As a Michigander, Michigan’s surprised me. I-75 is indeed important, but I would have given it to I-94 or I-96. And while I-75 is indeed the only north south interstate that covers the whole state, US 127, US 131, and US 31 also pull their weight bringing vacationers to the north
I would go with I-94 as well. Because more business travel would use that route. 75 is a Vacationer’s route that connects North to South, but most of the economic impact(except for the tourism industry) on Michigan would be far more dependent on 94 than 75. Not that 75 isn’t super important for Flint business. But you could say the same about 96 connecting the Capitol and the two biggest cities in the state.
Indiana is I-65. Hands down. Not I-69. It connects the Chicago metro to the Indianapolis Metro to the Louisville Metro. It's also a connection to the gulf coast and is insanely busy all the way across the state.
I agree, I-65 connects Chicago to Louisville and Nashville and the Gulf Coast. So much freight travels on this road it seems as if there are more trucks than cars at times. However if there was no consideration of anything outside the Hoosier state, then I-69 would be on top, connecting the major areas, minus South Bend.
I drive both regularly and would much rather drive on I-69. Outside of Fishers, Greenwood, and game-day traffic to Bloomington - there is NOBODY on I-69......where as I-65 is packed all day every day louisville to chicago. Even discounting interstate transportation, your average hoosier has more buisiness in Chicago or Louisville than Ft. Wayne or Evansville.
I have to agree with you on I-70 in Missouri. Fun fact they find it so important that they are currently in the process of upgrading I-70 to 6 lanes for the entirety of the state.
@@JayTheGreat_Gamingthe MO portion of I-49 is fully complete and has been for a few years now, but really only serves the KC area and Joplin, I’d say I-44 would be second in terms of importance behind I-70 due to 44 connecting St Louis to Springfield and all the major Oklahoma cities
Interesting stuff. For New York, I would have combined I-87 and I-90 by using the New York State Thruway as the designation of the "most important" highway. Then you'd get NYC, Albany and all the cities between Albany and Buffalo.
I think @BWCBIZ is right. Perhaps a retitle is in order-most of the highways here are Interstates. Other roads serve major purposes without the magic Interstate designations.
I agree with Washington state as a Washington resident. I-82 goes through Yakima and the Tri Cities and helps you get to Boise and Salt Lake City and I-90 gets you to Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Spokane and beyond. They cover more area, but I-5 hits more of the bigger cities - Vancouver, Longview, Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Mount Vernon and Bellingham
I would have picked the New York State Thruway, even though it's split between I-87 and I-90. It connects all major cities in the state, and it is one road. You can drive from Westchester County all the way to Buffalo and never have to use an exit ramp.
I think the Thruway is technically not one continuous highway, which is why I wouldn't count it for a video like this. It includes the entire length of I-90 from the Pennsylvania border to the Massachusetts border, and the I-87 portion branches off of it down to NYC. Even still, an argument can be made for I-90 for connecting the state capital to other major cities in the state as well as major out of state cities such as Boston, Cleveland, and Chicago.
@@nevets1726 The NYS Thruway mainline is one continuous Highway from the NYC line to PA. It predates the interstate system. I-87 and I-90 are basically just labels for a cohesive interstate network.
@@sonic2batt The NYS Thruway connects NY City, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo metro areas. It is I-90 west of Albany and is I-87 south of Albany. I-90 runs through Albany and is a freeway. East of Albany it intersects the Mass. Turnpike connector which is labeled I-90 from that point eastward. The connector runs east from I-87 to the state line and is a NYS toll road but not labeled "Thruway". And on the western end, I-90 connecting Buffalo to Pennsylvania is freeway, not part of the NYS Thruway. It is much easier to navigate than it is to describe!
I can't disagree with that considering the area along I-35 is growing. However, I feel like I-45 should be at least 2nd considering it heads to a major port city and feeds I-10 a major travel and transport route to Texas and the rest of the country. Not to mention its proximety to I-35, I-20, and I-30 once it reaces the DFW region.
I would agree. It's hard because you could argue that the 3 interstates of the Texas Triangle (I-35, I-45, and I-10) could qualify. I-35 is experiencing most of the growth along the Interstate itself, but the high speed rail project along I-45 connecting DFW to Houston will probably be built first due to the vast expanse of rural area that it covers. Also fewer legal challenges and obstacles to overcome.
The single most important highway in New York is the "New York State Thruway". This is actually a single route maintained by a dedicated department in state government (The Thruway Authority). It combines I-87 with I-90 and hits ALL of the major metro areas in the state.
Yes, it might have been more appropriate to just say the Kansas Turnpike which covers parts of I-35, I-335, I-70 and I-470 and is basically a single road with limited access in that configuration.
By MSA population, in Indiana, Indianapolis is first, followed by Chicago(Gary), Fort Wayne, Evansville, Louisville, Lafayette, and Elkhart. Indianapolis is on both highways, and Elkhart on neither. I65 has Chicago, Louisville and Lafayette, while I-69 has Fort Wayne and Evansville. It's maybe a toss up, but Louisville and Chicago should give I-65 a big advantage.
