That Other Network...

DATA: I've been digging around online today to find if there's anything along I-90 between Seattle and New York City that might spruce up the drive. And, as usual, I'm finding a ton of other interesting information while I'm looking, but not finding the info I really need. (Like, say, I-90 is the longest interstate in America, or that Alaska as no interstates at all.) I never realized there were so many resources for information on the interstate system online.







First a little background: The interstate system will mark it's 50th year in 2006. Why was it built? Well, it was sold to the public as a national security precaution: interstates could be used to evacuate large cities in case of an impending nuclear attack. Of course, we all realize now that that's a joke (you think traffic is bad now, try getting somewhere with the threat of impending doom creeping up behind you and every other road-rager on the street).



As for that wacky numbering system, here's the naming conventions to remember:

* One or two digit even-numbered Interstates are always east-west routes. The numbers increase from the south (I-4) to the north (I-96).



* One or two digit odd-numbered Interstates are always north-south routes. The numbers increase from the West Coast (I-5) to the East Coast (I-95).



* Three digit Interstates with the first digit an even number are usually circular loops or "beltways" around cities (eg. I-405 breaks away from I-5 around Seattle, Portland, and LA)



* Three digit Interstates with the first digit an odd number are usually "spurs" that leave or go into a city center. (eg. I-395 in Washington D.C.)

Of course, there is an exception to the rules: I238. A two mile bit of interstate in California named after it's highway predecessor, not by the normal naming conventions. (No, there's not an Interstate 38.)



Anyway, for two nice (but poorley scanned) maps that show the major East/West and North/South routes in the States, check out Newbie Driver.









The best resource for all sorts of random Interstate information has to be The Interstate Guide.



But anyway, back to I-90: The fastest way to get from Safeco Stadium in Seattle...







...to Logan International Airport in Boston...







...on wheels (recently extended by the big-dig). 3,021 miles long. (London to Baghdad by air is only 2,543 miles long.)



The busiest parts of the I-90, by Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) are:

State - Location - AADT Comp. - Year

Washington - Seattle - 150,600 - 2002

New York - Buffalo - 143,300 - 2002

New York - Albany - 120,700 - 2002

Massachus. - Weston - 119,006 - 2000

Washington - Spokane - 107,000 - 2002

Massachus. - Boston - 104,507 - 2000

I-90 is busier in Spokane then Boston? Strange. Still, think 150,000 cars an average day is a lot? Check out I-5:

State - Location - AADT Comp. - Year

California - Lake Fores. - 356,000 - 2002

California - Santa Ana - 314,000 - 2002

California - LA - Paico. - 302,000 - 2002

Washington - Seattle - 294,000 - 2002

California - LA - 291,000 - 2002

California - San Diego - 262,000 - 2002

Here's a nice graph depicting the traffic level of I-5 all the way from Mexico to Canada:







Last, but not least, if you need a listing of the signs that exist at every I-90 exit in New York State, visit this d00d's website. I wish they had a website like this for the entire nation.



I'm amazed. What an insane amount of pavement. Now if our government would just put a little more attention to faster, safer technology, like bullet trains, we'd be set for the next couple hundred years... until we get that global vacuum bullet train thingy worked out.