If you're not sure how to travel very far distance then hire this guy in the video... take him with you. I promise you will never get lost 😁. He's good.
Hi SirKeith Vincent - Thank you for your comment and super, duper nice endorsement. Unfortunately, I still get lost every now and again, but not for too long. ;0) We're happy to hear we could help out. This video may help out too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
I've watched this videos a couple of years ago when I was in Chattanooga TN , and now we're in Gatlinburg TN, as we speak, (2024) getting ready tp leave early in the morning, and I'm still watching his video....He explains everything well....
Thank you SO MUCH for this video! First time driving in a freeway after being afraid for so long and I wished I watched your video first!! This video should be seen by ALL drivers in America! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us!
Great video Rick, When I was learning route planning in truck driving school we went over some of the items you described in your video and I was amazed how much there is to learn in navigating using a road atlas. I had no idea about the odd and even numbers regarding the loops and semi loops around cities. I am sure there is a whole slew of signs out there I have no idea what they mean or would have to look them up to know exactly what they define. I got my class C back in 1980 and am working on getting my class A at the moment, and it's amazing how much there is to navigating the roads and highway networks, I must admit I would probably fail a drivers license written test without studying first because I've been driving 36 years and you tend to forget much of what you learned over that amount of time. I appreciate the information you share with the world. Sincerely, Paul
Hi Paul - thanks for your comment - your are not alone in "having to study" to pass a road test; I suspect that 90% of the driving population would have to study to pass a road test in this day & age. Most of my channel is dedicated to simply "passing a road test," which annoys some. But it's the truth, it's now more complicated than ever. And I agree, navigation is one of the biggest components of driving any vehicle; unfortunately, it is not taught by driving schools. But GPS has filled this gap; yet, it's not perfect - there is still a lot that the driver has to do. If there's anything further we can do, drop us a note. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi stickersdogcat42 - Thank you for your comment and flattering compliment. And you are most welcome. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
A great and concise guide to navigating the NA highway system. I am starting with a word on actual definitions. A freeway is controlled access, dual carriageway and grade separated from other roads and railways while an expressway can have at grade crossings. The only inaccuracy that I can detect is that some states like NY do not milepost exit numbers but are sequential. I-87NY has a dual duplication on the thruway(toll) southern portion and milepost and exit repeat north of Albany on the I-87NY Northway portion. Tip: the cheapest gas before entering Canada Is Exit-42 I-87NY with Irving and Sunoco to the right and Mobil and Macdonalds to the left (crossing the highway). Exit-50N on I-81NY Offers the same at the Mobil station to the right. PA Interstates are Milepost exit numbers with Exit-175A on I-81PA offering the cheapest gas and less tollbooths if you decide to enter the Penna toll highway I-476 to head south to Philly or the Maryland beaches thru Delaware. I can relate to the double designation on I-81NY in Binghampton but I never made that mistake but the righthand curve southbound on the eastern interchange viaduct leaving town was quite tight at highway speed and has since been demolished and straightened. I have driven NY-17 and can't figure out why NY won't upgrade it to Interstate standards when most of the highway is already there (the southern tier Interstate -86 which is completed west of Binghampton) including sections still designated NY-17 East of Binghampton. There still exists a small section, west of Hancock, NY, that still has at-grade intersections and the areas where the median is narrow and a paved gully with only one cable to prevent crossovers. I like cable guards but they need to be tripled if they want to hold the cars. I suspect these were the reasons for Feds blocking the exemptions. I will give some tips for Canadian driving later.
Just pressing play to this video and greatful as I am doing a trip from Sonora to Arizona and taking the interstate 10 to Anaheim for vacations. First time driving this long distance through U.S. and wondering about tolls and other tips. Gracias desde México!
Hiya Rick, I've conversed with you a couple times in the past and wanted to let you know I earned my CDL today in the great state of Texas. I wanted to thank you for your channel and your wealth of information, I'm sure I will be going back and referencing them regularly. Take care, Paul
Hi Paul - that is awesome news. And that is a a fantastic achievement. I hope that you are celebrating tonight!! Thank you so much for letting us know. All the best. And if there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Cheers Rick
There is an exception to the even/odd interstate naming convention. I-69 is an example. From Lansing to Port Huron in Michigan, the freeway is east/west making I-69 incorrectly named. However as the freeway circles around the west side of Lansing, it becomes north/south making the freeway correctly named.
hey rick....thanks 4 these videos. ..I never new this about driving ...plus I get nervous when I get lost....I love car ride and exploring new York city...
