Augusta Father's Day

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West, GA 104 West to Augusta
GA 104 East, I 20 East, US 1 North, I 20 East, US 321 North, I 85 North, I 40 East  to Chapel Hill 
Notes
 The I 85 Yadkin River bridge is open northbound. You can see where the southbound lanes are going to be temporarily rerouted onto the northbound bridge.
I 85 is being widened from Concord west of NC 73 to I 485 in Charlotte. It is restricted to two lanes each direction. Bridge supports are being built for the new I 485 interchange.
Results
Mileage on US 1, US 321.

Elkin NC/Yadkin River Bridge

Route
NC 86 North, I 40 West, I 40 Business West, NC 67 West, US 21 Business North, NC 268 Business West, NC 268 East, NC 268 Business West, US 21 Business North, US 21 South, NC 67 West, US 21 Business South, US 21 South, I 40 West, US 64 East, US 601 South, I 85 North, Local Roads, I 85 North, NC 54 East.

Notes

The US 29/70/NC 150 bridge over the Yadkin River is closed northbound. Southbound, traffic from Old Salisbury Road can cross the bridge, then they are detoured off of the highway onto a temporary carriageway north of the highway, which reenters the highway at the blockade at Fieldcrest Cannon Lane.
Results
Clinched NC 67, US 21 Business Elkin, NC 268 Business Elkin.  Mileage on NC 268, US 21, US 64, US 601, US 70.
Clinched all highways in Forsyth and Yadkin Counties NC.

Slippery When Wet

Look at the skid marks on the bicycle. Not only is it sliding sideways, but it is sliding backwards.

NC 44, US 117 Connector

Route
I 40 East, US 64 East, US 264 East, NC 39 South, US 70 West, US 70 Business West, NC 42 East, NC 222 East, NC 581 East, NC 581 Connector North, I 795 North, NC 44 East to Wayne Memorial Drive
NC 44 West, US 117 South, US 117 Business South, US 117 South, US 117 Connector South, I 40 East, NC 25 Business East, US 117 North, US 117 Alternate North, US 117 North, NC 581 North, NC 581 Connector North, I 795 North, NC 222 West, NC 581 North, NC 42 West, NC 222 West, NC 231 West, US 64 Business West, I 440 East, I 40 West.

Notes

NC 44 is a temporary designation for the new US 70 Bypass of Goldsboro. It has a 70 MPH speed limit, the only state highway in NC so designated without multiplexing with an Interstate or US highway. The milemarkers are for US 70 mileage, but have an NC 44 shield on them.
The US 117 Connector from Calypso to I 40 is now signed. It is the only signed Connector route in NC. It is bannered North/South from I 40 north to US 117 at Calypso.

Results
Clinched US 117, US 117 Business, US 117 Alternate, NC 39, NC 44.  Mileage on NC 42, NC 50, NC 111, NC 222, NC 581, NC 403.
Clinched all highways in Wake County NC.

Augusta/Disney World

Route
I 40 East to Airport, I 40 East, US 1 South, NC 277 South, SC 277 South, SC 9 North, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta.
I 20 West, US 221 South, US 1 South, I 16 East, I 95 South, I 4 West to Disney World.
FL 429 North, Florida Turnpike North, I 75 North, Fl 331 North, FL 24 North, US 301 North, I 10 East, I 295 North, I 95 North, I 40 West to Chapel Hill.
Notes
In SC, US 1 is being divided between the Wadley and Swainsboro bypasses.
There are no signs on I 95 southbound or I 295 eastbound of the new I 295 East bypass of Jacksonville. It is still signed FL 9A.
A lane is being added to I 10 west of I 295 in Jacksonville FL.
Results
Counties: GA: Jefferson, Emanuel, Candler. FL: Lake, Sumter, Marion, Alachua, Bradford, Clay. For a new total of 1013.
SC: Mileage on US 1.
GA: Mileage on I 16, US 1, US 221.
FL: Clinched FL 331. Mileage on I 10, I 75, US 301, Florida Turnpike, FL 24,  FL 429.

Toll NC 147, Opening Day

Route
I 40 East, NC 147 South, NC 540 West to NC 55, NC 540 East to NC 54, NC 540 West, NC 55 North, Kitt Creek Parkway East, Davis Drive North, NC 147 North, I 40 West.

Notes

It was about 1 pm on opening day for Toll NC 147. After driving it north to south, I wanted to drive it south to north, but the ramps from NC 540 were closed. The opening ceremony had been on the northbound lanes, so they had let cars onto the northbound lanes and then closed the ramps. After taking both passes on NC 540 to check the ramps, I took Kitt Creek to Davis, the C/D lanes from Davis to Hobson and reentered the highway northbound. This meant that I drove the entire north-south side and half the south-north side. Oh well. There is one screwy sign on the northbound lanes that has "END Toll NC 147/BEGIN NC 147" with actual NC 147 shields. I have never seen a sign with both BEGIN and END banners on it, much less for the same highway.

Results
Reclinched NC 147. 

Asheville

Route
NC 86 North, I 40 West, I 85 South, I 73 North, I 40 East, Catawba Avenue, US 70 West, Old US 70, Mill Creek Road, Yates Avenue, Old US 70 E, US 70 West, BRP North to Folk Art Center.
BRP South, NC 151 North, US 19/23 North, I 40 East, US 25 North, local streets to Biltmore.
Local Streets, US 25 South, I 40 West, I 26 East, NC 191 North.
NC 191 North, I 26 West, I 40 West, Wiggins Road South, US 19/23 West to Candler.
US 19/23 East, Wiggins Road North, I 40 East, US 25 North, local streets to Biltmore.
Local streets, US 25 North, I 40 East, I 240 West, local streets to Grove Park Inn.
Local streets, I 240 West, NC 191 South, I 26 West, I 40 West, Wiggins Road South, US 19/23 West to Candler.
US 19/23 East, I 40 East, I 240 East, Exit 6, US 70/74A West, I 240 West, NC 191 South, I 40 East, US 74A East, US 74 West, I 85 North, NC 24 East, US 220 North, US 64 East, US 15/501 North, NC 86 North to Chapel Hill.

Notes

We visited Andrews Geyser, just north of old NC 10/US 70 (Point Lookout).

Results
Clinched NC 151. Mileage on US 19, US 23, US 70, US 74 A, US 64, NC 9, NC 24, NC 27.

US 311 North Terminus

Route
NC 86 North, I 40 West, I 840 North, US 70 West, US 29 North, NC 14, US 11 South, NC 770, Local Roads, NC 87 North, VA 87 North, US 220 Business North, US 220 North, US 58 West, US 58 Business Stuart West, US 58 West, US 58 Business Meadows of Dan East, US 58 West, I 77 South, VA 148 East, US 52 South, NC 89 East, NC 66 South, NC 268 East, NC 89 South, US 311 South, NC 65 East, US 158 East, NC 66 South, Bryan Boulevard, I 73 South, I 85 North, I 40 East, NC 86 South

Notes
US 311 is finally signed to Eden, after almost 10 years after being approved.
US 58 now bypasses Hillsville VA, with a new US 58 Business along the old mainline.

Results
Clinched US 220 Business Ridgeway, US 58 Business Stuart, US 58 Meadows of Dan. Mileage on US 58, NC 89. Clinched all state highways in Stokes county.

Aiken SC Wedding

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, SC 277 South, I 20 West, local roads, US 176 North, SC 60 West, I 26 East to Columbiana Mall, I 26 East, US 1 South, local roads to Columbia Airport, local roads, SC 602 West, SC 6 North, I 20 West, I 520 West, GA 56 Spur South to Augusta Airport, GA 56 North, I 520 West, I 20 East, GA 104 West to Augusta
GA 104 East, I 20 East, SC 19 South to Aiken
SC 19 North, I 20 West, GA 104 West to Augusta
GA 104 East, I 20 West, I 520 East, GA 56 Spur South to Augusta Airport, GA 56 North, US 1/25/78/278 North to downtown Augusta, local roads, GA 104 West to Evans, GA 104 East, GA 232 South, I 20 East, US 1 North, local roads to Columbia Airport, SC 602 East, Local Road, US 1 North, I 20 East, I 77 North, I 85 North, NC 24 East, US 29 North, Local Roads, NC 49 East, US 64 East, US 15/501 North to Chapel Hill
Notes The I 85 Yadkin River bridge is beginning to really look like a bridge.
Results
Mileage on US 1, US 25, US 76, US 78, US 278, US 378, GA 56 Spur, SC 6, SC 19, SC 602.

