By Cheri Sicard
The interstate highway system in the U.S. might just look like normal, boring highways. But some highways have quirks.
In the video at the end of this post, the team from Beaver Geography counts down what they consider the top 10 interstate oddities and quirks in the USA.
#1 I-69: Not only does this interstate start and stop along its uncompleted journey but in Texas it splits off into three separate interstates, all with the same name of I-69!
#2 I-35 through Dallas and Fort Worth: Splits into two interstates both named I-35 (west or east). One city could not be more important than the other!
#3 I-70/I-76 in Breezewood, Pennsylvania: The traffic here is unbearable because the interstate goes right through the town, no need to exit!
#4 I-80 in New Stanton, Pennsylvania: A terrible circular intersection awaits that makes no sense at all.
#5 I-80 in Cheyenne, Wyoming: A one-mile stretch of road is classified as interstate but runs right through town for no good reason.
#6 I-80 in Illinois by Hennepin: A long, useless stretch of road that was brought about by government corruption, according to our host.
#7 and #8 I-175 and I-375 in St Petersburg, Florida: Two interstate routes that turn into city streets. Why they were not classified as spur routes is anyone’s guess.
#9 I-19 between Tucson and the Mexican border: The road signs here are all in kilometers and not miles. It’s not because of the road’s proximity to Mexico, but rather due to a 1970s push to switch all road signs to metric. This road was a test subject, and they never changed it back when the program was abandoned.
#10 Hawaii’s Interstate Highways: How can you have interstate highways in only one state?
Do you know of other interstate oddities? Be sure to leave them in the comments below.
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RVDT2722
Tunnel at Mobile, Alabama on I10. Backup yesterday was up to ten miles because the tunnel is well past it’s design capabilities.
All GREAT reasons to AVOID interstates at all costs!!!
#3 and #4. Check you maps. I-80 crosses in the North Central part of PA.
I-70/76 goes through New Stanton.
It has been under reconstruction for the past 3 years in that area with at least another year.
Also, the I-70 and I-76 intersection does not go through Breezewood. After getting off I-76, you need to go through town on I-30 for about 1/2 mile to reach I-70 South.
Been there done that numerous times.
Breezewood Pa it is US rt 30 not an interstate. Tooooo many traffic lights.
But you have to use US30 to get from 76 to 70,
US 30 is an interstate highway! It runs through at least 3 states. Thus the “US”.
It doesn’t have to be more than two lanes.
Intrastate highways are within the boundaries of one state.
US 30 is also part of the Lincoln Highway.
I-26 in South Carolina
Thank you, Cheri, for calling attention to the video and summarizing it! I have not been there in more than 4 decades, but I-40 used to become a regular city street as one reached the eastern edge of Memphis, Tennessee. Just prior to that, there were signs encouraging those traveling west of Memphis to exit onto a beltway that went around Memphis and converged to reform I-40 west. Have a great day and safe travels!