Hi Mark pono - Thank you for your comment. One amendment to the information - in much of New York and New England, the mile markers don't match the exit numbers, so just keep that in mind when you're looking at Google Maps. Also have a look at this video for more in-depth information: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html&index=3&list=PL0x-bChcUvwGwmC8rEiNSFASQhdBZ66RN If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Great information on driving through the best country on planet Earth. My wife and I are driving to Branson, MI from Florida. There is a State road 0 in Missouri. North/South is odd and East/West is even. It is near Bakersfield, MI. We will drive on the road before the first road of Missouri! The Great Road Bang! Safe Travels.
Hi KennyandSara Dechmerowski - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Some states are putting exit numbers on non-interstate freeways as well. California has done that on US 50. US 101 and California 99, and and some of the non-interstate Southern California freeways also have exit numbers now.
Hi Chilly Willy - thanks for that information; that too will help all the travellers. And my truck driving cousin Dave reminded me that in New York state the exit numbers along I#90 are different than the mile markers, which I completely forgot about. I'll have to make another video to fill in that gap. Thanks Cheers Rick
Hey Rick, thanks for the informative video. You remind me of a good father figure honestly. And you remind me of Ed Harris. Thanks for teaching me a little bit about highways systems and making me laugh.
Hi Ryder Liu - you are most welcome my friend. Happy to hear that we could give you a chuckle. And I like to think that Ed Harris and I have about the same sex appeal!! 🤓All the best, Cheers Rick
16 thumbs down ?? Either they are Trolls, Zombies, or little children searching for a cartoon movie, Thank you for sharing your invaluable Knowledge Sir.
Hi ICURA HOMO - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Sayarun Nessa - And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Cobus Byleveld - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
As I’m watching this video, I’m in the truck 😂, my trainer said I have to preplan for our trip on Monday, including gas stops, safety checks and where we’ll be staying at night 😬. It’s more to being a truck driver than people think
Great video! I won’t be in the best car in the world when I drive/move down to Florida some time after I get my license, so I’ll have to take a more urban route in case I have a breakdown (so I can more cheaply get towed to a place to make repairs if needed). That being said, I’ll have to go through what’s known as spaghetti junction in Atlanta. Interstate driving isn’t as scary as people make it out to be, especially in a reliable vehicle, with GPS, and when you’re an observant, safe driver.
That 17 (i86) and i81 in Binghamton has been completely redone. Major project. They did several ramps and bridges as well as removed part of the mountain to change the curve.
Hi Theextremegamer2 - Thank you for your comment and compliment. Welcome to the smart driver tribe. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
I enjoy all of your driving videos. Your videos are very helpful and helped me prepare for and pass my road test. I’ve suffered from driving anxiety in the past, but it has improved over time. I find that I get really nervous and anxious when traveling to unfamiliar places via the freeway. Because I prefer to keep both hands on the wheel, do you have any tips for safely multitasking by using a gps while driving on the freeway to unfamiliar places?
Hi Sierra Trammell - Thank you for your comment and query. This video will give you more specific information about navigating and route planning: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html&index=3&list=PL0x-bChcUvwGwmC8rEiNSFASQhdBZ66RN As well, the defensive driving course address this issue to if you might be interested. Currently it's on special for $9.99 and you find it here: www.smartdrivetest.com/defensive-driving-course If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Evan - thank you for your comment. And you are correct. Right after I finished this video a cousin of mine that drives truck reminded me that the exit numbers in NY state do not coincide the mile markers. I need to make a supplemental video, and I have had some rants about New York - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zSEPNmEUFNQ.html - owing to its exceptions to the driving rules. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
The New Jersey Turnpike, for example, uses sequential exit numbering, even though part of it is concurrent with I-95. Other interstate expressways in NJ use the milage market format of exit numberation.
Hi Ray - Thank you for your comment and the great information. That will help out other smart drivers there in the Garden State. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
When the interstates in Tennessee first opened they were number consecutively, but several years later they changed them all to coincide with the closest mile marker. I you think about it, it makes more sense because whenever a new exit is added you would have to update exit numbers on every exit toward the highest number.