Villanova/Dover/Annapolis/DC

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, I 95 North, I 495 North, I 95 North, I 476 North, US 30 East, PA 320 North to Villanova PA
PA 320 South, US 30 West, I 476 North, I 76 West, US 202 West, PA 401 North, PA 113 South to Lionville PA
PA 100 South, US 202 South, I 95 South, DE 1 South, Scarborough Road, US 13 South, Court Street to Dover DE
Court Street, US 13 South, DE 10 West, MD 287 West, MD 313 North, MD 312 West, MD 304 West, US 301 South, MD 70 South to Annapolis MD
MD 450 North, MD 435 West, MD 70 North, US 50 West, DC 295 South, I 295 North, I 395 South, VA 27 West, Washington Boulevard to Arlington VA
I 66 West, I 495 East, I 95 South, I 85 South, US 1 South, VA 40 South, I 85, US 15/501 South

Notes
There is a nice welcome center near Smyrna DE at US 13 and DE 1. The rest area is on US 13, so you have to exit to get to it, but there is a ramp directly onto the onramp for DE 1. The toll for exit 104 to Dover is 50 cents.
We were waiting for a stoplight in front of the visitors center when the rear of the car started going up and down. I thought we had been rear-ended, but it was the earthquake. Traffic going into DC was ridiculous. The local news labeled it as the worst since 9/11. Going into DC on US 50 was fine. I 495 was stopped in both directions. So we continued in on US 50 and DC 295. Pennsylvania Ave was completely locked up. We did the U-turn at Howard Street to get onto I 295 North to cross the river to I 695/395. I 395 was fine until the US 1 merge from the Mall. Eventually we got to the Pentagon and exited onto VA 27/Washington Boulevard. The surface streets were fine.
The only earthquake damage we saw on I 95 was to a barrier fence north of Fredericksburg.
On I 85 south just north of US 1 in Petersburg, there was a warning for construction 14 miles ahead. After gassing up on US 1 (where the lines were horrid for hurricane panic), we continued south on US 1 to VA 40 and missed almost all of the construction.

Results
Counties - Kent DE (all counties in DE), Caroline MD, for a new total of 1006.
VA - Mileage on VA 27, VA 40, US 1.
DC - Clinched I 295.
MD - Clinched MD 287. Mileage on MD 70, MD 304, MD 312, MD 313, MD 435, MD 450.
DE - Mileage on DE 1, DE 10, US 13.
PA - Mileage on PA 401, PA 113.

US 52 Bypass Albemarle

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, US 220 South, NC 49 South, NC 8 South, US 52 South, US 52 Business South to Albemarle
US 52 South, NC 731 North, local road detour, NC 109 North, NC 24/27 East, NC 22 North, NC 903 East, local road, US 64 East, US 15/501 North.

Notes

The US 52 Bypass south of Albemarle is open. NC 138 has been truncated from the US 52/NC 24/27/73 intersection to a new intersection a half mile south. US 52 Business is now signed along NC 24/27/73 from US 52 to the Second Street interchange.

Results
Clinched US 52 Business Albemarle. Mileage on US 52, NC 731, NC 109.

Baltimore MD/VIllanova

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, I 95 North, VA 10 East, I 295 North, I 95 North, US 1 North, I 95 North, MD 32 East to Fort Meade
MD 32 West, US 29 North, US 40 East, Local Roads to Ellicott City MD.
Local Road, US 40 West, US 29 North, I 70 East, I 695 North, I 95 North, MD 152 South, US 40 East, MD 24 North, I 95 North to Aberdeen MD.
I 95 South, MD 43 South, US 40 West, Local Roads to Baltimore MD.
Local Roads, MD 295 South, I 695 East, I 95, MD 24 South, US 40 East, MD 7 East to Havre de Grace MD.
MD 7 East, US 40 West, MD 22 North to Aberdeen MD.
I 95 North, DE 1 South, US 40 East, US 201 North, DE 92 East, I 95 North, I 476 North, US 30 East to Villanova.
US 30 West, I 476 South, I 95 South, I 495 South, I 95 South, I 895 South, I 95 South, Local Road, US 1 South, I 295 East, I 85 South, US 1 South, US 460 Bus West, I 85 South, US 15/501 South.

Notes
On I 95 south of VA 10, there was advisory sign for downtown Richmond, so we hopped over to I 295 and hit the construction through the I 64 interchange. Traffic through the construction was being herded by a police car and VADOT truck side by side at 5-15 miles per hour.
On I 95 south of the US 1 exit south of Springfied, there was an advisory sign that all lanes were closed at the exit before the US 1 exit at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, so we took US 1 near Mount Vernon. All was okay until we got to the last stoplight before getting onto I 95/495. It took forever to get through that light.

Results
VA - Mileage on US 1.
MD - Mileage on I 70, I 695, US 29, US 40, MD 2, 7, 22, 32, 24, 32, 43, 152, 295.
DE - Clinched US 202. Mileage on US 13, 40, DE 92, 141.

Augusta Christmas

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, SC 277 South, I 20 West, I 26 West to Columbiana Mall, I 26 East, US 1 South, local roads to Columbia Airport, local roads, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, GA 4, GA 104, GA 337, Local Roads
I 20 East, I 26 East, US 1 South, local roads to Columbia Airport, SC 320, I 26 East, I 77 North, I 20 East, US 521 North, US 1 North, US 15/501 North to Chapel Hill
Notes
There are multiple truck routes around Camden SC for US 521, US 1 and SC 34.
Results
Clinched I 77 South Carolina. Mileage on US 1, US 521, SC 320.

I 74/US 311 High Point

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 74/US 311 East, US 311 East to Old 311, US 311 West, Main Street South, NC 68 East, I 74/US 311 East, I-85 Business West to Surrett Rd exit, I-85 Business East, I 85 South, US 52 East, NC 73 East, Millstone Rd, US 220 North, US 64 East, US 15/501 North.

Notes

I 74/US 311 bypass of High Point is open. Construction continues on the highway from its current end at Cedar Square Road to US 220. That section is supposed to complete in a couple of years.
All signage for US 311 Business is gone. Almost all signage for the former US 311 routing along I 85 Business and Main Street is gone. Remaining are reassurance shields for US 311 along I 85 Business and one early exit sign for US 311 South on Main Street on I 85 Business west of Main Street. The exit signs at Main Street proper do not mention US 311 or US 311 Business.
The US 29/7o/NC 150 exit on I 85 at the Yadkin River Bridge is closed. There are detour signs for US 29 along I 85 up to the Spencer exit. US 70 and NC 150 drivers are supposed to know to follow the US 70 signs. There appears to be rightway clearing south of the Yadkin River bridge for the new bridge.
Took US 52 to Albemarle and NC 73 to US 220 to connect unclinched segments of both roads.
US 220 Alternate/Business is still signed US 220 at NC 73.
Results
Reclinched I 74 in NC, US 311. Mileage on US 52, NC 73.

Wrightsville Beach - Oak Island

Route
I 40 East, US 74 East to Wrightsville Beach
US 74 West, US 76 West, NC 132 South, US 421 South, Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry, NC 211 North, Local roads, NC 211 North, NC 133 South to Oak Island
NC 133 North, NC 87 North, US 17 North, US 421 North, I 140 East, I 40 West

Notes
The second bridge to Oak Island is nearing completion. The bridge is essentially complete. There needs to be detail work on the bridge deck. Yacht Street is still closed under the bridge.

Results

NC 772

Route
I 40 West, I 40 Business West, US 52 North, NC 65 North, US 311 North, NC 772 North, NC 704 West, NC 89 South to Danbury

NC 89 North, Hanging Rock State Park Road, Moore's Springs Road, NC 66 North, NC 268 West, US 52 South, I 40 East, I 73 South, I 85 North, I 40 East.

Notes
NC 772 is a lovely country road that does not go through any incorporated towns. This trip clinched NC 772 from end to end and clinched all highways east of US 52/I 74 except NC 89 west of NC 66.

I took a detour along Main Street in Pilot Mountain. There were sevaral businesses there with Mount Pilot in their names, along with Aunt Bea's Bbq on NC 268, to celebrate its Andy Griffith history.

Results
Clinched NC 65, NC 704, NC 772. Mileage on NC 268. This leaves NC 89 to clinch all of Stokes county and NC 67 to clinch all of Forsyth county.

VIllanova/Gettysburg: 1000 Counties!

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, I 95 North, I 895 North, MD 279 North, DE 2 East, DE 2/4/896 East, DE 896 South, I 95 North, I 476 North, US 30 East to Villanova,

US 30 East, US 1 North, I 76 West, I 476 North to Plymouth Meeting

I 476 South, I 76 East, I 676 East, Local Roads to Independence Hall

Local Roads, I 76 West, US 30 West, I 476 North to Plymouth Meeting

I 476 South, US 1 West, PA 41 North, US 30 West to PA 772, US 30 East, PA 897 North, PA 340 West, PA 896 South, US 30 West to York.

US 30 East, Local Roads, I 83 Business South, PA 74 West, US 30 East to York.

US 30 West, PA 194 South, PA 94 North, US 30 West, US 15 Business South to Gettysburg.

Local Roads, US 15 Business South, US 15 South, US 340 South, VA 7 West, I 82 South, US 17/50/522 West to Winchester.

US 17/50/522 East, I 81 South, I 64 East, US 250 East, Blue Ridge Parkway South, US 501 South, US 29 Business Lynchburg South, US 29 South, NC 86 South

Notes
Took the MD 279, DE 896 detour through Newton to avoid a traffic jam and incidentally missed the Delaware Turnpike toll.

On PA 41 North, there were signs for the traffic spacing dots I had first seen on US 322 near State College. However, the road had been milled for resurfacing, so the dots were gone. There were some dots on the southbound north of the construction.

At the James River Bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a pedestrian bridge suspended under the roadbed to allow visitors to park at the James River Visitor Center on the north side of the river to cross the river to visit a old lock and canal on the south side of the river.

