Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with interstate

do your worst copper!!

oblio_one — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:37:19 -0800

Can a New York Transit Authority ticket catch up with me back home in Los Angeles? Have received a ticket in NY but am a CA resident with no ties to the NY area.

When filling out the ticket the PO took down my SSN, Ca driver's license number, cell phone, and the address of our host. My partner's ticket has only the host's address and license number, no SSN or phone number. The driver's license state is not recorded on the ticket, and the violation is 4(a) entered without payment.

Our host insists we ignore the ticket, that nothing can happen. I will without any question pay the fine to avoid even the possibility of trouble, but am now looking into the issue for purely hypothetical / curiosity reasons.

It seems from Internet searching that since CA and NY are both members of the DLC a traffic violation could prevent license registration in CA, but it's not clear if this qualifies. It also seems clear that were I to travel back to NY at any given time in the future I could find a warrant issued over the violation, and that another worst case is getting calls from a collection agency. Again I will pay the fine regardless of what I learn about it, am just interested in knowledge for it's own sake. Has anyone experienced this or have any insight?

Why can't they drive 55?

Shoggoth — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:09:50 -0800

In the movie "Transamerica" (2005) with Felicity Huffman, why didn't Bree and her son travel on the interstate when driving from New York to LA? Wouldn't it have been a lot faster?

Interstate Wine Shipments

Steve_at_Linnwood — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:51:50 -0800

Can I have wine shipped interstate to Minnesota? Free The Grapes, a website for a wine trade association, says that Minnesota allows direct shipments. But Wine.com says they can not ship to Minnesota because of state regulations. What is the law in MN?

Interstate Sidewalk?

jefficator — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:28:13 -0800

Driving south on I-85 from Atlanta to Montgomery, a person passes something that looks like a sideway running for several miles down the median of the interstate. What gives?

Scammed by the movers

Nickel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:55:46 -0800

Interstate movers gave a binding estimate ($2300) based on an accurate list that we supplied, but after all the furniture was loaded on the truck they told us it was more than twice the price ($5300)! What can we do? We paid half when the furniture was loaded and the movers want the other half in cash upon delivery. We're tight on money and will have difficulty raising $2500 in cash. I don't want to make it sound like we're complaining just because we don't have the money. I think what the company did with the estimate was shady. The list of items that we sent them was completely accurate with what they actually took. How can the difference between the estimate and actual price jump $3000 when we didn't add ANYTHING? They knew EXACTLY what they were picking up, how can they tack on so much extra money after they made the estimate?

I've done some research and the following aspects of the move seem shady:

Apparently, they CANNOT charge more than their binding estimate if we don't send extra stuff. We didn't.

They charged us by cubic feet, which might be illegal according to this thread

This website says movers can charge by cubic feet, but only if the estimate was in cubic feet. Our estimate was based on weight.

The company didn't do a physical inspection of our furniture before the day of the move, which doesn't seem exactly kosher according to some of these websites.

Is there any way we can get the charges reduced? We're not trying to get out of this bill, we just don't think we should have to pay more than our binding estimate. If we call the company and bring up the points listed above, will they knock off that extra $3000? Is there some kind of oversight organization to which we can report them? Can we sue? (although I hate immediately jumping to the "let's sue them!" thought)

Or should we just suck it up, find the cash, and take this as a life lesson?

Are there any sites that offer driving recommendations?

Deathalicious — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:51:58 -0800

Are there any sites that offer driving recommendations? I don't mean driving directions, I mean sites that offer tips and tricks for more pleasant ways to go from point A to point B, or that provide information and tips about specific interstates, freeways, highways, and roads. Tomorrow I'm taking a trip from Philadelphia down to Virginia. Google maps says take I95, but I'm fairly sure that taking I81, though a greater distance, will avoid the potential nightmare that is the beltway on a Friday afternoon. Beyond that, however, I really don't know what's better: do I stay on I81 the whole way and then take I64 East? Or are there state roads/highways that offer a more scenic, pleasant, or stress-free trip?

