Community Forums

paz · 02-07-2007, 05:29 PM

What's up with the interstate exits in Southern California? In the past few days we were on parts of I-10, I-8, I-215, and I-15 in Southern California. Out of the dozens and dozens of exits we passed, only a handful of exits had exit numbers. Most of the exits were designated only by road and street names. It's hard enough to drive in this area with 5 and 6 lane roads, heavy traffic, and locals in a hurry. Without exit numbers, it's impossible to determine if your exit is coming up of if you may have even missed it. Every other state we have been in has numbered exits. Even the old-style consecutively numbered exits (as opposed to being numbered by mile marker) are better than nothing. Are all the interstates in California without exit numbers? Are there any other states that don't number their exits?

paz · 02-07-2007, 05:29 PM

What's up with the interstate exits in Southern California? In the past few days we were on parts of I-10, I-8, I-215, and I-15 in Southern California. Out of the dozens and dozens of exits we passed, only a handful of exits had exit numbers. Most of the exits were designated only by road and street names. It's hard enough to drive in this area with 5 and 6 lane roads, heavy traffic, and locals in a hurry. Without exit numbers, it's impossible to determine if your exit is coming up of if you may have even missed it. Every other state we have been in has numbered exits. Even the old-style consecutively numbered exits (as opposed to being numbered by mile marker) are better than nothing. Are all the interstates in California without exit numbers? Are there any other states that don't number their exits?

Paul Heuvelhorst · 02-07-2007, 07:07 PM

California is a "johnny-come-lately" to the numbered exit sign upgrade. We started last year and the focus was to get the major highways covered first (it is over 700 miles from the Mexican to Oregon borders and lots of entrance/exits). So the focus was put on I-5, 101, 99, etc. I recall that the program was expected to be completed in either 3 or 4 years, so some of the highways you mentioned should be covered soon, but maybe not.

Like you, when driving in unfamiliar areas I appreciate the numbered exits... since I've lived in California all my driving life I don't usually need them here (although a lot of freeways have been added in SoCal since I moved north in 1976). Please be patient with us "left-coasters!!!"

paz · 02-08-2007, 06:19 AM

Paul, thanks for the reply on the California exits. As you say, the numbers aren't needed in a familiar area. In our original home town of Pittsburgh, we don't even know what the exit numbers are (or sometimes not even the exit name). We just know where to go because we've been there. But in a new area, even if you are just on the other side of town from where you usually travel, the numbers really are helpful. It's good to hear they are working on adding the numbers.