Results
Counties - Adams PA, Frederick MD, Jefferson WV, Clarke VA, Waynesboro (IC) VA, for a new total of 1004.
MD - Clinched US 340. Mileage on US 15, US 40, MD 279.

DE - Mileage on DE 2, DE 4, DE 896.
PA - Mileage on I 76, I 83 Business York, US 1, US 15, US 15 Business Gettysburg, US 30, US 222, US 322, PA 23, PA 41, PA 74, PA 94, PA 116, PA 194, PA 340, PA 462, PA 772, PA 896, PA 897.
VA - Mileage on I 64, US 17, US 50, US 250, US 501, US 522, US 340, VA 7.

WV- Clinched US 340.

Boone Cave Park, Rock House

Route
I 40 West, I 40 Business West, NC 150 West, Boone Park Road to Boone Cave Park
Boone Park Road, NC 150 East, US 64 West, NC 801 North, I 40 East, NC 150 East, NC 67 North, I 40 Business East, NC 8 North, NC 89 North, NC 268 West, NC 66 South, Taylor Road, Rockhouse Road to Rack House
Rockhouse Road, Taylor Road, NC 66 North, NC 89 South, US 311 South, NC 65 East, US 158 East, NC 66 South, Bryan Boulevard , I 73 South, I 85 North, I 40 East.

Notes
Boone Cave Park was Boone Cave State Park, when I last visited back in the 1990's. It was pretty run down then. It has since been turned over to local control and has been spruced up a lot. The cave is about 75' long and requires light and caving protection to traverse. There are trails, an old cabin, a nice picnic pavilion overlooking the Yadkin River and a canoe/kayak access at a large rock ledge on the river.

The Rock House was built by Captain Jack Martin during the Revolutionary War and figured in the clash with the Tories from Tory Den (now in Hanging Rock State Park). The walls still stand, with modern supports cabled to them. Also on Rockhouse Road is a access to the Sauratown Trail, a horse/hiking trail connecting Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain.

Results
Clinched NC 8, NC 66. Mileage on NC 150, NC 67, NC 89, NC 268.

Villanova via Chincoteague Island

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, US 58 East, I 264 East, I 64 West, US 13 North, VA 175 East to Chincoteague Island VA
VA 175 West, US 13 North, US 113 North, US 50 East, MD 528 North, DE 1 North, DE 1A North, DE 1 North, US 9 North, Lewes-Cape May Ferry, US 9 North, NJ 109 South, Local Roads, US 9 North, NC 109 South, Local Roads, NC 147 North, Local Roads, NJ 152 East, Ventnor Ave to Atlantic City.
Atlantic City Expressway West, NJ 42 North, I 295 East, I 76 West, I 676 North, I 76 West, US 422 West, PA 32 West to Valley Forge.
Local Roads, PA 252 North, PA 32 East, US 422 East, US 202 North to King of Prussia.
US 202 South, I 76 East, I 476 South, US 30 East to Villanova.
US 30 West, I 476 South, I 95 South, I 495 South, I 95 South, I 85 South, US 15/501 South.

Notes
The restaurant and rest area on Island 1 of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is closed for renovations..The pier is open.
The bridge carrying VA 175 to Chincoteague Island has been relocated to line up with Maddox Boulevard, bypassing Marsh Island and downtown. There is a new spur bridge to Marsh Island, but it is closed for now. The old bridge from downtown to Marsh Island is the current only access to Marsh Island.
The bridge carrying US 9 to the Lewes Ferry is one lane because of construction with stop lights controlling like a flag man.

Results
Counties - Accomack VA, Northampton VA, Worcester MD, Atlantic NJ, Camden NJ, Cape May NJ, Gloucester NJ, for a new total of 999.
VA - Clinched VA 175, Mileage on US 13.
MD - Mileage on US 13, US 113, US 50, MD 538.
DE - Clinched DE 1A. Mileage on DE 1, US 9.
NJ - Clinched I 676. Mileage on I 76, I 76, US 9, NJ 109.
PA - Clinched I 676. Mileage on US 30.
Highway ends: I 76 East Terminus: Camden NJ. US 113 Southern Terminus: Salisbury MD. US 50 East Terminus : Ocean City MD. US 40, East Terminus, US 322 East Terminus: Ventor City NJ.

NC 39 - Pilot NC

Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, Falls of the Neuse Road North, NC 98 East, NC 39 South, US 64 West, I 40 West.

Notes
There has been some progress on NC 98 Wake Forest bypass since my last visit. The schedule shows June 2010, but there is a lot of work left to do.
US 64 exit 427 (Wendell Falls Parkway) is open. It is now an exit to nowhere. There appears to be open northbound, but closed southbound.
Even though I 440 and I 40 have been resigned to remove the Inner and Outer banners and the multiplex, there still are no signs that indicate that US 70/NC 50 head north on South Saunders Street into downtown Raleigh.

Results
Mileage on NC 39.

Savannah GA and Lowcountry SC

Route
I 40 East, I 95 South, I 16 East, I 516 East, Local Roads, US 80 East to Tybee Island.
US 80 West, Local Roads, I 16 West, I 516 West, GA 21 to Port Wentworth GA.
I 95 South, I 16 East, Local Roads to Savannah.
Local Roads, I 16 West, I 516 West, GA 21 to Port Wentworth GA.
I 95 South, I 16 East, US 17 North, SC 170 West to Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
GA 170 East, US 278 East, US 278 Business East, Local Roads to Hilton Head Island.
US 278 Business West, US 278 West, US 170 East, US 21 South to Hunting Island State Park.
US 21 North, US 21 Business North, US 21 North, US 17 South, I 95 North, I 40 West.

Notes
US 80 ends with a marble plaque indicating that its other end is in San Diego.
The Talmadge Bridge carries US 17 over the Savannah River is an impressive cable stayed suspension bridge. The supports for the old bridge are still present on the east shore of the river.
There is a four mile drive through in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge off SC 170 just east of the state line. We saw many alligators floating in the canal along the road.
US 278 ends at a traffic circle with US 278 Business.
US 21 ends at Hunting Island State Park.
A new US 21 bridge is being built from Port Royal to Lady Island. US 21 is being widened on Lady Island to the US 21 Business intersection.
The US 21 and US 17 intersection is being rebuilt.

Results
Beaufort County SC, for a new total of 991.
Clinched I 516, US 278 Business Hilton Head Island, US 21 Business Beaufort. Mileage on US 17, US 21, US 80, US 278, GA 21, SC 170.
Highway ends: I 16 East, US 80 East, US 278 East, US 21 South.

Hanging Rock State Park

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 73 North, I 73 Future North, Bryan Boulevard, NC 68 North, US 158 West, US 65 West, US 311 North, NC 89 North, Hanging Rock State Park Road to Hanging Rock State Park
Local Roads, NC 66 South, I 40 Business East, I 40 East, I 73 South, I 85 North, I 40 East.

Notes

Results
Mileage on NC 66.

NC 740 - Morrow Mountain State Park

Route
I 40 West, Mebane Oaks Road, NC 119 North, US 70 West, NC 100 West, NC 61 North, NC 150 West, US 29 North, US 29 Business North, NC 65 West, NC 68 South, NC 150 West, NC 66 South, US 311 South, I 85 Business South, 5th Ave, local roads, NC 8 South, NC 740 South, NC 24/27 East, NC 109 North, NC 109 Business South, NC 134 North, US 220 North, US 64 East, NC 49 North, I 40 East.

Notes
Drove the new (2001) routing of NC 100 north of Elon University, This took NC 100 off of part of the original NC 10. NC 100 has a truck restriction south of NC 61, so there is a a truck route off of NC 100 in downtown Gibsonville, which is signed "Bus/Truck Route".
US 311 Business is still signed through High Point.
NC 8 has an odd west turn at its south terminus, where it is multiplexed with NC 740 to US 52.
Morrow Mountain State Park is a beautiful mountaintop state park. I saw dozens of deer on the road on the way up to the peak, which was socked in by clouds, so no pictures.
The northern terminus of NC 134 is not at US 220, but at an intersection a half mile west.

Results
Clinched NC 740, NC 109 Business Troy; NC 65 in Rockingham County, which clinched all highways in Rockingham County; NC 150 in Guilford County, which clinched all highways in Guilford County.

NC 39 Vance County

Route
I 85 North, NC 39 South, NC 98 West, NC 96 North, US 1 South to NC 98 East, US 1 North, NC 98 West.

Notes
I'd heard that NC 98 Wake Forest bypass was almost complete. The schedule shows January 2010, but there is a lot of work left to do. There has been no work done tying the new bypass to NC 98 east. I would say it'll take until March at least.

Results
Clinched NC 39 in Vance County, which clinched all highways in Vance County.

