The Worst Toll Road In America 

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I say TX-130 should get honorable mention. Expensive toll for a road that is not “parallel” to 35 between austin and San Antonio that adds 20+ miles to the trip. Useless.

The problem with toll roads is that the only way for them to be profitable is to have high volumes and no competitive bypasses.

I live north of Greenville and have since 2007. I have used this road once and it didn't really save me any time and maybe 2 miles. Roads like this are built to pay back developers (future growth ) and the powerful road building lobby in a state. We in SC are blessed with some of the worst roads in the country and we continue to rehire the contractors that do such a bad job at such a high price.

Another useless toll road that should be mentioned is Route 576 in Pennsylvania. The completed section connects I-79 to the Pittsburgh Airport and I-376. It saves no time and is the exact same distance as taking I-79 to I-376

Great Video. The Pocahontas Pkwy just outside Richmond VA has a very interesting lore as well.

I-185 should be the perfect route to escape the traffic omnishambles that is Woodruff Road/Five Forks, but somehow it fails. It also fails at connecting the two interstates it intersects. The only way it would work if it was extended through Five Forks to Pelham Road, and if a shorter connection was made to I-85 South.

I lived 10 minutes from this interstate for the first 22 years of my life, and the number of times I’ve been on it is in the single digits. I still believe the only reason it exists is to make Greenville look bigger on the map with a ring road

Sounds like it was buolt cheaply. It should have lasted much much longer with barely any heavy trucks etc. Private ownership rarely works on tolleays lately. States have to bail them out, time and time again

Imagine how awkward of a moment it can be when you don't have any money to pay the tollbooth

Hey @BeaverGeography you need to check out I-585 in Spartanburg, SC because it breaks the rules when it begins, it comes of a diamond interchange from I-85 and then it has a stoplight just like the 180 in Wyoming, it needs to be checked out

I think it most likely that I-185 is just there to be bit quicker to take that way to quicker to get to 385 which goes down to I-26 towards Columbia and just the state to make a little bit extra cash. (I could be wrong though)

My grandfather told me about those when he was in New York. Nowadays the gates are not around

Hello fellow road geeks 😊

I lived in this area when I-185 was planned and built, and Tim Brett, the president of Connector 2000, was a family friend. This road was primarily designed to funnel truck traffic away from the city of Mauldin. Car traffic really wasn't factored into the initial planning. Tim was a Mauldin police officer in a former life and felt the highway would help reduce truck traffic in the city that was headed to Donaldson Center. Much of that discussion actually occurred before and just after I-385 was extended around the east side of Mauldin, but by the time it was proposed for construction in the 90's, the plans were fairly set to what you see now. Ultimately, no truckers wanted to pay the toll which is why the road is in the dire financial straights it's in now. These plans are also why the road intersects US-25 just below Donaldson Center, as that was the intended destination for much of the anticipated traffic.

There use to be a toll on Hilton Head Island also using the Palmetto Pass but there is no longer a toll now. South Carolina has a lot of corruption now since Henry McMaster became governor.

When I was there, it was a game-changing shortcut to Simpsonville, especially during rush times. Well worth the $1.25 I had to pay.

You should have seen the mess in Greenville when they were building this 25 years ago and how long it took to complete.

I have studiously avoided 185 hundreds of times. It doesn't really even save that much time.

Commenting to say that I love your voice your videos are very interesting

I had this idea and thought of no better person to share it with than you. But I was wondering if there is enough, if any, locations on the Thruway system that has sharp turns or steeper than usual inclines. If at all possible, a top 10 list of sharpest and/or./ steepest inclines in the US Thruway system would be a really interesting video if at all possible to even make. (I'm not sure if there's enough for that). Either way, I'm a long time subscriber and really enjoy all the videos, keep up the great work!!!

Your lisp is music to my ears. Oh my! ❤

I believe that Atlanta’s I-285/GA 400 interchange project is something that should be covered since the construction caused mass delays and also the completion date getting delayed several times

Great video! I love geography and demography. Your videos are some of my favorites to watch.

