First trip back to Mass in almost three years...

[massnative71]

Curious if anybody here actually refers/referred to exits by their numbers? I just didn't think it was common in Mass.. I mean I can probably name off every exit along the expressway, 128, 95, 24, Mass Pike, 495 etc. with my blindfolders on, but could not tell you a single number (before or after the change). I think the only exit "number" I ever knew was "Exit 5" because I had an out of stay coworker who "lived by exit 5", not "I live in Plainville". Must be a Jersey thing lol.


Also, a GPS should read you the road as well ("In one mile, take exit 14, Columbia Rd."), so it's not like you would be left clueless.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Curious if anybody here actually refers/referred to exits by their numbers? I just didn't think it was common in Mass.. I mean I can probably name off every exit along the expressway, 128, 95, 24, Mass Pike, 495 etc. with my blindfolders on, but could not tell you a single number (before or after the change). I think the only exit "number" I ever knew was "Exit 5" because I had an out of stay coworker who "lived by exit 5", not "I live in Plainville". Must be a Jersey thing lol.


Also, a GPS should read you the road as well ("In one mile, take exit 14, Columbia Rd."), so it's not like you would be left clueless.

Depends. Growing up off of Route 24 I got pretty used to using them regularly -- "Yeah... the Shaw's off of Exit 8" or "Meet me at the Emma's just off of exit 15." Outside of Route 24, we referred to them quite a bit on Route 6 on the Cape. For exits with key routes, I think they could be referred to interchangeably ("Exit 13" "The Route 44 Exit"), but I mostly grew up using the exit numbers on the highways I regularly drove in MA (even 93 in/around Boston). I could tell you where most of the (old) exit numbers on 24, 6, 93, or the southern half of 495 are.

I haven't paid any attention to the new exit numbers. For the most part, I'm driving by sight/memory in Eastern MA. And like you said, when it is unfamiliar terrain, the GPS still tells me the name of the road, tells me when to exit, and shows it on the display. Admittedly, there is one area I'm struggling a bit. I have to punch in an address for anything off of the old Exit 17, 18, and 19 on Route 24. Coming from the North, they all look similar to me and without the old numbers featured prominently, I feel like I might miss them. So I can see how the new numbers could throw some people for a loop.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by lrfox

I haven't paid any attention to the new exit numbers. For the most part, I'm driving by sight/memory in Eastern MA. And like you said, when it is unfamiliar terrain, the GPS still tells me the name of the road, tells me when to exit, and shows it on the display. Admittedly, there is one area I'm struggling a bit. I have to punch in an address for anything off of the old Exit 17, 18, and 19 on Route 24. Coming from the North, they all look similar to me and without the old numbers featured prominently, I feel like I might miss them. So I can see how the new numbers could throw some people for a loop.

OK. You see, I just had to look those up LOL. My thing is that while they do look somewhat similar...although TBH I've driven up and down there so many times that I probably don't even need the signs ("OK there's BJ's on the right/Jordan's and IKEA on the left, therefore I need to take the next exit to get 139 into Randolph"); Rte. 139 is 139, Harrison Blvd. is Harrison Blvd., and Rte. 27 is Rte. 27 if I'm going somewhere my memory. If I'm following my GPS to an unfamiliar location, I will just follow the "take next exit" and follow the arrows on the screen (still paying more attention to the "Rte. 139 East" part more than the "exit whatever" that can often be more confusing to obey with multiple exits close together and "#a, #b. #c, etc.).

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by massnative71

OK. You see, I just had to look those up LOL. My thing is that while they do look somewhat similar...although TBH I've driven up and down there so many times that I probably don't even need the signs ("OK there's BJ's on the right/Jordan's and IKEA on the left, therefore I need to take the next exit to get 139 into Randolph"); Rte. 139 is 139, Harrison Blvd. is Harrison Blvd., and Rte. 27 is Rte. 27 if I'm going somewhere my memory. If I'm following my GPS to an unfamiliar location, I will just follow the "take next exit" and follow the arrows on the screen (still paying more attention to the "Rte. 139 East" part more than the "exit whatever" that can often be more confusing to obey with multiple exits close together and "#a, #b. #c, etc.).

All of this makes perfect sense. And while I think I could manage those exits by memory anyway, the numbers were my primary point of reference for that stretch and I just need to put in the effort to adjust. The GPS is more of a crutch than a necessity. But yeah, I'm not listening for exit numbers on the GPS either (especially the A/B/C type exits) - just turn where it shows you to turn.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by lrfox

All of this makes perfect sense. And while I think I could manage those exits by memory anyway, the numbers were my primary point of reference for that stretch and I just need to put in the effort to adjust. The GPS is more of a crutch than a necessity. But yeah, I'm not listening for exit numbers on the GPS either (especially the A/B/C type exits) - just turn where it shows you to turn.

I will say that since returning to the area with all its traffic, I'll pretty much have my Waze on non-stop for anything outside say a 10 minute radius of home. Life is too short to be sitting in extra traffic that could have been avoided, might as well use the technology if it's available.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I will say that since returning to the area with all its traffic, I'll pretty much have my Waze on non-stop for anything outside say a 10 minute radius of home. Life is too short to be sitting in extra traffic that could have been avoided, might as well use the technology if it's available.

Me too. And I've paid the price on several occasions when I haven't used it. I also just check Google Maps with traffic before I head out beyond the immediate local area too. There's really no "safe" time or route anymore.