Interstate 75 Northbound

[@DracoSolon]

It's Oh-Cal-la and Val-da-sta - My grandparents lived in Williston. My Dad when out to swim in that sink hole as a teenager in the 1950's.

[@andrewweishaar1018]

Missed an opportunity in Michigan exit 69 is big beaver road

[@alexjones3511]

The Mackinac Bridge was built well before I-75 was even completed in Michigan, which is why it’s not up to Interstate standards. It was originally for US-27, which used to have its northern terminus at US-2 in St. Ignace before I-75 was completed. Then 27 was scaled down to end at I-75 in northern Michigan, and then when I-69 was completed in Michigan, it marked the end, as US-27 was decommissioned in Michigan in 2002. It’s former route to Northern Michigan was ironically taken up by US-127, it’s child route. I hope you’re able to include the exit for US-127 in your South I-75 video. It’s a major bypass of Detroit to Lansing and Cincinnati. It’s also where US-27 ended in Michigan until it was decommissioned 20 years ago. Good to see 696 though, that is an interesting freeway with a long history behind it.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yes, will f Definitely include that one

[@danbert8]

I always thought they should have made 696 in Lansing just to add more confusion to where 69 and 96 are concurrent. Then they should add a spur route for 969 too.

[@trowwzers5057]

US-23 is also a very important bypass for people in Ohio that want to skip Detroit and go north

[@danieljackett4193]

@@trowwzers5057 From the I-475/US 23 split in Maumee, Ohio to where US 23 rejoins I-75 in Flint, it's about 30 miles shorter using US 23

[@dhinton1]

and US27 originally being on the bridge carriageway explains why the Jamet Street exit (12:06 on the clip) is literally a right-turn directly off the roadway.

[@eric3215]

Exit 69 in Michigan is Big Beaver Road... that wasn't worth a mention? I'm nearly 50, but that still makes my inner 12-year old giggle every time.

[@thomasrinschler6783]

I had to smile when I saw the sign coming up to the I-71 interchange in northern Kentucky. The high school I attended is literally just yards away from that sign.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Awesome!

[@seancallahan5612]

I like how Michigan signs Mackinac bridge because before the bridge there is really nothing but small towns.

[@ControlCityFreak]

True

[@alexjones3511]

Plus the Mackinac Bridge used to be the world’s longest suspension bridge until 1997.

[@pzdf8v]

@@alexjones3511 , there's a joke up here in Michigan. The Mackinac bridge is the world's longest bridge. It's the only one that connects Finland to Africa.

[@williethomas9953]

​@@pzdf8vOMG, never heard that but in a way

[@kneemeister]

After the Bridge there is so little traffic, that a few years ago they shut it down for rebuild and used old US-2 (Mackinac Trail) as the detour. I have gone from Sault Ste. Marie to the Bridge and only passed a half dozen cars on a Sunday Morning.

[@erbewayne6868]

Even worse if there is a big blow across the straights.

[@apartofthewhole6639]

The bridge is even more important than a city because of the potential hazards when crossing it. I think it's important that it gets the control city designation in this case.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Good point

[@becauseFIRE]

Plus US2 splits off the north side of it and goes to almost everywhere else in the UP

[@spellcast1391]

Upper Peninsula is important to mark. I agree- this is the ONLY interstate that goes into the UP

[@TimEssDub]

Last year, I went on a road trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and it is practically a different state. Mackinac Bridge is the glue that holds the state together. It was also under construction as the Interstate Highways act passed and the AASHTO routed I-75 over it.

[@ControlCityFreak]

I hope to get there sometime

[@alexjones3511]

The Mackinac Bridge was originally built for US-27, which had its original terminus at US-2.

[@dvferyance]

The UP should be part of Wisconsin thank you Ohio.

[@theMoerster]

@@ControlCityFreak I've driven the Mighty Mac many times and it is an awesome bridge. Can be a little disconcerting for some people to drive across with the open grates in the center lanes (you can see right down to the Straits). At one point they offered a driver for people too scared to do it themselves. Not sure if that is still a service you can buy. I highly recommend you make the trip up here. Also...thanks for pronouncing Sault Ste Marie correctly.

[@lesscoRyden]

I used to live in western U.p. I remember as a kid our house faced a field, well one evening a winter storm blew in and the next morning we we sledding out of the upstairs windows to get around to the back door to uncover it so we could get in and out of the house. If memory serves we only got 3' or so that night but the drift burred the front of our house and it took us a few hours to uncover the back door.... the drift in the front of the house didn't fully melt til June or July but we gained access to the door again before that. I eventually got sick of the winters and moved away but i still miss it up there and have lots of fond memories... We used to turn the lakes into racetracks every winter, raced snow mobiles and cars with metal studs in the tires. It was always fun, and the people are so kind, everyone will check on everyone else they know after a storm and make sure they're okay and if something is damaged help them get it repaired or handled immediately

[@Dmvbama]

Macon, Georgia is a city of 160k+ people, it deserves its control city status.

[@mxderate]

Yeah but Atlanta is just down the road and much bigger. It's fine southbound tho.

