Although Interstate 80 is a 2,899.59 miles (4,666.44 km)-long interstate, [1] it may be daunting to think of it as an interstate you could travel on end-to-end. But for those willing to experience it either as a new road user or a user who doesn't travel very often on it, you may want to travel this route. Although you can experience it over a few exits at a time (if you need to travel quickly from place to place), this article will explain what you can expect on the entire route.

1

Travel in New Jersey.

  1. In New Jersey, I-80 travels as the Christopher Columbus Highway on an almost straight route from the eastern edge of New Jersey. It dips early on so it avoids crossing the Boonton Reservoir, but then skirts to its south until Rainbow Lakes, where it begins traveling northwest again, passing through the eastern Pocono Mountains of Central New Jersey, and just west of Denville, starts traveling straighter northwest, avoiding White Meadow Lake through Mount Hope and straddles the almost-straight border neighbor and exits the state.
    • Locate the easternmost terminus for this route. Although you'll probably start within your state, if you are near New Jersey, you may want to start at the beginning, where it connects to Interstate 95's exit 69 in Teaneck, NJ. [2]
      • It doesn't connect to New York State in any way, though historical designators say there were plans to bring it there when the Interstate first began construction in the Northeast. [3]
    • Travel it in Bergen County. Bergen County consists of several exits in Teaneck (68A) and is the original exit you entered from westbound, Ridgefield Park (67), Hackensack (66), Teterboro-South Hackensack (65), Hackensack (64B, 64, 64A), Lodi (63), Saddle Brook (62B and 62A), and Elmwood Park (61).
      • NJ-17 (encountered at exits 64B, 64, 64A and 63) is popular. It's a lower-speed route in spots but multi-laned without traffic lights.
      • Avoid taking I-80 to get to the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Instead, get to it from I-95's exit for US-46.
      • Keep in mind the Garden State Parkway is found at exit 62A. However, no commercial vehicles are allowed on the Garden State Parkway, [4] and this parkway isn't affiliated with I-80 in any way.
    • Travel it in Passaic County. Passaic County consists of several exits in Paterson(57C, 57B, 57A, 60, 59, 58), Woodland Park (56), Totowa (55, 54), and Wayne (53).
      • Look for the Garret Mountain Reservation as the interstate comes upon Paterson then runs above Paterson via a viaduct before crossing the railroad line and coming into the next exit for Madison Ave/CR-649 - then returns to ground level for the exit serving Market St and reaching the exit with Route 20. [5]
    • Travel it in Essex County. Essex County has only one exit at Fairfield Township (52).
    • Travel Morris County. Morris County consists of exits in Montville (48), Parsippany-Troy Hills (47B, 47A, 47, 45, 43B, 43, 42C, 42B, 42A), Denville (39, 38), Rockaway Township (37, 35), Wharton (34), Mount Arlington (30), Roxbury (28, 27B-A), Netcong (26) and Mount Olive Township (25).
      • Watch out for I-280 (47A) as well as I-287 (43). These two routes connect to other popular routes.
    • Travel through Sussex County. Although there are no official exits within this county from this interstate, you'll find mention that this route travels through this county in an attempt to get to Warren County.
    • Travel in Warren County. You'll encounter exits at Allamuchy Township (19), Hope Township (12), Knowlton Township (4C, 4B, 4A), and Hardwick Township (1) and a standalone exit for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that is unnumbered.
      • There is a scenic overlook for the 'Gap going westbound, with a rest area for eastbound travelers instead - after the interstate crosses Paulins Kill. [6]
      • Look for an exit for the "Land of Make Believe" theme park associated with Hope Township's exit 12.
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2

Travel across the Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge.

  1. It is a multiple-span dual roadway with a steel plate structure. [7] For the average two-axle vehicle, you'll have to pay a toll of about $1-2 (US) at about mile marker 500.62 miles (805.67 km) on the Pennsylvania side collected for westbound travelers only. [8] [9] [10]
3

Travel in Pennsylvania.

