The Interstate Mystery. But first, some history.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (commonly known as the Interstate Highway System, Interstate Freeway System, Interstate System, or simply the Interstate) is a network of freeways that forms a part of the National Highway System of the United States. The system is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. Construction was authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, and the original portion was completed 35 years later.
The numbering scheme for the Interstate Highway System was developed in 1957 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The association's present numbering policy dates back to August 10, 1973.Within the continental United States, primary Interstates—also called main line Interstates or two-digit Interstates—are assigned numbers less than 100.
In the numbering scheme for the primary routes, east-west highways are assigned even numbers and north-south highways are assigned odd numbers. Odd route numbers increase from west to east, and even-numbered routes increase from south to north (to avoid confusion with the U.S. Highways, which increase from east to west and north to south), though there are exceptions to both principles in several locations. This numbering system holds true even if the local direction of the route does not match the compass directions.
Auxiliary Interstate Highways are circumferential, radial, or spur highways that principally serve urban areas. These types of Interstate Highways are given three-digit route numbers, which consist of a single digit prefixed to the two-digit number of its parent Interstate Highway. Spur routes deviate from their parent and do not return; these are given an odd first digit. Circumferential and radial loop routes return to the parent, and are given an even first digit. Due to the large number of these routes, auxiliary route numbers may be repeated in different states along the mainline.
Mile markers and exit numbers
On one- or two-digit Interstates, the mile marker numbering almost always begins at the southern or western state line. If an Interstate originates within a state, the numbering begins from the location where the road begins in the south or west.
Now, to the Coordinates:
N
You decided to start a little journey in Tennessee. You are travelling East on I-26 when you realize you forgot to get some gas for todays trip. So, you get off the Main Street Interstate exit in Erwin, TN where there are lots of places to get gas or food. If only you could remember the exit number...
You find yourself in Las Vegas, NV. You would love to see some Saguaro Cacti at Saguaro National Park in Tuscon, AZ. However, the most direct route is on slow US route 93. If only someone would build an Interstate between Las Vegas, NV and Casa Grande, AZ.....
.
You are hagning out in Knoxville, TN with some really cool people in the Tennessee Valley Geocachers when a plan for an exciting beach vacation is hatched. Unfortunately, Myrtle Beach is a little too crazy so you decide that Tybee Island is just the spot. If only there was a direct route on an Interstate from Knoxville, TN to Savannah, GA...
Because once in Savannah, GA it would be a quick jaunt on the Interstate to Macon, GA to see the Ocmulgee National Monument.
W 0
After all that time in the South, It's time for some nice sool weather in the Northwest. So, after travelling to Seattle and then heading East on I-90 you decide to stop and hang out in Ellensburg, WA at Central Washington University. From there you head south on the Interstate to Hermiston, OR stopping to see the Columbia River on the way.
Being an Interstate buff by this point, you decide to check out the Interstate with the lowest number and the furthest South in the Continental United States. However, Palmview, TX and Harligen, TX are not very exciting.
Coming back home to Tennessee, You decide to travel the Interstate from Johnson City, TN to Kingsport, TN to participate in the Crazy 8's 8k, the world's fastest 8k.
Finally, after lots of travelling, and somehow finding yourself in Slidell, LA. You love some red hot peppers so you decide to travel the interstate over to Baton Rouge, LA which got its name from the red stick used to determine if the hot peppers were ripe.
I hope you enjoyed your INTERSTATE Mystery.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.