[@mocowan6642]

I can understand why Macon is used as a control city. Macon is where I-75 meets I-16, which takes you to Savannah.

[@mxderate]

@@mocowan6642 But signing southbound is completely redundant because you wouldn't be going on 16 to begin with. I'd sign it Atlanta. Southbound tho, Macon is fine.

[@jordanjones5751]

@@mxderate here’s my opinion of the way it should be for I-75 northbound Tampa Gainesville Macon/Atlanta Atlanta Chattanooga Knoxville Lexington Cincinnati Dayton Toledo Detroit Flint Saginaw Sault Ste Marie

[@mxderate]

@@jordanjones5751 Agreed.

[@EG-ij7uu]

If you ever take the trip over the Mackinac Bridge you should take it at night. It's quite the sight with it lit up.

[@signsandsymbols]

thanks for the shout out! I will never forget the time i spent in bowling green, drunk and in existential crisis!

[@danielmerklin5082]

Just came back from a trip from Detroit. South Toledo on 75 said Atlanta was more than 650 miles away. But what shocked me was they signed Tampa as more than 1,000 miles away. Ohio is supreme on signage

[@redstonerelic]

They know where the final destination is

[@DominicPROTASer]

I've seen those signs when I go back to Alabama from Michigan, those signs are funny af in my opinion, I wish they had signs like that on I-65 in Montgomery.

[@bradleyscheid7888]

Just crossed the Mighty Mac twice in the past week. You have to experience it at least once in your life, its' awe inspiring.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Sounds awesome!

[@erbewayne6868]

Do the crossing during a snow storm at night.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

My grandfather helped build the section of I-75 just before the Mackinac Bridge in the Lower Peninsula, exits 313 to 337 was the segment that opened in November 1960. He also has 2x2 Kodak slides of the actual Mackinac Bridge under construction, taken around 1956.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Note: apologies on my pronunciation of Valdosta. Some commenters told me Vald-OH-sta in a previous video, but I should have double checked. I’m aware of the problem, and unfortunately there is no way to change it without deleting this entire video (along with all its views, comments, likes, etc) and uploading a new one. Thanks.

[@connerf6770]

babe wake up, control city freak uploaded

[@mariaespinoza363]

Thank you, my husband and I did the same trip, but Atlanta is a nightmare, thanks for the video now we understand a little more!

[@leighw9684]

It used to be that control cities listed at exchanges were cities where the *next* interstate exchange occurs. So Lake City = 75/10 exchange; Macon = 75/16 exchange, Atlanta=75/85/20 exchange; Knoxville = 75/40 exchange, etc. But they've become inconsistent with this. Also...valDAHsta, not valDOHsta. 🙂 Enjoyed the video.

[@kosjeyr]

I still hate the time I went through the 75/85 merge in ATL when going from Chicago to Key Largo, Fl to see my cousin get married 8 years ago. Before that, I thought Chicago traffic was bad.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks!

[@langstonreese7077]

I know the Atlanta GA part of I-75

[@BabyBang17datruth]

@@kosjeyr That’s why drivers are urged to take I-285 to go around the city.

[@danbert8]

@@BabyBang17datruth Yeah, as an Atlanta metro resident, I-285 really isn't a better alternative. We needed to do a Houston and build a few more ring routes a few decades ago. Really a shame they canceled the proposed route that would have connected what is now GA-400 with I-675 and actually provided another alternate route avoiding downtown.

[@bigj200016]

One of my biggest pet peeves back in the day before things like Google maps was the I285 interchanges with both 75 and 85. GDOT makes trucks take 285 and they should have the thru control city on the board for it as well. So in the case on 75 north, west should also be signed Chattanooga

[@tylermarchand2996]

During my 2024 summer road trip, I 75 was one of two different highways where I drove two segments going opposite directions, along with 94. This northbound fragment was the smaller of the two, only running from the Ohio Turnpike south of Toledo to I 94 just north of downtown Detroit. As you can probably imagine, since this fragment is rather short, the overhead and mileage sign controls are very simple. I 75 northbound at the Ohio Turnpike is Toledo, which I’m okay with. This area is still suburban (still one county out from the city itself), and there’s the added bonus that very few people would take 75 through downtown when the 280 bypass is faster, especially coming from the east. Detroit starts appearing on I 75 overheads just after downtown Toledo, at the 475 western beltway. Mileage signs don’t appear until in Michigan, but they prioritize Detroit, as expected. Before my departure from 75, the overheads change to Flint, which, as usual for Michigan, is a good choice.

[@craigceecee8762]

If I signed it: Fort Myers --> Tampa --> Gainesville --> Valdosta/Atlanta --> Macon/Atlanta --> Atlanta --> Chattanooga --> Knoxville --> Lexington --> Cincinnati --> Dayton --> Toledo --> Detroit --> Flint --> Saginaw --> Gaylord --> Sault Ste. Marie --> Sault Ste. Marie, ON

[@moosetruck66]

I 75 between Tampa and Ft Myers is flat out Dangerous. Both directions have multiple accidents daily. And often times the highway is closed due to major crashes.