  1. In Pennsylvania, after I-80 crosses the Delaware River (over the Delaware Water Gap), I-80 begins its course heading more northwest until it reaches the Pocono Mountains. It then levels out and passes just to the south of Wilkes-Barre and slithers on an almost straight route over the rural settings in the North Branch Susquehanna River, West Branch Susquehanna River, White Deer Creek, and Sugar Valley Mountain. Nittany Valley, Moshannon State Forest, Eastern Continental Divide, and the Allegheny Plateau as both the Keystone Shortway and Z.H. Confair Memorial Highway. [11]
    • Travel in Monroe County. You will encounter the Pocono Mountains. You'll encounter exits for Delaware Water Gap (310), East Stroudsburg (309, 308), Stroudsburg (304-307), Arlington Heights (303), Bartonsville (302B, 302A), Tannersville (299), Scotrun (298), Pocono Pines (293) and Blakeslee (284).
      • Popular locations here include I-380 (293) and US-209 (302A, 304, 305, and 309), though most of these are ski-resort areas. US-209 runs mostly concurrent with I-80 between exits 304 and 309.
      • Look for exit 298 for connections to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and exit 299 towards a local outlet mall in Tannersville.
    • Travel through Carbon County. Inside Carbon County, you'll only encounter two exits for Kidder Township (277, 274).
      • Look for a connection to the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension if you need to head towards Allentown or Philadelphia, or further north to head into the Pocono Mountains and Hickory Run State Park.
    • Travel through Luzerne County. You'll travel through the cities of White Haven (273), Butler Township (260), and Sugarloaf Township (256). By the time you travel through these towns, you're going through Wilkes Barre, just south of Scranton.
      • Biggest exits here include access to Nescopeck State Park and Eckley Miner's Village (262), I-81 and I-84 (260), and Penn State Hazleton (256).
    • Travel through Columbia County. Pass through the exits for Main Township (242), South Centre Township (241), Bloomsburg (236), and Hemlock Township (232).
    • Travel through Montour County. You are still crossing through the Poconos and are beginning your trek through the Appalachian Mountains here. There's only one exit here for Valley Township (224).
      • Valley Township has connections to the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, but almost has access to other mountain villages including Danville, Shamokin, Mt Carmel, and Sunbury.
    • Travel through Northumberland County. Travel through exits for East Chillisquaque Township (215) and Milton (212).
      • It would seem that exit 212 might have some traffic - having a terminus to a loop interstate (I-180) and a connection to Williamsport - but it doesn't.
    • Travel through Union County. Union County hosts most things about Little League in late spring in Williamsport including a Little League Museum, but it also hosts access to Bucknell University at White Deer Township (210). But you can also access Bald Eagle State Forest at West Buffalo Township (199).
      • Don't be bashful with exit 199. This exit runs towards Williamsport and the site of the Little League World Series in Lycoming County.
    • Travel through Clinton County. Here, you'll encounter exits in Greene Township (192, 185), Lamar Township (178), and Porter Township (173).
      • Tie-ups could happen near exit 178 with access towards Williamsport and Lock Haven University.
      • Look out for Amish horse-drawn wagons traveling the highway near mile-marker 191 miles (307 km) as the interstate runs parallel with Pennsylvania Route 880 in the median for a half-mile.
    • Travel through Centre County. There's a new exit for Marlon Township (164) and existing exits for Spring Township (161), Boggs Township (158), and Snow Shoe (147) here.
      • There's access to Pennsylvania State University and State College at exit 161 where I-80 and I-99 intersect towards Bellefort and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. However, consider trying exit 161 for Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania too.
      • Two state parks exist at exit 158: Bald Eagle State Park and Black Moshannon State Park.
    • Travel through Clearfield County. Encounter exits for Cooper Township and Black Moshannon State Park, (133), Bradford Township (123), Lawrence Township (120), Pine Township towards Clearfield-Penfield (111), and the heart of the Allegheny National Forest at Sandy Township (101, 97).
      • Look for the sign at the side of I-80 near Clearfield that says that you are at the highest point to the east of the Mississippi River (2,250 feet). [12]
    • Travel through Jefferson County. You'll encounter exits for Winslow Township (90, 86), Pine Creek Township (81), Brookville and the Cook Forest State Park, Punxsutawney (75), and Corsica at Union Township (73).
      • Dubois Regional Airport can be found at exit 90, but exit 86 might be better for other reasons.
      • Exit 75 is popular on Groundhog Day when Punxsutawney Phil predicts the weather.
    • Travel through Clarion County. Clarion County has more lodging and restaurants - some being fast food, as you start to exit out of the heart of the Appalachians. You'll encounter exits for Clarion Township (70, 64), Monroe Township (62), Paint Township and Cook Forest State Park-Allegheny National Forest (60), Beaver Township (53), and Richland Township (45).
    • Cross the Allegheny River. The steel-deck truss bridge named Emlenton Bridge crosses the Allegheny River between Butler and Clarion County and is technically the highest highway bridge in Pennsylvania. [13]
    • Forget Butler County. Although there are no exits in this county off this interstate, you will travel not very far, just south of the town of Emlenton! Richland Township's Exit 45 and Scrubgrass Township's Exit 42 lie just outside the county line, so Butler County shouldn't be considered a viable county for this route.
    • Travel across Venango County. In Venango County, you'll encounter exits for Scrubgrass Township (42), Clinton Township (35), Barkeyville, and access to Butler University (29).
    • Travel through Mercer County. In Mercer County, you'll start to see more interstate spurs which bring you into other bigger towns and cities. You'll see exits in Worth Township and access to Grove City College (24), Findley Township and access to I-79 towards Pittsburgh, Erie, and West Virginia (19), East Lackawanrock Township, Thiel and Westminster Colleges (15), and Shenango Township and access to I-376 (4).
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4

