Control Cities

[roadman65]

I just followed I-90 from Boston to Seattle on the map.

I'd go like this

Worcester, Springfield, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo (skipping Rochester), Erie PA, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Rockford, Madison, Tomah, La Crosse, Rochester, Albert Lea, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Billings MT, Bozeman, Missoula, Spokane, Ellensburg, Seattle and vice versa going EB.

I would skip Albert Lea.

I would skip Rochester before I would skip Albert Lea.

Rochester, MN has a population of over 100,000. Rochester, NY has a population of over 200,000. Albert Lea has a population of under 20,000.

How does this make any logical sense?

It's like Benson, NC on I-95 and I-40. It's used to reference their junction just as Lake City on I-10 between Jacksonville and Tallahassee because I-75 crosses near it.

[SkyPesos]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Rochester, NY? I-90 doesn't go to Rochester!

I-90 actually gets closer to Rochester, MN than it does to Rochester, NY - but you'd think 90 is hundreds of miles from the former the way things are signed!

It's big enough now that it's probably worth a mention somewhere at Albert Lea or Tomah.

You can use both Rochester and Albert Lea. I don't get what people's problem with Albert Lea is, it's at the junction of two major Interstate's. Albert Lea is fine as a control city. And is used so people thinking that it shouldn't be used have a problem with it? Really? That don't make sense to me.

It's probably fine for I-90 traffic, but travel patterns in Minnesota have outgrown it. Very few people are going to be going 35 to 90 from MSP as US 52 and MN 60 have made those SB 35 to 90 movements largely redundant.

[bassoon1986]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

[SkyPesos]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

So Gainesville isn't used at all? Considering it's larger than Ocala and home to University of Florida, I think it should be used at some point on I-75, maybe even over both Ocala and Lake City, as it's in the middle of those two.

[Roadgeekteen]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

So Gainesville isn't used at all? Considering it's larger than Ocala and home to University of Florida, I think it should be used at some point on I-75, maybe even over both Ocala and Lake City, as it's in the middle of those two.

I would use Atlanta and Tampa as primary controls and both Ocala and Gainesville as secondary controls.

[sprjus4]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

So Gainesville isn't used at all? Considering it's larger than Ocala and home to University of Florida, I think it should be used at some point on I-75, maybe even over both Ocala and Lake City, as it's in the middle of those two.

I would use Atlanta and Tampa as primary controls and both Ocala and Gainesville as secondary controls.

Agreed. Especially on a route like I-75 where the majority of the traffic is long haul Florida bound and vice versa. Listing those two major cities would be good guidance.

[SkyPesos]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

So Gainesville isn't used at all? Considering it's larger than Ocala and home to University of Florida, I think it should be used at some point on I-75, maybe even over both Ocala and Lake City, as it's in the middle of those two.

I would use Atlanta and Tampa as primary controls and both Ocala and Gainesville as secondary controls.

Agreed. Especially on a route like I-75 where the majority of the traffic is long haul Florida bound and vice versa. Listing those two major cities would be good guidance.

So "demote"  Macon and Valdosta on I-75 in GA to secondary controls, along with adding in Gainesville as mentioned above?

[Roadgeekteen]

Speaking of Lake City, does I-75 even use it as a control city? On my last trip to FL, I only remember seeing Valdosta for NB, and either Gainesville or Ocala for SB. I think Tampa starts appearing regularly south of Gainesville or Ocala, though there's a one-off BGS in Atlanta that had Tampa as the control.

After going to Disney in April, the FL turnpike references Ocala right up until the merge with I-75 and I-75 used Ocala then Lake City. I just looked at street view of US 441 in Apache's and it says Lake City for 75 north too.


iPhone

So Gainesville isn't used at all? Considering it's larger than Ocala and home to University of Florida, I think it should be used at some point on I-75, maybe even over both Ocala and Lake City, as it's in the middle of those two.

I would use Atlanta and Tampa as primary controls and both Ocala and Gainesville as secondary controls.

Agreed. Especially on a route like I-75 where the majority of the traffic is long haul Florida bound and vice versa. Listing those two major cities would be good guidance.

So "demote"  Macon and Valdosta on I-75 in GA to secondary controls, along with adding in Gainesville as mentioned above?

