A possible bizarre Interstate record???

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

If my research is correct, I-72 holds the record for the fewest services along a 2-Digit Interstate highway. LMK if it is a different one.

[Max Rockatansky]

Talk about a click bait thread name.

[Scott5114]

What do you mean by "services"?

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

What do you mean by "services"?

Stuff listed on the blue signs. (IDK if I should count the stuff with the I-55 concurrency or not).

[Mapmikey]

I-97 only has 4 exits and 3 partial exits that are not with other freeways. 

In terms of absolute numbers that probably beats I-72.

If you went by a per mile basis 72 would beat 97 but there might be other contenders.

[jlam]

Stuff listed on the blue signs. (IDK if I should count the stuff with the I-55 concurrency or not).

Why would you not count I-72's concurrency with I-55? That's part of I-72, no?

As for services, the Interstate out west that came to mind was the western I-86. By my count, it lists 18 total services, with over half of those services at its Chubbuck exit. I'm not sure how it stacks up to the other Interstates mentioned so far, but it's got to be up there.

[Scott5114]

What do you mean by "services"?

Stuff listed on the blue signs. (IDK if I should count the stuff with the I-55 concurrency or not).

And how are you quantifying this? Number of logos on the signs? (If so how do you count service signs that just say "GAS-FOOD" with no logos?) Number of exits with service signs? Percentage of exits with service signs? Service signs per mile?

For what it's worth I think you can eliminate I-11 as a contender here because Nevada is shockly verbose about providing service signs even in urban areas, where other states would not be. (I guess NDOT is so used to services being a rare thing in most of their territory that they don't register that service signage is basically clutter when you're somewhere like Henderson with food and gas available at every exit.)

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

What do you mean by "services"?

Stuff listed on the blue signs. (IDK if I should count the stuff with the I-55 concurrency or not).

And how are you quantifying this? Number of logos on the signs? (If so how do you count service signs that just say "GAS-FOOD" with no logos?) Number of exits with service signs? Percentage of exits with service signs? Service signs per mile?

For what it's worth I think you can eliminate I-11 as a contender here because Nevada is shockly verbose about providing service signs even in urban areas, where other states would not be. (I guess NDOT is so used to services being a rare thing in most of their territory that they don't register that service signage is basically clutter when you're somewhere like Henderson with food and gas available at every exit.)

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

[Scott5114]

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

Better check I-89 then. Only 20 exits in New Hampshire, and Vermont doesn't post logos at all.

[oscar]

Also check the short Interstates H-2 and H-3 in Hawaii (they're technically only 1dis, but then so are I-2, I-4, I-5, and I-8 on the mainland, and usually we lump them together with 2dis). H-2 and H-3 each have only four exits, other than those with other freeways. Last I checked, HDOT didn't post service signs for lodgings (way too many hotels in Waikiki to list on service signs, slim pickings for lodgings anywhere else on Oahu island where all the Interstates are), and doesn't post signs for food and gas either.

Also, what about I-69W, I-69C, and I-69E in Texas? And the I-35Ws and I-35Es in both Texas and Minnesota?

[Rothman]

So...another k12 is here.

[kphoger]

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

Then you have bad criteria.  You aren't counting services that don't have a logo on the sign.

So, for example, to take a random exit on I-72...  At Monticello, the blue food sign at Exit #164 lists McDonald's, but it doesn't list the Dairy Queen that's only two blocks away from it—nor any but a single local joint.

[webny99]

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

Then you have bad criteria.  You aren't counting services that don't have a logo on the sign.

So, for example, to take a random exit on I-72...  At Monticello, the blue food sign at Exit #164 lists McDonald's, but it doesn't list the Dairy Queen that's only two blocks away from it—nor any but a single local joint.

Not to mention that states are far from consistent with when how and where they use blue logo signage to begin with.

[jmacswimmer]

So...another k12 is here.

I'm moreso getting Tolbs vibes (but for Chicagoland/Illinois rather than North Carolina).

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

Then you have bad criteria.  You aren't counting services that don't have a logo on the sign.

So, for example, to take a random exit on I-72...  At Monticello, the blue food sign at Exit #164 lists McDonald's, but it doesn't list the Dairy Queen that's only two blocks away from it—nor any but a single local joint.

TBH, IDK what to count anymore.

[NE2]

TBH, IDK what to count anymore.

[1995hoo]

Just total number of hotel-gas-food-camping-attractions logos. (That is what they post on the blue signs in Illinois). But only the logos currently posted.

Then you have bad criteria.  You aren't counting services that don't have a logo on the sign.

So, for example, to take a random exit on I-72...  At Monticello, the blue food sign at Exit #164 lists McDonald's, but it doesn't list the Dairy Queen that's only two blocks away from it—nor any but a single local joint.

Not to mention that states are far from consistent with when how and where they use blue logo signage to begin with.

Also bears noting that in at least some states, using the logos on the signs may well undercount. Some states require businesses to pay to be listed on the blue signs.

[kphoger]

Some states require businesses to pay to be listed on the blue signs.

Huh.  I thought all states required that for logo signs.  Learn something new every day.

[1995hoo]

Some states require businesses to pay to be listed on the blue signs.

Huh.  I thought all states required that for logo signs.  Learn something new every day.

You may well be right. I don't know, which is why I said "some." I figured "some" is not "wrong" per se if all states charge for inclusion, whereas if I said "all" and not all states did so, someone would act like the mistake were some sort of mortal sin.

[kphoger]

You may well be right. I don't know, which is why I said "some." I figured "some" is not "wrong" per se if all states charge for inclusion, whereas if I said "all" and not all states did so, someone would act like the mistake were some sort of mortal sin.

Really, I just don't know.  It's an assumption I made.

[CoreySamson]

The independent section of I-49 between Shreveport and Texarkana might give I-72 a run for its money when it comes to a lack of services. I only count 6 gas stations in the 79 miles between I-220 and US 59/71, with half of those at the LA 1 exit near Blanchard.

If we expand to non-interstate freeways, I was surprised to only see 1 gas station and no other traveler services along the TX 44 freeway outside Corpus Christi when I drove it two weeks ago.

[Jim]

I just always assumed businesses pay.  As an example, here's how it works for New York:

https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/nys-signs/logo

I have also always assumed having a logo means you're committing to public rest rooms, which does look to be true for New York's program.

[Mav94]

I do agree that, outside of the stretches through Hannibal, Springfield, and Decatur, I-72 is pretty well devoid of services. It's probably one of the most "local" 2dis in the system. I-39 north of Portage and south of Rockford is pretty bad too if you need to pee or get a cup of coffee.

US 20 between Cedar Falls, Iowa and Sioux City, Iowa (not an interstate, not a freeway, I know, but a four-lane divided highway with somewhat controlled access) is unbelievably barren. There are a few convenience stores but honestly you hardly see any signs of civilization for ~200 miles. It's almost like being at sea. I would imagine it's even worse in Nebraska, except I've never driven it past South Sioux City and it's two lanes pretty much the entire way to Wyoming.

[hbelkins]

I just always assumed businesses pay.  As an example, here's how it works for New York:

https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/nys-signs/logo

I have also always assumed having a logo means you're committing to public rest rooms, which does look to be true for New York's program.

Plus hours of operation, which is why a special exemption is made for Chick-fil-a and the signs always say "Closed Sundays."