Sometimes I'll pay the 4? Dollars toll but most times I'll pass by on my way to Myrtle Beach.

I-185 is definitely the worst toll road. I live in the Greenville area and I never use it. I can go anywhere in the area without using it anyways so it’s pretty useless lol

For a video idea, how about small private toll roads and bridges that still exist? (Or did until recently). Maybe not private literally, but it could include things like operated by a county or small town. I know there is one just south of Omaha, in Bellevue, NE, across the Mississippi river into Iowa.

Hi Beaver, I had a question about starting a RU-vid channel. I was wondering what software do you use to record your videos and audio? I hope you see this, and thank you!

I live near the toll road on the first slide and they ironically also went bankrupt from lack of use lol

I took that several years back while experimenting w/ an alt route to the southern NC coast. It was after midnight, the lone toll attendant let me thru for free, lol. I saw ZERO traffic in either direction! It was a bit creepy 😅

18 WHEELERS keeping it open lol. Somedays I ride back and forth at least 5 times out the day through the toll and 6 others drivers from my company. And plenty more trucks run thru. With all the truck travel back and forth moving things for bmw and other plants it relieves some of the truck traffic off 85.

So, random place of interest I recently learned about: apparently, in downtown Dallas, the eastern wall to the highway loop (running between US-75/Spur-366 and IH-30/IH-45) that is commonly misconceived to be either US-75 or IH-45 is technically an unsigned spur route of IH-45 titled IH-345. No one actually calls it that though, much less does anyone actually recognize it.

I live in Greenville and like 3 min from the toll road and even when I was younger me and my aunt would use that road a lot I already watched manic mikes video so it is very nice to get my city recognized even if it’s criticism.!

The map of the Chicagoland area shown at 3:06 features the actual worst toll road in America: Illinois Route 390, also known as the Elgin-O’Hare Tollway. Despite its, name, it’s western terminus doesn’t reach Elgin, but ends at an interchange with US Route 20 (Lake Street) in Hanover Park. It’s current eastern terminus doesn’t reach O’Hare Airport, though there is construction currently going on that will have it reach the western side of O’Hare, though it won’t feature any sort of access point into the airport for travelers. You’d still have to drive all the way around the perimeter of the airport to the east side of it just to access the terminals. But while the Elgin-O’Hare won’t get you to either of Elgin or O’Hare, there is another tollway, I-90 (the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway) that actually DOES CONNECT ELGIN AND O’HARE! I’m begging you to a video on the Elgin-O’Hare one day.

Ive used I185 twice, didnt save me enough time to ever consider it again...

Highway 895 in Richmond VA

Nice! This one is in my “backyard”.

Living in SC this could be a potentially good route to connect the areas west of Greenville to the rest of SC as I-85 is disconnected from the rest of the state not in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, and I-185 could link up I-385 and I85. The problem is of course the route isn't direct in doing so, and unless there is bad traffic elsewhere it makes sense to just go up to I-85 directly from I-385 or save even more miles and take state highways 418 and 8 (which are two lane roads so not ideal either).

A little bit of history might explain some of the problems & anomalies of this particular road. When I-85 was constructed in the late 1950s, it used the right-of-way as US-29 from mm34 to mm42. From mm42 I-85 veered eastward away from downtown Greenville, while the US-29 right-of-way was upgraded to freeway & signed I-185 as a spur into the downtown. Fast forward to the late 1980s when metro GSP had nearly tripled in population, & the need for a southern bypass became obvious. SC gas taxes are among the lowest in the USA, which is good for drivers' wallets but leaves SCDOT chronically short of funds for new highway construction. Thus the turn to private capital. The crux of the problem with this toll road is that (going east to west, from I-385 to I-85) it starts out as a bypass or partial beltway, but instead of remaining on that track & linking with I-85 somewhere around mm34 or 35, it does a 90° turn & links with the 85/185 interchange at mm42. So in effect, it starts as a southern bypass of Greenville but becomes a spur into Greenville. Thus it has a circuitous route that doesn't save any mileage or time & therefore isn't worth the expensive tolls.