For New York, I’d say it’s the NYS Thruway, which is essentially 87 from NYC to Albany and then continues onto 90 to Buffalo going in or near all the other population centers
Boston native here, 95 almost would’ve been the main contender but they successfully killed it’s extension into Boston proper in the 70s after mostly clearing the land and instead it was re-routed onto a beltway in the burbs. The cleared land was made into a park and transit corridor
I would say that the most important road in New York State is the NY State Thruway (I-90 & I-87); although since the Thruway is heavily tolled, I-87 is also very important for the State.
I strongly agree. The only answer is the entire Thruway. I-87 roughly follows the Hudson River from NYC to Albany, and I-90 roughly follows the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. Without both, NYS wouldn’t have been The Empire State.
I think that it wasn't counted because of the way it branches off of itself. If I'm not mistaken, the thruway stretches all the way to the Mass. border on I-90, and the I-87 corridor branches off from that.
@@nevets1726 I was not thinking about the Berkshire Connector when I wrote the previous comment. I was only considering the mainline from NYC to Buffalo via Albany.
@@FameyFamous Yeah, I would agree with your take if we're only considering that portion. I was just providing a bit of what might have been going through Mike's head when making the video.
I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about i-81 in Virginia. I know it doesn't really pass through many metros but it's a very busy interstate trucks and regular traffic passing through
Great work. I largely agreed with all of your choices, except I would argue that I 35 in Minnesota is more important. it splits as it runs through the Twin Cities Metro with I-35W going through Minneapolis and I-35E going through St. Paul, the Capitol. During many parts of the year, I-35 in the northern part of the state is jammed with tourists and travelers that spend a fortune.
@@rpk675 I-94 is definitely important, it's definitely vital to connect to different states like ND and Wisconsin. But I-90 connects as well but when it comes to I-35 it is the only connection from upper Minnesota to Iowa so I'd say both are tied when it comes to it because both have things the other doesn't.
For Illinois: If you're going straight north or south between Green Bay and Nawlins then 57 would be the better choice if you need to avoid St Louie and make up time. I also usually have seen more trucks (18-wheelers) on 80 instead of 70 for east / west.
I'm surprised I-41 in Wisconsin wasn't considered giving it connects Green Bay through the fox valley cities of Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac to Milwaukee. It then follows I-94 down to the Illinois line
If the criteria only included trips within the state, I'd agree, though another criterion he used was whether or not it runs parallel to another major highway, and Milwaukee to Green Bay also has I-43. Given that interstate travel was included, nothing else is gonna compete with the Chicago-Milwakee-Madison-Twin Cities combo.
Having driven from the Bronx to Montréal several times, I definitely agree with I-87 being your choice for New York. While I-90 passes through more metro areas and is more vital to interstate commerce, I-87 is more vital to international trade. In fact on I-87 north of Albany, one notices that nearly all tractor-trailers have a Quebec plate.
Also here in Indiana, within spitting distance of 69. 65 is most important, then its a toss up between 70 and 69. 70 connects Indy to out of state metros like Columbus and St. Louis, while 69 helps tie the rest of the state together for traffic headed for Indy. I'd probably give the edge to 70 but I can see either argument.
Unfourtonetly I95 through Conn has to be the WORST in the country! Im from RI so if you need to travel west or south you have to time it just right or its a nightmare! Lately we’ve bern trying the Merritt Parkway. Usually save time that way but we dread traveling through Conn. Great vid and info again!
Don't forget about Great Falls in Montana, which is along the I-15 corridor. Still agree I-90 is the most important in that state. Great video btw (commenting from relatively insignificant Spokane 😂).
This is a really well done video, thank you for marking the time for each state, will be nice to reference later when I have more time to watch to the end!
Mike that was great video. I’m pretty well versed with states west of the Mississippi River. My only trip back East I flew, the rented a car to explore Baltimore, DC and Annapolis. I pretty much agreed with your choices. Being from Kansas I-70 is for passing thru. I-35 is for commerce, Duluth to San Antonio.
For Kansas you can go with the Kansas Turnpike instead, it parallels I-35 for some length but it also make a detour to the state capital of Topeka. And I think New York Thruway (if that counts) would be the most important roadway in New York State.
Illinois resident, I have to disagree with I-69 for Indiana. I-65 has the connection to Indianapolis, Louisville, Chicagoland, Lafayette, and Columbus IN. Those connections along with the fact that its a major water to water corridor makes it easily the most important
While 65 carries a lot of traffic, I-69 will soon take that crown, and is an important corridor for connecting cities. I agree that the connection I-65 provides to Chicago is hard to contend with
@@zacharywebb7197 69 will likely overtake 65 in traffic volume. However, 65s connection to Chicago really can't be beat, especially since 700k people live in the NW Indiana area on the 65 corridor
@@zacharywebb7197I honestly doubt it. Evansville isn't that big, and the nearest big city 69 is supposed to connect to is Memphis. Meanwhile Louisville and Nashville are closer on I-65, plus the huge Indy-Chicago corridor
Yup, I will agree I 76 is most important in Pennsylvania bc of the reasons said in the video. So it didn't surprise me. Hopefully PennDot will continue to improve I 76 in Philadelphia to reduce congestion. Back in July I visited Philly to see a Phillies game. I was stuck in traffic leaving the Citizen Bank Stadium, on I 95, and I 76 for 1.5 hrs, but that's something to expect in Philadelphia on a Sunday evening during a home game.
