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06:01 - 29 June, 2006
the interstate!
today is the day 50 years ago that President Eisenhower (i like ike) signed into law the interstate highway bill, effectively creating the interstate highway system.

it took nearly 30 years to finish the system throuout the 48 states.

fun facts:

did ya know that the origional purpose of the interstate highway system was for military usage? and that the united states military can take over the entire system and utilize it in time of national emergency!

i have been on every single interstate highway in the country.

the reasoning behind naming state and county roads that encircle a city (like "I-280") the whole purpose behind that was to obtain federal highway funds. they are not real interstate highways.

interstate highways that run north and south end with odd numbers; 1, 3, 5, 7, 9; while interstate highways that run east to west end with even numbers; 0, 2, 4, 6, 8.

interstate highways that go from west to east the mile markers go 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. while from east to west they go 300, 299, 298, 297 etc. this is good to know when you drive really long distances, cause if you enter a highway thinking that you are going west, and you notice the mile markers going up; 1, 2, 3, 4; and you really need to be going west, you know that you are going the wrong way!

East/West

I-10 from Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL. The loneliest Interstate highway in the system. There isn't a spur route for all of Arizona, New Mexico, and 400 miles of Texas.

I-80 from San Francisco, CA to Teaneck, NJ. One of the major sources of interstate commerce in the USA, with some of the most beautiful scenery through the Sierra Nevada mountains from Sacramento to the California/Nevada border. Tire Chains may be required here in the winter, and I-80 is sometimes closed during severe weather.

I-90 from Seattle, WA to Boston, MA. The longest Interstate highway at 3,085 miles (4,936 km). There is a portion in Montana where the speed limit is "Reasonable and Prudent".

North/South

I-5 from San Diego, CA to Blaine, WA. The only Interstate from Canada to Mexico. Near San Diego, there are Pedestrians Running Across the Road warning signs with Mexican caricatures. They're not kidding, for immigrants have been killed...be careful!

I-15 from San Diego, CA to Sweetgrass, MT. The World's Largest Thermometer is located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This stretch is very crowded on weekends and holidays with people flocking to Las Vegas casinos.

I-35 from Laredo, TX to Duluth, MN. Runs from the Twin Cities to Texas, through the heartland of America's "amber waves of grain".

I-55 from New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL. Connects the cities of Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans.

I-65 from Mobile, AL to Gary, IN. The Cotton Route, connecting the Industrial North to the Agricultural South.

I-75 from Miami, FL to Sault Ste Marie, MI. The route through the Kentucky bluegrass and horse farms is especially beautiful in the Spring.

I-95 from Miami, FL to Houlton, ME. I-95 was originally supposed to go through Boston, but instead local residents forced the road to go around the city. The Interstate becomes the toll roads JFK highway in Maryland, Delaware Turnpike in Delaware, and the New Jersey Turnpike in New Jersey.

lets go driving!!!! wheeeeeeee!!

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