Usually there is some politician that used the project to sale some land.

Heyyyy the first scene was Otay Lakes Rd. On ramp for the 125!

hello mr beaver, i appreciate all you do. that's it, thank you.

Check out the Chickasaw Turnpike in Oklahoma... how this is not on top befuddles me.

Great video! Pleased to meet another Mileage Mike fan! Keep up the good work!

@2:30 - reminds me of I-840 in Nashville.

Supposing the following changes were made to I-185: 1. Speed limit abolished 2. Toll raised to $20 3. Marketing, marketing, marketing!

*technically* this gets into that whole "interstate highways are for national defense" bit from the Eisenhower system. There's the Donaldson Center in South Greenville and it does technically service the south part of Greenville, and Maudlin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn that have some industry going on. It's just not enough to justify the tolls. However, going from Easley to Simpsonville is not a route that requires a highway, and as a result is serviced by sneaking out the north of Simpsonville to SC-86. Spits you right near where interstate 85 and US 29 split off going south towards the state line. That being said, 185 was a massive wake up call for SC, partially because it was the point in which the federal government finally put their foot down and mandated the state widen I-85, and they've gotten it right for an interstate. Now, they can fix it in its current state, but keeping it 2 lanes wide, tearing out the toll booths, and just letting it be a vent for 85 and 385. Because as it currently stands, 85 GSP to the 385 interchange constantly backs up, and similar things happen going north from US 276 to the 385 interchange. Giving a vent for a traveller to go around Greenville, and pop out a few miles down from 85 on 385 north is really nice actually, plus it gives an alternate highway to the south terminus of US 276 at 385 as well.

What’s up with interstates beginning with ‘18’

Now, that they connect shouldn't I-185 and 385 be combined into an even x85?

you should look at the 407 in Toronto. its a great place for a highway, only real bypassing the to 401 (highway thru the most populated part of Canada), Thru Toronto). But it is so expensive it fails to relive traffic on the 401.

Imagine living near this road............

The exit ramp toll booths are unmanned and cash only on that toll road! ABSOLUTELY STUPID!

I live in the area and I will say i-185 would be very useful for traveling from Simpsonville to the west side of Greenville or Easley. If they can find a way to make it free then that area has potential to grow

Considering that toll roads are stupid in all cases. Pay a regressive tax for transportation which is supposed to serve the public.

I thought interstate 185 went from lagrange to fort benning?

I knew it was Greenville,sc the moment I saw the thumbnail. Lmao

You know what they say: Location, location, location. This road doesn't have it!

You should consider doing a video on the Chicago Skyway, another over priced and under used toll road. For years the Skyway was unable to repay revenue bonds used in its construction.

I've actually been on this one. Yeah it was barren, and not the smoothest ride.

*Laughs in IL-390*

Not to be confused with I-185 in Georgia which isn’t a toll

A regular traveler on this route....its dead any time of the day. Never even had to brake on this road.

south carolina is one of the few states east of the Mississippi that does not take EZ pass; works in Florida finally.

Is this the Tap Out guy? The W (W) E guy?

If you think this is the worst, you haven’t heard of VA-895 in Richmond, VA.

While 185 is utterly useless, the idea that it's presenting a barrier that's stifling growth to the south just doesn't hold water. Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Powdersville, etc all fall predominately on the other side of that "barrier" and are all still growing rapidly. Greenville and Anderson county both are drawing in huge swaths of people regardless of the proximity to a useless appendage of the highway system in the Upstate. Whether that's a pro or a con is for someone else to decide.

Love to see you getting sponsored thats awesome and super well-deserved!

Video suggestion, small cities that have expansive freeway systems My nominee, Green Bay WI You have a freeway box that connects I43 on the East and north side of the city, I41 on the west side and WI 172 on the south side. WI 29 is a freeway that leaves town to the NW, WI 54 & 57 are a freeway up through door county. Plus there is an odd little stretch of pseudo freeway in downtown connected to a bridge over the fox river

The road isn't very nice and has cracks solely because it is in South Carolina. SC roads are the easiest way to tell you accidentally wandered out from GA or NC...