[@drachenz]

I really love these videos as condensed road trips. I love driving interstates that I haven't been on before (I've done a couple of cross country trips and all over the east coast). Too bad I'll never get to most of these! I've clicked through on street view plenty of times but these 15 minute or so tours are awesome. I never really thought about "control cities" before but I am hooked on the series.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks!

[@mrath]

10:08, the justification for Perrysburg is that exit ramp off I-75 has a ramp to OH-795 which goes to "downtown Perrysburg" prior to the ramp to the Ohio Turnpike. In the past, there really was nothing at OH 795, however now that is the exit to take to the Bass Pro Shop. While Chicago and Cleveland are signed further up the ramp, it would also make sense for the interchange to be signed for Perrysburg, Cleveland, and Chicago, rather than "Ohio Turnpike", but put the Ohio Turnpike logo on the sign instead.

[@kenreighard5071]

It says Perrysburg because that is where you are when you exit.

[@5A1A2AR]

11:26 Nice that you included I-696! That interchange was the one that got me into highway signs as a whole. I still remember it. That day we were moving from Detroit to Center Line (a few miles east on 696) and my dad told me "keep an eye out were getting off on 696." So yeah, that day got me into paying attention to them and just trying to read the whole sign before passing it. Nice touch, thank you!

[@justinsmith2598]

I’m originally from Warren - Hoover Road & I-696. Done the entire length of I-696 plenty of times.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Great story!

[@langstonreese7077]

I just hope they don’t make an I-969 so it confuses people.

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@langstonreese7077 lol

[@5A1A2AR]

@@justinsmith2598 Yeah me too, most of the time it was when me and my dad were doing nothing at home, so he'd just come up to me and say "lets go for a ride real quick " and we'd go from the Van Dyke exit which is where our home was all the way to the 96 275 interchange and turn around and go back. That freeway is just full of memories to me. I'm in Texas right now and i really hope that someday we'll drive the whole thing again.

[@Irishfan]

Using the Mackinac Bridge as a control destination makes sence, since it is a destination more widely known than the cities on either end. In Ohio you were thinking thar Cleveland should be used instead of Perrysburg on the sighn for the state highway. When Cleveland and Chicago are used for I-80 and 90 in 5he same interchange. The signat this place are the correct ones to use there. Perrysburg is the city this interstate runs through. That sign needs to have Perrysburg listed so people traveling ro Perrysburg know this is their exit. e.

[@andreijunie1095]

as a truck driver i been in 44 states and i can say only 75 85 and 95 i like to drive and for west 10 and 20 all other interstates are bad and no fun but good videos ,Hi from Naples FL

[@seancallahan5612]

I think that once we are past doing all of the interstates, Todd should to a Florida’s turnpike episode.

[@ControlCityFreak]

That could happen. Yeehaw!

[@GolfClash2718]

US50/60 possibly

[@brucetelfeyan]

Great work on I-75 North, Todd! I’ve never driven on the Alligator Alley portion of 75 in south Florida. I do recall it being built as a two lane toll road in the 1970s with strong opposition from the AAA due to environmental concerned for the Everglades. For those so interested, I’ve copied this portion from Wikipedia: “At the junction of SR 869 (Sawgrass Expressway) and I-595, I-75 (while maintaining its south-north status) enters a west-east trajectory as it crosses the Everglades by way of Alligator Alley, a toll road that runs from the Collier Boulevard (exit 101) toll plaza to the U.S. Highway 27 (US 27) toll plaza (exit 23). It was originally constructed as a two-lane highway before it was converted to a four-lane highway meeting Interstate Highway standards. The Alligator Alley section of I-75 runs due east-west between exit 19 in Sunrise and exit 101 just east of Naples and is one of only two sections along the Interstate's entirety that is tolled (the other is the Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan). Tolls are $3.25 for a two-axle vehicle as of March 1, 2020, and are collected in both directions. The highway's toll plazas accept (as of March 1, 2020) both cash and transponders in the SunPass network and are located at either entrance to Alligator Alley. All toll facilities along Alligator Alley and toll revenue collected from them are overseen by the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), a government agency which is part of FDOT. There are a mere two interchanges along the 75-mile (121 km) tolled portion of Alligator Alley in addition to three rest areas and a number of scenic outlook points as the highway crosses the Everglades. I-75 enters Collier County along Alligator Alley just west of the Snake Road exit (exit 49) and passes through the Big Cypress National Preserve between the Collier County border and SR 29 (exit 80). There are a number of small bridges along Alligator Alley which allow wildlife to pass safely under the freeway, especially along the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge east of SR 29. Extensive fencing also prevents wildlife from interfering with traffic.”

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks Bruce!

[@Anzomax2]

75, 81, and 95 were the north south routes I was waiting on

[@ControlCityFreak]

Awesome!

[@dansimon1100]

Yeah I'm waiting for 81 Video North and South I see a lot of that

[@Ndalum07]

This is excellent. 1. Interstate 75 is a great road that encompasses so much 2. More importantly, we are now just 2-3 weeks from more LIMON talk! Can't wait.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Lol

[@kevinrussell3501]

I-76 doesn't go through Limon. Is it mentioned at its exit with 470?

