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I'll be taking a long trip here on Monday for Christmas and I'm trying to plan my route. I'm actually a bit defensive when I get onto the Interstates going 80+ miles per hour. The speed limit is usually 70 here, but people go much faster (especially around the Holidays - closer to 90mph). It puts me on edge.
But I understand taking back roads (2 lane highways with an average speed limit of 55) has it's own share of possible difficulties (traffic stops, deer, incoming slower drivers who are almost impossible to pass sometimes, etc).
All in all, which do you think is safer for driving long distances? Options please.. which do you think is best and why?
If I want to make time I'll run interstate. Provided where I'm going is close to or on the interstate. However, when I have the time I may take state roads. The smaller towns can slow things up. In the western states most speed limits are 60 to 65 on state highways. Interstate runs 75 and some run 80.
As long as road conditions are good, traffic is moving and maintaining a safe distance nothing wrong with those speeds. Remember to look beyond the end of the hood and down the road. Both are safe.
I'll be taking a long trip here on Monday for Christmas and I'm trying to plan my route. I'm actually a bit defensive when I get onto the Interstates going 80+ miles per hour. The speed limit is usually 70 here, but people go much faster (especially around the Holidays - closer to 90mph). It puts me on edge.
But I understand taking back roads (2 lane highways with an average speed limit of 55) has it's own share of possible difficulties (traffic stops, deer, incoming slower drivers who are almost impossible to pass sometimes, etc).
All in all, which do you think is safer for driving long distances? Options please.. which do you think is best and why?
Actually, Interstates are safer than other roads. There are three to four times fewer accidents, three to four times less injuries from those accidents and about half the rate of fatalities from accidents.
I'll be taking a long trip...
All in all, which do you think is safer for driving long distances?
The one that gets you off the road the soonest
with the least number of road/traffic condition changes along the way.
If YOU are uncomfortable or feel unsafe at the higher speed of an interstate
I'll suggest that you are unsafe at the lower speeds as well.
iow... the issue isn't the road choice.
I like the back roads because they're more interesting; I find the interstates mind-numbingly boring. And I've tried books on "tape," but they tend to put me to sleep too.
When my husband and I lived in Tallahassee FL we often drove to visit his family in Savannah GA and also to visit my family in Orlando FL. Each drive is about 4 1/2 hours, but in different directions, of course.
On each trip we had the option of interstate highways or back roads, which were usually four-lane, practically empty, and went through a few interesting little towns on the way. Although the interstate trips were a little shorter, we generally opted for the back roads. Added bonus: each trip on the back roads had good barbecue restaurants to stop at for lunch along the way. No fast food crapola at interstate exits!
Having taken numerous road trips from Ontario to Florida over the years, I find absolutely nothing to worry about when travelling on the Interstate system. However, I should mention that living on the GTA along the most heavily traveled stretch of highway in North America (the 401), anywhere on an American Interstate is relaxing by comparison.
I'll be taking a long trip here on Monday for Christmas and I'm trying to plan my route. I'm actually a bit defensive when I get onto the Interstates going 80+ miles per hour. The speed limit is usually 70 here, but people go much faster (especially around the Holidays - closer to 90mph). It puts me on edge.
But I understand taking back roads (2 lane highways with an average speed limit of 55) has it's own share of possible difficulties (traffic stops, deer, incoming slower drivers who are almost impossible to pass sometimes, etc).
All in all, which do you think is safer for driving long distances? Options please.. which do you think is best and why?
Highway driving is statistically safer. The speed limit on highways in my state is 65. I go 70 so that I am not an obstacle in the right lane. No one bothers me except for those who use their right mirror to pass too close or those who think that people merging onto the highway have the right of way.
As far as your speed is concerned, risk of serious injury or worse is much greater when the driver can't get their car below 40 MPH on impact.
With regard to Winter driving, people with four wheel drive and eight cylinder engines need to remember that all of that power is not going to help you stop that Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Agree with the above posters.
Interstates are faster, safer, and have more assistance available to you especially if you break down. The roads are well maintained, safer to drive on as a rule. I drive across country twice a year primarily on the interstates for those reasons.
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