Worst Interstate drive you have experienced

[mcdonaat]

mcdonaat,
Where in New Orleans is that road?

If you take the S Carrolton Avenue exit away from US 61 off of I-10, and make the right onto Earhart Blvd, its right there, a six-lane wide expressway. It would be a huge reliever for I-10, and if it ever connected fully to I-10, it could be I-149 or I-349, connecting via the Huey P Long bridge.
Post Merge: April 28, 2012, 08:19:10 PM

Dunno if it counts as an Interstate, but I hate driving LA 3139 in New Orleans (Earhart Expwy, planned Interstate X10). It's a pain in the ass to use because Causeway just passes over it, and there's no shoulder at all. Wishing the state would come in and at least finish the highway... it's a pitiful excuse for an expressway. Worst part is that on the western end... it just ends.

Definitely not an Interstate, but you are correct, it has historical ties to the first planned Interstate 310. What is sad about this road is that most highway maps do not even acknowledge that it is a freeway. Rand continually shows it as a lowly gray line.

I had read somewhere of plans to add ramps between LA-3139 and Causeway Boulevard, but am unaware of any work being done to join the two. The stub at the west end is pitiful, and I also thought somewhere I read of a plan to at least extend it to LA-49/Williams Boulevard, but again, nothing has transpired for that.

I would much rather see 3139 extended along La 48, then spun up to I-310. New Orleans is gonna look at the evacuation first, and the more traffic you can send via I-10 and I-55 instead of the Causeway and I-10 east, the better. But hell, I-510 is a joke too. The whole New Orleans system is terrible.. orphans everywhere.

[broadhurst04]

I-85 between South Hill and Petersburg. Especially northbound. They left the trees in the median, and the shoulder is heavily wooded as well. It's almost like driving through a tunnel. There are stretches where you can't see the southbound lanes. It doesn't get interesting again until you get to exit 63 (US1) as you enter Petersburg.

[thenetwork]

About 10-15 years ago, I was heading south along I-95 from Baltimore to Richmond, Virginia.  It was probably only 1 or 2 on an ordinary (non-holiday) Friday Afternoon, and I-95 south of DC was a parking lot for over 20 miles.  I tried to parallel I-95 via US-1, and it was just as bad.

Needless to say, I gave up, bailed at Fredericksburg and headed west into the Blue Ridge Mountains to I-81.  I wanted to go to VA Beach for a getaway weekend, but after that mess, I wanted nothing more to do with traffic.

[xcellntbuy]

I-85 between South Hill and Petersburg. Especially northbound. They left the trees in the median, and the shoulder is heavily wooded as well. It's almost like driving through a tunnel. There are stretches where you can't see the southbound lanes. It doesn't get interesting again until you get to exit 63 (US1) as you enter Petersburg.

I have driven this section of Interstate 85 in Virginia and it was on an overcast day.  It is like driving though a deep dark misty forest.

[Morriswa]

Needless to say, I gave up, bailed at Fredericksburg and headed west into the Blue Ridge Mountains to I-81.  I wanted to go to VA Beach for a getaway weekend, but after that mess, I wanted nothing more to do with traffic.

Wasn't there any other alternate route that you could have tried?

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Worst drive - I-74 between Champaign and Indy. 1998, one lane open due to construction for 80 miles. I-10 through Baton Rouge any rush hour.
Boring drive - I-55 between Jackson and Memphis. It just takes forever. I-75 between Bay City (US 10) and Indian River (M-68). The interior of the "mitten." ugh.

[drummer_evans_aki]

Worst Interstate Drives....

In terms of a poorly constructed, it's I-5 in North Portland from the northern terminus of I-405 to the Interstate Bridge. So much traffic. So little lanes.

In terms of sheer boredom, I'm going with I-5 from Wheeler Ridge, CA to Sacramento, CA. Hours and hours of NOTHING.

[F350]

I-85 between South Hill and Petersburg. Especially northbound. They left the trees in the median, and the shoulder is heavily wooded as well. It's almost like driving through a tunnel. There are stretches where you can't see the southbound lanes. It doesn't get interesting again until you get to exit 63 (US1) as you enter Petersburg.

Are you kidding, I love that section.

I think this tree-lined section is unique to the interstate system.

[F350]

Wasn't there any other alternate route that you could have tried?

Yes.  He could have taken US-17 near Fredericksburg which would take him all the way to Virginia Beach.

[Morriswa]

Yes.  He could have taken US-17 near Fredericksburg which would take him all the way to Virginia Beach.

I was on that last September/October, so why didn't I think of that?