I 520 South Carolina

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, I 20, I 520, GA 104, GA 337, Local Roads
I 20 East, US 1 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 485 South, US 29 North, I 85 North, I 40 East to Chapel Hill
Notes
I 520 has been completed to interchange with I 20 in South Carolina. It is the only odd three digit interstate to begin and end at its parent. There are no plans to renumber the road. Since both ends of I 520 were rebuilt and resigned this year, they could have done both ends at little cost. But what is done is done.
I 520 in South Carolina has four exits: diamonds at US 1 and Clearlake Road, a half cloverleaf at US 25/SC 121 connector and T-flyovers at I 20. The interchange with I 20 is so close to the US 25 interchange, that the entrance and exit ramps cross. There is no way to exit from I 520 onto I 20 and then exit onto US 25 and vice versa. To connect from I 520 to US 25, you have to use the connector, a mile south.
The reconstruction of the interchange between I 20 and I 520 in Georgia is complete. There are now flyovers to and from I 520 and C/D lanes along I 520. One of the hotels we used to stay at in Augusta was a victim of the construction, since it lost so much traffic.
There was a giant traffic jam on I 85 between I 485 and US 601/US 29. We managed to get over to I 485 and went over to US 29. We tried Brutun Smith Boulevard, but it was backed up for at least a mile from I 85, so we took US 29 to Concord. Traffic was stopped on I 85 south there. The backup continued well past China Grove. There were a lot of Carolina fans in the jam trying to get to the bowl game. I wonder if they made it in time.
Noticed a Truck Route for NC 73 multiplexed with US 601 on the west side of Concord.
Results
Clinched I 520 South Carolina.

NC 47

Route
I 40 West, US 220 South, I 85 Business South, I 85 South, NC 8 North, I 85 Business South, Linwood Road South, NC 47 East, NC 49 North, Tot Hill Road West, NC 49 North, US 220 North, US 220 Connector East to US 220 Business and return, US 220 South, NC 42 East, local roads, NC 902 East, US 64 Business East, US 15/501 North.

Notes
Mixed a shopping trip with some roadgeeking and a barbecue restaurant stop for review. Signage on I 40 through Death Valley is complete. Construction on the I 74 interchange with I 85 continues.
NC 8 has been rerouted through Lexington since I was last through town.
Took a slight detour up Tot Hill Farm Road to find a trail head that I used years ago. The trail head is the northern end of the original Uwharrie National Recreational Trail. The last time I was there, the trail head, which didn't any parking, was being swallowed up by a golf course. I was delighted to find that the NFS has built a parking lot across a creek west of the old trail head and there is a new trail connecting to the old trail. This trail has a roadgeek significance. Part of the trail runs along the old Salisbury Road, which was a major north/south thoroughfare in the time of Daniel Boone.

Results
Clinched US 220 Connector in Asheboro and NC 47. Mileage on NC 8 and NC 42.

Pilot Mountain State Park

Route
I 40 West, I 85 West, I 73 North, I 40 West, US 421 West, US 601 North, US 601 Business Dodson South, US 601 North, US 52 North, US 52 Business Mount Airy South, US 52 South, Pilot Mountain State Park, US 52 South, I 40 Business East, I 40 East, I 73 South, I 85 West.

Notes
This was a roundabout route to Pilot Mountain to catch the fall colors and see the country along US 601. The maples were gorgeous in Boonville and Dodson , but no good photography stood out. The colors were fine on Pilot Mountain. There were a lot of buzzards around the Big Pinnacle and the moon was visible in the late afternoon sky.

Results
Clinched US 601 Business Dodson, US42 Business Mount Airy. Mileage on US 601.

Villanova to Michigan

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, I 95 North, VA 207 North, US 301 North, I 97 North, I 695 East, I 95 North, I 495 North, I 95 North, I 476 North, I 76 West to King of Prussia.
I 76 West, I 283 North, I 83 North, I 81 South, US 322 West, US 322 Business West, PA 26 North, US 322 West, I 99 North, US 220 North, I 80 West, I 76 West, US 224 West, US 250 North, US 20 West, OH 53 North, I 80/90 West, I 280 North, I 75 North, I 275 North to Livonia
I 275 South, I 75 South, US 35 East, US 35 Business Xenia East, US 35 East, I 64 East, I 77 South, I 74 East, I 40 Business East, I 40 East, I 73 South, I 85 East, I 40 East, NC 86 South

Notes
I 85 construction continues with two way traffic on the northbound lanes from Oxford to Henderson.
All rest areas in Virginia except welcome centers are closed.
US 301 is a pleasant drive across the Potomac except for the line of stoplights and shopping centers in Waldorf MD.
I 476 across the Schuykill River is split into two sets of lanes northbound, with two lanes on a temporary bridge and two lanes on the original bridge so that the other lanes can be rehabbed.
On US 322 two lane descending into State College has a different system for fighting tailgating, There are two foot in diameter circles along the center of the lane with signs advising to keep two circles behing the next car.
I 76/71 is being rebuilt. The northbound exit ramps from I 71 to I 76/US 224 are under construction.
US 35 in Point Pleasant WV has been diverted around the tie-in to the new US 35 under construction. There are multiple signs to access and work areas from current US 35 to the new freeway. At the Buffalo Bridge, US 35 makes a turn up to the bridge access, then turns directly inland as a two-lane road. After the first turn, WV 817 (Old US 35) intersects from the left. At the second turn, to WV 62 intersects from the left and passes over the Buffalo Bridge. When US 35 reaches the new routing, it makes a right angle turn left and divides into a divided four-lane highway with road intersections until it reaches WV 34, which is an interchange. There is a flyover ramp to I 64 East.

Results
Counties - King George VA, Charles MD, Perry PA, Juniata PA, Mifflin PA, Medina OH, Greene OH, Fayette OH, for a new total of 990.
VA - Mileage on US 301, VA 207.
MD - Clinched I 97, US 301.
PA - Clinched I 283. Mileage on I 83, I 99. Mileage on US 22, US 322, US 322 Business State College, US 522, US 220, US 202, PA 26.
OH- Clinched US 35 Business Xenia. Mileage on I 76, US 224, US 20, US 35.
WV- Reclinched US 35.

Parker Ferry

Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 64 East, US 64 Business Rocky Mount East, US 64 Alternate East, US 258 North to NC 122 and return, US 64 Alternate East, NC 42 North, US 64 East, US 17 Business North, US17 North to NC 308 West and return, US 13 Business North, US 13 North, US 158 West, Parker Ferry Road, Parker Ferry, Parker Ferry Road, US 258 North to VA line and return, US 158 East, US 158 Business Murfreesboro West, US 158 West, US 301 South, US 301 Halifax North, US 301 South, US 64 West, I 540 West, I 40 West.

Notes
The third time was the charm. After striking out twice, I finally rode one of the cable powered ferries in eastern North Carolina. Parker Ferry Road runs between US 158 at a prison west of Weldon to US 258 just south of Como NC. It is gravel for a couple of miles before and after the ferry. Coming from the south, I pulled up to the gate and honked my car horn. A little old ferry keeper came out of his little old ferry shack and brought the ferry over to the south side. I had time to take some pictures of the ferry. The deck has space for two cars or one truck. The whole process took maybe fifteen minutes. It was worth the trip.

Results
Clinched US 64 Alternate Tarboro, US 64 Business Rocky Mount, US 17 Business Williamston, US 13 Business Windsor, US 301 Business Halifax. Mileage on US 17, US 13, US 258.

Villanova Move-in and Washington DC

Route
US 15/501 North, I 85 North, I 95 North, I 495 West, I 95 North, I 695 East, I 95 North, I 495 North, I 95 North, I 476 North, US 30 East to Villanova PA
US 30 West, I 476 North, I 76 West, US 202 West, US 30 Business West, PA 100 North, PA 113 South to Lionville PA
PA 113 North, PA 100 North, I 76 East, PA 320 South, US 30 East to Villanova PA
US 30 West, PA 100 North, PA 113 South to Lionville PA
PA 113 North, PA 100 South, US 202 South, I 95 South, DE 1 South, DE 299 West, US 301 South, I 595 West, US 50 West, I 395 South to Washington DC
Local Roads, I 66 West, VA 267 West, VA 28 South, Liberia Ave, Prince William Parkway, I 95 South, I 85 South, US 15/501 South

Notes
This trip tried out a couple of alternatives to I 95 between DC and Philadelphia. I 495 around Wilmington DE is much better than I 95 through town. I 695 across the Key Bridge is a logner, but a much calmer drive than the construction on I 95 and I 895 north of the tunnels. DE 1/US 301/I 595 is a pleasant scenic alternative to I 95. You just have to avoid this route when folks are heading to/from the beach.

All of the rest areas on I 85 and I 95 in Virginia that are not Welcome Centers are closed. It is a long haul from the Virginia Welcome Center south of Lake Gaston to the Maryland Welcome Center on I 95 between I 495 and I 895.

US 301 in DE reminds me of Ohio. The corn fields being converted to housing and commercial and the farmer's markets are much the same, except for the market selling crabs.

US 301 in Maryland has multiple instances of a variation of a Michigan Left, where the through road (US 301) has divided left turn exits, but the cross road cannot go across to turn left or straight across. The cross road has to turn right onto the through road and make a U-turn at the cutover. There are similar intersections on US 1 hear Vass NC. What is this intersection called?

Results
Counties - Kent MD, Queen Anne's MD, Manassas (IC) VA, Manassas Park (IC) VA, for a new total of 982.
VA - Mileage on VA 267, VA 28, VA 3000.
DC - Clinched I 395. Mileage on US 50, US 1.
MD - Clinched I 595. Mileage on US 50, US 301.
DE - Clinched I 495. Mileage on DE 1, DE 299, US 13, US 301.
PA - Mileage on I 76, I 476. Mileage on US 30, US 30 Business, PA 100, PA 113.

