A little Map info for new guys and gals.

I have been trying to think of a thread to start for a while for the new guys and gals. Just to give a little info that some schools do not.
So I decided on some very basic map info for the US.

The interstates in this country were originally set up in a grid. This was done for easy movement of goods and military across the country.
Each was numbered the way it is for a reason.
This is where I wanted to start.

If you have a map of the US showing Interstates take a look at it.

East/West routes are numbered as Even numbers, and North/South are Odd numbers.

The lowest numbers are in the West and South. So as you go north you will see I-10, I-20, I-40 etc. Based on a loose percentage of how far up on the country you are.

The North South routes are the same but Odd.
I-5, I-15, I-29 etc.

Another number you need to pay attention too when looking at interstates is for Loops and Spurs.
A loop will always start with an even number. Then the rest of the numbers will be for one of the major interstates in the area.
A loop will always return to the primary interstate, thus it is a loop.
These are like I-295,I-495,I-695, etc. Always starting even.

A Spur will be an Interstate that branches off the main one and will go away from in, and not rejoin. These will have an Odd first number.
Like I-195, I-395, I-595.

Another number you will see allot of is mile markers.
In most states these will run West to East and South to North.
So Mile marker 1 on I-70 in Ohio will be on the Western side of the state, and mile marker 1 on I-71 will be in the southern part of the state.
This info will help allot when you are trying to figure mileage to someplace on that interstate within the state you are in.
Also in most states the exit numbers will match the mile marker.

Notice I say most states when I mention mile markers and exit numbers. Some states (mostly in the Northeast) do not follow this method. Or may for mile markers but not for exit numbers. But for most of the states you will visit this will hold true. You will learn the exceptions over time.

I hope this helps some. I am trying not to go too deep here and keep it simple. Since if this is new to you it will be just a little more information that you need to try and remember.
But it is info that can help allot in trip planning.

 

Sorry for a couple of typo's. I did that when I got home from a hockey game last night. I could have probably worded it better if I had taken more time to do it.
I had planned to do on word or something and then copy it into here.
Just did not happen.

I cannot even begin to start on US routes. I think they may have had some reason to them when they started, but lost it over time.
I will be headed to Maysville KY on Tuesday BTW No tarps.

 

I tried to cover NY, CN, MA, RI and others that do not use mile markers for exit numbers with the disclaimer that you will find some states that do not do this, mostly in the Northeast.

Over the next few days I will alter the original post some to give a little more info.
I did not want to add too much info though or it would get to confusing.
I guess if I ever get it right then newbies can print it out and have all the info.
But for now it is an intro to how the interstate system is laid out.

I noticed the Pittsburg thing last month. I wonder how long it will take my GPS to pick up on that.
I knew which way to go, so was not really an issue for me.