more, there is no escape if there is a traffic jam, and there is nowhere to pull aside (like a parking lot, etc.) if I want to answer a text quickly.

[hotdogPi]

For me, it's the Interstate system in general.  I don't care so much about numbering violations, but slapping Interstate numbers where they don't belong is becoming more common.  Such reasons include:

-Interstates with stoplights:  I-70 PA, I-676 PA, I-180 WY, etc.
-Incomplete Interstates that disappear in the middle of nowhere: I-73 NC, I-74 NC, I-69 IN, etc.
-Interstates that terminate without any way to continue on the Interstate system:  I-72 IL, I-180 IL, etc.
-Interstates entirely covered by a US route: I-41 WI, I-865 IN, etc.

Honestly, if time isn't a concern, I'd stay off of them.  The traffic is heavy, the drivers are mostly dumb, the cops patrol them a lot more, there is no escape if there is a traffic jam, and there is nowhere to pull aside (like a parking lot, etc.) if I want to answer a text quickly.

Stoplights: For I-70, it's a problem with the interchange, not a problem with the Interstate designation. The other two are genuine problems.
Disappear in the middle of nowhere: This happened a lot when they were being created (first 10-20 years of the system's existence or so). Also, I-73 doesn't have any gaps.
Terminate without any way to continue: Spurs are supposed to be spurs. As for I-72, just truncate it to the last Interstate if absolutely necessary.
Covered by a US route: Except for I-25, I agree with you here.

[webny99]

For me, it's the Interstate system in general.  I don't care so much about numbering violations, but slapping Interstate numbers where they don't belong is becoming more common......
Honestly, if time isn't a concern, I'd stay off of them. The traffic is heavy, the drivers are mostly dumb, the cops patrol them a lot more, there is no escape if there is a traffic jam, and there is nowhere to pull aside (like a parking lot, etc.) if I want to answer a text quickly.

I found the bolded statement mildly amusing.

I can't say I've ever heard an anti-interstate argument like this made before. It made me think a little bit. I've decided most of those points are pretty debatable, and could also apply to other types of roads, too. For example, traffic can be bad everywhere, drivers can certainly be bad everywhere, police in NY patrol small towns just as much as interstates, passengers can answer texts, and so on.

Besides the well-known problems (Breezewood, etc.) I think the interstste system serves its function quite well, and it certainly isn't something I find irksome. What do you think should be done differently?

[adventurernumber1]

For me, it's the Interstate system in general.  I don't care so much about numbering violations, but slapping Interstate numbers where they don't belong is becoming more common......
Honestly, if time isn't a concern, I'd stay off of them. The traffic is heavy, the drivers are mostly dumb, the cops patrol them a lot more, there is no escape if there is a traffic jam, and there is nowhere to pull aside (like a parking lot, etc.) if I want to answer a text quickly.

I found the bolded statement mildly amusing.

I can't say I've ever heard an anti-interstate argument like this made before. It made me think a little bit. I've decided most of those points are pretty debatable, and could also apply to other types of roads, too. For example, traffic can be bad everywhere, drivers can certainly be bad everywhere, police in NY patrol small towns just as much as interstates, passengers can answer texts, and so on.

Besides the well-known problems (Breezewood, etc.) I think the interstste system serves its function quite well, and it certainly isn't something I find irksome. What do you think should be done differently?

While I myself am definitely an incredibly huge fan of the Interstate Highway System, I have definitely seen people who aren't as much a fan of it.

I don't remember the specific reasons, but my uncle (mother's brother) might avoid interstates at all costs (and my grandfather (mother's father) is exactly the same way, but even more so), if I heard my mom correctly. He lives near Cedartown, Georgia, which isn't that close to any interstate, so he can get away with it at home. When most of that side of my family (including my mom, brother, and I) went to Cadiz, Kentucky in October 2013, we had no choice but to take the interstates most of the way (including him), but I think he tries to avoid interstates whenever possible. He likes divided highways much better. As I said, I forget the reasons with him, but it may very well be for things like liking traffic signals (stops) better than non-stop driving with occasional rests, lower speed limits in general, less traffic in general, less police to be stopped by in general, less accidents in general, more places and easier to stop and pull off, and more.

I love interstates, but there are understandably definitely some people who are less fond of them.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

The late CBS journalist Charles Kuralt had this to say about the interstate system:

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

The more I travel, the more I have come to believe this is a true statement.

[webny99]

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

The more I travel, the more I have come to believe this is a true statement.

Could you suggest a route for us that would accomplish this?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

The more I travel, the more I have come to believe this is a true statement.

Could you suggest a route for us that would accomplish this?

I'm not sure what your question is.

[jeffandnicole]

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

The more I travel, the more I have come to believe this is a true statement.

Could you suggest a route for us that would accomplish this?

I'm not sure what your question is.

I'm guessing he's trying to find the most boringest route.

In that, I think people's interest levels will differ.  Many long-distance routes will have miles of nothing, followed by miles of wonderful mountain and river views.  But that miles of 'nothing' may be of great interest to some people, and for others, just seeing those mountains will overload them with their fear of heights.

For me, the most boring roads are those I've already traveled a few times.  Unless something new pops up, it's doing to be a long, boring ride.  Yes, the first time I drove that route, it was full of interesting, new sights.

[jakeroot]

It seems as though I'm one of the few roadgeeks who prefers to look around cities for cool stuff (old and new), not necessarily drive for hours in-between them.

If I'm trying to enjoy the drive, you'll likely find me on a back-road where I can hit the apex.

I've noticed that many cities have an enormous amount of stuff, that even going back for a tenth time, you still see something new every time.

[Rothman]

In regards to those interstate signs on Interstate routes that disappear or have stoplights:  This was even more commonplace when I was a kid and the system was not built out yet.  Just going through another one of those phases.

[kkt]

The main thing I can think of that irks me about roads the most is when there are violations or less-than-optimally numbered highways in the grid, since I am a grid nazi. 

This includes roads like I-180 (WY), I-99, I-97, I-238, I-82, and more. I just wish the latter four interstates were not numbered like that, and that "Interstate" 180 in Wyoming wasn't actually designated as an interstate (as it is nowhere close - it is a surface street).     

This stuff bothers me a good bit. 

For the grid, I'd try to follow it when possible, but when it's not, I don't worry about it too much (I-99). 

I-238 would make a good I-480 now, but since number 480 wasn't available until after I-238 was built it's understandable.  I don't think changing the number now would be a good use of finite road funds.

For I-980, it's an interstate route built with interstate funds, so it gets an interstate number.  As soon as we decided to have a separate numbering system for interstates because of how they were funded, this sort of thing became inevitable.  (I-580 Nevada?)

When they aren't even freeways, it bothers me (I-180 Wyo.)

[webny99]

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

The more I travel, the more I have come to believe this is a true statement.

Could you suggest a route for us that would accomplish this?

I'm not sure what your question is.

jeffandnicole is correct -  my question was referencing the bolded statement, which you seem to agree with. In order for me to understand your agreement, I must first know of some corridors where one can travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.

[kkt]

"anything" is hyperbole, commenting on how you aren't free to pull over anywhere you want and look at the view, and don't see homes, businesses, or landmarks next to the road.

[webny99]

"anything" is hyperbole, commenting on how you aren't free to pull over anywhere you want and look at the view, and don't see homes, businesses, or landmarks next to the road.

I understand that "anything" is an exaggeration. Even still, you will see plenty of stuff of interest on any cross-country road trip. The position that you will not, needs more explaining, IMO.