Great vid Mike! Florida, I-95 is 380 +/- miles in length. Disagree with Indiana; I-65 traffic is much heavier: Louville to Indy to Chicago, than I-69 ( esp. north of Fishers and Indy to Evansville super light traffic). Agree with everything else! Thanks!!
Hey Mike I love watching your videos… back in the day before RUclips, iphones or GPS I drive to all of the capital cities and visited all of the capital buildings… My Rand McNally road atlas was very well worn and coffee stained. You failed to mention I 20 and I 30 in Texas. Nothing compared to 35 or 10 but both important in their own right. Happy travels to you…
As a NH resident I agree your choice of I-93, I will mention that you are incorrect in your video about I-93 being the only highway with 8 lanes of traffic capacity. I-95, which my house borders, has 8 lanes of traffic for the majority of its short length in NH.
Strange you didn't say I-75 for Kentucky, connecting 2 of the major population centers and runs down to Atlanta and Florida to the south and Cincinnati and Detroit to the north. Not to mention the sheer amount of cargo traffic that runs through here on 75 is insane.
Virginia: if this was a competition on what's the most important interstate for Trucks: I-81 hands down (you even made a video about it and guess what, nothing's been done about it yet)
23:20 well, its official. RIDE IV has officially passed in Horry County which includes the portion of I-73 in Horry County from its future Southern Terminus at US 17 to the Marion County Line, however, a date of construction has not been announced
I feel like US 41 should be mentioned for Wisconsin, connects green bay and points north to the fox cities, milwaukee, and then concurrently with 94 to chicagoland
As someone who lived in Lexington, I ended up using I-65 very often when visiting my girlfriend who lived in Northern Alabama. We'd often meet halfway in Nashville. However, we'd also do it in Knoxville, in which case I used I-75. I-75 could make a good contender because it also goes up to Cincinnati.
I agree with Illinois 55 is very busy connects alot of the more important cities in Illinois and other major east west highways like 90/94 at the end of the road 80 70 and 64 while 57 works alot like a bypass for 55 and eventually more so when Arkansas and Missouri finishes the last bits of expressway left to connect 57 as a whole to Little Rock.
FWIW, Sheridan WY should be one of those places people would enjoy visiting. I stayed a night there a few weeks ago and thought their downtown had that cool western charm but also a tiny bit more hip than one would expect. Plus it's right next to some excellent mountains for exploring.
I might put I-10 here in Texas as a tie with I-35, as I-10 is a transcon interstate that runs through Houston, and with that the Port of Houston and all the surrounding petro-chemical plants and refineries. Road shipping of product for import/export is going to be served via I-10.
I'd disagree a bit about Connecticut I95. It is very important, no doubt. However a lot of traffic comes from I81 in New York across I84 to and through Connecticut and beyond. It's avoidance of the mess in NYC may be a virtue.
26:15 being a Virginia native, my 2 choices would have been 81 or 95. But living in Richmond, yes the 2 main highways are 95 and 64. You could even throw in 85. I’d definitely say it’s a toss up between 95 and 81. If you are talking about truck traffic, it’s hard to not make a case for i81. It’s 320 miles long , and coming from the south or west, if you’re route takes you through Virginia, you will be traveling on i81. Now granted, the population is definitely higher in the eastern part of Virginia, so yes 95 is an important interstate. And there’s no traffic like that northern Virginia 95 afternoon rush hour traffic
As someone raised along I-80/94 in NW Indiana…the Indiana choice has to be I-65. It’s not “premier,” and it’s not the best…but it connects to Chicago AND Michigan via several connectors at its northern start point which is in Gary, Indiana. It doesn’t “technically” connect to Chicago, but it is Chicagoland. ‘Da Region doesn’t ever seem to get any love, but we still hold it down for Indiana.
Just about every state the highway you chose, I expected it. I-69 in Indiana caught me off guard though. -Lifelong Cocoa, FL resident who is too familiar with I-95 since it the only interstate that passing through Brevard County
Agreed. It's worthy enough to be an interstate as it covers the major metro centers in the San Joaquin Valley (Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, and Sacramento). The first two I-5 doesn't even cover.
There's a reason I-69 was the last interstate in Indiana. By combining the cities of Lake county, Lafayette and West Lafayette, and Clarksville Jeffersonville and New Albany, you would get Indiana's 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th largest cities all on I-65 (and obviously Chicago and Louisville at either end). I-65 obviously suffered from a lot of unconsolidated cities that don't appear as important as they are.
For Texas I say its A 4 way tie between I 10 I 20 I 35 and I 45 because there's no highway that connects all 6 of the major urban centers in Texas I 30 is somewhat A good option but it's only goes trough Dallas and Fort Worth. I 27 and I 37 not so much
I disagree in Indiana. It has to be I-65. Louisville north to Indy, then to just a mile from U.S. Steel in Gary. And it connects to Chicago in Gary via 80/94 & 90. The 65 corridor from Indy to Gary/Chicago is far more important than Evansville to Ft. Wayne.
I’m surprised you didn’t go with the Thruway for New York, which runs concurrently with I-87 from the NYC border up through Albany and then runs concurrent with I-90 out to Buffalo. My guess is that the Thruway ends at the NYC border,while I-87 continues on as the Major Deegan through the Bronx. But the Bronx is the only borough that I-87 runs through and the Thruway leads you directly to it.
As someone who just moved to Pittsburgh and has used both I-80 and PA Turnpike, the Turnpike is the clear winner. As vital as I-80 is, it doesn't match up with I-76.
I’d argue that I-80 is the much more important route for connecting the state. I-76 is the most expensive toll road in the entire world, by far, which is why most trucking routes favor I-80 for connecting the NYC metro to the rest of the midwest, as well as I-81 for connecting to the Appalachian states of Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia and their metros. The only purpose of driving I-76 is getting from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in a timely manner. Not at all worth the $80-$100 border to border cost.
I think there’s a case for I-71 in Kentucky, linking the Louisville metro with the Cincinnati metro to the north. I agree with I-35 in Texas, especially considering it splits to run through both Dallas and Fort Worth.
I would add I-20 to the list of important highways, as it runs from Augusta, through metro Atlanta, to the Alabama border. Quite a few semis and travelers divert from I-95 and come through the metro Atlanta area heading west.
For me Connecticut surprised me as I-95 doesn’t do as much as I-91 or I-84 as I-91 connects Connecticut with I-90 and Springfield and for I-84 it connects the capital (Hartford) with New York City via I-684 or Boston with I-90. Sorry for yapping to much lol
I think I-91 is more important in Connecticut, as it connects New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, Massachusetts together. East of New Haven, I-95 goes through sparsely populated places.
I would have definitely given I-45 first place in Texas. It connects by far the two most populated metros in the state and connects DFW to the busiest port in the U.S.
Hey Mike great video! Could you do a video regarding the most shunpiked or most well known alternative routes to any given freeway? As well as some that are not as well known? Here’s an example of one that’s pretty well known,I-95 being the alternate route over Florida tpke, and any others that are not talked about enough by roadgeeks thank you.
I actually think I-79 should have been considered for West Virginia. It stops just short of Charleston, but it's the way to Morgantown, home of University of West Virginia, and takes you to Pittsburgh.
Great video sir. No love or mention of i77 in SC? It's just a mere 91 miles but is crucial for connecting Columbia through all the small towns en route to Rock Hill & Charlotte
Love the list for the most important highways in each US state! I think I would disagree with Indiana because while I-69 is finally complete throughout the state, I think I-65 is still the most important since it connects the Louisville area with the Indianapolis area and more importantly, Chicagoland, even though it doesn't actually go to Chicago. This Interstate could eventually be six lanes throughout the state. 😮💨
I really appreciate all your hard work, hours of driving and valuable information.
As a Michigander, Michigan’s surprised me. I-75 is indeed important, but I would have given it to I-94 or I-96. And while I-75 is indeed the only north south interstate that covers the whole state, US 127, US 131, and US 31 also pull their weight bringing vacationers to the north
You just stated why I-75 is the most vital.
I would go with I-94 as well. Because more business travel would use that route.
75 is a Vacationer’s route that connects North to South, but most of the economic impact(except for the tourism industry) on Michigan would be far more dependent on 94 than 75.
Not that 75 isn’t super important for Flint business.
But you could say the same about 96 connecting the Capitol and the two biggest cities in the state.
94 is a really big deal, especially for south MI. I'd guess most interurban commuters in southern michigan use it at least twice a day
@@Sam-w5v it also has the most heavy truck traffic out of all of Michigan’s interstates
75 definitely
The 🐐 has returned. Looking forward to the video.
💪🏾
Indiana is I-65. Hands down. Not I-69. It connects the Chicago metro to the Indianapolis Metro to the Louisville Metro. It's also a connection to the gulf coast and is insanely busy all the way across the state.
I agree, I-65 connects Chicago to Louisville and Nashville and the Gulf Coast. So much freight travels on this road it seems as if there are more trucks than cars at times. However if there was no consideration of anything outside the Hoosier state, then I-69 would be on top, connecting the major areas, minus South Bend.
I drive both regularly and would much rather drive on I-69. Outside of Fishers, Greenwood, and game-day traffic to Bloomington - there is NOBODY on I-69......where as I-65 is packed all day every day louisville to chicago. Even discounting interstate transportation, your average hoosier has more buisiness in Chicago or Louisville than Ft. Wayne or Evansville.
I would have gone with east,west I70.
I-69 has gotta be a good second tho
@@bradbradrailfan When going in order of importance I-70 would be 2nd, then 80/90, then 69, 94,74,64.
I have to agree with you on I-70 in Missouri. Fun fact they find it so important that they are currently in the process of upgrading I-70 to 6 lanes for the entirety of the state.
I-70 is the most important, but I-49 not even mentioned?!
@@danielwade9487I-49 is incomplete, and probably will never be completed.
@@JayTheGreat_Gamingthe MO portion of I-49 is fully complete and has been for a few years now, but really only serves the KC area and Joplin, I’d say I-44 would be second in terms of importance behind I-70 due to 44 connecting St Louis to Springfield and all the major Oklahoma cities
@@andrewpfantz964 I meant I-49 as a whole. THAT will never be completed. At least…I won’t live long enough to see the completion.
@@JayTheGreat_Gaming okay yeah I can agree with that
Interesting stuff. For New York, I would have combined I-87 and I-90 by using the New York State Thruway as the designation of the "most important" highway. Then you'd get NYC, Albany and all the cities between Albany and Buffalo.
I think @BWCBIZ is right. Perhaps a retitle is in order-most of the highways here are Interstates. Other roads serve major purposes without the magic Interstate designations.