Travel in Ohio.

  1. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike (a.k.a. Ohio Turnpike). This route runs as a toll-free route until it reaches a point just east of Akron. Past that, it forms a concurrent route with the tolled I-75 (near mile marker 219.47 miles (353.20 km)) until it loses concurrency with that and runs concurrently throughout the northwest corner of Ohio with I-90 instead at exit 142 near Rossford (near the "Crossroads of America"), past southern portions of Toledo till the Westgate Toll Barrier and Indiana border. [14]
    • Most 2-axle vehicles should expect to pay $13-19 dollars in tolls (through E-ZPass or cash) while traveling this route. [15]
    • Travel in Trumbull County. There are lots of exits in Trumbull County, including exits for Hubbard Township (234), Liberty Township (229, 228A, 228), Girard (227), and Weathersfield Township (226).
    • Travel in Mahoning County. Lots of exits are here, including exits for Austintown Township (224B, 224A, 223) and Jackson Township and the switch to I-76 (218).
    • Travel in Trumbull County again. There are exits for Lordstown (216, 215) and Braceville Township (209).
    • Travel in Portage County. By the time you get to this county, you'll encounter your first Service Plaza for both east and westbound, and meet up with a few exits for Shakersville Township (193) and Streetsboro (187).
      • Avoid taking exit 187. Nicknamed "Twins Days" every August, exit 187 heads to Twinsburg - where the largest gathering of twins happens annually worldwide. [16]
    • Travel in Summit County. Here, you'll find only two exits for two popular routes towards Boston Heights and the other (I-77) towards Richfield, Akron, and Cleveland (180 and 173). As you reach these exits, you'll be entering Cuyahoga State Park.
    • Travel in Cuyahoga County. Expect to encounter only one exit in this county - at Strongsville (161), though you'll also encounter another set of service plazas in between.
    • Travel in Lorain County. Here, you can expect to find several popular exits taking you towards North Ridgeville (152, 151), Elyria (145), and the concurrency switch at Elyria Township for I-90 (142), Amherst Township (140), and Brownhelm Township (135).
    • Travel in Erie County. In Erie County, you'll spot routes that will take you toward Sandusky and its famous amusement parks and have interstate exits for Milan Township (118) and Groton Township (110).
    • Travel in Sandusky County. In Sandusky County, you'll spot an exit for Sandusky Township (91).
    • Travel in Ottawa County. You'll find an exit for Elmore (81).
    • Travel in Wood County. You'll find two exits for Lake Township and I-280 towards Toledo, Detroit, and Stony Ridge (71) and Rossford and I-75 toward Dayton (64).
    • Travel in Lucas County. You'll find exits leading to Toledo and Ann Arbor under the exit for Maumee(71) and Monclova Township (52).
      • Exit 52 leads you to the Toledo Airport and Swanton.
    • Travel in Fulton County. In Fulton County, expect to find exits for Pike Township (39), Dover Township (34), and Franklin Township (25).
    • Travel in Williams County. You'll spot one exit still in the tolled route for Holiday City (13), then you'll pass through the Westgate Toll Barrier and encounter one final exit for the unsigned exit to Ohio Route 49 in Northwest Township where you'll find Love's Truck Stops.
5

Travel in Indiana.

