Worst highway in the USA? - My vote: Lake Ontario State Parkway in New York State

[Phoenix]

Until now, the roughest highway on which we've towed our 19-foot Bambi was the stretch of I-10 between Indio and LA where harmonic dips get our rig bucking like a bronco. However, we recently found one that's even worse: a 10-mile (eastbound) stretch of the scenic Lake Ontario State Parkway, west of Rochester, NY, between Carlton and Kendall.

New York State posted a "rough road" sign as a warning to motorists. However, this is the understatement of the decade; as the only way to travel this highway without damaging both TV and Airstream is to slow to 25 mph and drive on the shoulder. By the way, you don't have to worry about other vehicles passing you while driving like this -- There are absolutely no vehicles on this stretch of road!

An Internet search reveals complaints dating back to at least 2006, but this TV news article from last month pretty much sums up the problem:

WHEC-Rochester News 10 NBC, 08/03/15 - "New York State Exposed: What's being done about the worsening condition of the Lake Ontario State Parkway?"

A warning to Airstreamers traveling in this area -- Avoid this highway!

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Any other candidates for "worst highway in the USA"?

[brad1]

I nominate I5 through Seattle. The freeway there consists of poured concrete sections. Transition between the sections, especially at posted speed, results in major, highly disconcerting harmonic bucking. One worries that the trailer hitch will erupt off the ball, sending it off on it's own. Worse, one worries that the tractor trailer rigs next to you, that are obiviously experiencing the same thing, will loose their connection and become unguided missles threatening your lane. Even worser is when you see an under riggerd car towing a U-haul going through the same thing, and swerving in semi control. Nasty stretch.

[philipsinewe]

I vote for I-70 across most of PA.

[Protagonist]

I-10 from the Atchafalaya Basin to the city of Lafayette, Louisiana.

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Until now, the roughest highway on which we've towed our 19-foot Bambi was the stretch of I-10 between Indio and LA where harmonic dips get our rig bucking like a bronco. However, we recently found one that's even worse: a 10-mile (eastbound) stretch of the scenic Lake Ontario State Parkway, west of Rochester, NY, between Carlton and Kendall.



WHEC-Rochester News 10 NBC, 08/03/15 - "New York State Exposed: What's being done about the worsening condition of the Lake Ontario State Parkway?"

A warning to Airstreamers traveling in this area -- Avoid this highway!

==========

Any other candidates for "worst highway in the USA"?

Been on both of these roads, Lake Ontario State Parkway is easily the worst and gets my vote.

[AtomicNo13]

I'm saying I70 between Indy and Dayton. I've had more damage on this stretch than anywhere else. I literally had interior trim work loose and fall down on this stretch.... Never anywhere else but here!

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

I'm saying I70 between Indy and Dayton. I've had more damage on this stretch than anywhere else. I literally had interior trim work loose and fall down on this stretch.... Never anywhere else but here!

X2...just thankful it was pulling car trailer and not the AS. Doesn't get much better going on toward St Louis either.

[Dingo Girl]

I nominate Michigan. We have some of the worst roads in the country and some of the prettiest scenery.
Enter at your own risk.

[rochar3]

Bridges falling down and nothing but rough road. Every time I travel,more damage to AS. Always something new fall off AS.

[John&Vicki]

I-5 through Stockton, California. Permanently under construction, 8.5' lanes with concrete barrier inches from your trailer, very rough, everyone speeding. One time I'm happy to have a narrow body.

Cheers,
John

[Plan-B]

Ditto for Michigan. The roads should be considered a national disaster. They improve in the upper 40% of the state.

[philipsinewe]

Well, apparently we have a crap load of crappy roads...

[mojo]

The worst highway is the one you get stuck on with fresh chip seal!

[joemikeb]

I nominate U.S. 287 across the Oklahoma panhandle. It is so rough that it literally shook the taillights off of the fenders of my tow dolly. The cross ties on the parallel railroad tracks would provide a much smoother ride (if it weren't for the occasional freight train rolling through at 70 mph ).

The really bad news is, given today's high mileage vehicles and low fuel prices the roads we are talking about are not going to get any better unless and until the politicians man up and either raise fuel taxes or come up with another way to feed the highway trust funds such as converting highways to toll roads or assessing road taxes based on the ton miles driven.

[Rocinante]

Our award so far for worst road goes US Route 89 from Flagstaff to Marble Canyon. Sections of that road were so rough and full of pot holes that it caused significant damage to cabinets and their doors. Just awful. Scenery was amazing, but the road...OMG, the road. Mad Maxx has nothing on that road.

Second prize goes to the section of I-10 that Protag called out, from the Atchafalaya Basin to Lafayette. That was bad, but not as awful as US-89.

[m.hony]

I see Protagonist's I-10 in Louisiana, and raise him I-20 through Bossier City and Shreveport, LA.

[jm2]

oh, no, it's I95 / the Cross Bronx Expressway section in New York!

the perfect storm of a poor roadway all the time + ridiculous stop & go traffic most of the time + kamikaze drivers + perpetual construction projects....

ymmv.

[jm2]

Dwight Eisenhower must roll over in his grave, every day!

[jm2]

Originally Posted by jm2

oh, no, it's I95 / the Cross Bronx Expressway section in New York!

the perfect storm of a poor roadway all the time + ridiculous stop & go traffic most of the time + kamikaze drivers + perpetual construction projects....

ymmv.

oh, and then there's the high tolls for the bridge crossings connecting to either end of the CBE, just adding insult to injury....

[Nelson428]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

I'm saying I70 between Indy and Dayton. I've had more damage on this stretch than anywhere else. I literally had interior trim work loose and fall down on this stretch.... Never anywhere else but here!

I agree and vote for I-70 between Indy and Dayton, over I-10, I-20 and I-5. This stretch of interstate is horrible.


J Nelson
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