As an Ohioan, I agree that I-71 is the most crucial highway. It connects the three largest cities and runs into or near every other major highway.
You give geography and highways a whole new perspective. Well done.
Agree with just about all of them, though I thought for New York state you could go with the New York Thruway.
I agree with Washington state as a Washington resident. I-82 goes through Yakima and the Tri Cities and helps you get to Boise and Salt Lake City and I-90 gets you to Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Spokane and beyond. They cover more area, but I-5 hits more of the bigger cities - Vancouver, Longview, Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Mount Vernon and Bellingham
I would have picked the New York State Thruway, even though it's split between I-87 and I-90. It connects all major cities in the state, and it is one road. You can drive from Westchester County all the way to Buffalo and never have to use an exit ramp.
I think the Thruway is technically not one continuous highway, which is why I wouldn't count it for a video like this. It includes the entire length of I-90 from the Pennsylvania border to the Massachusetts border, and the I-87 portion branches off of it down to NYC. Even still, an argument can be made for I-90 for connecting the state capital to other major cities in the state as well as major out of state cities such as Boston, Cleveland, and Chicago.
@@nevets1726 The NYS Thruway mainline is one continuous Highway from the NYC line to PA. It predates the interstate system. I-87 and I-90 are basically just labels for a cohesive interstate network.
@@sonic2batt The NYS Thruway connects NY City, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo metro areas. It is I-90 west of Albany and is I-87 south of Albany. I-90 runs through Albany and is a freeway. East of Albany it intersects the Mass. Turnpike connector which is labeled I-90 from that point eastward. The connector runs east from I-87 to the state line and is a NYS toll road but not labeled "Thruway". And on the western end, I-90 connecting Buffalo to Pennsylvania is freeway, not part of the NYS Thruway. It is much easier to navigate than it is to describe!
Texas I knew was going to be a tough one but I agree with your assessment of IH 35.
I can't disagree with that considering the area along I-35 is growing. However, I feel like I-45 should be at least 2nd considering it heads to a major port city and feeds I-10 a major travel and transport route to Texas and the rest of the country. Not to mention its proximety to I-35, I-20, and I-30 once it reaces the DFW region.
I would agree. It's hard because you could argue that the 3 interstates of the Texas Triangle (I-35, I-45, and I-10) could qualify. I-35 is experiencing most of the growth along the Interstate itself, but the high speed rail project along I-45 connecting DFW to Houston will probably be built first due to the vast expanse of rural area that it covers. Also fewer legal challenges and obstacles to overcome.
The single most important highway in New York is the "New York State Thruway".
This is actually a single route maintained by a dedicated department in state government (The Thruway Authority). It combines I-87 with I-90 and hits ALL of the major metro areas in the state.
I expected I-79 to get some consideration in WV. Morgantown is a decent size place with WVU. Also connects to Pittsburgh to the north
Yeah, that would have been my pick as well
I was indeed waiting for Texas! Your comment made me laugh. 😂 I35 has been most important to me so yay!
In Kansas, I-35 does not connect Wichita & Topeka. 35 has a junction at Emporia with I-335 that goes north to Topeka, while 35 heads east
Yes, it might have been more appropriate to just say the Kansas Turnpike which covers parts of I-35, I-335, I-70 and I-470 and is basically a single road with limited access in that configuration.
Loved the video as always but have to disagree with Indiana. I would choose I-65, connecting Chi-town with Indy and Louisville.
The Gary metro is larger than Ft Wayne. Plus you get Chicago, which he put emphasis on for other states much farther away.
@@frankreino3429Gary is technically apart of chicagos metro.
It's interesting how he emphasized Chicago in a few other states but didn't in Indiana. Chicagoland is the second largest population center in Indiana
By MSA population, in Indiana, Indianapolis is first, followed by Chicago(Gary), Fort Wayne, Evansville, Louisville, Lafayette, and Elkhart.
Indianapolis is on both highways, and Elkhart on neither. I65 has Chicago, Louisville and Lafayette, while I-69 has Fort Wayne and Evansville. It's maybe a toss up, but Louisville and Chicago should give I-65 a big advantage.
For New York, I’d say it’s the NYS Thruway, which is essentially 87 from NYC to Albany and then continues onto 90 to Buffalo going in or near all the other population centers
Boston native here, 95 almost would’ve been the main contender but they successfully killed it’s extension into Boston proper in the 70s after mostly clearing the land and instead it was re-routed onto a beltway in the burbs. The cleared land was made into a park and transit corridor
I would say that the most important road in New York State is the NY State Thruway (I-90 & I-87); although since the Thruway is heavily tolled, I-87 is also very important for the State.
I strongly agree. The only answer is the entire Thruway. I-87 roughly follows the Hudson River from NYC to Albany, and I-90 roughly follows the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. Without both, NYS wouldn’t have been The Empire State.
I think that it wasn't counted because of the way it branches off of itself. If I'm not mistaken, the thruway stretches all the way to the Mass. border on I-90, and the I-87 corridor branches off from that.
@@nevets1726 I was not thinking about the Berkshire Connector when I wrote the previous comment. I was only considering the mainline from NYC to Buffalo via Albany.
@@FameyFamous Yeah, I would agree with your take if we're only considering that portion. I was just providing a bit of what might have been going through Mike's head when making the video.
