Odd and even highways..

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
2
71
Is there really a rule that says that even highways go East/West, and that odd numbered highways go north/south? Because the two closest highways to me are 680 and 880, and both go North/South. Does it have to be a certain length in order to fit under the rules or something?
 

AccruedExpenditure

Diamond Member
May 12, 2001
6,960
7
81
No, but the major north-south interstates increase by ten as you go west to east, starting from I-5 in the west to the I-95 on the east.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Gnote
No, but the major north-south interstates increase by ten as you go west to east, starting from I-5 in the west to the I-95 on the east.

well wich is it? snopes says its true! hmm who to believe? hey look! and here!
 

rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
0
0
Originally posted by: Syringer
Is there really a rule that says that even highways go East/West, and that odd numbered highways go north/south? Because the two closest highways to me are 680 and 880, and both go North/South. Does it have to be a certain length in order to fit under the rules or something?

680 and 880 are both branches of highway 80. A three digit highway number indicates that the highway is a branch. The last two digits indicate what highway the branch originates from. The first digit indicates whether or not the branch returns to the highway of origin. An even leading first digit indicates that the branch will return to the highway it originates from. Typically these highways are loops or bypasses that go around cities to help people avoid downtown traffic. An odd first digit indicates that the branch does not return to the highway of origin. These branches can violate the north/south/odd, east/west/even numbering scheme.

EDIT: Should have let you read the snopes article and saved myself from typing all that up. I learned all this in drivers ed. in high school.

R

 

beer

Lifer
Jun 27, 2000
11,169
1
0
Does any place have more than 4 nonbranching highways running through it?

Dallas has 35, 45, 10, and 20.

Plus, of course, highways like 635, which are branches...