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

JAXFL
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
For me it's not the journey, it's still the destination. The reason is I still work and don't have time to smell the roses. Interstate until I retire then we will see what is on the back roads.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2015
Many things are considred.

If I am in a hurry, Interstates are usually the fastest route.

IF I am driving the house (Motor home) Well it is easier for lead foot Larry to pass me on the interstate.

But the road less traveled has many attractions as well.. and many times I have been glad to be traveling it... That said, I do like to find a wide spot from time to time to let Larry pass.
john_bet
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
colliehauler wrote:
john&bet wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
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 Rosie's.
I live 2 miles off of US-50 in Indiana and have to drive it daily. Most everyone on it is a commuter and want to run 60+ in it's 55 speed zone.
I have driven it from home to Colorado a couple of times and enjoyed it once I got away from the towns/cities with a lot of traffic both cars and trucks. We drove a secondary road in Ill. last summer and it was not a pleasant experience.
We drive on a lot of secondary roads in Montana all the time on our way to Great Falls. Hardly any traffic. Yes secondary roads can be pleasant, but at the same time stressful as you have no idea what is around the next curve, hill or some fool on the wrong side passing when he should not.
We had two bad accidents in the last two days locally. One on US-50, a head on in which one died and one on I-65 involving a state plow truck and a semi. No one was seriously hurt in that one, but I-65 north was closed for several hours. Just a little of my experiences.
I was talking about 50 west from Kansas. I have never drove 50 east. I think all roads see a lot more traffic once you get east of the Mississippi river including secondary roads.
I agree 100% with the east of the big muddy. We are from Indiana, but lived in S.D. 9 years(service) and have a DD in Montana so head that way quite often.
Now got to think of N.M. as DGD lives there now with her family. We travel to see family not necessarily the sites between,but do take secondary roads to be different. Only so many ways to get to some place and after 37+ years I know then all by heart it seem like.
We usually head west out of Indy on I-74 and traffic is lighter from then on till the big cities. I started driving this nations roads 49 1/2 years ago and am not tired of it yet.
korbe
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I prefer making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

I will also use turnouts when vehicles get stuck behind me. Doesn't matter if I'm going the speed limit or not.
Geocritter
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
One of the things I do find irritating about so many tailgaters is that they're are so focused on tailgating that they don't pass when they have an opportunity. I also think that with the advent of the interstate system and so many 4-lane secondary roads, particularly close to cities, many people, newer drivers in particular, aren't familiar with the concept of passing.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
If I am just going point to point, I always take an interstate if available. you see exactly the same country as on a state/national highway, after all many of these interstates followed old highway locations. pluses are no tractor towing a manure spreader popping up in front of you (which happened to me) no slow down to 20 mph every 20 miles to go thru a podunk town, etc. better gas mileage, less wear on brakes, etc. and yes, on back roads I do pull over where possible to let tailgaters thru. usually not possible however.

bumpy
Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
Love the secondary roads, the roads that used to be the primary roads before the interstates were built.

We have done hwy50, bit by bit, almost its entire length. We have done most of 36 multiple times. We have done 2 a few times. On the East Coast hwy 301 gets used instead of 95 wherever possible.

Most of them have passing lane sections, are 4 lane or have plenty of room for the overtakers provided they take advantage of opportunities when they get them.

There is so much more to see using the secondary roads & the occasional slow down for little towns is a nice change of pace for awhile.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2015
We art travelers. When we travel the whole experience is what we are there to do. As there is little speed advantage for the speed we like to run we avoid interstates. We be aware of creating a "tailback" but except for Texas, we are usually right about the speed limit anyway.

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything." - Charles Kuralt

Matt
tpi
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Generally interstate highways have much lower fatality rate per mile vs. secondary roads. Here in southern Ca. I'd take an interstate over a crowded two lane any day. I'm thinking of you highway 395 from Adelanto to the 14 junction.

Now put me in the center of Utah, NV etc. and uncrowded secondary roads are fun to drive.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 19, 2015
CavemanCharlie wrote:
I don't go far from home often. I would say it depends on the area of the country you are in.

Where I am the roads are flat and you can see for miles so I avoid the interstates and take the back roads. I don't have a problem with tailgater because the speeds on back roads in MN are 55 and in SD 65. So I drive 60-62 and if someone does get behind me I slow down to let them pass when it's safe for them to do so.

If I was towing in the mountains I would probably consider the interstate to allow people to pass me safely.
You do not have to stray far from home you have some nice areas to visit. I love the Ely area and the North shore.

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Interstates versus secondary roads

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