Good video Mike! Your choices are well-reasoned and insightful.
Michigan’s most important hwy is for sure 75… it’s busy all the way from Toledo to Saginaw!
I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about i-81 in Virginia. I know it doesn't really pass through many metros but it's a very busy interstate trucks and regular traffic passing through
Great work. I largely agreed with all of your choices, except I would argue that I 35 in Minnesota is more important. it splits as it runs through the Twin Cities Metro with I-35W going through Minneapolis and I-35E going through St. Paul, the Capitol. During many parts of the year, I-35 in the northern part of the state is jammed with tourists and travelers that spend a fortune.
True, but all those things also apply to I-94
@@rpk675 what about i90 ??
@@efil4kizum Haha, I-90 is just a through way that doesnt interact with any major MN cities
@@efil4kizumNowhere to nowhere.
@@rpk675 I-94 is definitely important, it's definitely vital to connect to different states like ND and Wisconsin. But I-90 connects as well but when it comes to I-35 it is the only connection from upper Minnesota to Iowa so I'd say both are tied when it comes to it because both have things the other doesn't.
For Illinois: If you're going straight north or south between Green Bay and Nawlins then 57 would be the better choice if you need to avoid St Louie and make up time. I also usually have seen more trucks (18-wheelers) on 80 instead of 70 for east / west.
yep that is the route I take to go to Tennessee where I used to live.
I'm surprised I-41 in Wisconsin wasn't considered giving it connects Green Bay through the fox valley cities of Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac to Milwaukee. It then follows I-94 down to the Illinois line
If the criteria only included trips within the state, I'd agree, though another criterion he used was whether or not it runs parallel to another major highway, and Milwaukee to Green Bay also has I-43.
Given that interstate travel was included, nothing else is gonna compete with the Chicago-Milwakee-Madison-Twin Cities combo.
Most states have at least two options, so it should have at least been mentioned.
Love this. I grew up on the road all mostly from Texas to all the eastern states and then back across to the Rockies.
So nice, I watched it twice ☺️ another excellent video
I love all of your videos, Mike! Thank you for your work!
Having driven from the Bronx to Montréal several times, I definitely agree with I-87 being your choice for New York. While I-90 passes through more metro areas and is more vital to interstate commerce, I-87 is more vital to international trade. In fact on I-87 north of Albany, one notices that nearly all tractor-trailers have a Quebec plate.
Indiana's most important roadway is, hands down, I-65...
-from an Indiana resident that travels on I-65 once in a while
Also here in Indiana, within spitting distance of 69. 65 is most important, then its a toss up between 70 and 69. 70 connects Indy to out of state metros like Columbus and St. Louis, while 69 helps tie the rest of the state together for traffic headed for Indy. I'd probably give the edge to 70 but I can see either argument.
Unfourtonetly I95 through Conn has to be the WORST in the country! Im from RI so if you need to travel west or south you have to time it just right or its a nightmare! Lately we’ve bern trying the Merritt Parkway. Usually save time that way but we dread traveling through Conn. Great vid and info again!
Merritt is terrible as well
@@naptime0143 not as bad as 95 though
I wish I could speak so clearly, considering and articulate as you do sir. It’s a beauty to listen to
Don't forget about Great Falls in Montana, which is along the I-15 corridor. Still agree I-90 is the most important in that state. Great video btw (commenting from relatively insignificant Spokane 😂).
This is a really well done video, thank you for marking the time for each state, will be nice to reference later when I have more time to watch to the end!
I wish prosperity on you and your family, great video, great channel!
As a Pennsylvanian, I completely agree. Especially with what you said about the Schuylkill Expressway.
Mike that was great video. I’m pretty well versed with states west of the Mississippi River. My only trip back East I flew, the rented a car to explore Baltimore, DC and Annapolis. I pretty much agreed with your choices. Being from Kansas I-70 is for passing thru. I-35 is for commerce, Duluth to San Antonio.
In Texas, from East to West on I-10 is the same distance as Biloxi Ms to Chicago. (Or from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes)
In Wyoming, I-25 does not go all the way to the Montana line, ending instead at I-90 in Sheridan. I-80 is an important transcontinental freight route.
Thanks for visiting New Mexico!
For Kansas you can go with the Kansas Turnpike instead, it parallels I-35 for some length but it also make a detour to the state capital of Topeka. And I think New York Thruway (if that counts) would be the most important roadway in New York State.
Illinois resident, I have to disagree with I-69 for Indiana. I-65 has the connection to Indianapolis, Louisville, Chicagoland, Lafayette, and Columbus IN. Those connections along with the fact that its a major water to water corridor makes it easily the most important
While 65 carries a lot of traffic, I-69 will soon take that crown, and is an important corridor for connecting cities. I agree that the connection I-65 provides to Chicago is hard to contend with
Agreed
@@zacharywebb7197 69 will likely overtake 65 in traffic volume. However, 65s connection to Chicago really can't be beat, especially since 700k people live in the NW Indiana area on the 65 corridor
@@zacharywebb7197I honestly doubt it. Evansville isn't that big, and the nearest big city 69 is supposed to connect to is Memphis. Meanwhile Louisville and Nashville are closer on I-65, plus the huge Indy-Chicago corridor
Awesome content. Agree with most if not all.
Yup, I will agree I 76 is most important in Pennsylvania bc of the reasons said in the video. So it didn't surprise me.