Nope..that would be Oklahoma's Chickasaw Turnpike..

Come back to emc beaver we miss you

I hate tolls road. Yes that is the worst toll road I ever seen. The City of Greenville, Greenville County, and the state of South Carolina need to do better.

Live here. Been on it once. Accidentally.

There are several auto parts manufacturers along I-185 very close to the Donaldson Center exit at Hwy 25. They mostly supply a BMW assembly plant located along I-85 between Greenville and Spartanburg. And NONE of the truck traffic going between those plants and BMW use I-185. The Southern Connector does not manage to keep truck traffic off the surface roads at all.

Sounds like I-185 is almost as useless as I-180 in Illinois.

Knowledge is power, stang up for your rights

I came here at the Speed of Light cuz Beaver Uploaded

Toll roads are by definition NOT "freeways".

Haha I live like 10 mins away from this interstate.

I haven't driven on a decent road yet in South Carolina, I can see a drop in MPG within a couple of miles into the state.

It’s better off becoming a freeway and removing tolls.

The entire TEXAS system sucks. It's all divided into several areas with several companies sending you bills. I still don't know if I paid them all up. Just trash!!

Actually it’s great zero traffic and you can go 120 mph lol

Man, what a waste of money

Two useless toll roads in California you might know about are CA-133 and CA-261 in Orange County. They just feed into another toll road and are basically glorified parkways. Only one intersects with I-5.

You should check out the story behind the Garcon Point Toll Bridge in Florida

Another useless toll road is California Route 241. Connects the 91 freeway to just Rancho Santa Margarita lol, and doesn’t even touch I-5. Instead, it touches Los Patrones Parkway, a toll-free freeway which still connects to nowhere.

It seems like Oklahoma does have numerous toll roads and it is outnumbered the freeways. 😢

E 470 in Denver is the worst toll road.

Chickasaw Turnpike in South Central Oklahoma en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickasaw_Turnpike

what a horrible toll road decision.

Lots of Chicagoland pictures. Do you consider these "good" toll roads? I'm live in the northwest suburbs so I'm forced to use it in any south or east bound trip.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Connector 2000 association gives up someday, gives South Carolina the highway, and I-185 becomes toll-free. Then, the state DOT could do stuff such as resurfacing the road.

As somebody who grew up and live on the West coast (the Southwest specifically), the concepts of toll roads is just so bizarre to me. Roads where you have to pay to drive on? The thing is that places that have toll roads are states with some of the highest taxes in the country, so you’re paying all those taxes and the government can’t even provide you free roads to drive on? That’s just crazy

Within 2 days!

I-185 would be slightly better if they built the western part to face towards I-85 south

I've been on this highway before. It was during palmetto boys state and we were going from anderson to columbia so we took the highway because it was a more direct route to get from I-85 to I-385 but since it was a state sponsored event we didnt have to pay to use the road, also the light amount of traffic was probably another reason why we took that route, we even had a police escort

10,806th viewer of this video!

hopefully more development comes in that area and the road doesn't go to waste.

Lmao.. I think I know why.. The highway is going by at an airport surrounded cheaper land. This shows the city and or state wants a growing city. I think it's called sprawl. It's likely that someone believes American factories will return. As I do, obviously. Factories like steel mills, for example. With Pennsylvania sorely and needs desperately. This in turns causes other states to have ready capacity of cheap land, with good infrastructure, with l Iots of open playable land. This makes that whole area open cheap and ready to be flexible enough to react and fill any need. This idea shows the city planner not only saw ahead of the curve. What he saw was a chance to bet on America and the people's future benefits of good jobs in their city. Risky yes. Private responsibility for first use. Brilliant. Not knowing as I do not live anywhere near this state. I think maybe the pass not being ex pass. Was because ez pass didn't want to risk building the road. Or maybe ez pass would require the tax payer "you" pay the road construction. Just food for thought. Honestly, I could be way off. Idk, really. Just guessing