So, I'm wondering if there is a "Chowhounds" for driving...a place where expert/practiced car travelers share their collective wisdom about the best way to get from one place to another. Reports on individual roads would be great too, especially if they're updated regularly enough that information like construction is listed there on a timely basis, or at least more timely than Google (Here in Philly Google Maps routinely tells me to take a street that is not only currently partially roadblocked, but also takes ages to drive on).

Piggyback question: I know a lot of people swear by those in-car GPS tools like TomTom. Is it possible to use factors like "low traffic" or "pleasant scenery" when calculating a route? Is getting one of those worth-while?

Help us move from MD to NJ!

MsVader — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:04:08 -0800

We're moving from MD to NJ in mid-June. Looking for information/recommendations for good movers. I've contacted several companies for estimates. Unfortunately, they all seem to do things differently.

First company came to my house and gave an estimate of 7700 lbs that will cost us almost $3500.

Second company used the 7700 lbs (from the in-home estimate provided by the first company) to get 1100 cubic feet which would cost us about $1900.

Third company estimated approximately 12 hours of labor at $75 per hour for 3 movers which would cost us about $900.

So, you see that all three are basing their estimates on different things, and the discrepancy in pricing is huge.

We'd love to use the The Green Movers, if only because we have a very limited amount of money available to us. I've tried looking for information about the company online, and haven't found anything at all. Nothing bad, but nothing good either. Just nothing. Does anyone know of this company or have any experience with them?

Seeing the 2nd largest ball of twine

hwyengr — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:23:03 -0800

Driving Chicago to LA: Interstate or backroads? Next week I'm setting off for my new life in Los Angeles. My relocation package said I could either ship my car and fly, or get mileage to drive. 50 cents for 2000 miles plus lodging, I'm driving. I'm leaving mid-day Thursday, and I'm supposed to be in LA for work on Monday. But, that can slide to Tuesday if I need it to. So that's 4.5 days max. How should I get there?

I've done the drive via Interstate before, taking the north out and the south route back. I liked the north route more, since I could live out my Smokey and the Bandit fantasies at the Coors Brewery. And, there's Vegas. South has the Grand Canyon, and I've already been there.

The only major new sight along the backroute would be Four Corners. Which I've always wanted to see. And I'll hit the Grand Canyon again. But is that, along with getting a little more culture, worth the extra 15 hours of driving? (Google says 30 hours for the north route, 45 for "avoid major highways"). That's quite a bit of extra time, and I'm not going to be able to stop in every little town and take in the experience. It'll be like I'm on the interstate, except going much more slowly. I've linked to the Gmap backroad trip, so if anybody knows of something absolutely worth seeing along that route, I'm all ears.

How's I-70 in January?

dead_ — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:43:07 -0800

Can I make it through Colorado? I'm driving west on I-70 out of Denver in early January, and heading all the way to the coast. Assuming regular weather patterns, will I be safe in my 2 door Honda Prelude? I'm just wondering about snow in the Rockies, how I can expect the interstate to be and if this is a bad idea in a 2 door, front wheel drive vehicle. Also, any advice on Utah and Nevada would be welcome.

My tank's on empty.

Anonymous — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:38:51 -0800

I'm afraid of the Interstate. What can I do about this fear? I'm terrified of driving the Interstate.

While I've never been a fan of driving, I was in an accident that really shook me up. I have no problems driving on the highway, but the Interstate gives me pause. Entrance ramps in particular are bad.

I keep forcing myself to drive on the Interstate--even if only a few miles. But when I decide I "have" to drive, I feel nauseous and horrible. It ruins my entire day. Because of my fear, I miss out on fun things.

I feel that my fear is "irrational." But at the same time, it makes perfect sense. In the past two days alone, there were seven wrecks not even twenty miles from me!

My friends and family understand that I'm worried. I mooch rides off of them all the time. But I don't think they know the extent of my fear.

What can I do? Would a therapist help, or would it be a waste of time?

Crossing highways?

smackfu — Mon, 14 May 2007 06:40:04 -0800

Is there anywhere that two interstate highways cross at the same exit number? For illustration, a close but not quite example is: in NJ, the I-287 exit to get onto I-80 is Exit 41A/B. The exit on I-80 for I-287 is Exit 43.