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@kevinrussell3501 I’m sure CDOT mentions it every conceivable chance they get

[@mxderate]

@@kevinrussell3501 Oh yes, it sure is.

[@raydaniel2490]

The reason for the small I-75 sign at the I-16 interchange in Macon is that there is massive interchange construction, and the lanes are constantly changing. I-75 between Atlanta and Macon is basically a bottleneck. At the I-75/I-16 interchange trucks head to the port of Savannah (the 2nd largest port on the east coast and fastest growing in the nation), tourists also head to the beaches of Georgia and the east coast of Florida on I-16. On I-75, truckers will head to Florida and tourists to the west coast of Florida or Orlando. This is a major interchange. When completed, it will be the largest interchange in Georgia outside of Atlanta. Macon is an awesome city, and it is a shame to just pass through without exploring its history, arts, architecture, food and local beer pub scene. By the way, love the video and I have actually driven the entire route from the Canandian border to Miami. Not all at once...lol.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks, great info! I’ve never actually gotten off 75 in Macon, will have to check it out some time!

[@thesharinganknight9859]

I'm from Atlanta, and it's so weird the signage of principal cities because is different. Ok sount Southbound on 285 by the airport it says Macon/ Tampa. It makes sense because Valdosta isn't a big city at all, while Macon actually is. But Tampa is 400+ miles away through bumfuck nowhere so I guess it makes sense to include it. Also Valdosta is pronounced Val- D(aw)-st(ah)

[@geraldnagytenneson]

7:11 Yes 75 used to go down 275 and then the rerouted it to 640

[@Flaretale52]

There is a "Welcome to Ohio" Sign, it's just right after the split with US-50. Yes I live in Cincinnati.

[@kevinrussell3501]

Growing up in Florida it never felt that it was wrong to see Ocala on the signs as a control city, it took me looking up the population difference of it and Gainesville to see that it's half the size. I guess Florida just made a choice because it's the first bigger city you hit north of Tampa/Orlando. Lake City is ok, it's metro is 63k and interchanges with I-10 there. Valdosta is my guess for the largest city in southern GA. Both Lake City and Valdosta could be skipped and I understand that. You would be going pretty far before hitting the next control city if Macon is the next past Gainesville. At over 160k pop Macon should stay by the way, and it has the I-16 interchange as well. Maybe do the dual controls with Macon and Atlanta. I think I'd leave Naples as a control city coming off of Alligator Alley. Its metro area has rapidly grown and you literally go through the middle of nowhere to get there. There should be some mention of Tampa in the signage along the way though

[@ControlCityFreak]

Good notes!

[@becauseFIRE]

Valdosta is big for south georgia, but it's also shorthand for the GA/FL line. It's less than 15 miles north of it.

[@crazy_lol3111]

I feel like for lake city’s control could be signed as I-10 instead

[@tylermarchand2996]

@kevinrussell3501 I gauge the size of an area by it’s metro population. Looking at city limit population, Ocala is smaller than Gainesville. But by metro standards, Marion County is bigger than Alachua, Gilchrist and Levy Counties combined. And you mentioned keeping Naples as a control. Not only that, but Cape Coral-Fort Myers and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton should be listed too; each is more than double the size of Naples.

[@mocowan6642]

The I-75 sign in Macon is small because of all the construction on the new 75/16 interchange. They are in the process of adding the new signs.

[@dhinton1]

and northbound I-75 exits PRIOR to that sign on the finished version of the interchange.

[@lanesmith2853]

Ha I live in Valdosta and it’s so funny hearing people mispronouncing it! Also that was exit 11 that you showed, and it’s by far the worst exit out of all the ones in Lowndes county

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah I should have double checked it. I said it wrong in another video and a ton of commenters told me it was Val DOH sta so I said it that way this time.

[@JoeGreen7]

For Michigan, I wish you mentioned the Zilwaukee bridge right between the 675 interchanges by Saginaw! The bridge is huge and really impressive to drive over. Either way great video! I'm in Michigan and use 75 almost every day so it's nice to see the whole scope of it

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks!

[@erbewayne6868]

Doesn't stop any more for ship traffic as the old bridge did.

[@mxderate]

Some notes I had in mind: I've been on every part of 75 except between Tampa and Miami. For 75 SB I'd probably go straight to Detroit from the Canadian Border. I think Ohio does an amazing job outside of Cambridge and Marietta. There actually is an Ohio welcome sign along the bridge into Cincy, although it is easy to miss. Your microphone actually disconnected between Atlanta and Cincy. Great content! Keep up the good work!

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks! Mic didn’t disconnect, it just got turned away and I didn’t notice for a couple minutes

[@mxderate]

@@ControlCityFreak Oh my apologies then.