Windsor NC

Route
I 40 East, I 440 West, US 264 East, NC 91 South, US 264 Alternate East, Local streets, NC 43 West, US 264 West, US 13 North, US 13 Business Bethel South, US 64 Alternate East, US 13 North, US 17 Bypass Windsor North, US 17 South, NC 380 East, Sans Souci Road, NC 380 East, NC 45 South, US 63 West, US 64 Business Jamesville West, US 64 West, US 13 South, US 13 Business Bethel North, US 64 Alternate West, US 64 West, I 440 West, I 40 West.

Notes
On I 795/US 264 in Wilson, the BGS for I 795 still say US 117 and for US 301 say US 117 Alternate, even though AASHTO approved the change.
NCDOT originally documented that they were going to sign mainline US 17 through Windsor as a Business Route. However, when they made their request to AASHTO, they asked for it be an Alternate Route. However, signage in the field has the original mainline signed as the mainline and the new bypass has a Bypass banner.
I originally wanted to photograph and ride the Sans Souci ferry, but the last few hundred yards of the gravel road leading up to the ferry was under water. I ended up backing up the road back to the paved road in Sans Souci, because the shoulders were flooded.

Results
Bertie County, for a new total of 979.
Clinched US 264 Alternate Bethel, US 64 Business Bethel, US 64 Business Jamesville, US 17 Bypass Windsor.

Seattle Trip, Day 7

Route

Coeur d'Alene ID to Seattle WA: I 90 West, Local Roads in Spokane, I 405 North, WA 520 East

Notes

Results

Clinched I 90 Idaho.

Counties: Washington: 5, for a new total of 978.

Seattle Trip, Day 6

Route
Yellowstone to Couer d'Alene ID: Park roads: Canyon to Norris, Mammoth, North Entrance

US 89 North, I 90 West

Notes

I 90 is under construction on the multiplex with I 15 in Butte MT and from Missoula MT west.

Every pass in MT and ID have Chain Up and Chain Removal areas for installing tire chains in winter.

Results

New state visited: Montana, for a new total of 44.

Counties: Montana: 10, Idaho: 2, for a new total of 973.

Seattle Trip, Day 5

Route
Sheridan WY to Yellowstone: I 90 West, US 14 West, US 14A West, US 14/16/20 West to Yellowstone

Park Roads: to Fishing Bridge, West Thumb, Madison, Norris, Canyon

Notes

US 14 is under construction to straighten it out at the top of the Big Horn climb.

Madison to Norris in Yellowstone is under construction with delays and closed at night.

Results

Clinched US 14 Alternate, Cody WY

Seattle Trip, Day 4

Route
Rapid City SD to Sheridan WY: I 90 West, I 190 South, local roads, US 16 West, US 16 Alternate West, SD 244 West to Mt Rushmore

SD 244 East, US 16 Alternate West, SD 743 West, SD 87 West, US 16 West, I 90 West to Sheridan WV

Notes

US 16 from Rapid City to Custer SD has been significantly upgraded over the years. The Truck route east of town is hardly needed except to keep the largest trucks off a few blocks in downtown Rapid City.

There are gates on US 16 and I 90 for closing the highways with warning signs.

Results

Counties: Wyoming, Sheridan, for a new total of 961.

Seattle Trip, Day 3

Route
Council Bluffs IA to Rapid City SD: I 29 North, SD 50 West, SD 50 Business West to Vermillion SD.
SD 50 Bus East, SD 50 East, I 29 North, I 90 West, I 90 BL (Mitchell) West, I 90 West to Rapid City SD.
I 90 West, I 190 South, local roads, US 16 East, I 190 North, I 90 East
Notes

Construction on I 29 and I 90 for long stretches with two way traffic on one side and no pavement left on the other at all.

Stopped for gas in Mt Vernon SD. Stopped a crossroad a half mile north of I 90 signed "Hwy 16". This would be old US 16 from before it was replaced by I 90 and truncated to Rapid City SD.
Results

Clinched I 29 in IA, I 90 Business Mitchell SD.

Counties: Iowa: 3, South Dakota: 3, for a new total of 960.

Seattle Trip, Day 2

Route
Evansville IN to Council Bluffs IA: US 41 North, I 64 West, I 70 West, Local Streets (Downtown St Louis), I 70 West, MO 19, Local Road, MO 167, I 70 West, I 435 North, I 29 North, I 229 North, I 29 North, IA 2 West, NE 2 West, US 75 Bus North to Nebraska City NE, US 75 Bus South, NE 2 East, IA 2 East, I 29 North to Council Bluffs IA

Notes
At the rest area on I 64 just before the I 57 interchange, there were construction fliers for the "rubblization" of a section of I 57 south of I 64, They're ripping up the entire pavement and pulverizing it.

The detour for I 64 through St Louis is very well marked and warned. There is no indication of construction or sign changing at the I 70/US 40/61/Future I 64 interchange west of St Louis.

There are full color shields painted on the pavement for the I 270 exit from I 70 in Kansas City.

I 35 is under construction from I 70 to I 29. I 435 is given as a detour for both I 35 and I 29 North. I 435 has I 35 shields with orange alt banners posted along that part of the detour, but not such shields for I 29.

I 29 is reduced to two way traffic on the north bound lanes for several long stretches in Iowa.
Results

Clinched I 64 in IN and IL, I 229 in MO.

Counties: Indiana: 1, Illinois: 5, Missouri: 5, Nebraska: 1, Iowa: 2, for a new total of 954.

Seattle Trip, Day 1

Route
Chapel Hill NC to Evansville IN: I 40 West, I 85 West, I 73 North, I 40 West, US 52 North, I 74 West, I 77 West, I 64 West, I 264 West, I 64 West, US 41 South to Evansville IN

US 41 North, I 64 East, I 164 South, Local Streets, IN 62 East, US 41 North

Notes
Sign changing continues on Greensboro interstates. The ramp from I 85 to I 73/US 421 is labeled US 421 North. The Wendell Ave exit number is now using I 73 mileage. The exit for I 40 from I 73/US 421 has Blue 40 shields, but uses both I 40 and I 73 mileage.

Construction continues on the new I 60 bridge west of Charleston WV. No tie ins to I 64 yet.

Major construction on I 64 in Indiana, Two way traffic on the east bound lanes. Construction at the end of I 164 at the US 41 interchange.

Results

Clinch I 64 in WV, I 164 in IN.

Counties: Kentucky: 9. Indiana: 9, New total = 940.

Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island

Route
I 40 East, US 74 East to Wrightsville Beach
US 74 West, US 76 West, NC 132 South, US 421 South, Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry, NC 211 North, Local roads, NC 211 North, NC 133 South to Oak Island
NC 133 North, US 421 North, I 140 East, I 40 West

Notes
There are ALT ROUTE banners on I 40 shields on NC 24 at the bottom of the ramps from I 40 pointing east. I assume they are for hurricane evacuation routes.

The second bridge to Oak Island is under construction. There was an accident there last winter that stopped construction, but a lot has been done since my last visit in October 2007. What is done is the approach ramp on Middleton south from Oak Island Boulevard, support towers and pieces of deck and deck supports.


There are read and blue I 140 shields painted on the pavement in the exit lane from US 421/17 to I 40/US 17. Colored shields are very rare on pavement.

Results

Appomattox Va

Route
NC 86 North, I 85 North, US 15 North, US 15 Truck Oxford North, US 158 Business Oxford East, US 15 North, US 15 Business Farmville North, US 460 West, US 29 South, US 29 Business Alta Vista South, US 29 South, US 29 Business Gretna South, US 29 South, US 29 Business Chatham South, US 29 South, NC 86 South.
Notes
This trip was to Appomattox National Historic Park. On the way up and back, I clinched some US Business routes. The US 29 Business routes are the old US 29 routing through the town. Between Alta Vista and Hurt there is a magnificent double camelback truss bridge on the Business route and a railroad bridge with the sidewalk going through a corrugated pipe. Both are worth some photography when it is not so rainy.
Results
Counties - Appomattox VA, for a new total of 921.
NC - Clinched US 158 Business Oxford.
VA - Clinched US 15 Business Farmville, US 29 Business Alta Vista, US 29 Business Gretna, US 29 Business Chatham. Mileage on US 29, US 460, US 501.

