I-440 Beltline Raleigh, NC (Exits 1 to 14)

This video begins briefly along US 1 / 64 in Cary, NC at the I-40 interchange and concludes near the new Knightdale Bypass (US 64 / 264) in eastern Raleigh. I-440 is a 16.4 mile beltline around Raleigh's inner core neighborhoods. It is often referred to formally as the "Cliff Benson Beltline" or just simply "440".
The stretch from U.S. 1/64 in Cary clockwise to U.S. 1/401 (North Boulevard then; Capital Boulevard now) was finished in the early 1960s, and was signed as U.S. 1/64. By 1970, the Beltline was extended further clockwise, to New Bern Avenue. This road was signed only as U.S. 64 (U.S. 1 breaks away at North/Capitol Boulevard). Starting in the late 1970s, U.S. 70 was also signed along the Beltline between Glenwood Avenue and North (Capitol) Boulevard, and entered downtown Raleigh on North, rather than on Glenwood. This meant that for a couple of miles, west 70 went east along North Boulevard.
Prior to 1991, the northern part of the beltline was designated, but unsigned, as Business Interstate 40 while the southern part remained Interstate 40. Later, the I-440 designation was approved and signed along the entire loop.

[@Freewayjim]

Good job on the video, I agree with Brent about the landscaping, plus the sound walls may be the best looking one's I've ever seen as well. Thumbs up!

[@edw.4139]

North Hills has grown a lot since this video has uploaded it is crazy how fast it has grown over a 10 year period.

[@CosmoPhotography]

@FreewayBrent Yeah, I filmed this at about 4:40 so I was hoping that I wouldn't have to stop and go back through again and waste more gas to film it under lighter traffic conditions. I-85 through Durham looks similar to 440 with the landscaped medians. NCDOT generally does a good job at reconstructing urban freeways. Thanks!

[@CosmoPhotography]

@JeffDeWitt Thanks, Jeff! In regards to the sight lines, it's probably an effect from the lens I used for this video. Since this was made, I've started using a different lens that gives greater visibility and clarity. However, I will admit that I've tailgated a bit in some videos to get slow pokes in the left lane to move over while they do 10-15 below the speed limit. I used a Canon 7D to film this. Thanks again!

[@georgiaroadgeek]

Looks like part of I-440 has sub-standard right shoulders for a Interstate. Great video. You rock!!! :)

[@CosmoPhotography]

@haljackey It definitely makes rush hour bearable and beautiful! Thanks for watching!

[@dawsonbenedict6984]

Dunno if you guys gives a shit but if you're bored like me atm then you can stream all the latest movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my brother recently =)

[@davidfletcher8335]

@Dawson Benedict Yea, I've been watching on InstaFlixxer for months myself :)

[@drtee51]

That was fun. I was a kid in Raleigh in the 1960s when the Beltline was still so new that no one knew how to drive on it. They've done a really nice job of upgrading it and still keeping the landscaping looking good.

[@CosmoPhotography]

@aswchris Thank you! The first portion in this video between I-40 and Wade Avenue needs to be widened to at least 8 lanes. That's the only part on the beltline that still looks like the 1960's. I believe NCDOT has plans to widen it, but that will probably take place many years in the future... I think they'll try to finish the outer beltline (I-540) before they do any work on the urban roadways in Raleigh.

[@marknc9616]

I have a video on my channel where the NCSHP caught an aggressive driver in that tight section of I-440 between Wade Ave and I-40 near Cary Crossroads Shopping Center.

[@CosmoPhotography]

@georgiaroadgeek That part is scheduled to be modernized but probably not till after 2020. :-/ Thanks, boss!

[@ngzouklove]

Thinking of making the move from Austin, TX to Raleigh thanks for the vid

[@taffarelvl]

Wonderful video. I enjoy your videos. Take care, Marcos

[@1997toyotalover]

Just rode on the beltline this morning. We had to go to regency parkway in Cary. Pretty packed road I must say! lol:)

[@AHunnaRacing]

Exit 8B babyyyyy

[@FreewayBrent]

Out of all of the urban interstates I've driven on a nationwide basis, I-440 stands out as having one of the best landscaped medians anywhere. You're right about the Beltline being somewhat reminiscent of the Capital Beltway (at least the 8 lane sections). Looks like you just missed the traffic jams that I endured for an afternoon along the Beltline. "Thumbs Up."

[@keithjohnson20988]

love the video and awesome music and raleigh I40 and I440 can pick up traffic jams and the last time i been to raleigh was about 3 to 4 mounths ago

[@PantherGeek7]

I really hate the part from I-40 (Exit 1A) to Wade Avenue (Exit 4). This section of the beltline is the oldest section and was built in 1960. It has never been upgraded, it is not up to Interstate standards, and is dangerous. The interchange at Western Blvd. and I-440 in particular was very poorly-designed and is a frequent cause of traffic jams. This video goes into more detail regarding this stretch of road: I-440 Project

[@AmericanBulldogsGaming]

Well this video was made 11 years ago but you might want to comeback because the Belt line has changed a lot.

[@EuropeanRoads]

Awesome video! This freeway looks pretty good, although I may need more lanes considering the growth of Raleigh.

[@seaside1991]

Nicely done...Streetscaping is very important

[@CosmoPhotography]

@taffarelvl Thank you very much!

[@CaydenLudlow]

Just a suggestion, maybe make the video not have background music and have the video plat at normal speed. I find music and time lapse ruins the experience

[@AHunnaRacing]

440 is like bristol in 1999. Rubbing is racing

[@BDReview]

How do you get the signs on the video b\c I am going to post footage of US 70 from Goldsboro to Raleigh and the highway has several stretches of controlled access by-passes and a stretch with I-40.

[@VaFreeways]

They remade this song? Well I guess it is 10+ years old. I feel old now. I do like the remake though. I can see what you mean by the comparison to the Capitol Beltway. Although this highway seems more pleasant to drive. Nice job!

[@CosmoPhotography]

@FreewayTitan What's wrong with Austin? Raleigh is heavily suburban and is comprised of mostly single family homes and low density development. It is over 100 square miles in area. That's 1/3 the area of New York, but with roughly 1/20 of NY's population.

[@richardlorith8256]

drive it most days usually not that easy

[@Thinker669]

I hate the inter beltline that has two lanes each side with the 55 MPH Speed Limit. Where are we, in the 70's and 80's? After Wade Ave exit, the Speed Limit is 60-65 MPH. And an extra lane.

[@anavicro]

Name of the song please

[@CosmoPhotography]

@bsdpowa That's NCDOT for 'ya. :-) haha

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

2:39 Raleigh doesn't have anywhere near as much traffic as D.C.

[@lordhelmit1499]

That's a good thing. I think he means though that there are cars everywhere all around you at all times. It may not be stop and go at 5mph but the freeway is still packed and crowded.