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@mxderate No you’re right, was still a technical error. I tried to fix it as much as I could in post but I didn’t want to re-record

[@danieljackett4193]

Detroit to Windsor Ontario is the only border crossings (The Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel) where you go SOUTH from the USA into Canada...Not sure if the same holds true for the Gordie Howe Bridge which is under construction

[@benjaminrealy5661]

I disagree with your opinion about not signing mackinac bridge. It's a great way of showing people who don't know how to get to the UP. Plus many traveller's exit onto us2 to explore the UP so keeping track of those miles to go is also quite important. Also since there is no other good candidate for a control city for that long stretch, why sign basically next stop Canada when you haven't even hit the bottom of the thumb (saginaw bay). The bridge is the most important thing to sign and it's worthy of being signed.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Great points. I’ve read a lot of comments on this and I’ve changed my mind, I think it does work

[@26sniff]

How can you do a travel log of I75 and not reference Big Beaver Road in Troy MI. Exit 69. Edit time

[@jedendwatrzy4189]

I-75 did indeed go on 275 into downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. I think it was changed in the 80s.

[@norfolksouthernrailfan2006]

At on time I 75 terminated in downtown Tampa at I 4, but now it bypasses Tampa on the East side and goes south until it gets to Naples and then turns East towards Miami where it now ends just north of the city.

[@j.f.e.productions4098]

Great video! It's cool to see the infamous Downtown Connector in Atlanta. Very impressive interchanges there including spaghetti junction.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks!

[@stephenholloway6893]

Yeah but that's 85 at 285 in DeKalb County GA.

[@j.f.e.productions4098]

@@stephenholloway6893 You're right.

[@mattl6948]

I think they do Ocala in FL because that’s where Florida’s Turnpike joins 75.

[@mxderate]

Yeah but you can't possibly get on it from NB I-75, and they don't even sign it going SB either.

[@VinsonMusic]

75/85 N through Midtown Atlanta is a true white knuckle drive. Seven lanes in each direction with no dividers. When the highways split, the ramps are in the “wrong” direction, then cross each other. Heaven help you if you break down on that section.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah definitely wouldn’t be a good place to learn to drive

[@mikeshumaker]

I live in Michigan so the end of this video is the best for me. Michigan, in my opinion, hits it on the mark with their control cities, even at on ramps: Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Mackinac Bridge, and S.S. Marie. They do need the Mac. Bridge as a control city since that is an extremely popular destination for tourists, and I even hold a bias for it since it is my favorite getaway every few years. You mentioned the Bridge isn't up to interstate standards as it was built from 1954-57 while Eisenhower signed that freeway bill into law during that time. On a side note, that eventually spelled the end for US 27 as I-75 eliminated a huge chunk of it around 1962. About 40 years later it was gone in Michigan altogether.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Great info!

[@alexjones3511]

US-27 still had a fairly long route in Michigan even after I-75 was completed. It was I-69’s completion in 1992 that was the final nail in the coffin. Half of US-27’s route in Michigan followed the current path of I-69, specifically the segment from I-80/90 to Lansing. I-69’s completion is what caused US-27 to be removed from Michigan, and even then it didn’t happen until 2002 for some reason.

[@danieljackett4193]

@@alexjones3511 It took until 2002 for US 27 to be decommissoned north of Ft. Wayne Indiana because MDOT didn't know if they were going to use I-73, US 127 or a Michigan route number between Lansing and Grayling

[@volodimirivanevko9238]

Very funny to see all the Detroit-area people coming out from under the woodworks for this video (and that includes me). I live pretty close to I-275, Detroit's N/S bypass route

[@ControlCityFreak]

Detroit!

[@Nih0n1umTSX]

I feel like I-75 through Michigan is pretty interesting as someone who has driven on 75 its one of my favorite interstates and the last exit before the Mackinac Bridge I always thought was weird

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah I’d like to see it in person sometime. Never been on 75 north of Toledo personally

[@elli6220]

@@ControlCityFreak It's an interesting road. I disagree with the current routing of it through Detroit-- it's faster and shorter to take US 23 (which is freeway, though has a few substandard sections) between Toledo and Flint. That should be I-75 and the highway through Detroit should be a spur.

[@miangel02]

I live close to the beginning of I-75 in the Miami suburbs, and I always use it to go to the beach on the Gulf Coast.

[@geographyjawade6655]

I've been waiting for this one Todd...I-75 is one of the most scenic interstates, lots of major cities to traverse. Never traverse the entire thing...only from Miami to Chattanooga, n Toledo to Detroit for the most.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah done the southern part and a few random parts

[@JDGurg]

The welcome to Ohio sign is on one of the gurneys on the bridge. Easy to miss if not careful. Also, I think the no hazmats is actually for the tunnel on 71. Or maybe it’s for both the bridge and tunnel.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Oh yeah that makes sense

[@fcdraw]

Yeah I crossed that bridge a few times over the Ohio River and finally spotted the welcome sign. You'll crash looking for it though and it's super small too.

[@roadgeek1961]

To answer your question in the Knoxville area. I 75 continues its concurrency with I 40 there used to be a single lane cloverleaf loop for I 75 the current I 275 was I 75. I believe the I 640 concurrency happened in the eighties. Later on a high speed ramp from I 40 to I275 was built.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Oh thanks, makes sense

[@fldon2306]

Corrections (plural)! At 1:04, where vid states “FL turnpike”, photo is actually on the Palmetto Expressway, SR826, NB, in Hialeah, with ramps to beginning of I-75. And, vid completely skips the I-75/Florida Turnpike, SR821, interchange and it’s maze of ramps for regular and express lanes. (Note, NB I-75 ramp only to NB FL Tpk, no ramp to SB.)