Hopefully PennDot will continue to improve I 76 in Philadelphia to reduce congestion. Back in July I visited Philly to see a Phillies game. I was stuck in traffic leaving the Citizen Bank Stadium, on I 95, and I 76 for 1.5 hrs, but that's something to expect in Philadelphia on a Sunday evening during a home game.
For Wisconsin, one could also argue I41. As it passes thru Milwaukee and 7 of the top 10 most populated cities in Wisconsin.
One other factor with I-75 in GA -- it passes through Dalton, the "Carpet Capital" and producer of a TON of truck traffic.
Great vid Mike! Florida, I-95 is 380 +/- miles in length. Disagree with Indiana; I-65 traffic is much heavier: Louville to Indy to Chicago, than I-69 ( esp. north of Fishers and Indy to Evansville super light traffic). Agree with everything else! Thanks!!
I-10 east to west across Texas is the longest stretch of Freeway in the U.S. Takes 12 hours traveling 70mph
And a portion of that time is the gap between El Paso and San Antonio
Hey Mike I love watching your videos… back in the day before RUclips, iphones or GPS I drive to all of the capital cities and visited all of the capital buildings… My Rand McNally road atlas was very well worn and coffee stained.
You failed to mention I 20 and I 30 in Texas. Nothing compared to 35 or 10 but both important in their own right.
Happy travels to you…
As a NH resident I agree your choice of I-93, I will mention that you are incorrect in your video about I-93 being the only highway with 8 lanes of traffic capacity. I-95, which my house borders, has 8 lanes of traffic for the majority of its short length in NH.
This was a great video and a interesting topic! Appreciate all your hard work!
Strange you didn't say I-75 for Kentucky, connecting 2 of the major population centers and runs down to Atlanta and Florida to the south and Cincinnati and Detroit to the north. Not to mention the sheer amount of cargo traffic that runs through here on 75 is insane.
Virginia: if this was a competition on what's the most important interstate for Trucks: I-81 hands down (you even made a video about it and guess what, nothing's been done about it yet)
Great job! I really appreciate the videos !
Very well done, enjoyed this one!
Interesting topic for a video!
Re I-10 in Texas:
The sun has ris'
The sun has set
And here we is
In Texas yet
You nailed Kansas, good job.
Could you do a video of the most important railroad in each state?
23:20 well, its official. RIDE IV has officially passed in Horry County which includes the portion of I-73 in Horry County from its future Southern Terminus at US 17 to the Marion County Line, however, a date of construction has not been announced
I feel like US 41 should be mentioned for Wisconsin, connects green bay and points north to the fox cities, milwaukee, and then concurrently with 94 to chicagoland
@@cheflos my take as well
As someone who lived in Lexington, I ended up using I-65 very often when visiting my girlfriend who lived in Northern Alabama. We'd often meet halfway in Nashville. However, we'd also do it in Knoxville, in which case I used I-75. I-75 could make a good contender because it also goes up to Cincinnati.
Instead of I-87 in New York, you should have chosen the New York State Thruway, it goes by all the largest cities in Net York. All the rest I agree.
I agree with Illinois 55 is very busy connects alot of the more important cities in Illinois and other major east west highways like 90/94 at the end of the road 80 70 and 64 while 57 works alot like a bypass for 55 and eventually more so when Arkansas and Missouri finishes the last bits of expressway left to connect 57 as a whole to Little Rock.
Nice choice for Indiana. 😎
FWIW, Sheridan WY should be one of those places people would enjoy visiting. I stayed a night there a few weeks ago and thought their downtown had that cool western charm but also a tiny bit more hip than one would expect. Plus it's right next to some excellent mountains for exploring.
I’ll check it out soon.
Another important interstate in NY is I-495 (aka the Long Island Expressway) which carries a huge number of commuters daily to NYC.
But the rest of the state? Not so much!
I might put I-10 here in Texas as a tie with I-35, as I-10 is a transcon interstate that runs through Houston, and with that the Port of Houston and all the surrounding petro-chemical plants and refineries. Road shipping of product for import/export is going to be served via I-10.
I'd disagree a bit about Connecticut I95. It is very important, no doubt. However a lot of traffic comes from I81 in New York across I84 to and through Connecticut and beyond. It's avoidance of the mess in NYC may be a virtue.
In NJ the bussiest highway is I 95, GSP, I 287, Rt 3, Rt 17, Rt 46, Rt 22, I 78, and I 80.
Thank you mileage Mike!
26:15 being a Virginia native, my 2 choices would have been 81 or 95. But living in Richmond, yes the 2 main highways are 95 and 64. You could even throw in 85. I’d definitely say it’s a toss up between 95 and 81. If you are talking about truck traffic, it’s hard to not make a case for i81. It’s 320 miles long , and coming from the south or west, if you’re route takes you through Virginia, you will be traveling on i81. Now granted, the population is definitely higher in the eastern part of Virginia, so yes 95 is an important interstate. And there’s no traffic like that northern Virginia 95 afternoon rush hour traffic
I think I suggested something like this a few weeks ago. Cool that you were thinking the same thing!
As someone raised along I-80/94 in NW Indiana…the Indiana choice has to be I-65. It’s not “premier,” and it’s not the best…but it connects to Chicago AND Michigan via several connectors at its northern start point which is in Gary, Indiana. It doesn’t “technically” connect to Chicago, but it is Chicagoland. ‘Da Region doesn’t ever seem to get any love, but we still hold it down for Indiana.
