Interstates versus secondary roads. I found that I prefer interstates because people are able to easily pass me. I don’t like tailgaters, they annoy me and make me nervous. At the same time I can understand their impatience, my rig is not only blocking their way, it’s also blocking their view. Maybe it’s karma but I can still remember when I lived a few years in California back in the 1970’s. Every time my honey and I would drive up into the mountain’s we’d end up behind some RV that was struggling to climb the grades, but the worst part was they were totally blocking our scenic view. This would go on for miles and though I don’t normally tailgate I’d find myself following closer and closer just out of frustration. Those memories not only keep me mainly on the interstates but also encourage me pull over occasionally to let people pass when I am on secondary roads.

I usually try to pull off and let others go by. I don't like the stress from having them tailgate and I think it's just polite. I've had close calls when someone gets frustrated and tries passing me on a corner. My last trip was only 60 miles and I got behind a slow motorhome. The guy behind me got impatient and tried passing both of us on a blind corner and ran a car off the road. It could have been fatal for several of the people involved.

Back in the early 70's I was in the Navy.I took leave and my cousin and I went tent camping in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.At one point,we got behind a Wally Byam Caravan.At that time,I didn't know anything about Wally Byam or Airsream but this line of trailers went on as far as the eye could see on this 2 lane road. We were stuck behindall these campers that had Wally Byam caravan bumper stickers.We swore if we ever found this Wally Byam guy we would kill him.haha

I avoid the Interstate system like the plague. US Highways are much preferred along with well maintained state roads.

We try to avoid the interstates as much as possible. We use federal highways and primary state highways. Most have good lanes, shoulders and some turn outs.We try to avoid traffic backing up. we use the turn outs when they are in good shape and paved. I slide over onto the shoulder to allow traffic to pass when room allows. I would rather chat with a trooper about shoulder driving then to discuss what happen at an accident. never drive on shoulders when posting prohibits.We save dollars by not racing down the interstates. We can see a lot more of the country and what it is really like by taking the back roads.

mabynack wrote:I usually try to pull off and let others go by. I don't like the stress from having them tailgate and I think it's just polite. I've had close calls when someone gets frustrated and tries passing me on a corner. My last trip was only 60 miles and I got behind a slow motorhome. The guy behind me got impatient and tried passing both of us on a blind corner and ran a car off the road. It could have been fatal for several of the people involved.If you can't pass a slow vehicle, you should always leave enough space for the guy behind you to pass you without having to pass both vehicles at once. Most people don't do it, but it is the safe thing to do. Tailgating a slow vehicle NEVER makes them move any faster. Leaving some space also gives you a little room to accelerate befor pulling out, should the oppertunity to pass arise.

Interstates versus secondary roads | Good Sam Community

179 Replies

MTPockets1
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I'm the guy with the fifth wheel on the 2 lane driving the speed limit at most, and enjoying the casual pace. If cars tail gate it's their problem. I have the same right to be there and if they don't like it, they can take the interstate.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2015
I would say it depends on the roads in the area. One of my favorite drives is a 2 lane highway 50 going out to California. This highway is known as America's loneliest road. To me it's far superior to interstate 40 or 80 following semi's across the country. To me it's not just the destination it's the journey. That does not mean you have to be a rolling roadblock. My truck has mirror's and I use them. I understand why people with a limited amount of time take the interstate, I was one of them. Now I enjoy not being in a rush and have time to smell the rose's.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
Drove US-2 from the UP of Michigan to the west coast, back in the 70s. Most enjoyable long DRIVE we ever took. Taking the interstate is a trip. Back roads are an enjoyable DRIVE.
aruba5er
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I avoid super slabs like the plaque. You can't see the country at 65 mph. Just too much stuff to stumble upon when driving the back roads. Retired so in no big hurry. As far as people behind me, I try to avoid making a bunch of people bunch up behind me by pulling way over and slowing down if possible on straight roads to allow them to see around and pass or coming into a small city, I park and let any pass before starting out again.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
mabynack wrote:
I usually try to pull off and let others go by. I don't like the stress from having them tailgate and I think it's just polite. I've had close calls when someone gets frustrated and tries passing me on a corner.

My last trip was only 60 miles and I got behind a slow motorhome. The guy behind me got impatient and tried passing both of us on a blind corner and ran a car off the road. It could have been fatal for several of the people involved.

If you can't pass a slow vehicle, you should always leave enough space for the guy behind you to pass you without having to pass both vehicles at once. Most people don't do it, but it is the safe thing to do. Tailgating a slow vehicle NEVER makes them move any faster. Leaving some space also gives you a little room to accelerate befor pulling out, should the oppertunity to pass arise.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 19, 2015
We try to avoid the interstates as much as possible. We use federal highways and primary state highways. Most have good lanes, shoulders and some turn outs.
We try to avoid traffic backing up. we use the turn outs when they are in good shape and paved. I slide over onto the shoulder to allow traffic to pass when room allows. I would rather chat with a trooper about shoulder driving then to discuss what happen at an accident. never drive on shoulders when posting prohibits.
We save dollars by not racing down the interstates. We can see a lot more of the country and what it is really like by taking the back roads.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I avoid the Interstate system like the plague. US Highways are much preferred along with well maintained state roads.
RGar974417
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Back in the early 70's I was in the Navy.I took leave and my cousin and I went tent camping in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.At one point,we got behind a Wally Byam Caravan.At that time,I didn't know anything about Wally Byam or Airsream but this line of trailers went on as far as the eye could see on this 2 lane road. We were stuck behind
all these campers that had Wally Byam caravan bumper stickers.We swore if we ever found this Wally Byam guy we would kill him.haha
mabynack
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
I usually try to pull off and let others go by. I don't like the stress from having them tailgate and I think it's just polite. I've had close calls when someone gets frustrated and tries passing me on a corner.

My last trip was only 60 miles and I got behind a slow motorhome. The guy behind me got impatient and tried passing both of us on a blind corner and ran a car off the road. It could have been fatal for several of the people involved.

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Interstates versus secondary roads

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