  1. But in Lake Station (east of Gary) it exits off this toll road and joins the untolled Borman Expressway (I-94) under a different concurrency.
    • Most 2-axle vehicles should expect to pay $9.35-$9.40 in tolls (through E-ZPass or cash) while traveling this route. [17]
    • Travel in Steuben County. As you enter the state, you'll need to enter through the Eastpoint Toll Barrier and pick up a ticket. Then you'll see an exit at Freemont's I-69, IN-120, and IN-127 (144).
    • Travel in LaGrange County. There's only one exit in this county at Howe (121). But by the time you get to this exit, you'll be in Greenfield Township and within 200 yards of the Indiana-Michigan border's Welcome sign. [18]
      • However, the closest you get from Lake Michigan is about 10 miles (16 km). [19]
    • Travel in Elkhart County. Pass four exits at York Township (107), Bristol (101), and Elkhart (96, 92).
      • You might even find the Elkhart Airport just off the side of the interstate.
    • Travel in St Joseph County. There are several exits here including Harris Township and Mishawaka (83). South Bend and the University of Notre Dame (77), and another in South Bend connects to the Nimitz Parkway (72).
    • Travel in LaPorte County. The interstate takes a long break between exit numbers and you'll encounter the next exits at Center Township (49), and New Durham Township (39).
    • Travel in Porter County. Inside Porter County, you'll find an exit at Chesterton serving Indiana Dunes National and State Parks (31), still on the tolled side of the interstate. But then you pass through the Portage Toll Barrier, (relinquishing your ticket) and come to exits for Portage at Willcreek Rd (23) and Lake Station (21) which you'll need to take.
    • Follow signage to the continuation of I-80. At exit 21, you'll want to exit off to the right and after the initial exit, you'll want to stay in your right lane as it enters its concurrency with I-94 as the Borman Expressway. (If heading eastbound, you'll need to exit off the Borman Expressway at exit 16 and follow signage to stay on I-80.)
    • Travel in Lake County. You'll encounter more exits for Lake Station for US-6 (15) and Central Ave (13), then pass into Gary for I-65 towards Indianapolis, Chicago, and the Indiana Toll Road and another exit at Broadway and Indiana University, Grant Street, Burr Street, and SR-912 with access to Gary/Chicago International Airport (12,10, 9, 6 and 5). Expect to travel through Hammond's exits for Kennedy Ave and its Visitors' Center (3), US-41 South and Purdue University Calumet (,2), and US-41 North (1) then exit into the next state from Munster.
      • Within this county, there are various areas where this interstate has more than a few lanes in each direction. East of Central Ave, it becomes a 6-lane interstate near woodlands, between Gary and Hammond's Cline Ave exit, the interstate becomes an eight-lane interstate then increases to a 10-lane interstate between Hammond and the state line at Munster. [20]
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6

Travel in Illinois.

