America's highways

[LarryBessette]

DW and I have been on the road since mid August and I must say that America's highways are horrible! Destroyed a tire in Illinois (I-70). Today, traveling from Flagstaff to Gallup NM I-40 was so rough that glass jars in the fridge broke! Everywhere we go the roads are rough! Hard on us and hard on the equipment.
I won't start on taxes, infrastructure and government incompetence.
My 2 cents.

[DutchmenSport]

You are absolutely correct. The Interstate system is horrible. We've traveled extensively too over the last 40 years and there are some Interstates I simply will never travel. I-70 (in any state) is one of them. ANY Interstate in Indiana. However, Ohio has good Interstates. There are a few around, but mostly, they are awful.

As an alternative, take US Highways. US Highways are almost always better than any Interstate and often run parallel to the Interstaters. The trade off is, the roads are smoother, nicer, better maintained ..... but the speed is slower and they go through small towns and "burgs". They can have stop lights, or be interstate grade. No matter what though, they are ALWAYS better traveling than traveling the Interstate system. They can be 4 lane, 4 lane divided, or 2 lane, so travel is always slower, but the trade off is .... they are smoother.

If you get off onto State Highways, they often get even better, and believe it or not.... sometimes county (and if you travel in Louisiana) "Parish" roads are the smoothest anywhere, but also the slowest travel, but then ... also the most scenic and interesting driving.

So you have a choice: Interstate travel where you can zoom alone at 80 mph and beat your vehicle and your camper up until things come apart, but you'll get "there" in good time. Or, you can drive roads that are smooth, will not beat you, your camper, or your tow vehicle up, but will take you much longer to travel.

The choice is yours.

[77cruiser]

Wouldn't this go a long way to fix OUR stuff?

[Jay & Bobbie]

I agree with Dutch. The US Highways (especially west of the Mississippi River) are the way to go. The scenery is an added bonus.

[scottz]

I agree, the roads are terrible. However, since we cannot do anything about it on this forum, let's leave the politics out of it. Thread remains open....for now.

[mlh]

I agree with Dutchman. Get off the interstate. I always look for roads off the interstate.

Roads here I western Va are great no potholes or other problems. They are rebuilding I81 and that slows you down. At exit 143 there is a safety corridor. If you are caught speeding it WILL get in your pocket. One guy got caught way over the speed limit and was fined $5000. He sent the editor of our newspaper a letter saying he didn’t like us. Breaks my heart. He said he wasn’t coming back. Oh please come back we need some more of your money.
Lynwood

[buck119fa]

I agree, Live in Michigan and these roads are terrible - repairs and rebuilds but they still suck. Every bridge transition is a ramp, with all the major highway repairs the side roads/bypass/detours all those roads a trash now.

Just traveled through Indiana and Illinois on the toll road and that was just horrible! Our microwave tried to un-alive itself, found it hanging by one top bolt and the cord from all the bouncing on these roads, took some time to get that reattached. Every road we've traveled in 10 states this year are absolutely terrible. one can hope they get repaired but I've not seen that in all the years traveling through this great country.