Villanova University Campus Visit

Route
I 85 North, I 95 North, I 395 North, I 695 North, Pennsylvania Avenue, DC 295 North, MD 219 North, Baltimore/Washington Parkway North, I 95 North, I 895 North, I 95 North, US 202 North to King of Prussia
US 202 South, N Gulph Road, PA 32 West to Valley Forge
PA 32 East, US 422 South, US 202 North to KoP
US 202 South, S Gulph Road, PA 320 South, US 30 East to Villanova University
US30 West, I 476 South, I 95 South, I 495 West, I 95 South, I 295 South, VA 36 West, I 85 South
Notes
Normally on a Sunday, the drive through DC to Baltimore on I 395, DC 295 and the Balt-Wash would be a breeze. However, this weekend was the Cherry Blossom Festival. We came to a full stop just before the Potomac River.
I 95 north of Baltimore is being totally reconstructed from I 895 through the I 695 interchange. It may be better to take I 695 over the Key Bridge to miss the construction.
The sign gantries on US 202 in Delaware are painted a very dark grey, almost black, an odd color choice.
US 202 is divided in Delaware with businesses in the median. There is a wide shoulder on the left for exitting to the businesses.
I saw my first jughandle on US 202 in Pennsylvania. It was a standard reverse jughandle, looking much like a cloverleaf. The second was a forward jughandle just west of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which we used to get to the hotel between the King of Prussia Mall and the Turnpike. To get to the hotel from US 202 eastbound, we drove pastthe hotel across the Turnpike, right on the jughandle, left on a sideroad, then left on US 202 westbound, back across the Turnpike to the hotel.
We saw two interesting signs not often followed: "Road Construction: Headlights on" in Pennsylvania. "Turn off Windshield Wipers" in Delaware Turnpike and Maryland JFK Highway tollbooths.
The toll for the Susquehanna Bridge is $5, eastbound only.
I 495 is being reconstructed around the Dulles toll road and I 66 interchanges.
Results
States - Delaware, for a new total of 43.
Counties - New Castle DE, Cecil MD, Harford MD, Montgomery MD, for a new total of 914.
VA - Clinched I 495.
DC - Clinched I 695.
MD - Clinched I 95, I 495, I 895.
DE - Clinched I 95. Mileage on US 202.
PA - Mileage on I 95, I 476. Mileage on US 30, US 202, US 322, US 422, PA 320.

Augusta GA - Christmas

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, SC 277 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, I 20, GA 104, GA 337, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 East to Chapel Hill
Notes
The BGS's on I 40 West at the old Business Route split now have I 40 and I 85 splitting and I 40 Business is gone. However, the reassurance shields on I 85 and the BGS's in both directions at the I 85/I 73 split have I 40 West.
Just north of the I 20/I 520 interchange, a new double trumpet interchange has been built for Scott Nixon Road to cross the Bobby Jones ( GA 232 ). Construction of this interchange and the moving of the access road for I 20 have caused a couple of motels and a skating rink to be demolished. The Sam's Club has lost a quarter of its parking lot.
Results

Concord NC

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South and return

Notes
This was a quick shopping trip to Concord Mills along the I 85 corridor that I travel frequently.

There is no indication of sign changing on I 40/85/73 in Greensboro. The USRN meeting muddied this by referring to Future 73.

The construction at the I 74/US 311 interchange with I 85 continues apace. There is a new traffic pattern. The I 85 main lanes have been rerouted onto new C/D lanes which pass over new bridges over the I 74 main lanes. The east ramps for NC 62 connect to the C/D lanes. The close proximity of the NC 62 interchange with the new interchange is going to cause interleaving on the C/D lanes.

There is signage on I 85 for oversized truck detours between US 311 and US 64. The signs have two shields: one for I 85 Business and one for US 29/70, which have both numbers, one above the other, on one shield.

Results
None.

I 74 - Lumberton

Route
US 15/501 South, US 64 West, NC 87 South, NC 902 West, Local Road, US 421 West, US 1 South, US 15/501 South, US 74 Business West, I 74 East, US 74 Business Maxton East, US 74 Alternate East, NC 710 South, I 74 East, US 74 Alternate West, NC 710 North, NC 210 West, US 1 North, NC 78 East, NC 42 East, US 1/NC 42 Connector (US 421 Future) North, US 15/501 North

Notes
I 74/US 74 now connects to I 95. The current segment from Laurinburg to Lumberton runs from US 74 Business west of Laurinburg to NC 41, two exits east of I 95. NC DOT made an error in the mile markers on the segment from Laurinburg to NC 710. The segment from NC 710 to NC 41 is signed correctly, but several exit numbers on this segment duplicate the (incorrect) exit numbers on the western segment. NC DOT has covered over the exit numbers on the signs for the incorrectly numbered exits. It looks like they are going to fix it all, though it may take a while. From the interchange the east end of US 74 Alternate to NC 41, I 74/US74 is still being worked on. The main work is for widening of the shoulders. NC 41 needs to be resigned. Even though the road is not currently interstate standard, so that technically the road would be Future I 74, but there are some signs on the segment labelling it as full I 74, so, for all practical purposes, I 74 not runs to NC 41 and obviously ends there. US 74 continues on as non-interstate grade freeway (Future I 74).

The US 74 Alternate bridge over I 95 is closed for construction dealing with the removal of the I 95 interchange and connection to the new interchange with I 74/US 74. The westbound exit is open to US Alternate from I 74/US 74. However, there is a detour on the service drive of I 95 up to NC 71, west across I 95 and down the other service drive.

Results
Reclinch I 74 in NC. Clinch US 74 Business Laurinburg/Maxton, US 74 Alternate. Mileage on NC 710, NC 71, NC 210.

US 1/NC 42 Connector, Sanford

Route
US 15/501 South,US 1/NC 42 Connector (US 421 Future) South, NC 42 West, US 421 West, Cumnock Road North, local roads, NC 87 North, US 64 East, US 15/501 North

Notes
The future US 421 bypass is now open from NC 42 to US1/15/501/NC 87 north of Sanford. Neither end connects to US 421. From the US 1 freeway, the road is signed TO NC 42. On NC 42, the road is labeled as US 1/NC 42 Connector.

Where Cumnock Road crosses the Deep River, there is an old camelback trestle bridge that is in a small park. The bridge is well worth a stop. You can cross the bridge and see the construction detail. The planking sticks out from under the asphalt in places. There is a strange canoe/kayak launch beneath the bridge with a pair of steel pipe railings to slide your boat on next to a concrete steps that go down into the river.

Results
Reclinch US 421 Future.

Augusta GA

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, Bruton Smith Parkway, US 29 South, US 29 Connector, I 85 South, NC 16 North, I 485 South, I 85 North, Billy Graham parkway, US 74 East/West, I 85 South, US 29 South, I 85 South, I 85 Business, I 585 North, US 178 North, US 178 South, I 585 South, US 178 South, SC 49 West, I 26 South, SC 72 West, US 25 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 104 North, Ga 47 North, US 378 East, GA 79 North, GA 44 W/E to Wilkes County, GA 72 East, SC 72 East, SC 81 North, I 85 North, I 185 North, US 29 North, I 385 Business South, I 385 South, I 85 North, I 85 Business, I 85 North, US 221 North, US 74 East, I 85 North, NC 3 South, NC 49 North, US 65 East, US 15/501 North to Chapel Hill
Notes
I 485 north of I 85 is no longer signed Future. On NC 16, the first BGS for I 485 has "TO" over the I 485 shield, but the next BGS shows just the shield. The BGS for I 485 at US 74/29 labels the southbound lanes as both "OUTER" and "SOUTH", showing a little split personality.
I 585 is signed both north and south of I 85 Business in Spartanburg, but the freeway ends at the first exit north. The interstate should only go south or all the way to connect to I 85, eliminating the hanging I 585.

Results
Clinch I 495 (NC), I 585 (SC), I 395 Business Greenville, I 595 Business Spartanburg. Mileage on I 385, I 185, US 29, US 221, US 74, US 378, US 176 and NC 3, NC 16, SC 49, SC 72, SC 81, GA 104, GA 47, GA 79, GA 72, GA 44. Five counties: Union and Abbeville SC, Lincoln, Willkes and Elbert GA for a total of 906.

Carolinas Roadmeet, Cleveland NC

Route
NC 54 East, I 40 East, US 70 East, I 40 East, NC 42 West, NC 50 South, NC 210 East, I 40 West, NC 42 West
NC 42 East, Local Roads, US 70 Business West, US 70 West, NC 42 West
NC 42 East, I 40 West, NC 540 West, NC 55 North, Local Roads, NC 54 West
Notes
On the way to the roadmeet, I needed gas, so I took US 70/NC 50/US 401 to get gas at $3.85. When I got to the Cleveland Draft House, I had a little time to kill, so I went down NC 50 to McGhee's Crossroads to check out a BBQ restaurant and get a little more NC 210 mileage.
There is a BGS in error on US 70 East indicating that the I 40 West ramp is for US 70 West. This hearkens back to the early 1990's when US 70 went up I 40 and around the Beltline.
Smithfield is shown on a mileage sign on I 40 between US 70 and the new US 70 interchange. This is in preparation for when US 70 East will be routed there next week.
There is a US 70 reassurance shield on I 40 West north of the new interchange also in prep.
The BGS's on I 40 West for US 70 East now have covered banners for the change to Business.
The US 70 reassurance shields through Clayton all have covered Business banners.

We drove around looking at the new US 70 freeway from various dead ends. The first stop featured a dead cat in a shopping bag. A later dead end was for a busy road now permanently cut by the freeway. Between the Road Ends 1000 yards and 500 yards, there is a Speed Limit sign reducing the speed limit to 45 mph. At the dead end, right next to the barrier is a a Speed Limit sign restoring the 55 mph speed limit. If you can't speed up, you won't be able to make the jump across the freeway.
Results
Mileage on NC 210.

Painter Boulevard Southwest

Route
I 40 West, I 40 Business East, US 220 South, I 85 Business South, Groometown Road, I 40 East
Notes
First trip through the Maze. Westbound, I went directly on I 40/73. Coming back, I took the Grovetown exit to get another view of the bridges. Took a left across the Groometown bridge and left again onto the ramps for I 40/73/85. The rightmost ramp to I 40/73 is one long ramp.
Results
Reclinch I 40/73.

