The Road Most Traveled

I guess you would have to call me an I-15 guy. Except for a couple of years in the seventies when I lived in the Midwest, all my life, except for vacations and travel of course, has been with in 50 miles of Interstate 15. I think the furthest residences I have had away from I-15 was either Morgan, Utah or Rexburg, Idaho. Both towns are about 30 miles east of the highway. In Morgan you could hop on I-84 and go right to Riverdale and connect with I-15. From Rexburg it was either a straight west shot on a highway I don't remember because I didn't take it often, or down U.S. 26 to Idaho Falls.

Anyway, most of life has been around I-15, and it is, without question the highway I have traveled the most through out my life. The first time I made the trip from Southern California to Salt Lake City, the interstate was incomplete. It came to an end just north of Cedar City. And it was a white knuckled drive in a snowstorm on the old highway 91 to Spanish Fork, where it was back to a freeway. I've driven I-15 through all the states in runs through, nearly border to border.

Interstate 15, commonly known as I-15, is a major highway in the United States that stretches from San Diego, California, in the southwest, to Sweetgrass, Montana, in the northwest. Here's where my wife has me beat. The most north I have been on I-15 is Butte, Montana. Tammy accompanied one of our daughters to a friend having a wedding up in Canada and went across the border north if Sweetgrass.

With a total length of approximately 1,433 miles, it is one of the longest and most important interstate highways in the country.

I-15 serves as a vital transportation artery, connecting several major cities and regions along its route. It traverses through California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana, passing through iconic locations such as Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and the beautiful landscapes of the American Southwest. The highway plays a crucial role in facilitating both commercial and recreational travel between these regions, making it a vital economic lifeline for various industries.

One of the most notable sections of I-15 is the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. This portion is famous for its dazzling lights, extravagant resorts, and world-renowned entertainment venues. Every year, millions of tourists travel on I-15 to experience the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas, making it an essential contributor to the city's tourism industry. Ever been on the highway from Southern California to Las Vegas on like, the Thanksgiving weekend? Good luck!

Apart from its significance in tourism and commerce, I-15 also serves as a crucial route for transportation of goods across the western United States. Freight trucks heavily utilize this highway to transport goods efficiently, connecting manufacturers, distributors, and consumers, ultimately bolstering the region's economy.

However, like many major highways, I-15 faces challenges related to congestion and safety. Due to its popularity and heavy usage, traffic jams can be common, particularly during peak travel seasons. Add to that seemingly endless construction projects, such as the one taking place in the Virgin River Gorge right now, and you can have significant delays. State and federal authorities continue to invest in improving I-15 and implement measures to alleviate congestion, enhance safety, and maintain the highway's functionality.

Interstate 15 is a vital and influential highway in the United States, connecting major cities, driving tourism, and facilitating the movement of goods across the western states. I have to wonder how much consideration Cedar City would have had in becoming a branch of the Inland Port if we were not so close to I-15. Its role in supporting economic activities and bringing people together makes it an indispensable part of the nation's transportation infrastructure. As transportation needs evolve, it is crucial for ongoing investments and improvements to ensure that I-15 continues to meet the demands of the modern world while preserving its role as a key lifeline for the communities it serves. Communities I lived in almost all my life.

As long as I-15 is, it is not the longest interstate highway in the nation. To see where it compares to the rest of the interstate system, keep scrolling.