  1. In Illinois, I-80 begins as an untolled freeway, but then changes names and joins the tolled Kingery Expressway (I-294, part of the Tri-State Tollway) until it ends only a few exits later as an untolled highway and becomes I-80 without an official highway name. But the exit where the concurrency ends is confusing and it runs until mile marker 10.11 miles (16.27 km) where it encounters I-280 and splits to the right and runs more north than northwest until it crosses onto a bridge heading across the Mississippi River and into the next state.
    • Most 2-axle vehicles should expect to pay a variable amount in tolls based on the time of day you exit out and your dependence on their electronic toll collection boxes such as I-Pass and E-ZPass because they don't accept cash transactions anymore. Electronic toll rates should be about $2.05 during the daytime and $1.35 overnight while traveling this route. However, paying online will increase the bill by an additional $1.10.' [21] [22]
    • Travel in Cook County. Once I-80 enters Illinois, there's only one free exit after the I-94 and I-294/I-80 concurrency changes (161) in Lansing, then plan on heading over to South Holland for the official split onto I-294 at their exit 0, and the roadway to become tolled in South Holland.
      • In this area, I-80 is a single-point urban interchange with IL-83 (the exit) and the end of the US-6 concurrency. From the border to this concurrency end, I-80 is a ten-lane freeway passing residential lots.
    • Watch the few exits in the tolled area of Cook County. This short portion of the tollway uses a different numbering system and you should expect to see a few exits in East Hazel Crest at Halsted St and Dixie Highway (2, 4), then deal with the Tollway barrier as you exit.
      • In this area, the roadway I-94/I-294 naming happens and you'll pass around Wampum Lake, the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis, Thornton Quarry an interchange with IL-1, and a rail yard.
    • Continue within the central and western portions of Cook County. The mileage-based exit number system continues as the freeway ends and the numbering starts again in Hazel Crest (155), Kedzie Ave (154), Country Club Hills/I-57/I-294 (151), and Tinley Park at Harlem Ave (148).
    • Travel through Will County. Pass exits for Frankfurt Township (145), New Lenox (140, 137), Joliet Township at Briggs St (134), Joliet at Richards Street (133) then what would essentially be Historic Route 66 as IL-53 & US-52 (132).
      • At exit 140, the highway will begin as the Veteran's Memorial Tollway- a six-lane highway and pass through the Yankee Woods/Cook County Forest Preserve.
      • Around exit 137, you'll spot signage for the Potawatomi Woods County Forest Preserve, and the roadway ends the six-lane interstate there.
      • Exit 132 also services the downtown portion of Joliet including Harrah's Casino and the Chicagoland Speedway.
    • Cross the Des Plaines River using the untolled Des Plaines River Bridge. [23] This cantilever bridge has a total of six lanes, so is wide enough to deal with traffic, many lanes wide. [24]
    • Continue traveling in Will County. Complete the journey in Joliet. Pass exits for Joliet at Center Street (131), IL-7 & Larkin Ave towards Rockdale (130), Hollywood and Houbolt Rd and Hollywood Casino (127), and one for Troy Township's I-55 towards Chicago and St Louis (126).
      • In western Will County, you'll find that Joliet has many warehouses that you'll pass near the road, between the exit for I-55 and another with IL-7, and near residential locations with trees.
    • Watch for the Kendal County exit at its border with Grundy County at Minooka's Ridge Rd (122).
    • Travel through Grundy County. You'll encounter exits for Brisbin Rd (116), Morris at Division Street (112), and Erienna Township (105).
    • Travel through LaSalle County. Here, exits come for Rutland and Miller (97), Rutland Township (93), Otta and De Kalb (90) North Utica for Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks (81), LaSalle-Dimmick Township at the intersection of I-39/US-51 (79), LaSalle (77), Peru (75, 73) and keep going.
      • Before exit 93, you'll cross over the Fox River.
      • Also found near exit 81 is the AASHO Road Test site, which was once used for testing different road surfaces in the 1950s.
      • At exit 77, you'll find the Mitchell's Grove Nature Preserve.
    • Travel through Bureau County. Here you'll find several exits for Ladd (70), Selby Township and I-180 (61), Princeton (56), and Concord Township (45).
      • If you are looking for the Illinois Valley Regional Airport, try exit 70. 103 Rd is just north of it.
    • Travel through Henry County. You'll see exits for Annawan (33), Atkinson (27), Geneseo (19), and the unsigned exit for Colona Township towards Moline, Rock Island, and Quad-City Airport, I-74 then two exits at Colona (9, 7).
      • After passing the east side of the Quad Cities, eastbound traffic has access to an Illinois Welcome Center.
    • Cross over the Rock River just before passing exit 4B.
    • Travel through Rock Island County. Travel through the exits for East Moline (4B, 4A) and Hampton Township (1).
7

Cross on the Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge.

  1. The Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge, a 4-lane steel girder bridge, is a toll-free bridge that leads you over the Mississippi River into LeClaire, Iowa - just outside of Davenport. [25] [26]
    • If you'd like to take pictures of the river and/or bridge, get out at either exit 1 in Illinois or exit 306 in Iowa. Both take you to roads that lead along the river's edge - IL-84 in Illinois or US-67 in Iowa. However, after that, get back out onto I-80 as it heads northwest a little, then travel directly west again.
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8

Travel in Iowa.