US 421 Bypass Future, Sanford

Route
US 15/501 South, local roads, US 421 Future West, US 421 Future East, NC 42 West, US 421 East, US 301 North, US 70 Business East, US 70 East, US 117 Alternate North, US 301 North, US 64 West, US 64 Business (Nashville) West, US 64 Alternate West, NC 98 West, US 1 South, I 540 West, I 40 East
Notes
The future US 421 bypass is open (though unsigned) from NC 42 to Colon Road north of Sanford. Neither end connects to US 421. The exits are numbered with US 421 mileage. At the Colon Road exit, there is a sign for the US 1 etc. interchange. It looks like that end is getting ready to open.
At the interchange for I 795 on US 70, the signs for the southbound ramps say US 117. The signs on the northbound ramps say US 117 and TO I 795. This interchange is the south end of I 795. Why does it say TO I 795?
NCDOT had said that they are taking US 117 off of the I 795 freeway and moving it back to current US 117 Alternate. There are no Alternate signs on US 117 Alternate. There used to be signs on US 301 directing US 117 Alternate onto US 264. It looks like US 117 Alternate has been shortened back to US 301. As the signs change, we will see what's going on.
There are new numbered exit signs on US 64 through Rocky Mount up to I 95.
Results
Clinch US 1117 Alternate, US 64 Business (Nashville), US 64 Alternate (Spring Hope). Mileage on US 421, US 301.

US 220 Reclinch

Route
US 15/501 South, US 64 West, Local Roads, US 220 Alt South, NC 705 North, US 220 South, US 220 Business Ellerbe North, US 220 Alt North, US 220 North, US 64 East, US 15/501 North
Notes
Old US 220 is still not resigned through Ellerbe and Norman. The only signs for US 22o Business are at the interchange. US 220 north of Norman has streets signs that say US 220 Alt, indicating that US 220 Alternate is being extended south, but the extent is unclear.
Results
Reclinch US 220.

Meinecke Car Care Bowl - Charlotte NC

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, I 277 North, College Street
I 277 South, I 77 North, NC 16 North, I 85 North, I 40 East to Chapel Hill
Notes
Hit bad traffic twice on the way home from the stadium. First was on I 77 North. Took NC 16 over to I 85 to avoid stopped traffic. The second was from I 485 to Speedway Boulevard on I 85.
Results
Mileage on NC 16.

Augusta GA - Winthrop University

Route
I 40 West, I 85 South, I 77 South, US 1 South, I 20 West to Augusta
GA 28, I 520, GA 104, Local Roads
I 20 East, SC 277 North, I 77 North, US 21 North, US 21 Business Rock Hill North, US 21 North, I 77 North, I 85 North, I 40 East to Chapel Hill
Notes
All of the BGS's at the Maze have I 73 along with I 40, except for the US 220 exit. The US 220 exit from I 40/73 is exit 220 on I 40. Nice coincidence. This will be I 73 sometime, but is not signed yet.

The US 311/I 74 interchange on I 85 has bridge construction starting. The exit with NC 62 is partially blocked for construction of approach lanes.

The construction on I 85 from the Yadkin River to Salisbury continues. The picnic building at the Baptist Church that was damaged during the highway widening is gone.

Construction has started on the I 520 interchange with I20 in South Carolina. The westbound ramp to US 25 has been closed and replaced with a very tight cloverleaf. This will be reverted when the I 520 interchange is complete.

There is a new half interchange on I 20 in Georgia (exit 197) for Walton Way Extension - westbound exit and eastbound entry only. Construction has started on building flyovers from I 520 to I 20 on exit 196. The existing exits have been closed on exit 196, so there is a detour north on GA 232 to Scott Nixon Road, then south on Walton Way Extension to exit 197 (and the reverse).

Results
Clinch US 25 Business Rock Hill. Mileage on US 21.

I 795 and I 74

Route
I 540 East, US 64 East, NC 39 South, US 264 East, I 795 South, NC 222 East, US 117 Alt South, US 117 Alt North, NC 222 West, I 795 South, US 117 South, US 13 South, I 95 South, NC 711 North, NC 710 East, I 74 West, US 74 West, US 1 North, US 220 North, NC 211 East, NC 705 North, NC 24/27 East, US 15/501 North, US 1 North, I 440 East, US 70 West
Notes
This was the most productive roadgeek trip that I have been on in ages. Adam Prince, Robert Malme and sent out to see if I 795 is signed yet and to check out the new section of US 74 ( Future I 74 ) just opened south of Pembroke and the US 220 ( I 73/74 ) Ellerbe Bypass.

The signs on I 795 were put up on November 28 2007. All of the US 117 shields on the highway proper have been replaced with I 795 shields. The shields on the NC 42 interchange were also replaced. However, farther south, the US 117 shields on interchanges were not replaced yet. The BGS on US 264 still shows US 117, so you have to know to take the US 117 exit to stay on I 795.

We were surprised to find that the new section of US 74 is signed as I 74. In fact, all of the signage and exit numbers on US 74 on the Maxton and Laurinburg bypasses have been changed to I 74. Just after exit 207, there is an END I 74 sign. The new exits are:

• 207 - US 74 Business - West Laurinburg
• 208 - NC 79
• 209 - US 15/501/401 North
• 210 - US 15/401 South
• 211 - US 501 South
• 212 - Highland Road
• 213 - US 74 Business
• 216 - Airport Road
• 217 - NC 71
• 220 - US 74 Alt/Bus
• 223 - Cabinet Shop Road
• 226 - NC 710

The six mile stretch from 220 to 226 is a bit restricted. For eastbound travel on US 74, all traffic is forced to exit at exit 220. The exit is a partial cloverleaf. Exit 220A exits onto US 74 Business, west to Maxton. Exit 220B exits onto US 74 Alternate, east to Pembroke. There is an on-ramp from US 74 Business onto I 74/US 74 East. The ramp has a light board sign saying " Local Traffic Only - Open to NC 710". Thus, eastbound traffic must exit on 220A , cross Business US 74 and take the ramp back onto the Interstate. Continuing east on US 74 Alternate, there is one US 74 Alternate sign, then the road is signed US 74 mainline. Thus there are two US 74 mainlines, the old road, which will be US 74 Alternate when I 74/US 74 is finished to I 95, and the new multiplex with I 74.

For westbound travel on old US 74, there is no signage for the new freeway, until you get to exit 220. On NC 710 East from Pembroke, the old US 74 intersection is marked US 74 mainline. On NC 710 West from Rowland, the interchange is signed I 74/US 74 West, with no signage for US 74 East.

Construction on the US 220 Ellerbe Bypass is proceeding apace. We were able to get close enough to see some signage on the highway. The first quirk is that the exit from US 220 into Ellerbe on current US 220 is signed US 220 Business. Old US 220 north of the new freeway is signed US 220 Alternate. It was assumed that US 220 Alternate would just be extended south to Rockingham. In fact, at Tabernacle Road, which is the first exit south of the end of the current freeway, there is a street sign for US 220 Alternate. The signage indicates that current US 220 will be US 220 Business through Ellerbe and US 220 Alternate north of that. This means that the old US 220 will be Business through Ellerbe, Alternate from Norman to south of Asheboro and Business through Asheboro to Randleman. Why can't it all be Alternate US 220?

The second quirk is that the new freeway, which is an extension of I 73/74 / US 220 is signed as US 220/ Future I 73 / Future I 74. The new freeway is identical to the current freeway, in that it ends at US 220, which is NHS. Is this an admission that the current signage of I 73/74 is incorrect?

The following exits are signed on the bypass:

• 8 - Business US 220 - Ellerbe
• 13 - Hayward Parker Road
• 16 - NC 73
• 18 - Norman
• 22 - Tabernacle Church Road
• 24 - Alternate US 220
  

Results
Clinched I 74 in NC, NC 711. Mileage on US 74, US 13, US 117.

The return of NC 15

There is no North Carolina State Highway 15, since that would conflict with US 15. Somebody in NCDoT has mistakenly made some NC 15 shields with the diamond shield when they meant to make US 15 shields.

About two years ago, these signs were installed at the intersection of US 15/501 and NC 54. What was funny was that sign complexes had both US 15 and NC 15 shields, one for northbound and the other for southbound. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures before the NCD0T realized their mistake and replaced the shields.

This week, one of the NC 15 shields reappeared. It is not quite as ironic as the previous shields, except that NCDot made the same error again.

900 Counties!

Route
US 501 North, US 360 East, VA 307 West, US 460 West, US 460 Business West, VA 45 North to Cumberland County and return, US 15/460 Business West, US 15 North to Buckingham County
US 15 South, US 15/360 Business Keysville, US 15 South, VA 49 South, NC 49 South, US 501 South
Notes
This was primarily a county tagging trip. The only odd thing I saw were the signs at US 360 and VA 360. The regular shields had banners for STATE and US above them, to make sure people would not be confused.
I had counted Lunenburg as having been visited by driving on I 85, but I 85 just misses the county. It appears that US 360 enters the county in the area around Meherrin, but here are no county signs on the highway. I saw some along side roads, so I ducked off on SR630 and found a sign and turned around.
Farmville was a good locus for visiting counties, there are four that I visited within ten miles of town.
Results
Clinched US 15/360 Business Keysville, US 58 Business Clarkesville, US 460 Business Farmville. Mileage on US 15, US 360, US 460, US 15 Business Farmville.
Counties in Virginia: Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottaway, Prince Edward. For a total of 901.