Double the Waffle House?

gbinal — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 18:25:16 -0800

Why two waffle houses on each side of the Interstate? Granted, this is not a deeply important question - but I've tried Google, Wikipedia, even the Waffle House customer line. In several southern states, in a number of cities in each - I and others have come across Waffle House locations on each side of an Interstate exit.

This seemed wasteful to me - certainly it hurt the overall profits. But a successful chain like this would not pursue such a strategy without reason, right?

Does anyone know why this is as it is? Peace, everyone, and take care.

how to tow a big van

ikareru — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:34:22 -0800

Help me get a broken down vehicle from PA to MI Over the weekend, our 15 passenger van broke down about 275 miles from home. In order to keep our pending gigs, we rented a truck that could haul our trailer for the weekend.

The engine in the van has serious internal issues, and we have a replacement already lined up. The trouble is, the engine is here (Detroit) and the van is there (Pittsburgh). I have to figure out how to get the van to Detroit as cheaply (and safely!) as possible.

The van ways approx 5500 lbs and has a 138in wheelbase, which rules out anything from uhaul. I have a truck available that will easily haul the extra weight, so that part isn't an issue. I have also been lent a towbar that I was told will do the job, but it makes me nervous, so other options are greatly appreciated.

A professional tow company is (almost) out of the question, unless it is super cheap. A rental vehicle trailer that will haul the van would be excellent, especially if I could get it in the Detroit area.

I have to return the rental to Pittsburgh tomorrow, and am being followed out, either by a car or the borrowed truck, so time is vital.

Not to mention that the most direct route involves the PA and OH turnpikes - my head is spinning from the logistics.

It's a parking lot on the southbound 101 this morning

armage — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:04:15 -0800

Why do people in Los Angeles usually refer to their numbered highways with "the" (for example, US 101 is "the one-oh-one")? Perhaps this is done in other regions as well, but as far as I know it seems to be specific to Los Angeles. According to Wikipedia, US 101 is just called "one-oh-one" in Northern California and Oregon. Another article also notes a linguistic divide between Northern and Southern California in this regard.

In my hometown of Richmond, VA, when we colloquially refer to our major interstates and arterial highways (I-95, I-64, I-295, US 1, US 301, US 360, etc.) we do so without using "the" (so just "Ninety-five" or "Eye-ninety-five"). We also have named highways that also have numbers, like Chippenham Parkway (Rt. 150). (Interestingly we don't refer to it with "the".) (I'm aware that in many places, especially in LA, they use the names of highways more often. E.g. "The Santa Monica Freeway" is used in conversation, not just in official documents.)

Is this specific just to LA? Is it done in other regions? How do you refer to numbered (or named and numbered) highways where you live?

Winter driving, cross-country

PercussivePaul — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 23:16:05 -0800

I'm driving from San Francisco to Toronto right before Christmas. I-80 is the most direct route. How are the winter driving conditions? Would I be better off with a more southern route? I'm not interested in sightseeing, just getting to Toronto in as little time as possible. I will have one week to make the trip (otherwise I miss Christmas!). The drive can be done in 3 days or so in good weather so I think a week is plenty of time even if I get held up by bad weather. But I'm still a bit nervous, especially about the remote high altitude regions like utah and wyoming where I imagine I could easily get snowed in if a storm hit.

It looks like I could take the I-40 through Arizona and New Mexico etc and avoid potentiallly nasty weather, but I haven't done that drive before and it looks like it will take quite a bit longer. plus I could still always get hit by a storm in Michigan so there are no guarantees.

anyone have experience in winter driving along the I-80?

anyone know how long the I-40 route would take?

also any recommendations for checking the weather while on the road?

thanks

Route to California

Captaintripps — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 12:19:41 -0800

I'm helping my mother move from Texas to California. Starts in San Antonio, stops once in Tucson, AZ and finishes in Santa Rosa, CA. The on-line map services all seem to go by Interstate without regard to other roads. Can you recommend a quicker route than the Interstate system or is that indeed the quickest route?