[bassoon1986]

Nobody said I-49? Maybe it's just because I used to drive it so much but I hate the Shreveport to Alex. section. Also the future 49 in Arkansas from the state line to Texarkana is super bland. Yeah because its new but the spaced out exits and lack of mileage signs make it seem a lot less than 40 miles

[Interstate Trav]

Not sure if anyone yet has mentioned the stretch of I-15 known as the Mojave Freeway... Between Barstow and Las Vegas, there is the city of Baker and that's it. Desert, desert and more desert. The only road in rural, desolate desert. The only, long, boring road to Las Vegas is frequently backed up with traffic, too.

I have to dissagree, I find I-15 from Barstow to Las Vegas to be a fun drive, when not caught in the Weekend Traffic.  Of course I enjoy driving to Las Vegas.
I think it is cool at night when you drop into Baker, in the middle of nowhere and see the worlds Largest thermometer, and the coolest section is dropping down to the Stateline at Primm, when it is dark then you come around the trun at Nipton Road and there is the Stateline lit up.  Bright Lights and casino's.  Also Calico Mountain can be fun to look at, and I just enjoy it.

I-15 in Utah, that is boring, and long and nothing to look at, same hills and valleys and Mountain Passes.  Only thing kinda interesting is the change from St George to higher elevations or vice versa.

I-10 East of Indio for the most part is a boring drive all the way past the Stateline.  Only kinda fun if your headed west into Indio at night and see all the lights.

[mcdonaat]

Nobody said I-49? Maybe it's just because I used to drive it so much but I hate the Shreveport to Alex. section. Also the future 49 in Arkansas from the state line to Texarkana is super bland. Yeah because its new but the spaced out exits and lack of mileage signs make it seem a lot less than 40 miles

I-49? It's boring, but its a smooth road, in my opinion. It's 75 too, but I'm a staunch anti-Interstate guy, so I always take either US 71 or La 1. The 70 mph gives me 18 MPG, the 55 mph gives me 34.

[Morriswa]

How is that?

[realjd]

I-85 between South Hill and Petersburg. Especially northbound. They left the trees in the median, and the shoulder is heavily wooded as well. It's almost like driving through a tunnel. There are stretches where you can't see the southbound lanes. It doesn't get interesting again until you get to exit 63 (US1) as you enter Petersburg.

Are you kidding, I love that section.

I think this tree-lined section is unique to the interstate system.

Florida has a number of tree-lined sections (I-95 through Volusia County for instance), and most of I-95 through SC is like that also.

[myosh_tino]

I have to dissagree, I find I-15 from Barstow to Las Vegas to be a fun drive, when not caught in the Weekend Traffic.  Of course I enjoy driving to Las Vegas.
I think it is cool at night when you drop into Baker, in the middle of nowhere and see the worlds Largest thermometer, and the coolest section is dropping down to the Stateline at Primm, when it is dark then you come around the trun at Nipton Road and there is the Stateline lit up.  Bright Lights and casino's.  Also Calico Mountain can be fun to look at, and I just enjoy it.

I'm torn on this one.  I agree with Quillz that the drive is kind of boring after leaving Barstow and boredom is kind of dangerous when you're doing 80 across the desert which is why I avoid driving I-15 at night.  I also don't appreciate being tailgated at 80 MPH... in the right lane... by an 18-wheeler!

On the other hand, if you happen to be driving on I-15 a day or two after it rains, the wildflowers that spring up in the desert make the landscape quite pretty.  I've been lucky enough to see this on more than one occasion on my trips to Las Vegas.

[ftballfan]

At least the windmills around Lafayette are somewhat interesting on I-65. My complaint is when you get north of Lafayette, the road is filled with holes.

This was the first thing that came to my mind. I drove 65 from Chicago to Lafayette (this is almost 20 years ago) and it was like driving on the surface of the moon.

The irony, of course, is that I was visiting Purdue to check out their graduate program in Transportation Engineering.

The other problem I had with Indiana freeways, apart from the craters and the monotony, was the dearth of radio options. I have satellite now, but I remember a few trips back in the 90s when literally every single station I could get to come in was either a HS basketball game or country "music".

I take it you were going through IN on a Friday night.

[agentsteel53]

I also don't appreciate being tailgated at 80 MPH... in the right lane... by an 18-wheeler!

rather have them going 80 than 50...

[agentsteel53]

I-49? It's boring, but its a smooth road, in my opinion. It's 75 too, but I'm a staunch anti-Interstate guy, so I always take either US 71 or La 1. The 70 mph gives me 18 MPG, the 55 mph gives me 34.

that is one Hell of a divergence.  when I do 55mph I get maybe 29mpg.  75, 24 or so.