Bugg's Island Dam

Route
US 501 North, US 58 East, US 58 Business Clarkseville East, US 15 South, US 58 East, US 58 Business South Hill West, US 1 North to I 85
US 1 South, US 58 East, US 58 West, VA 4 South, Local Roads, US 1/US 158 West, I 85 South
Notes
VA 4 runs across the John H Kerr Dam and along the lake shore for some distance. It is a very scenic drive. VA 4 ends at the state line. The North Carolina side is SR1200, a county road.
Results
Clinched VA 4. Connected disconnected sections of US 58, now continuous mileage from Blue Ridge Parkway to Portsmouth VA. Mileage on US 15, US 58 Business Clarkesville.

Point Lookout on Old US 70

Route
NC 86 North, I 40 West to Old Fort
I 40 East, US 321 South to US 321 Business
US 321 North, I 40 East, NC 86 South
Notes
We took the exit for NC 801 to check out the unusual interchange design. The westbound exit/entrance is a normal diamond controlled by a stop light. The eastbound exit/entrance is a diamond controlled by teardrop roundabout. The left turn from southbound NC 801 and the entrance ramp requires that traffic go three quarters around the roundabout. The north side of the rounabout blends into the median of the bridge making the roundabout the shape of a teardrop.

The main purpose of this trip was to hike an old section of the Central Highway that is now gated off for pedestrian and bike traffic only. The old road climbs up Bernard Mountain from Old Fort to Swannoa. It has been long superceded by US 70 and later I 40. There was a scenic vista called Point Lookout overlooking the Royal Gorge. Up and back was a 3.5 mile hike (each way) with a 750 foot elevation change. We took photos. See roadgeek.filpus.org/PointLookout.html for a complete report.

Went down US 321 to tag Lincoln county. Turned around at US 321 Business, which was briefly signed NC 155 when the US 321 freeway was built. Local pressure forced the state to resign the road to US 321 Business.
Results
Tagged Lincoln counties in NC for a total of 896. Mileage on US 321.

Charleston SC

Route
US 15/501 North, NC 147 East, I 40 East, I 95 South, I 26 East, Meeting Street South to Charleston SC
Meeting Street North, US 17 North, Local Roads to Pawley's Island, US 17 North, SC 544 West, SC 31 North, SC 9 South, SC 90 West, US 17 North, NC 211 South, NC 133 South, Local Roads to Oak Island
NC 133 North, NC 87 North, US 17 North, I 40 North, NC 54 West, US 15/501 North to Chapel Hill
Notes
The US 74 interchange with I 95 is half closed. The north half of the diamond is open, while the south side ramps have been removed to build the I 74/US 74 interchange.
The Cooper River Bridge (US 17) is awesome. It is a double cable stayed bridge, the first I have personally driven across.
Clinched the current version of the Carolina Bays Parkway ( Future I 73/74 ). There are no Future signs to be seen.
The transition from SC 9 South to US 17 North is a surface road connection by way of SC 90. Unlike the transition to US 17 South, which is just a freeway level merge.
The second bridge to Oak Island is under construction. There was a whole line of construction vehicles along the right of way from the NC 211 and Midway Road intersection. On Oak Island, the waterway access at the north end of Middleton is now a holding area for bridge supports. Yacht Drive is open through the construction. The north half of the block of Middleton between Oak Island Drive and Yacht Drive is completely leveled. It appears this block will be the approach to the bridge. It is not clear whether Yacht Drive will go under the bridge or if it will be cut there.
I got a clear view of an old shield gantry on the ramp taking I 40 West onto I 440 Inner Beltline. The gantry has US 70 EAST and NC 50 SOUTH. There was a time when current US 70 through Garner was signed US 70 Business. During that period, US 70 and NC 50 were routed up I 40 to I 440 to the current US 70/401/NC 50 interchange. The gantry on the ramp in question should have been US 70 West and NC 50 North. The current gantry is clearly wrong. I need to get a picture.
Results
Tagged Berkeley and Georgetown counties in SC for a total of 895. Clinched I 26 in SC and SC 31. Mileage on US 17, SC 544, SC 9, SC 90.

NC 540

Route
NC 54 East, I 40 East, NC 540 West, NC 55 North, NC 55 South, NC 540 East, I 540 East, US 70 East, I 440 East, US 401 North, I 540 East, US 64 East, US 64 Business (Wendell) East, US 264 East, US 264 Alternate East, US 301 South, US 301 North, NC 58 North, NC 97 West, US 64 Business West, US 64 West, I 540 West, I 40 West, NC 54 West
Notes
This is my first drive on NC 540. Drove the length both ways to get a good feeling of the road. Got a photo of the 66.6 mile marker. There is no indication of NC 540 on any BGS directly of I 40 or I 540.
Results
Clinched US 64 Business Wendell and NC 540. Mileage on US 301 and 264 Alternate (Wilson) and NC 58, 42 and 97. Clinched all state routes in Wake County NC.

Seattle WA

Routes
From Sea-Tac, WA 518 East, I 5 South, WA 516 East to Kent
WA 516 East, WA 167 North, I 405 North, WA 520 East, WA 202 East to Redmond
WA 202 West, WA 520 West, I 405 South, WA 167 South, WA 516 West to Kent
WA 516 West, I 5 South, US 101 North, WA 8 West, US 12 West, US 101 North, WA 109 North, Moclips Highway, US 101 North, US 101 East, WA 104 East, Kingston/Edmonds Ferry, WA 104 East, I 5 South, WA 516 East to Kent
WA 516 West, I 5 North, Local Roads, WA 99 South, Local Roads, I 5 South, WA 516 East to Kent
WA 516 East, WA 167 South, WA 410 East, Sunrise Road to Sunrise
Sunrise Road, WA 410 West, WA 164 West, WA 18 West, WA 167 North, WA 516 West to Kent
WA 516 West, I 5 North, Local Roads, I 5 South, WA 516 East to Kent
WA 516 West, I 5 North, WA 518 West to Sea-Tac
Notes
Seattle highways are horrible. There is gridlock everywhere. The roads are not well signed. I could go on and on.
I had forgotten how beautiful the drive along Lake Crescent on US 101 west of Port Angeles is. The two lane highway hugs the lake with great views.
The drive up to Sunrise is one of the most spectacular I have ever taken. The views of the mountains and glaciers beg description.
We took the Underground Seattle tour in Pioneer Square. While rebuilding Seattle after a fire in the late 1800's, the city raised the streets, leaving undergrond chambers under the new sidewalks. The tour gives you a view of the infrastructure under the sidewalks of the city.
Results
Clinched WA 8 and 164. Mileage on I 5, US 12 and 101, and WA 516, 167, 520, 202, 18 and 99.

US 401

Route
I 40 East, US 401 South, NC 55 South, NC 27 West, US 401 South, US 74 Business East, US 74 West, US 74 Business (Rockingham) East, US 220 North, US 220 Business (Asheboro) North, US 220 North, NC 62 East, Local Roads, NC 87 South, Local Roads, NC 54 East
Notes
Construction on I 73/74 /US 220 bypass of Ellerbe has stopped. There is no pavement done at the interchanges with US 220. The contractor has bankrupted, so the state is getting new bids. I'd say there is a year's work left to finish the freeway.
There is a bronze statue of Richard Petty on US 220 Business in downtown Randleman. He is their favorite native son.
One of the weirdest things I've chanced upon is the Original Hollywood Horror Show which is in the middle of the woods on Bass Mountain Road a half mile from NC 87 south of Graham NC. This kind of show would be normal in a tourist trap area, such as Cherokee or Gatlinburg, or even Myrtle Beach, but not in rural Piedmont North Carolina.
Results
Clinched US 401 in NC and US 220 Business Asheboro. Mileage on US 74, US 74 Business (Laurinburg), NC 27, US 421.

Camp Bonner

Route
I 40 East, I 540 East, US 64 East, I 95 South, US 264 East, NC 33 East, Local (detour), NC 33 East, Local, NC 33 West, US 17 North, US 264 West, I 540 West, I 40 West
Notes
There was a detour on NC 33 through the town of Simpson and back to NC 33. NC DOT didn't do a good job of marking the end of the detour. The road came to a stop sign at NC 33 with no construction signing. You had to look around at the road to find NC 33 signs, which clued you in that you had reached the end of the detour.
Results
Mileage on US 264A and NC 33.

Madison NC

Route
I 40 West, NC 54 West, NC 87 North, US 158 East, NC 14 North, NC 700 East, NC 770 West, NC 135 West, US 220 Business North, US 220 North, NC 770 East, NC 14 South, US 158 East, NC 86 South
Notes
Checked out some of the US highway reroutings in the Madison NC area. The truncation of US 220 Business through Stanley NC has been signed properly now. The extension of US 311 from Madison to Eden is still not signed. The first had been approved by USRN in 1998; the second in 2003.
Results
Clinch US 220 Business in Madison/Mayoden, NC 700, NC 135. More mileage on NC 770.