What Are Interstate Highway Standards? | Interstates that BREAK the Rules

On this video we go through some of the core standards that define the Interstate Highway System as well as look at a few examples of those highways that violate the rules.

Tools of the Trade:

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Sources and Further Reading:
Interstate Design Standards:

Interstate Policy, Regulation, and Design:

Springfield Interchange

I-69 Construction Indiana

Canadian Freeway:
Road Curb:

Mackinac Bridge:

Breezewood:

[zachesherman]

I agree, a full video about the violations of interstate, standards, and other interstate quirks, would be really fun!

[ryanearles]

I-180 in Wyoming breaks all the rules in the Interstate Highway System for starters.

[ianb]

My favorite violation is when I-93 drops down to a single lane in either direction for a time in the mountains of New Hampshire. Makes sense to do so considering the terrain and the fact that there's probably never more than a dozen people on that road at once 🤣

[brianmiller]

One other idea, since you've traveled to so many states, I'd love to see a video where you talk about some construction practices you noticed in certain places that really stand out... i.e. types of lighting used, pavement types (and sounds), quality of roads, etc.

[NipkowDisk]

I would LOVE to see a video of the numerous interstate locations that don't meet standards!!

[kevincorbett]

Back in my trucking days, I absolutely loved Breezewood, PA. With two truck stops that had large parking lots, I could be about 99% certain I could get a parking space for the night and a nice meal as well.

[MotoringAdventures_KESAI]

I absolutely love your videos! You actually mention the literature and organizations that are behind the literature because you yourself are a civil engineer. I’ve mentioned this before in another comment and video but, my wife is a civil engineer and your videos on traffic and geography are some of the only one’s she’ll actually watch with me because she knows that you have more reputable information backing up your content. Besides, they’re just damn interesting to us! I grew up as a military brat and moving and traveling by interstate was the very backbone of what I know. It’s the one thing many places and areas of the US have in common.

[arkyst]

I would love a video on more interstate violations! Shoutout to i-80 in NJ going towards Delaware water gap, some of those exits are very old and wonky, and some even have stop signs with no entrance lane! Just gotta gun it and hope for the best 😅

[stevenpugsley]

Thanks for covering the Breezewood, PA interchange 9:55 and calling it a "Tourist Trap!". It's all about the Benjamin's, not what best for the traveler.

[calvinsmith]

Oh no you did NOT just pronounce the c in Mackinac. Prepare to have all of Michigan comment to correct you. 😅

[bullinmd]

As a Texan, I have seen multiple violations. I-40 and I-10 have at-grade intersections. I-40 has them between Vega and Glenrio. I-10 has them between Van Horn and El Paso.

[sarysa]

Wheeling WV I-70 is briefly one lane around the tunnel, as the other lanes are exit lanes.
Despite this, I still prefer taking a semi truck this way when not hazmat due to the way gentler grades. I-470 bypass is about as bad as I-68 when it comes to grades, which makes it a massive waste of fuel.

[carringtonpageiv]

I love interstate highways! I love the standard and also hate what it did to pre-existing neighborhoods in the northeast, but at the same time it is a marvel that I can easily travel from coast to coast on the interstate system

[Not_Evan]

My favorite is when parts of I-10 in the rural side of Texas where they don't have fences, people decide to make their own enter and exit ramps, follows by their own U-Turn ramps, which could be a severe problem to truck drivers.

[michaelp]

Love your videos and appreciated the solving of the mystery of Breezewood. I93 goes to 1 lane in each direction near Littleton, NH

[BrowncoatInABox]

ex trucker, currently pot-head your videos are fantastic. Also been through Breezewood a few times

[thebeastproductions]

A vote for another video about standards violations!

[ka]

I’ve always been a road and geography enthusiast, so I’m glad to find this channel. If you ever want to avoid the PA turnpike, I’d recommend taking the ups and downs of US 30 in PA as a scenic route (though you won’t avoid Breezewood as it is concurrent with I70 during the giant truck stop)

[vladandlaika]

Very interesting; thank you! I remember when I was a college student in Kansas in the late 70s that I-70 west of Topeka had gravel exits in a number of locations. This was probably due to similar reasons that you mentioned in North Carolina and Texas.

[theobscurity]

Ha! 6:49 is my home exit. I had to replay that because at first I was thinking it looked way too familiar. I can't stop watching the backgrounds to see if it's someplace I've been to.