[@ControlCityFreak]

Meant as “a Florida turnpike,” turnpike being a synonym for toll road, not as “The Florida Turnpike”

[@georgeberry3832]

I have a theory why Ocala is an I-75 control city. The theme park Six Gun Territory used to be in Ocala until about 1980. It was one of Florida's biggest attractions in the 60's and early 70's, until Disney World opened. Also, Silver Springs and Ocala National Forest are there as well. Either they just never got around to removing Ocala or they are still leaving it there for the remaining attractions. Just a theory though.

[@duanenichols2703]

Being from the bridge area best route from Fl is 75 N to 26 W 65 N to 69 N to old 131 brings you back to 75 just south of Gaylord, MI

[@theawesomer8587]

I nearly have I-75 clinched. I've driven it from Naples to Dayton. The next 4 highways 76, 77, 78, 79 I have 100% clinched those, so I'm looking forward to them. I'm OK with Ocala being on the signs because the metro area is larger than Gainesville and you can pick up 301 there to go north to Jacksonville.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Nice!

[@jacobwagganer1953]

Naples/ Collier County makes sense as a control city as it’s population is large and is still growing. Also a big tourist city for people to visit from like Tampa and Miami.

[@mxderate]

No it doesn't. Tampa is much bigger and much more important. At least sign Fort Myers.

[@mynameismaxdowis]

florida highways are numbered 1-9 north to south

[@FameyFamous]

If you want to drive from Toledo to the Soo, don’t follow I-75 through Detroit. You’d save time and distance by taking US-23 through Ann Arbor. Rejoin 75 in Flint.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Definitely

[@justinsmith2598]

I-275 was originally planned to end at I-75 near Davisburg, instead of I-96 & I-696 in Farmington Hills. Local residents opposed it going north of Farmington Hills.

[@LilJessyeJBlige]

Any points north of flint you avoid 75 through Flint. I’m from Saginaw and we always take 23 to Toledo and points beyond

[@danhobson2879]

You could have 23 in Toledo signed for Ann Arbor and Flint. I would certainly do that to show it's a reasonable unofficial bypass even if they don't give it like an I-875 sign.

[@FameyFamous]

@@danhobson2879 why not sign that stretch of US-23 as I-875? Is anything on the current road short of interstate standards?

[@jordanjones5751]

It seems like that Kentucky likes to like Arkansas and like some other places really likes to sign 2 cities on a lot of overhead signs

[@ControlCityFreak]

Good point

[@ethanellis4662]

I'd probably sign for Upper Peninsula from Saginaw to past the bridge, then Sault Ste. Marie

[@pzdf8v]

West Branch is the unofficial halfway point of I-75 in Michigan and as such it is a popular pit stop to travelers. It has quite a few gas stations and restaurants for such a small city. I think that's why it gets so much signage.

[@NW255]

as a Michigander I think Mackinac bridge is fine but I’m biased so whatever lol

[@ControlCityFreak]

It’s alright, I’ve read some good arguments for it in the comments

[@pzdf8v]

The Mighty Mac is the border between Michigan's two parts. On the "Welcome to the UP sign" it needs to say, "Set your watches back 20 years."

[@DjDillPickle565]

Totally agree with the bridge not being interstate standard, but it’s even more apparent with the traffic jams that happen during the summer. Especially when they close it down to one lane.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Sounds rough!

[@kneemeister]

When is it ever not closed down to one lane 😀 That Bridge is a Green and White paint sponge. I love the fact that they took the lessons from the Tacoma Narrows disaster and made the center lanes steel grate to prevent the bridge from having lift during a gale. Growing up my brother and I would stair out the windshield once we were north of Gaylord to be the first one to see it in the distance.

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@kneemeister I read that it takes 6 years to paint, and once they finish they immediately start again

[@dhinton1]

at the time ..... GaDOT was completing a massive overhaul of the 75/16 interchange in Macon. I believe GaDOT had just put up that new overhead sign for 16 EAST. the 75 NORTH sign is temporary cuz traffic for mainline traffic for 75 NORTH won't be on that pavement when the overhaul is completed.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Oh that makes sense

[@ChampionAidan]

Lake City only has 10,000 people

[@hermesbandofficial8551]

I literally just passed under I 75 yesterday. It’s such an important road in the Detroit metro

[@ControlCityFreak]

For sure

[@marcusamspaugh1504]

You forgot St Ignace & US 2 after you cross the Mackinaw Bridge

[@narlex634]

I live right by 75 in Cartersville! Really exited for this video. Their are 3 Buc-ee’s on this Interstate

[@ControlCityFreak]

Awesome!

[@danbert8]

I love that you got a sign where Cygnet is called out in Ohio on a mileage sign. Calling it even a town is generous. US 6 is more significant... I lived outside of Cygnet and there is nothing there. Not even a traffic light. Regardless, I have probably spent more time on I-75 than any other highway in my life. I grew up in Dayton, lived in Findlay, and now live outside of Atlanta regularly driving back to Ohio to see my family.