Just about every state the highway you chose, I expected it. I-69 in Indiana caught me off guard though.
-Lifelong Cocoa, FL resident who is too familiar with I-95 since it the only interstate that passing through Brevard County
California i-5 is drawn a bit to far to the east. Freeway 99 Honorable mention for being so important without being an interstate.
Agreed. It's worthy enough to be an interstate as it covers the major metro centers in the San Joaquin Valley (Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, and Sacramento). The first two I-5 doesn't even cover.
I-95 in New Hampshire also has a total of 8 lanes for most of it’s length.
There's a reason I-69 was the last interstate in Indiana. By combining the cities of Lake county, Lafayette and West Lafayette, and Clarksville Jeffersonville and New Albany, you would get Indiana's 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th largest cities all on I-65 (and obviously Chicago and Louisville at either end).
I-65 obviously suffered from a lot of unconsolidated cities that don't appear as important as they are.
For Texas I say its A 4 way tie between I 10 I 20 I 35 and I 45 because there's no highway that connects all 6 of the major urban centers in Texas I 30 is somewhat A good option but it's only goes trough Dallas and Fort Worth. I 27 and I 37 not so much
I disagree in Indiana. It has to be I-65. Louisville north to Indy, then to just a mile from U.S. Steel in Gary. And it connects to Chicago in Gary via 80/94 & 90. The 65 corridor from Indy to Gary/Chicago is far more important than Evansville to Ft. Wayne.
See? You went with 94 in MN because it connects to Chicago. Same goes for 65 in the Hoosier state, even if 65 doesn't quite make it to Chicago.
I’m surprised you didn’t go with the Thruway for New York, which runs concurrently with I-87 from the NYC border up through Albany and then runs concurrent with I-90 out to Buffalo. My guess is that the Thruway ends at the NYC border,while I-87 continues on as the Major Deegan through the Bronx. But the Bronx is the only borough that I-87 runs through and the Thruway leads you directly to it.
As someone who just moved to Pittsburgh and has used both I-80 and PA Turnpike, the Turnpike is the clear winner. As vital as I-80 is, it doesn't match up with I-76.
I’d argue that I-80 is the much more important route for connecting the state. I-76 is the most expensive toll road in the entire world, by far, which is why most trucking routes favor I-80 for connecting the NYC metro to the rest of the midwest, as well as I-81 for connecting to the Appalachian states of Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia and their metros. The only purpose of driving I-76 is getting from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in a timely manner. Not at all worth the $80-$100 border to border cost.
I think there’s a case for I-71 in Kentucky, linking the Louisville metro with the Cincinnati metro to the north.
I agree with I-35 in Texas, especially considering it splits to run through both Dallas and Fort Worth.
I would add I-20 to the list of important highways, as it runs from Augusta, through metro Atlanta, to the Alabama border. Quite a few semis and travelers divert from I-95 and come through the metro Atlanta area heading west.
For me Connecticut surprised me as I-95 doesn’t do as much as I-91 or I-84 as I-91 connects Connecticut with I-90 and Springfield and for I-84 it connects the capital (Hartford) with New York City via I-684 or Boston with I-90.
Sorry for yapping to much lol
Surprised that you didn't mention that a big chunk of I-40 in NC is closed until 2028. Was this recorded before the hurricane?
I think I-91 is more important in Connecticut, as it connects New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, Massachusetts together. East of New Haven, I-95 goes through sparsely populated places.
I would be very curious to see this same video but non interstates
I would have definitely given I-45 first place in Texas. It connects by far the two most populated metros in the state and connects DFW to the busiest port in the U.S.
All the truck drivers would say I-81 is the most important in Virginia. Ha ha ha ha.
Hey Mike great video! Could you do a video regarding the most shunpiked or most well known alternative routes to any given freeway? As well as some that are not as well known? Here’s an example of one that’s pretty well known,I-95 being the alternate route over Florida tpke, and any others that are not talked about enough by roadgeeks thank you.
Are you eventually gonna do a video discussing the closures of Interstates 40 and 26 between North Carolina and Tennessee due to Hurricane Helene?
I actually think I-79 should have been considered for West Virginia. It stops just short of Charleston, but it's the way to Morgantown, home of University of West Virginia, and takes you to Pittsburgh.
True
Very accurate Mike
Yay! (MN) I-94 is my hometown. (from Milwaukee to Minneapolis)
That was my pick as well. I94
I would’ve given 65 to Indiana. Many more people going towards Chicagoland or Louisville area over Michigan/Ft Wayne and Evansville
Great video sir. No love or mention of i77 in SC? It's just a mere 91 miles but is crucial for connecting Columbia through all the small towns en route to Rock Hill & Charlotte
Love the list for the most important highways in each US state! I think I would disagree with Indiana because while I-69 is finally complete throughout the state, I think I-65 is still the most important since it connects the Louisville area with the Indianapolis area and more importantly, Chicagoland, even though it doesn't actually go to Chicago. This Interstate could eventually be six lanes throughout the state. 😮💨
i honestly think it should be i-90/87 for new york. a very difficult state to pick a most important though
I live in the Iowa Quad Cities. There was really no other choice for Iowa than I-80.