From Maine to Florida and from New Jersey to California in the US two to six lane highways and interstates stretch an amazing 43,500 miles. This cobweb of macadam and concrete inner connect our cities, boroughs and burgs, allowing us to transport ourselves and our goods with ease.The US uses a numbering system which identifies and helps would be travelers get to their destination. Highways start with the number 1 and end at 101. Odd numbered highways run north to south and even numbered highways run from east to west. The longest US highway is US route 20, running from Boston Massachusetts and ending in Newport Oregon a staggering 3,365 miles.
Although some roads are a frustration of traffic and road rage, others take us to some of the most scenic areas in the continental US. They are truly a modern marvel and they are an essential part of transportation today.
amazing how many roads we have and how we pour tons and tons of concrete to make them, yet they still look like crap.
ReplyDeletehmm interesting. i never really thought that there was a method to the numbering of highways.. although i should have, that would only make sense! guess i never really thought about it.. good to know
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely better to take the highway. It is that much harder to get lost and much quicker than normal roads. They allow the timely delivery of goods without clogging the general roads. One still needs a sense of direction though after reaching the stop, especially if it is not a major destination.
ReplyDeleteHighways are good when you need to get somewhere, but they look like crap and there are always those few terrible drivers that are in such a rush that make traveling on the highway extremely dangerous. When I was learning to drive I almost got hit by a driver weaving in and out of traffic, and to this day I am terrified of driving on the highway.
ReplyDeleteRoads are crazy. Its intense how big the us is and all the roads that are on it. They are definatly convenient though. Imaging trying to travel long distances without premade roads. that wouldnt be fun. There are alot of bad drivers on the road though. When i was recently in vegas i learned that in 2005 more people died in car acidents in vegas then in the war in iraq in 2005.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that about the odd one's north to south and even east to west.. I'm going to now keep that in mind when I'm driving.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting. I also did not know about the odd/even number roads.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that highway numbers ended at 101, Thats alot of highways. I love driving, and always enjoy taking long road trips, even with gas prices rising. I also love finding alternate routes to places, and finding different back roads that will get me to the destination quicker.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel the urge to way to drive on the opposite side of the road, or just drive where ever I feel like it on the road. I don't actually do it, but I was thinking about how we all just know and learn what right from wrong is while we are driving. It's just amazing to see everyone follow the same paths- it reminds me of ant farms!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I never realized that there was a system to numbering the highways either but it does make sense. There should be a numbering system for terrible drivers as well.
ReplyDeleteyeah and wait until the supper highway goes in!
ReplyDeleteits gonna split the country in half, cause more polution , its gonna be a nightmare
With the more cars we constantly get in our country, the bigger and better roads should be maintained and upgraded. It's amazing to think this post could go without the mention of I-95 which is so close to our school!
ReplyDeleteI am one that do not like to drive in major highways I am really afraid of them because there are allot of drivers out there that seems that do not care much for anyones life. It is a way though to alleviate smaller roads with commercial trucks and vehicles.
ReplyDeletewith the amount of roads and highways it is crazy how there is a complex setup that situates the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteSo many roads, so many ways for me to get lost! All these statics on highways are great and all but I am interested in the statistics for road kill. I know PA is one the states that has the most deer related accidently. (I hate deer, they are out to get me, and they want to kamikaze themselves on my car).
ReplyDeleteThe highway system in this country is nice, I do like the numbering system. However, most highways travel in NE, NW, SW, or SE directions, and the numbering system does not apply. Also, when I think of highways, I think of route 80, and i think of the 19 hour drive from my house to minnesota that I took this past winter for a football game. Route 80... my nemesis
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