The Great Interstate Bracket Challenge

[hbelkins]

I'm old enough to remember when the four NCAA regions were East, Mideast, Midwest, and West.

[bassoon1986]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
95

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
81

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
Unpopular maybe, but I'm going with 99. Yes it's in the wrong place but it's cool to actually have a 99. And everyone on here seems to always bad talk road conditions on the turnpike.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
68. I've never driven these but now I want to drive 68 because of the scenery people talk about on the forum and the cool older parts in Cumberland.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
87. I love a long intrastate.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
78

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
93. I'd love to drive the big dig.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
89. Going with the beautiful section I drove in Vermont a while ago.


SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
I love my 12, but gotta go with I-10

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
75

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
4

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
20

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
22. I'm going with a newbie rather than an oldie

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
26

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
49. Always been a fan of Louisiana's evolving interstate.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
I love me some I-30

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
41

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
70

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
94

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
35

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
64

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
44

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355)
69

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
74

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
19

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
40

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
15

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
37

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
25

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
17

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
29

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
45


iPhone

[jt4]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

Mostly chalk in the east, gotta give the edge to upsets 78 and 93 due to more interesting locations.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

Only upset is 24 over 49 because you have to be a complete route to win.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

I don't believe in the imposter 74 in North Carolina, and there's no indication that 74 will be connected.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

[CtrlAltDel]

And now, the

SOUTH
10 vs. 12

75 vs. 73

55 vs. 4
First big upset due to location and the I-4 Ultimate project

20 vs. 16

65 vs. 22
Another upset due to newness of the designation

85 vs. 26
85 is overrated. Also, I live off I-26.

49 vs. 24
A moderate upset due to 49's construction problems.

59 vs. 30

[thspfc]

East:
I-95
I don't care about either of 81 or 83 but I'll take 81 because it's longer
I-76, no-brainer
I-68 I guess but I don't care
I-87
I-91 because it doesn't have a Breezewood
I-93 because of the stretch through Boston
I-89 because I don't know

South:
I-10
I-75 because I-73 is a joke and will never be anywhere close to completed
I-55 by default
I-20 because I've heard nothing but bad things about I-16
I-65 but it's really a toss up
I-85
I-24 because I-49 shouldn't even be a thing (it should be I-29)
I-59 I guess but I don't like either

Midwest:
I-90
I-70
I-94
I-35
I-39 because I know it's not going to get many votes and I have to show some love for the largely irrelevant third wheel of the triplex
I-71 because of the urban stretches
I-77 because I-69 sucks
I-74 because it actually has a little bit of an identity (seriously, is there any Interstate that is more generic than I-57?)

West:
I-80
I-40
I-15 (duh)
I-5
I-25 (duh)
This is a tough one but I have to go with I-84
I-76 I guess
I-45

It's kinda funny, by virute of being an active member on this forum I am automatically one of the most knowledgeable roadgeeks in the world (impressive, I know  ), yet I was barely aware of the existence of some Interstates like I-27, I-37, and I-82 before this thread.

[CoreySamson]

Here are my picks:

East: (take my reasoning with a grain of salt as I've never visited up there)
95 vs. 66
No contest.

81 vs. 83
81's a nice scenic alternative to 95.

76E vs. 99
First of my upsets. Mostly because it looks more interesting than 76.

79 vs. 68
Another upset. The section of 68 thru Cumberland looks cool, and 79's one of those interstates I tend to forget exists.

87 vs. 88E
The NYC parts look cool.

91 vs. 78
Dunno.

84E vs. 93
The only two-lane interstate out there gets the nod here.

86E vs. 89
86 is incomplete, which gives 89 the W.

South:
10 vs. 12
Although I love 12 (I used to live in BTR) I have more emotional attachment to 10 than any other interstate.

75 vs. 73
Simply because it's longer and has more scenic parts.

55 vs. 4
Because I've clinched 55 in Mississippi as a passenger.