  1. Outside of the small rise as it enters Davenport-LeClaire, I-80 runs almost as a flat line through what is essentially cornfields. But just as it passes the edge of Council Bluffs, it takes a more south-westerly curved path and evens back out.
    • Life exists in some of the cities, especially in Davenport-LeClaire and Iowa City as you enter the state, and towards the very end in Altoona. Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa as you exit. About one-third of the Iowan population live along the I-80 corridor. [27]
    • Travel in Scott County. Just as you come off the bridge, LeClaire has its exit (306), followed by Bettendorf (301). Pass exits for Davenport (298, 295, 292, and 290), Walcott (284), and Cleona Township (280).
      • Careful of exit 298. It's the area of the "Big X" - an interchange with I-74 and I-280 where opposite traffic is urged to use I-80 around the Quad Cities from Illinois, and the place where traffic from each highway must exit to continue on the same route. Take the exit, but follow the signage. This is the area for the "Turn off to stay on" interchange.
      • Don't forget to stop at the "Iowa-80 TA" Truckstop in Walcott. It is the "World's Largest Truckstop in America" [28] Many even consider it to be the "Disneyland of Truckers," just outside of exit 284 having three restaurants, shopping, theater, museum, barbershop, dentist, fuel, and restrooms complete with showers. [29] [30]
    • Travel in Cedar County. In Cedar County, the exits will mostly be rural exits as you'll pass through Farmington Township (277), Sugar Creek Township (271), Rochester Township (267), Iowa Township (265), Springdale Township (259), and the West Branch (254).
      • Between exits 265 and 259, you'll find the start of a 50 miles (80 km) path of straight-line I-80. It will later end at exit 216 where Marengo is.
      • Look for the President Herbert Hoover Library and Museum at exit 254. [31]
    • Travel in Johnson County. You'll pass through exits for Scott Township (249), Iowa City (246, 244), Coralville (242, 240, 239), Tiffin (237), and Oxford Township (230).
      • At exits 244 and 242, besides the VA Medical Center, you'll also find all the things that are associated with the University of Iowa's university campus here, as these exits help direct traffic around the university.
      • Avoid trying to get off I-80 at exit 239 with a semitrailer truck. It was recorded that it is the most likely location in Iowa for a semi-trailer truck to overturn. But there are plans to replace the interchange, with a start date beginning around 2025! [32]
    • Travel in Iowa County. You'll encounter exits for Iowa Township (225), Williamsburg (220), Summer Township (216, 211), and Hartford Township (205).
      • Want an outlet mall? Try the Williamsburg location of the Tanger Outlet Mall.
      • Starting between exits 216 and 211, you'll find the start of the 35 miles (56 km) long stretch of straight I-80 which ends near exit 179 near Lynnville-Oakland Acres (marked Rock Creek Township). [33]
      • Look for the Marengo exit at 216. Here, you'll see Kinze Manufacturing where a local farm manufacturer advertises their business by placing their equipment as sculptures at the highway's edge.
    • Travel in Poweshiek County. Travel through exits for Warren Township (201), Bear Creek Township (197), Montezuma (191), and Grinnell (182).
    • Travel in Jasper County. In Jasper County, you'll find exits for Rock Creek Township (179), Buena Vista Township (173), Newton and the Iowa Speedway (168, 164), Sherman Township (159), and Colfax (155).
      • One portion of the special I-80 exit guide for Iowa lists the Iowa Speedway as being at exit 168, while the list lists the speedways named "Drive" at exit 164. Plan accordingly which exit you'll be taking to get there.
    • Travel in Polk County. Start passing exits for Mitchellville (149), Altoona (143, 142 and Des Moines International Airport 141), Ankeny and the start of the I-80/I-35 concurrency (137), Saylor Township (136 and 135), Johnston(131) and Urbandale, (129, 128, 127B, 127A, and 126), Clive (125), and West Des Moines (124, 123B, 123A, 122 and 121).
      • At exit 137, I-80 runs concurrently with I-235 till exit 123B, though along this route you must watch signage carefully as the roadway and exits split with uneven popularity and tend to zig-zag. This is the area of the East Mixmaster - an area where three interstates collide to run concurrently for running concurrently for 14 miles (23 km). Here is your first "follow signs because confusion exists here, " area. Different signage exists for those heading on the separate routes westbound (I-235 as exit 137A, and I-35 exit 137B eastbound)
      • Look for help at the Living History Farms visitor center off of the Hickman Rd (US-6) exit at exit 125, or towards the truck stop going in the opposite direction.
      • Be careful of exits 123B (unsigned westbound) and 123A. This area is called the West Mixmaster. Here you will find confusion due to two freeways merging through one of several flyover ramps, and the other interstate as the continuation of I-80. [34] Confusion is more possible heading eastbound on I-80 as I-80 exits the freeway in the flyover ramp to northbound I-35 and the I-235 secondary interstate begins as the continuation area. [35] Follow signs accordingly here.
    • Travel in Dallas County. Dallas County sees exits in Waukee (118 and 117), Van Meter (113), De Soto (110), Adams Township (106, 104), and Dexter (100).
      • Those who want to see the Bridges of Madison County or the birthplace of John Wayne, should follow US-169 at exit 110 on the directed route to Winterset at exit 110.
    • Pass through the exit at the Adair-Madison county line at Lincoln-Penn Township (97).
    • Travel in Adair County. Here you'll see exits for Stuart (93), Jefferson Township (88, 86), Casey (83), and Adair (76 and 75).
      • You should see Freedom Rock off in the distance, at exit 86. This famous rock gets repainted with a new patriotic theme by a local artist (Ray "Bubba" Sorenson II),
    • Travel in Cass County. Encounter exits for Grant Township (70), Benton Township (64), Pymosa Township (60 and 57), and Brighton Township (54, 51).
    • Travel in Pottawattamie County. Travel through exits in Walnut (46), Avoca (40) and Shelby (34), Minden Township (29, 27), Neola (23), Underwood (17), and Council Bluffs (8, 5, 4A, 4B, 3, 1B and 1A).
      • Between exits 4A and what would essentially be signed as 1B (heading east) and 51 (heading west), I-80 runs concurrently with I-29, and during much of this span uses exit signage for the other interstate.
9

Pass over the Interstate 80 Bridge.