Yes

[bing101]

"Other Desert Cities", anyone?

I still would like to know where Thru Traffic, California is located.

The control cities on I-10 EB in east TX and LA are kind of funny. East of Beaumont, TX uses "Baton Rouge", but then once across the state line the control point becomes "Lake Charles." Thought that was kind of interesting. BTW, La. uses "Beaumont" on I-10 WB past Lake Charles.

Also, I might have mentioned it before, but the use of "Bay St. Louis" as a control point for I-10 EB past Slidell is truly ridiculous. Ditto some of the MS I-55 control points such as McComb or Grenada.

Don't forget beach cities on CA-91 west from Riverside.

[bing101]

Is it normal to use control cities that are over 300 miles away? US 101 uses Eureka in areas even south of Santa Rosa, where it's over 300 miles away. There are many other cities that could be used that are closer.

Yes in California at least I know in the Sacramento there is I-5 South to Los Angeles and I-5 North to Redding.


US-101 South Los Angeles appears in Santa Clara County

[Roadgeekteen]

Is it normal to use control cities that are over 300 miles away? US 101 uses Eureka in areas even south of Santa Rosa, where it's over 300 miles away. There are many other cities that could be used that are closer.

Yes in California at least I know in the Sacramento there is I-5 South to Los Angeles and I-5 North to Redding.


US-101 South Los Angeles appears in Santa Clara County

Correct, but V'Ger has been gone for about 12 years now.

[Flint1979]

Is it normal to use control cities that are over 300 miles away? US 101 uses Eureka in areas even south of Santa Rosa, where it's over 300 miles away. There are many other cities that could be used that are closer.

Yes in California at least I know in the Sacramento there is I-5 South to Los Angeles and I-5 North to Redding.


US-101 South Los Angeles appears in Santa Clara County

Chicago is used in Detroit and Detroit is used in Chicago on I-94. With some secondary cities in Michigan along the way.

[Roadgeekteen]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2346119,-77.1307384,3a,67.6y,112.61h,96.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3g48-KTSgPFk9TesE4ug8w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Chambersburg makes no sense to sign, especially with all of the truck traffic on I-81. Sign Hagerstown instead.

[hobsini2]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2346119,-77.1307384,3a,67.6y,112.61h,96.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3g48-KTSgPFk9TesE4ug8w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Chambersburg makes no sense to sign, especially with all of the truck traffic on I-81. Sign Hagerstown instead.

Don't discount the drawing power of my sister in law's hometown.

[Rothman]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2346119,-77.1307384,3a,67.6y,112.61h,96.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3g48-KTSgPFk9TesE4ug8w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Chambersburg makes no sense to sign, especially with all of the truck traffic on I-81. Sign Hagerstown instead.

Don't discount the drawing power of my sister in law's hometown.

It's actually a popular pit/night stop.  And Martin's Potato Bread is made there.

[Roadgeekteen]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2346119,-77.1307384,3a,67.6y,112.61h,96.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3g48-KTSgPFk9TesE4ug8w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Chambersburg makes no sense to sign, especially with all of the truck traffic on I-81. Sign Hagerstown instead.

Don't discount the drawing power of my sister in law's hometown.

It's actually a popular pit/night stop.  And Martin's Potato Bread is made there.

Not the worst of PADOT's bizarre control cities but that's not saying much.

[Flint1979]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

[Roadgeekteen]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

Yes

[Flint1979]

MDOT is pretty good at choosing control cities.

[Occidental Tourist]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

It if wasn't, it'd be hard to find your way back after going to look for America.

[frankenroad]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

It if wasn't, it'd be hard to find your way back after going to look for America.

It would take 4 days..

[Roadgeekteen]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

It if wasn't, it'd be hard to find your way back after going to look for America.

What?

[Occidental Tourist]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

It if wasn't, it'd be hard to find your way back after going to look for America.

What?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFAoWwUwknc

[Occidental Tourist]

Should Saginaw be a control city on I-75? We had the discussion with Baltimore being the control city on I-70 eastbound I was wondering if Saginaw should be on I-75 considering I-75 doesn't enter the city of Saginaw.

It if wasn't, it'd be hard to find your way back after going to look for America.

It would take 4 days..

You'd be better off hanging out with Julio down by the schoolyard.