20 vs. 16
Not as overall boring. (But both are snoozers)

65 vs. 22
The South's biggest upset. 65 is too busy and 22 is new and cool.

85 vs. 26
Another huge upset. 26 is scenic and is one of my Cinderella candidates.

49 vs. 24
Toss-up here but went with 24 for scenery.

59 vs. 30
The hills between Texarkana and Little Rock are nice.

Midwest:
90 vs. 41
No contest again.

70 vs. 72
Biggest blowout of the tournament right here?

94 vs. 43
43 is basically (to me) useless with I-41 (or is the opposite true?)

35 vs. 96
Also no contest.

64 vs. 39
More important route and more scenery.

44 vs. 71
Parallels Route 66 and has cool scenery.

77 vs. 69
Only upset of the Midwest round, but only because of it exists in Houston and will become a cross-country route.

74 vs. 57
The NC segment gives 74 the edge.

West:
80 vs. 19
Again, no contest.

40 vs. 86W
More scenic and longer.

15 vs. 27
Go Texas! Biggest upset right here.

5 vs. 37
Or how about this one? I know 27 and 37 won't win, but you've gotta pull for your home team.

25 vs. 82
Very close call here, but gotta go with 25.

84W vs. 17
84's another of those interstates I tend to forget exists. Also 17 is a cool dark horse candidate.

29 vs. 76W
Meh vs. meh, but gotta take 29.

8 vs. 45
I like 8, but I want to go with 45 here because GO TEXAS!

[Ketchup99]

EAST
95 beats 66 - I-95 is arguably the country's most iconic highway, so as fun as I-66 is, it doesn't make the cut.

81 over 83 - I-83 takes you between Harrisburg and Baltimore, and nobody has yet explained to me why I'd ever want to go to either.

99 over 76 - as great as the Pennsylvania Turnpike is, I'm from State College and so I can't really vote against I-99. Thanks, Bill Shuster - you did one thing (and only one) right!

79 over 68 - 79 gives us Pittsburgh-Erie while 68 is basically a spur of I-70 to Morgantown.

87 over 88 - is this even a question? Who would vote to have a famous toll road beaten out by a little fake 2di in the middle of rural Appalachia? Certainly not me.

78 over 91 - this one's close but (maybe it's because I'm seventeen) I'll take a busy freeway in the Tri-State Area any day over a scenic trip through the mountains.

93 over 84 - The tunnels through Boston are really cool, and for some reason I hate the jagged up-down route I-84 takes through New York. And the two-lane stretch through Franconia Notch is pretty cool, though I've never been on it.

89 over 86 - it connects two cities, I-86 really doesn't.

SOUTH
10 over 12 - without 10, 12 would be pointless. (Although, 12 should be a part of 10!)

75 over 73 - this one's a default because I-75 is major and also finished.

55 over 4 - my condolences to I-4, which would have beaten several of the other winners here.

20 over 16 - major cross-country route versus little Southeastern connector.

65 over 22 - major routes are usually gonna win, but I've never been on either.

26 over 85 - I have major objections to I-85 being a major north-south route and so the sooner it's gone, the better.

49 over 24 - 49 should just be 29, while I-24 is a solid road in its own right.

30 over 59 - 59 should be 81, while 30 is a critical connector.

MIDWEST
90 over 41 - sorry, I-41, but you're just not that important.

72 over 70 - I've never been on I-72 at all, but the non-Turnpike parts of I-70 in Pennsylvania (mostly my experience on 70) completely suck and so I'm going with 72.

94 over 43 - the real I-90 wins this one.

35 over 96 - hey, it leaves the state!

64 over 39 - it connects Richmond to Hampton Roads, what's not to like?

71 over 44 - 71 is a pretty critical connector, and I'm sorry, I-44, but if you dead-end randomly you don't get to win.

77 over 69 - can't say I love I-77 (with no experience on it) but I'm not quite sure what the point of I-69 is. Stretched beyond its limits, shall we say.

57 over 74 - can't get over the fact that I-74 in NC is a north-south route, and sadly that drags all of 74 down with it.