  1. You'll do this by taking the Interstate 80 Bridge which passes you between Iowa and Nebraska. [36] [37]
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10

Travel in Nebraska.

  1. In Nebraska, I-80 heads right through Omaha from its eastern border for about 10 miles (16 km) then passes right into the next county. It travels that one on an almost straight course then heads across the Platte River. It travels through many more counties then travels so close to the Nebraska-Colorado border, that if you don't look twice at a map, you'd think you'd crossed into Colorado for a second or two - then continues on the almost straight line through more counties and towns and out into Wyoming.
    • Travel in Douglass County. When you travel in Douglass County, you'll travel inside the makings of Omaha. You'll travel through exits for the Omaha Gardens and Omaha Zoo (454), then many other city streets exits (453, 451, 350, 449, 448, 445, 445C, 445B, 445A), and one loop interstate into Omaha.
    • Travel through Sarpy County. In Sarpy County, travel through exits for Chalco (442, 440), Richland VIII Precinct, its stadium at Werner Park, Offutt Air Force Base (439), and Melia-Forest City Precinct (432).
    • Travel over the Platte River Bridge. This steel truss bridge is toll-free and brings vehicles across the Platte River, hosting some great views of the River and the beginning of the Great Plains. [38]
    • Travel through Cass County. In Cass County, you'll encounter exits for Ashland and Mahoney State Park (426) and Ashland-Greenwood (420).
      • Although a bit far away, there's a Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland you could visit off exit 426. It's not able to be seen from the highway, but its information is amazing.
    • Travel through Lancaster County. In Lancaster County, you'll first start near an exit for Waverly-East Lincoln (409), then head into North Bluff (405) and Lincoln (403, 401, 399, 397, 396, and 395).
      • If you need to get to Lincoln Airport, take exit 399. If you need to get to Downtown Lincoln, follow the same exit.
      • Between mile marker 390 miles (630 km) and exit 318, you'll encounter the longest straight-line Interstate in the Interstate Highway System - reaching a length of about 70+ miles of straight-line travel- between Grand Island and Lincoln. [39]
    • Travel through Seward County. In Seward County, you'll encounter many exits of small towns including those of Precinct I (388), Milford (382), Precinct J (379), Goehner (373), Beaver Crossing (369), and Precinct L (366).
      • Starting in Seward County, and ending in Buffalo County most cities are small enough that they don't have connections inside of the cities they encounter. However, they do have towns farther away.
    • Travel through York County. York County has several small exits including exits for Beaver Precinct (360), York (353), Baker Precinct (348), and Henderson (342).
    • Travel through Hamilton County. In Hamilton County, you'll encounter exits for Hampton (338), Aurora (332), Giltner (324), and Precincts 5 and 2 (318).
    • Travel in Hall County. Grand Island has two exits including one for the Town Osborn Expressway into and around the city (312) but has a city exit too (314). It travels through Alda (305) and Wood River (300).
    • Travel in Buffalo County. Buffalo County contains exits in Shelton (291), Gibbon (285), and Precinct 29 where the interstate travels concurrently with Nebraska 10 (279) to where it intersects Kearney (275 and 272), Odessa (263), and Elm Creek (257).
      • If there's daylight, take pictures of the "Great Platte River Road Archway Monument" as it heads into Kearney near exit 275!
    • Travel in Dawson County. Dawson County contains exits for Overton (248), Lexington (237), Lexington Precinct (231), Cozad (222), and Gothenburg (211).
    • Travel in Lincoln County. In Lincoln County, you'll encounter exits for Brady (199), Maxwell (190) North Platte (179 and 177), Hershey (164), and Sutherland (158).
    • Travel in Keith County. Keith County contains more small-town exits including those near Paxton (145), Roscoe (133), Ogallala-Grant (126), and Brule (117).
    • Travel in Deuel County. Despite approaching the county line near the Nebraska-Colorado border, you'll see other exits just past that for Big Springs (107), Big Springs Precinct (102 and 101) (for Interstate 76 heading towards Denver), Swan Precinct (95), and Chappell (85).
    • Travel through Cheyenne County. You'll travel through exits for Lodgepole (76), Sunol (69), Sidney (59 and 55), Potter Precinct (48), and Potter (38).
      • If you need to get out and rest, propose to stop in at the Sidney Rest Area which is the location of the Golden Link and the spot wherein 1974 - a brass connector was laid down to emulate the last spike to the tracks of the Transcontinental Railroad and the last section of pavement completed for Interstate 80 in Nebraska. [40] [41]
    • Travel through Kimball County. Kimball County has you traveling past exits at Dix (29), Antelope Precinct Gering (22 and 20), and Bushnell Precinct near State Line Rd (8, 1).
11

Travel in Wyoming.