In some states,exits are still numbered 1,2,3 etc rather than the mile markers.... It would be easier if all of the exits on the interstates were numbered by the mile markers...
two of my friends in their mid 50's never learned to drive. i think they are onto something. personally, i barely understand email and RU-vid. i'll use a map over a gps every day of the week
Perhaps they did my friend; however, it's tough to operate in our current world without knowing how to use a computer or have access to the internet. Still, I agree with you - I like a map too. But I have to say that Google Maps is really handy for doing the route planning part of the trip. See this vid too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html All the best my friend, Cheers Rick
Back in 1906, roads weren't really car-worthy anyway, since they were still mostly designed for horse-and-buggy carriages and coaches. They were a lot more gravelly. You would've been better off taking a train!
Hi obnoxiousoboe - Thank you for your comment. That's not entirely true, unless you were travelling into rural areas. Most cars still travelled less than 20mph and could navigate rough terrain. That was one how Henry Ford's Model 'T' broke down rural isolation in the United States. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hope u are NOT Philippino . Sorry if u are. My wife ( Pino ) cant read maps. Neither can her freinds. Need GPS ( but want Chinook mall Calgar Ab Cdn) GPS taking the east of Calgary to Chinook Montana. Wife had to come get me to show them on map LOL . Big issue. Never did say if guy who died in Nevada winter in mts was from BC Cdn. BUT was he new to Cdn. Maybe that is why they were following GPS off the mainroad. HINT look on a map. If u dont know ask someone. Yup trucker spend hr in circles finally had to ask. GPS wanted to turn down muddly back trail LoL with a loaded semi. LoL good luck. Yup trucks versuon too LoL Watch out beware. Tech wonderfull when it works. 1 403 830 4124
And that is perfectly fine! Stop putting age on everything there’s nothing wrong with learning from others were human doesn’t matter when or how you learn!
Hi Tahir Riaz - thank you for your kind words. You are most welcome my friend. Drop us a note if we can help further my friend. All the best, Cheers Rick
Rick can you do a video on how to navigate in the cities? I have a lot of trouble to drive in the city using the navigation system. I get completely lost. It’s horrible! A 20 minutes trip, turns into a 1 one drive as I keep driving randomly and making the wrong turns. Luckily during my exam I didn’t have to use the navigation system. They gave me a cluster and a point of reference exercise, otherwise I would have easily failed my exam! I can easily navigate in the highways just using the signs, but the minute I put the navigation system, then everything goes wrong! Strange....and kind of stupid!
Hi Val S. - apologies for not getting the video done sooner. Here is the link for the route planning & navigation video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Francoise Batamuliza - that is AWESOME news! Would you stop over at Smart Drive Test, register your success and enter the draw for the $100 Fuel Card - www.smartdrivetest.com/contact/donation Thank you for letting us know, and you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. I'm sure you are having a huge celebration, and it is well deserved owing to your study & practice. All the best, Cheers Rick 🏎 PS - where in the world did you pass your test and are you planning any road trips to celebrate?
Hi Minecraft&Spider-ManFTW JustinBieber&PeppaPigFTL - Thank you for your comment. And you're in Binghamton my friend. I just watched "The Rewrite" which was set in Binghamton. Great place my friend. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
this was a very good and proficient piece! could you do a video on map reading for truckers and new drivers? this was close but I find many many people can't read a map or follow one. my husband had an argument with a woman here in Arkansas about how to get to south St. Louis, she kept saying she had to go south...he kept telling her she had to go north to get to St. Louis first then she would be in South St. Louis when she got there first. She was insistent that she had to go south from West Memphis Arkansas! He finally said Well I can't help you because you won't listen! You have to go north on Hwy. 55 to get to St. Louis first! It was like the comedy Who's on first? by Abbot and Costello!