WEST
80 over 19 - easy.

40 over 86 - why is 86 even a 2di?

15 over 27 - I-27's dead end in Lubbock seals the deal.

5 over 37 - although it's a little dry and misses the Bay Area, I-5 is an iconic route that I-37 really isn't.

25 over 82 - only time I've been on either is 25 from Denver to Colorado Springs, and it was beautiful. 25 wins.

84 over 17 - pretty, according to GSV, but that's all I can comment.

76 over 29 - both worthy contenders, but 76 is a critical component of the major NYC-LA cross-country route. So 76 takes the cake.

45 over 8 - 45 just connects more important places than 8.

[M3100]

Here are my choices, tilted towards routes I have traveled more (including the oddball 99)

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

In one week, I'll compile the results and unveil the second-round matchups. Vote away!

[thspfc]

94 vs. 43
43 is basically (to me) useless with I-41 (or is the opposite true?)

Neither that nor the opposite is true. I-41 and I-43 both serve an important purpose.

[CtrlAltDel]

And now for the . . .
MIDWEST

90 vs. 41

70 vs. 72
My favorite to win the competition makes it past the first round.

94 vs. 43

35 vs. 96
I-35 is upset by having E and W suffixed routes.

64 vs. 39

44 vs. 71

77 vs. 69
A narrow win for I-77 due to the interestingness of watching I-69's construction.

74 vs. 57
The one I've cliched.

[Caps81943]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
Easy win for one of the most important corridors in the country.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
Another easy win. 81 is a highly important interstate and very scenic for much of it.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
The Turnpike (an engineering marvel) vs. the stupidest interstate in America? Easy win for 76E.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
A very close one. 68 is very pretty and one I use often, while 79 is also pretty but I do not use often. That being said, by virtue of 79 connecting much larger areas, it gets the edge.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
Neither highway is particularly special, but 87 is slightly more scenic and I've used it more (1 time vs. 0)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
In my first upset, the far more important 78 takes out the moderately important 91. Both okay interstates to me, but I don't have much experience with either (been on 91 once years and years ago but that's it).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Easy upset for me. 93 is highly important and very very scenic up north. 84 is just meh.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
Beautiful and important 89 takes the upset over a partially completed interstate any day.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
10 easy. A very important transcontinental corridor vs. a glorified 3DI.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
For me, partially completed interstates never take win, especially if it's against a major national corridor. 75 easily advances.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
The terrible 4 is easily blown out by the incredibly important 55.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
This one's a snoozer between two pretty bad interstates. 16 gets docked major points for being intrastate (I-675 anyone), and 20 advances because it does connect some major markets (just an underwhelming x0 for me).

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
An easy one for me. 65 is pretty important and I travel it a lot from Indy north, so I am partial to it. 22, while decently important, is under development and I have no partiality to it.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
A surprise upset from me . While 26's number is questionable, I have been to cities on both ends (Asheville and Charleston) and adored my time there, and I have traveled on portions of 26 (including the scenic Asheville-81 portion).

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
24 is kinda meh, but I never like incomplete interstates like 49. 24 it is.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
59 is a good solid nonmajor interstate. 30 is a Bargain Basement major interstate. 59 it is.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
Ewww, 41. Even though it passes through areas near and dear to me, the road was perfectly fine with US 41 and the I shield seems like a showoff. It also cheats by ending at the first exit in Illinois. The ever-important I-90 (which I have traveled plenty) easily wins this matchup.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
I have traveled a huge chunk of 70 four times a year for most of my life. 70 holds a special place in my heart. Definitely not getting past a measly competitor in 72.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
This one's tough. I love 43 because it's the interstate that many of my family members live off of, but being intrastate, the very important 94 (perhaps the most important nonmajor), just edges it.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
Long interstate through multiple very major cities vs. an intrastate highway in  a state I don't even like? 35 easy.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
64 easy. Goes through my home state and its eastern portion brings back many good childhood memories. 39's that mostly is on a corridor where another interstate is not needed.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Another very important nonmajor solidly defeats an interstate that I am completely nonpartial to.

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Since you are using the original 69, it gets my vote because it is the interstate that much of my extended family lives off of (as you can see, my extended family is rather expansive).

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
Two routes that I am completely impartial to. 74 gets my vote simply for length (and isn't nearly intrastate like its opponent).

WEST (not a lot of experience out here)
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
Never been on 19, been on 80 a ton. 19 is intrastate, 80 is dodeca-interstate. 80, in all its importance, takes the easy win.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
The quintessential American interstate easily gets defeats a laughably small opponent.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
Never been on either, but 27 is a small intrastate while 15 is a major corridor. 15 easily.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
See above, except I've been on like 2 miles of 5. 5 easily.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
Beautiful 25 defeats north/south poser 82.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17(146 mi)
I've heard both interstates are absolutely gorgeous, and 84 gets bonus points for not being intrastate and connecting three major(ish) cities.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
Yet again, I've never been on either, but 76W seems to be kind of a weak interstate (despite being fairly important), and 29 at least connects multiple major cities in one route. I guess 29 gets it, though I'm pretty impartial to both.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
This is a toughie. Not a fan of 45's number (47 perhaps?) or its intrastate-ness, but it makes up a lot of ground in connecting two MASSIVE metro areas. I've never been on 8, while I've been on 45. Completely impartial to 8, but 45 has some connection to me, so I guess it gets the upset.


[/quote]

[Scott5114]

95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

[hotdogPi]

95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

[Scott5114]

95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

[hotdogPi]

95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

Did you try to actually decipher it?

[jflick99]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
99 shouldn't even exist.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
North Carolina sucks.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
Legally traveled from Charleston to Columbia in the eastbound lanes (Hurricane Dorian), which was kinda cool.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
I once got a flat after running over a nail in a work zone near Joplin.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
I-70 west of Denver is probably the most beautiful area I've seen in person.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
I've lived within a mile of I-35 for the majority of my life, and traveled more miles on it than any other interstate.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
I'm all for the 16-1 upset, and the metric signage does it for me.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Especially along the Columbia River, I-84 looks quite scenic.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The link between the first two metro areas I lived in, Omaha and KC.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Never been, but I-8 through SoCal looks like a great drive.

[Scott5114]

95 81 76E 68 87 78 93 86
10 75 55 20 22 85 49 30
90 70 43 35 64 44 69 57
80 40 27 37 25 17 29 8

34 39 20 32 44 20 33 31
20 33 39 20 32 30 20 37
37 20 36 39 20 36 43 20
36 43 20 37 37 20 32 30
20 36 39 20 36 45 20 32 31

(I hope I didn't screw up)

Did you try to actually decipher it?

Well, I know there's a puzzle there of some kind, but I'm not entirely sure if it's a math-based puzzle or a substitution cipher, so I'm not entirely certain how to proceed.

[CtrlAltDel]

And now to conclude with the . . .

WEST
80 vs. 19
It’s the upset of upsets! It’s the road version of UMBC over Virginia! I-19 takes it by virtue of its metric quirkiness and lack of a long concurrency with another competitor in the tournament.

40 vs. 86W
My second favorite to win the tournament after I-70.

15 vs. 27

5 vs. 37

25 vs. 82

84W vs. 17

29 vs. 76W

8 vs. 45
The desert scenery and reverse median take I-8 over the intrastate I-45.

Only one upset in this bracket.

[dlsterner]

East:  95, 81, 76E, 68, 88E, 78, 93, 89

South:  10, 75, 4, 20, 65, 85, 24, 59

Midwest:  90, 70, 94, 96, 64, 71, 77, 74

West:  80, 40, 15, 5, 25, 17, 29, 45

[Bickendan]

EAST
95 vs. 66
81 vs. 83
76 vs. 99
79vs. 68
87 vs. 88
91 vs. 78
84 vs. 93
86 vs. 89

SOUTH
10 vs. 12
75 vs. 73
55 vs. 4
20 vs. 16
65 vs. 22
85 vs. 26
49 vs. 24
59 vs. 30

MIDWEST
90 vs. 41
70 vs. 72
94 vs. 43
35 vs. 96
64 vs. 39
44 vs. 71
77 vs. 69
74 vs. 57

WEST
80 vs. 19
40 vs. 86
15 vs. 27
5 vs. 37
25 vs. 82
84 vs. 17
29 vs. 76
8 vs. 45

[Buck87]

EAST
95
81
76E
79
87
91
93
89

SOUTH
10
75
55
20
65
85
49
30

MIDWEST
90
70
94
35
64
71
77
74

WEST
80
40
15
5
25
17
29
8

[ftballfan]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi) - Almost have I-66 clinched despite only being to the DC area twice
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi) - Been on I-81 (and have it clinched in WV!)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi) - Been on I-76E
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi) - Haven't been on either, but have gone past a terminus of both
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've crossed I-10
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi) - Been on a significant portion of I-75
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi) - I've been on more of I-4 than I-55
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've crossed I-20
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi) - Have a good chunk of I-65 clinched (the entire thing north of I-840)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi) - Been on I-85 (only when concurrent with I-75)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi) - Been on a good chunk of I-24
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi) - Haven't been on either, but I've gone past I-59's northern terminus

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi) - Been on I-90
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi) - Been on I-70
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi) - Been on both, but have I-94 clinched from Gurnee to Mt. Clemens
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi) - Been on I-96 and have it clinched (or close to it)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi) - Been on a short section of I-64
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi) - Been on I-71
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi) - Have the original I-69 clinched from Indy to Flint
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi) - Only been on I-74 via its concurrency with I-465, but it counts

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km) - Even though the Borman sucks, I still have to take I-80
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi) - I've been on a small portion of I-40
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

[JayhawkCO]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)  Grand Daddy.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)  Scenic for long stretches.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi) Because it's weird.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi) No real reason.  Barely driven on either.

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)  See above.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)  Scenery rules.

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)  See above.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)  See above.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)  One of the most important.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)  Let's be honest.  Does I-73 exist?

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)  I'd prefer not to have 132 miles of suburban sprawl.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)  I-16 is among the most anonymous 2dis.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)  A vote for the new guy!

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)  Charleston is awesome.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)  I like the area around the 'Noog.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)  Eh.  Slightly more important I feel.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)  Big daddy.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)  Easy choice.  Look where I live.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)  Actually scenic in places!

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)  My first 2di driven on.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)  Pretty through Virginia.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi) Ozarks y'all.

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)  My 15 year old self likes the joke.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)  Meh.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)  More interesting to be honest.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)  Says less for I-40 than it does for I-86.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)  Lots of pretty parts.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)  Less pretty than some East Coasters would think it is.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi) See above.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi) Columbia River Gorge.  The end.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)  Ick.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi) I like deserts.

Chris

[wanderer2575]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)

Most of my choices being the first player in each pair is entirely coincidental.

[FrCorySticha]

EAST
95 (1,908 mi) vs. 66 (76 mi)
The Main Street of the East Coast goes up against the 2di it would've met in real life, had those DC freeway cancellations not occurred in 1977.

81 (855 mi) vs. 83 (85 mi)
A Harrisburg Special, with the north-south freeway link through Appalachia battling the one that can get you into Baltimore in 90 minutes or less.

76E (435 mi) vs. 99 (99 mi)
This Bedford Special has the Turnpike going up against the most misplaced 2di in the nation.

79 (343 mi) vs. 68 (113 mi)
Yet another special (this time from Morgantown), will it be Charleston-Pittsburgh-Erie or Morgantown-Cumberland-Hancock?

87 (334 mi) vs. 88E (117 mi)
The original I-87 takes on a route it misses meeting by a few miles.

91 (290 mi) vs. 78 (144 mi)
The main link from CT to Canada meets one from eastern PA to NYC (with an urban Breezewood somewhere in Jersey City).

84E (232 mi) vs. 93 (190 mi)
Although they miss meeting each other by less than 60 miles, the former Hartford-Providence route takes on one that connects Boston to Manchester and beyond.

86E (222 mi) vs. 89 (191 mi)
The rebooted eastern I-86 goes up against a vital link between Boston and Montreal.

SOUTH
10 (2,460 mi) vs. 12 (87 mi)
The southernmost transcontinental 2di takes on the one that connects to it at both ends.

75 (1,786 mi) vs. 73 (101 mi)
The 2di that connects Tampa and Atlanta to Cincinnati and Detroit faces off against the one that has a hard time getting out of NC.

55 (1,552 mi) vs. 4 (132 mi)
It's New Orleans-St. Louis-Chicago against Tampa-Orlando-Daytona Beach.

20 (1,539 mi) vs. 16 (167 mi)
The only east-west 2di to pass through Atlanta squares off against the one connecting Macon to Savannah.

65 (887 mi) vs. 22 (203 mi)
This Birmingham Special has one stopping short of Chicago against one stopping short of Memphis.

85 (666 mi) vs. 26 (306 mi)
In the Spartanburg Special, a relatively short but important I-x5 takes on the one that links Appalachia to Charleston.

49 (528 mi) vs. 24 (316 mi)
The future New Orleans-Kansas City 2di goes up against one that almost made it to St. Louis.

59 (445 mi) vs. 30 (367 mi)
US 11's companion in the Deep South takes on the shortest 2di to end in a 0.

MIDWEST
90 (3,020 mi) vs. 41 (176 mi)
The nation's longest 2di and overall #1 seed takes on the upstart I-41.

70 (2,151 mi) vs. 72 (179 mi)
One of the most important parts of a New York-Los Angeles drive goes up against one that barely makes it from IL to MO.

94 (1,585 mi) vs. 43 (192 mi)
In this Milwaukee Special, the Minneapolis-Chicago-Detroit link takes on Beloit-Green Bay.

35 (1,569 mi) vs. 96 (192 mi)
The Midwest's most prominent north-south 2di faces off against the one that connects Detroit to Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

64 (954 mi) vs. 39 (306 mi)
The 2di whose main claim to fame was subsuming the US 40 freeway in St. Louis goes up against the Normal-Rockford-Madison-Wausau link.

44 (634 mi) vs. 71 (344 mi)
Will it be Route 66's successor between OKC and St. Louis or the 3C highway in OH?

77 (613 mi) vs. 69 (355 mi)
Another highway that loves the letter C takes on the OG I-69 from Indianapolis to Port Huron.

74 (429 mi) vs. 57 (386 mi)
The old-school Quad Cities-Peoria-Indianapolis-Cincinnati 2di takes on one with aspirations to connect Little Rock to Chicago.

WEST
80 (2,900 mi) vs. 19 (63 mi/102 km)
The second-longest 2di takes on its challenger that boasts a completely metric signing method.

40 (2,559 mi) vs. 86W (63 mi)
It's Barstow-Wilmington against the former I-15W.

15 (1,434 mi) vs. 27 (124 mi)
A well-established San Diego-Las Vegas-Salt Lake City-Pocatello-Great Falls-Canada route faces off against a small piece of the Port-to-Plains Corridor.

5 (1,381 mi) vs. 37 (143 mi)
The West Coast's Main Street squares off against the Corpus Christi-San Antonio connector.

25 (1,063 mi) vs. 82 (144 mi)
The Rockies' main 2di goes up against one that can be used as a shortcut between Salt Lake/Denver and Seattle.

84W (770 mi) vs. 17 (146 mi)
Old I-80N draws former AZ 69/79 as its challenger.

29 (751 mi) vs. 76W (187 mi)
The Kansas City-Dakotas route meets the former I-80S in the opening round.

8 (350 mi) vs. 45 (285 mi)
Does San Diego-Yuma-Casa Grande or Galveston-Houston-Dallas take this matchup?