[@V01t2]

Grew up in Michigan? The Mackinac bridge used to lead to my grandparents house EVERY summer

[@ControlCityFreak]

Awesome!

[@bluerefr]

I've driven most of I-75, from the last exit before the Canadian border all the way (going around Detroit as I'm from near where I-275 and I-96 meet) to the exit to Orlando, but nothing past that. The drive between the bridge and Sault Ste Marie is used so little. I think we passed about a dozen cars in that entire 50 miles as most people get off at US-2 in St Ignace. The stretch through Atlanta is beautiful at night, though it's probably best to go through then as traffic is awful there otherwise.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Awesome!

[@mrmoore1972]

Cover charge for Canada, that made me laugh!

[@ElementElevators]

Nice! Being from the Gulf coast of Florida, I've driven I-75 in Florida and Georgia a bunch. I'd definitely consider it my home interstate, at least in those two states. I've never really thought much about interstates from a control city perspective; seeing Ocala going northbound and Naples southbound always felt pretty normal to me. I guess that's because a lot of Floridians know where these places are, although long-distance traffic may not. Ocala is significant in the sense that it's usually the place where traffic travelling to Jacksonville and north along I-95 (or eventually, I-77 and/or I-81) will exit. Naples is significant because it's the last city before I-75 makes a 90 degree turn onto Alligator Alley, which as far as I'm aware, is the only place 75 is tolled apart from the Mackinac bridge (not including the express lanes near Atlanta). It would make sense to sign Gainesville and Ft. Myers instead given that both of them are bigger than Ocala and Naples, respectively. Something else that I'd like to mention is that growing up in Florida, I've seen a lot of random signs for St. Petersburg at interchanges. Not sure if it's still there or not, but I remember seeing one off I-10 eastbound at I-75, which is about 200 miles away from the city. This surprised me when I was younger since from said interchange, there's no mention of Orlando (which long-distance travellers should easily know about), but they mention St. Petersburg instead, which is off I-275, and those travelling there would have to go through Tampa first. But what can I say, Florida is an interesting state. I'll definitely be checking out your other videos!

[@danielmerklin5082]

Thanks for making this video Todd!

[@ControlCityFreak]

Thanks for watching!

[@dmking12370]

Your next video (I-76) will be interesting because there are TWO I-76 highways. One in Colorado, and one in Ohio/Pennsylvania.

[@SlowedByCinnamxn]

Hurricane Ian hit Florida hard today! I saw the live Traffic cameras on I-75 south of the Tampa area, and it was insane how completely empty the Interstate was!! Those signs at 2:01 might be ripped out by the Wind gusts, Lol, but probably not.

[@ControlCityFreak]

I saw the webcam on the Sunshine Skyway, that was nuts

[@therrendunham5594]

I'm going to disagree (siding with GDOT and FDOT) somewhat. Naples is the first city coming out of Alligator Alley going north; Ocala's metro has 375,000 people; and Lake City is near the junction of I-10. Moreover, Valdosta is home to Moody AFB (keep in mind why the Eisenhower Interstate System was created); and Macon is both the fourth-largest city in Georgia and has a junction with I-16. Making them all control cities makes sense.

[@mxderate]

There actually is an I-75B in Bay City, MI that is unsigned if you wanna check that out on the SB video.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Good looking out, but too late to add it now

[@mxderate]

@@ControlCityFreak Oh.

[@NickCan]

At last, we get to my home interstate(?), I-75. As a native of Valdosta (Val-daw-stuh), I knew the Valdosta slander was coming. Valdosta is the biggest city in South Georgia (other than Albany). Valdosta is one of the major cities (barely though) in the state with about 65k in the city and over 100K in Lowndes County. I think GDOT didn't want to sign a FL city all the way from Macon (or Atlanta). GDOT definitely was not about to sign Gainesville (FL), but I have seen an I-75 South Tampa sign in Atlanta by the airport.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah just that one Tampa sign though. Apologies on pronunciation- I pronounced it a different way in another video and a bunch of commenters told me Vald OH sta. Should have double checked. Spoiler: I pronounce it wrong in 75 south as well 😩

[@NickCan]

@@ControlCityFreak No worries!! I just knew that Valdosta being a control city was definitely coming all the way from the I-10 video! I enjoy your content!

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@NickCan Thanks!

[@spellcast1391]

Skipping over Gainesville for Lake City was a bad choice. I think also Fort Myers should be signed instead of Naples if something needs to be signed in between Tampa and Miami

[@tomg9061]

I've driver 75 from the last exit before Canada all the way down to Ft. Meyers. Just did Dayton to Meyers and back last week for vacation. Entire trip is planned around going through Atlanta between 2-4am, otherwise you're just asking for traffic jams

[@ControlCityFreak]

Nice!

