Interstates safer than "Blue Highways?"TRIP UPDATE

[GizmosMom]

We are now retired and I have our summer trip to Colorado planned. We share the driving.

I want to travel the back roads and blue highways. I want to take our time. The Interstates make me nervous and they are boring.

DH wants to travel the Interstates as much as possible because he feels they are safer. He doesn't like to have to slow down and stop for traffic lights in small towns when he drives. Feels that blue highways are more prone to head-on collisions.

What do you think?

[Bumpyroad]

2gypsies wrote:

2oldman wrote:


The problem with many is that there is no phone service, and passing can be a challenge for those behind you.

Nowadays there are cell towers all over the place. Phone service can be had.

not available at my house. and the quality of coverage varies greatly dependent upon location.
bumpy

[2gypsies1]

2oldman wrote:


The problem with many is that there is no phone service, and passing can be a challenge for those behind you.

Nowadays there are cell towers all over the place. Phone service can be had.

[GizmosMom]

I wish this forum had a "Like" button and that I could hit it for each one of these answers to my post!!!

[Busskipper]

2oldman wrote:
I'm familiar with the term 'red roads' which comes from paper maps showing secondary roads in red.

The problem with many is that there is no phone service, and passing can be a challenge for those behind you.

And the Problem Is?

Sounds like my kind of place.

[2oldman]

I'm familiar with the term 'red roads' which comes from paper maps showing secondary roads in red.

The problem with many is that there is no phone service, and passing can be a challenge for those behind you.

[Belgique]

2gypsies wrote:
Keep in mind that people live along the secondary highways. All of those services are available and in smaller towns repairs are done a lot faster by friendlier folks.

The down side is that these folks are often very interesting and you find yourself conversing leaning over a pickup truck bed for a long time. 🙂

[vermilye]

halfwright wrote:
Charles Kuralt said it best:

"Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is possible to travel coast to coast and not see a thing."

Actually, it was better said years before by John Steinbeck: "When we get these thruways across the whole country, as we will and must, it will be possible to drive from New York to California without seeing a single thing."

[2gypsies1]

JimFromJersey wrote:
Another point to possibly consider is support services - generally, gas, food, medical care, repairs, etc etc will be more concentrated along interstates, especially in the wide open spaces out west (notwithstanding that stretch of I-70 where you go 105 miles between exits...)

Keep in mind that people live along the secondary highways. All of those services are available and in smaller towns repairs are done a lot faster by friendlier folks.

[halfwright]

Charles Kuralt said it best:

"Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is possible to travel coast to coast and not see a thing."

[JimFromJersey]

Another point to possibly consider is support services - generally, gas, food, medical care, repairs, etc etc will be more concentrated along interstates, especially in the wide open spaces out west (notwithstanding that stretch of I-70 where you go 105 miles between exits...) Out on the blue highways (or Blue Star highways, which not all blue highways are...) if you break down, it may be a longer wait for service.

There are benefits to using either - Interstates for speed and convenience getting from point to point, less formal highways and byways for scenery, local flavor, and (in most cases...) lower blood pressure.

[Bumpyroad]

Belgique wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Belgique wrote:
IMHO, easier to get fuel on Blue Highways because you have more time to see the station and see if it is accessible. We're Blue as much as possible.

use 'the next exit" to see RV friendly stations on the interstate.
or use your GPS.
bumpy

Bumpy, I used Next Exit in the past and never saw anything about RV friendly. Same for Google Maps or Waze or my Garmin NuVi. In my experience, they show the station and what's there but that's about it. Maybe I missed something? Don't want to hijack this thread though.

the reference I have in mind had the RV friendly stations in red. Perhaps Exit authority? will have to find my copy.
bumpy

found the book, it is Next Exit. perhaps they dropped that feature?

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Over the miles, I've learned some companies whose locations are almost always good for fueling my rig - I need the gas pumps out front, and the ability to get 62' of rig in and out.

I've also learned some companies which are to be avoided.

When I plan a driving leg, I also research and plan fuel stops. I know my rig, know how far I can go before I must refuel. I don't push past 200 miles.

I tend to work backwards from my destination. I look for fuel 140-160 miles from the end of the day. If the trip is between 160 and 300 miles, I look for fuel near the mid point of the trip.

The satellite view on Google or Bing Maps is great. I also use GasBuddy to find current rates. Not so much to plan for the stop, but to see which stations in the area have the best prices. I look at the stations on the map view, and make a tentative plan to stop.

Subject to change if I change my route, my destination or weather.

[john_bet]

I have found good and empty interstates and US/State highways in my 50 plus years of traveling. I have also found crouded and lousy interstate and US/State roads in the same time period. We are headed to the Black Hills in Aug. and will be using the interstates all the way this time as is our usual way. We have also used US-50 and US 385 for the same trip. Either is fine with us. For us it is about the destination not how we get there. Locally there is more semi traffic on US-50(a two lane road with no shoulders) than on some interstates out west. Everyone has their own preferences as to what roads they like to travel on. Just pick one in the direction you want to go and enjoy the trip.

[Belgique]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Belgique wrote:
IMHO, easier to get fuel on Blue Highways because you have more time to see the station and see if it is accessible. We're Blue as much as possible.

use 'the next exit" to see RV friendly stations on the interstate.
or use your GPS.
bumpy

Bumpy, I used Next Exit in the past and never saw anything about RV friendly. Same for Google Maps or Waze or my Garmin NuVi. In my experience, they show the station and what's there but that's about it. Maybe I missed something? Don't want to hijack this thread though.

[2gypsies1]

Bumpyroad wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
No problem with finding fuel on the two-lanes. People live there, too, along with farmers for diesel.
.

most of the midwestern farmers I know who use/need diesel fuel get it delivered and stored in a road tax free tank.
bumpy

Farmers like to go into town for shopping and errands and perhaps fuel. 🙂

Diesel and gas are readily available off the interstates.