I-71 and 270 (Columbus, Washington: vacation, campus, top)

[Londa419]

I have been to Columbus about 4 or 5 times now armed with my GPS but I let my cousin use it for her vacation and when I went down today, I got a little confused on the way home. Can anyone explain the I-71 and 270 hwy routes to me? I guess I have not completely obtained a sense of direction yet.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Londa419

I have been to Columbus about 4 or 5 times now armed with my GPS but I let my cousin use it for her vacation and when I went down today, I got a little confused on the way home. Can anyone explain the I-71 and 270 hwy routes to me? I guess I have not completely obtained a sense of direction yet.

Hello Londa419! Just like in the rest of the U.S. Even-numbered interstate highways (like I-70) run West-East. (Notice that the mile marker numbers get larger as you drive East) The odd-numbered highways (I-71, for example) run South-North and the mile markers will get larger as you drive North. Three-digit EVEN-first digit numbered highways are loops that go around a city, like I-270 circles Columbus. Columbus also has another sort of "loop"; I-670. It goes from I-70 to I-71 and then on to I-270 on the East side of Columbus. I-670 is my personal choice if I am coming into Columbus on I-70 from the West and want to get on I-71 North. It lets me avoid the I-70/I-71 split that is the scene of frequent confusion and bang-em-ups.

Also; look at OH 315; you can take that from I-70 to I-270 on the top side of Columbus; it's both a good alternative to I-71 north and will get you to the Ohio State Campus.

Not applicable to Columbus, but ODD-numbered three digit interstate highways indicate "spurs" that go into the center of a city; for example: I -395 goes from the I-495 loop into the center of Washington D.C.

Hope this helps and happy travels!