[@georgemcgowanfl]

I’ve driven the length of I-75, having been born & raised in Tampa and vacationing in St. Joseph Island, Ontario (near Sault Ste. Marie). You want to stay in the right lane on the Mackinac Bridge because of the steel grating in the left lane. Say what you will about the Jamet Street exit in Mackinaw City. Back in the day, there was a drawbridge over the Saginaw River (replaced by the high level Zilwaukee bridge). I remember my father saying, “Get a good look at this! I doubt you’ll see a drawbridge on the interstate ever again.”

[@ControlCityFreak]

Still got one on 95 in DC, but they don’t open it much

[@danieljackett4193]

George McGowan Opening that drawbridge on a summer Sunday was asking for a 35 mile backup

[@norfolksouthernrailfan2006]

There's a drawbridge on I 110 going into Biloxi Mississippi between I 10 and U.S. 90.

[@Pyeknu]

They should sign the bridge to Canada as reading "Sault Ste. Marie ON" instead!

[@DNSKansas]

Skip Chattanooga out of Atlanta and go straight to Knoxville. More traffic is likely headed to Knoxville considering it is the home of UT and is the way to the Smoky Mountains.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Nah, Chattanooga is a decent tourist draw too, and plenty of people will be getting on 24

[@ericneumann8509]

2:34 how about Lake City, Haha

[@ControlCityFreak]

Lol

[@khagemann7462]

Haha thanks for reviewing the substandard section on the bridge before Canada as of my request ;)

[@ControlCityFreak]

Serendipity, I'd already recorded the video by then :)

[@khagemann7462]

Lol..then I'm good at reading your mind

[@littlelolex11]

I-75 is the only road in Florida where its speed limit is 70 MPH the entire length of the state.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Oh really? Didn’t know that. Even in the Tampa and Miami burbs? I know it’s pretty rural outside of there

[@littlelolex11]

@@ControlCityFreak Yup! The first speed limit sign on the other side of the Palmetto Expressway shows 70MPH speed. I also believe the turn west before alligator alley is wide enough to allow that speed.

[@jaredschumaker5346]

Come up to Mackinaw on labor day and you get the chance to walk across the Mackinaw Bridge

[@ControlCityFreak]

Sounds awesome!

[@davidv2700]

How about Mackinaw City between Saginaw and Sault Ste Marie? Mackinaw City is one of those tourist towns and is at the southern end of the Mackinac Bridge.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Good idea!

[@pzdf8v]

Mackinaw City is so small the town hooker is still a virgin. No way should that be a control city.

[@cjmorganfla]

@control city freak ocala is pronounced with a short a in that first syllable like in apple. oh-cal-uh. and valdosta is a short o like stop. val-daw-stah

[@mrwtn8651]

I-75 originally did follow I-40 into downtown Knoxville before I-640 was built. Once I-640 was built the routing was changed and the old section of I-75 was re-signed as I-275. Prior to the SmartFix 40 project in about 2008 the section of I-40 through downtown Knoxville was only two lanes and very narrow at times. So, it wasn't able to handle the traffic of both interstates.

[@ControlCityFreak]

That makes sense

[@dhinton1]

the overhaul of 40 through downtown Knoxville was MASSIVE ....

[@CycloneSakura]

Another thing about Ashland, in Wilder its signed on the AA (Ashland to Alexandria) Highway even though it doesn’t even end in Ashland or Boyd County. I agree with Charleston being signed on I-75.

[@stevemiller4292]

I think that Florida uses Ocala because it’s where I-75 meets the Florida Turnpike (which serves Orlando from I-75) and the traffic is usually horrible. We time to go through Ocala at midnight or later if we’re visiting either Tampa or Orlando.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Yeah but there’s literally no ramp from northbound 75 to the turnpike

[@stevemiller4292]

@@ControlCityFreak I see it as an agreed upon hub. Having traveled through Florida many a time I think of Ocala more than Gainesville from a travel standpoint.

[@BuzzardlyThings]

Darn. No mention of FL route 54 “Zephyrhills”.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Worst brand of bottled water ever. Doesn’t taste that different from Florida’s garbage tap water.

[@tulaquen7884]

Talking about highways that are numbered 75, what do you think US-75 should be signed?

[@ControlCityFreak]

Maybe I-45 if they extend it to Tulsa, but otherwise US 75’s number seems fine

[@tulaquen7884]

@@ControlCityFreak signed as in control cities

[@ControlCityFreak]

@@tulaquen7884 Ah gotcha. Might do that one in the future!

[@RFE812]

⁠@@tulaquen7884 Here is how I would Sign US Route 75. Northbound: Tulsa,Topeka,Omaha,Sioux City Fargo(despite running through Moorhead but still serves Fargo),Winnipeg. Southbound:Fargo,Sioux City?,Omaha,Topeka,Tulsa,Dallas. former route NB:Houston,Dallas. Former Route SB:Houston,Galveston.

[@DNSKansas]

Speed limit on the Mackinac Bridge is 45. Those who are afraid to drive it can have someone drive their car for them from one side to the other while they ride shotgun.

[@ControlCityFreak]

Bay Bridge in Maryland had/has the same thing I think

[@Karmy.]

Probably the freeway I've been on the most as a Metro Detroiter