Hi Ladonna - this video will get you started: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JfKSS3T9qOs.html I'll do another on fundamental route planning & map reading. I'll use some of the different tools available and what not. As you pointed out, there are a lot of people that don't know basic compass direction, let alone declination! Not that a driver has to know that, but I was going for the alliteration!! 80) I'll should be able to get that done by the end of the week. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Rick. Are all your videos on driving based in the USA or are they based in Canada? I'm from the UK and hoping to visit the USA soon and want to watch as many videos as I can on driving in the USA. Thanks
Hi Trucks - thank you for your comment. Yes, if you're driving professionally, you definitely need a paper map in the vehicle with you as a backup. Always good to have a backup. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Stay on the main roads and watch for the no truck route signs. Or you can get a specific truck GPS. These are a little more expensive though. If you stay to the main routes and watch for the no truck routes, most of the timer you'll be fine with a regular GPS my friend. Drop us a note if we can help further. Cheers Rick
@@smartdrivetest I was using truck gps and it took me on very longer route and even tho truck were allowed there it was horrible route. Before I was planning my trip I didn't know how I could possibly tell if that was local or highway. Gps doesn't tell me that. Is there any way to know on gpsi iknow the blue sign are highways but some of the white ones are not and some are. So how do I k ow which ones are local so I never take them again unless I have to
Hi Mathieu Lacasse - thank you my friend. There is that and a few other anomalies for NY. The Empire state likes to be different. 🤓All the best, Cheers Rick
No, the former, the interchange sign, is giving the road numbers, names and proper lanes for the exit; the latter, the exit sign is simply the exit number.
Hi Camren Fells - Thank you for your comment and query. You may have mishear my friend. Odd number runs north-south and even numbers run east-west. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
@@smartdrivetest On the description, you said that "even numbered interstates run north-south and odd numbered interstates run east-west." I think that was a mistake and that's why they got confused.
@@FantasticSunil - thank you so much for pointing out the error. I've corrected that in the description. Thanks again - greatly appreciated. Cheers Rick
Hi J Dee - Thank you for your comment. Glad you liked the sign - LOL. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
You are correct my friend. The great saying, "GOOD drivers some times miss their exit; BAD drivers never miss their exit." All the very best, Cheers Rick
New England has sequential exit numbers. You may have EXIT 1 at mile marker 1 but EXIT 2 at mile marker 3 and EXIT 3 at mile marker 7 and EXIT 90 at mile marker 300.
Hi Wilde_Nicholas_P. - Thank you for your comment and pertinent information. Yes, after I made the video, my cousin reminded me that the exit numbers in NY state do not line up with the mile markers. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
There is a federal law mandating that exit numbers be mile marker based, but it's not enforced. To my knowledge, Maine is the only New England State to have mile marker based exit numbering. I remember going on a trip to Maine with my family as a kid to visit L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME and our hotel was off EXIT 7 we flew in to Boston and when we crossed into Maine from New Hampshire I was exceeded thinking we would be at our hotel in 10 minutes! But it end up being almost an hour because the Old EXIT 7 in the new EXIT 47 or 50 I believe.
Hi Wilde_Nicholas_P. - Thank you for your comment and relevant story. Yes, when travelling in New England, be sure to check that the mile markers and exit numbers line up. Happy travels my friend. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Stringer Bell - Thank you for your comment. And welcome to the smart driver community my friend. St. Louis is an awesome city. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Kyle - thanks for your comment. Indeed there are mile markers in California. I5, for example, starts in the south at mile marker '0' and stops in the north at MM 796. Have a look next time you're out on the interstate. As well, most of the state roads too have mile markers. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Kyle - yes, exit numbers coincide with the mile markers, except for the state of NY and a couple of other places. And if you look at Google Maps, you'll see the mile markers: www.google.ca/maps/place/San+Diego,+California,+USA/@32.6993476,-117.1293983,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x80d9530fad921e4b:0xd3a21fdfd15df79!8m2!3d32.715738!4d-117.1610838 You may have to zoom in a bit to see the mile markers on the map. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Jeremiah Berry - Thank you for your comment. And you are correct my friend. It is important to look at more than one source of information. Have a look at this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OzDOFEJIeJA.html If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Fishaboy - Not sure where s/he is at my friend? If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Why not just black top over every open space. wouldn't a better solution with mass instead of being stuck in the 1950's type of thinking with roads. Europe has a great mass transportation system with electric powered trains. Check European rail system on RU-vid.
Learning this so I can make it to Florida from Ohio so I can protect my parents when this country collapses. Obviously I wouldn't be able to rely on Google maps because the internet will certainly be down.
Hi J West - that's an older video my friend. I was still working to find my on-camera presence. Drop us a note if we can help further. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi cul2cat - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick