Yahoo: The code behind Interstate and highway numbers

[txstateends]

Stuff we already know, but it's somewhat amusing to hear it explained by someone who isn't a roadfan....

http://news.yahoo.com/who-knew/highways-what-is-the-code-behind-interstate-and-highway-numbers-29893263.html

[Brandon]

^^ Anyone with half a brain who cracks open a Rand McNally can figure this out.

[mukade]

It explains the essential numbering information, and it was actually presented pretty well. Probably, most people would not open a Rand McNally atlas so I can see value if they are willing to watch the video.

It should have mentioned there are a few exceptions, and so these were general guidelines.

[US71]

It's actually an ad for Toyota, IMO. Or, at least, Toyota sponsored it.

My first reaction was "I'll take Stating the Obvious for $100".

[deathtopumpkins]

They actually already did a Who Knew on this about a year and a half ago. Reusing ideas... lame. 

[Duke87]

Anyone else notice that they didn't highlight the full length of US 101?

[OCGuy81]

That was pretty amusing. You'd be surprised how many people are unaware of the numbering schemes of our highway system.  A few months ago, I had actually explained to my mother in law what exit numbers represent.  (It means if you continue south of 5, you have 105 miles to Mexico!)  I guess those who aren't roadfans like us...

[The High Plains Traveler]

When I saw that headline I thought it was going to explain the secret reflective maintenance stickers on the backs of those signs that point to the FEMA concentration camps.

[Brandon]

That was pretty amusing. You'd be surprised how many people are unaware of the numbering schemes of our highway system.  A few months ago, I had actually explained to my mother in law what exit numbers represent.  (It means if you continue south of 5, you have 105 miles to Mexico!)  I guess those who aren't roadfans like us...

Funny because I've never really had to explain that around here.  Since you're in California, I wonder if it is due to the fact that exit numbering is new to California?  We've had mile-based exit numbering for decades in most of the Midwest (ISTHA, OTC excepted).

[OCGuy81]

Funny because I've never really had to explain that around here.  Since you're in California, I wonder if it is due to the fact that exit numbering is new to California?  We've had mile-based exit numbering for decades in most of the Midwest (ISTHA, OTC excepted).

Perhaps that's the case.  A lot of times the exit number is a new "brighter" tab added to an existing sign in the corner, almost like an afterthought.

[flowmotion]

^^ Anyone with half a brain who cracks open a Rand McNally can figure this out.

Old Rand McNally atlases included a section which explained the Interstate Defense Highway numbering system, so perhaps it wasn't as obvious as you think it was.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I never "figured this out", but instead read out of the Rand McNally as a kid. Of course, now the Internet has excessive information about everything, but someone actually have to go look for it. You can't just stumble upon it because the National Parks Recreation Guide Chart didn't take up a whole page.

[Bickendan]

My 6th grade social studies teacher explained the US highway numbering scheme. I'm sure I was the only one that cared, lol

[Interstate Trav]

That was pretty amusing. You'd be surprised how many people are unaware of the numbering schemes of our highway system.  A few months ago, I had actually explained to my mother in law what exit numbers represent.  (It means if you continue south of 5, you have 105 miles to Mexico!)  I guess those who aren't roadfans like us...

Funny because I've never really had to explain that around here.  Since you're in California, I wonder if it is due to the fact that exit numbering is new to California?  We've had mile-based exit numbering for decades in most of the Midwest (ISTHA, OTC excepted).

That's true, growing up in California, I know that i rarely refer to an exit by it's number, it's almost always done by name. 

[vdeane]

What do you do if a road intersects the freeway multiple times?  For example, if I told someone traveling on I-490 east to get of at NY 96, and meant exit 29, there's a good chance they would get off at exit 27 if unfamiliar with the area (NY 96 takes I-490's last three interchanges before the Thruway).

[agentsteel53]

I want to know where they found that zia 44!  that's been US-550 since about 1998.  I scoured that corridor in Sept '09 to find some stragglers, but no luck.