[Pilgrimway]

I84 from Waterbury CT to Danbury CT.  It may only be 20 miles or so but it seems like a hundred.

I495 from Hudson MA to Salisbury where you catch I95.  I hate that stretch of road.

Although not technically an interstate, the NJ Turnpike from Exit 8A down to Exit 1.  Absolutely nothing to see.  At least the northern half of the Turnpike has a few things to look at.

[Interstate Trav]

I have to dissagree, I find I-15 from Barstow to Las Vegas to be a fun drive, when not caught in the Weekend Traffic.  Of course I enjoy driving to Las Vegas.
I think it is cool at night when you drop into Baker, in the middle of nowhere and see the worlds Largest thermometer, and the coolest section is dropping down to the Stateline at Primm, when it is dark then you come around the trun at Nipton Road and there is the Stateline lit up.  Bright Lights and casino's.  Also Calico Mountain can be fun to look at, and I just enjoy it.

I'm torn on this one.  I agree with Quillz that the drive is kind of boring after leaving Barstow and boredom is kind of dangerous when you're doing 80 across the desert which is why I avoid driving I-15 at night.  I also don't appreciate being tailgated at 80 MPH... in the right lane... by an 18-wheeler!

On the other hand, if you happen to be driving on I-15 a day or two after it rains, the wildflowers that spring up in the desert make the landscape quite pretty.  I've been lucky enough to see this on more than one occasion on my trips to Las Vegas.

For me it's also a mixture of the Billboards for Las Vegas, and my excitement to see Las Vegas on mileage and overhead signs.  But I always have enjoyed going out there on vacation.  Also just the landmarks along the freeway, Worlds Largest Thermometer, Lake Dolores, Calico Mountain.

Something about listening to Led Zepelin cruising out there to do some gambling and eating out.

I actually got pictures after a storm of a Rainbow in the Shadow Valley, the valley bewteen Halloran Summit and Mountain Pass.

Also who can forget the endless billboards for Peggy Sues Diner in Yermo or the Mad Greek Cafe in Baker. 

So as far as novielty I don't see why people don't enjoy it a little more.

I'm one that does 70 mph in the right lane, and I do agree that freeway is one of the worst for tailgaters.  Almost can get run over, used to always joke that people can't wait to get to Las Vegas to loose all there money.

On a side note I-15 from Ontario to Barstow can be fun too with the Cajon Pass.

[InterstateNG]

I-10 in Texas not in big cities, just boring as hell.

The stretch from Junction to San Antonio is quite scenic.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

I drove down I-91 from I-93's northern terminus to I-89 in Vermont at the end of summer 2002, the weekend before school started.  The entire Northeast, more or less, had a horrible drought that summer and it was hotter than usual.  The only things green were the trees, although some of those were dying.  Basically all other vegetation was dead and scorched.  Combine that with the extremely old pavement that was wearing through to the level of pavement underneath in large swaths, the extremely worn, nearly unreadable (back then!) Phase I signs, and the extremely low amount of traffic and I felt like I was driving in an abandoned wasteland, almost like I was the last person on Earth after the apocalypse had passed or something.  What I did for leisure, I ended up wanting to get to the end of very quickly.  I was overjoyed when I hit White River Junction.

It Actually took longer for me to go up to the end of I-93 from NH 101, but it seemed to take at least twice as long to trek from that point on I-91 down to WRJ.

[brownpelican]

Worst: I-55 between Hammond and the Mississippi line and between Byram and I-20 in Jackson...before they reconstructed them. Both stretches were bumpy as hell.

Boring: I-20 from I-10 to Midland-Odessa and I-65 between Mobile and Montgomery.

[MrDisco99]

that is one Hell of a divergence.  when I do 55mph I get maybe 29mpg.  75, 24 or so.

That's about what I get, plus 10.

Worst interstate for me... I-65 south of Montgomery, AL is so boring I've gotten several tickets there just trying to get it over with.  As if it weren't bad enough, they've recently stuck a 10-mile-long 50MPH construction zone speed trap in the middle of it.  I've yet to see any workers in it.

I-55 in MS (all of it, except a brief break in Jackson) is pretty boring, too, with the added problem of the road itself being old and in poor shape.

Also, just last week I finally got around to fulfilling my goal of driving all 840 miles of the Chicago to New York linked turnpikes (90, 80, 76, 276, 95).  I think more of those miles had orange cones up than not, including reduced speed limits, some single lanes, and some complete stops thrown in.  Added at least an hour, maybe two, to what should've been a pretty smooth cruise.  Got a nice collection of toll tickets out of it, though.

And, of course, I-278 in NY continues to get my award for most undeserved interstate highway designation.