  1. In Wyoming, the path into the state starts fairly straight, but just to the west of Cheyenne begins to travel northwest until it reaches just east of Walcott. It then runs almost straight west (passing into the mountains and Continental Divide) until it reaches Little America then travels southwest until the border.
    • Inside Wyoming, you'll spot that you'll pass through the Continental Divide - not just once - but twice. And although you'll spot areas where Indians have made the mountains their home, you won't encounter any Indian Reservations that impede your travel - unless you pull off onto an exit marked with having Indian Reservations nearby. Along I-80, you'll be traveling in the endorheic Great Divide Basin. [42]
      • Between the state line and exit 206, you'll be traveling in the Mississippi River watershed.
    • In Wyoming, I-80 begins being called the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, yet just to the east of Evanston, it also is called the Lincoln Highway.
    • The instructions on the Wikipedia page made things difficult to determine where some of these exits go. In Wyoming, towns begin flowing through the Rocky Mountains and Continental Divide where towns are far away from the interchange. To stay in line with the remainder of this article, this article will utilize the first town mentioned for each exit where these trouble spots occur. Those that are marked on the table will make it into this article "as written" without mentioning so.
    • Travel through Laramie County. As you enter Laramie County, the biggest town is at the border - Pine Bluffs (401) but then there are exits for Egbert (391), Burns (386), Hillsdale (377), Archer (370), and Cheyenne (367, 364, 362, 359, 358, 357, 348, 345, 342, and 339).
      • If you want, there's an arterial route around the city at exit 370. But you might also encounter traffic to the Laramie County Fairgrounds at this same exit.
      • Near exit 358, I-80 will run concurrently with US-30, until exit 316.
    • Travel in Albany County. In Sherman County, there are exits for Buford (335, 329), and Sherman Summit (323) and be at the highest altitude on I-80 (8640 ft) and begin trekking the Continental Divide - then encounter Laramie (316, 313, 311, 310, 297, 290, and 279).
      • Understand what happens with the Continental Divide in Wyoming. In Wyoming, you end up crossing the Continental Divide twice. You are within two ridges of the Rocky Mountains, which split Wyoming apart (creating the closed-ended Great Divide Basin). [43]
      • Be aware of Buford. Although it's nearly a ghost town with less than a population of 5 people, it is the nation's smallest town; as the businesses close up, the population moves out! [44]
      • To the south of Laramie lies The Buttes - where in the 1800s, westbound travelers on the Oregon Trail hitched up their wagons from the Platte and headed west towards the Continental Divide! [45]
      • Near exit 313, you'll cross the Laramie River.
      • Near exit 290, you'll cross the Little Laramie River, after passing through the Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge
    • Travel in Carbon County. In Carbon County, you'll encounter exits for Arlington (272), Elk Mountain (267, 260), Hanna (255), Walcott (238 and 235), Ft Steele (228), Sinclair (221, 219), and Rawlins (215, 214, 211, 209, 206, 204, 201,196).
      • There is also another concurrency with US-30 - with only an eastern end at exit 235 and a western end of concurrency of US-287 at exit 215. Then another concurrency within Rawlins' exit 211 of WY-789 and later's exit 187 (in the next county).
      • Near exit 272, you'll cross Rock Creek.
      • Between exits 267 and 260, you'll cross the Medicine Bow River and travel over the northern edge of the Medicine Bow Mountains.
      • At exit 206, the interstate enters the Great Divide Basin - part of the Continental Divide.
    • Travel in Sweetwater County. Sweetwater County is very big because it begins traveling within the Continental Divide. You'll have lots of exits for Creston Junction (187), Cody (where you'll encounter the first Continental Divide Crossing (184)), Wamsutter (173, 170, 168, 166), Red Desert (165), Table Rock (158, 156, 154, 152, 150, 146, 142) then two unknown locations at Red Hill Rd (139) and Black Butte Rd (136), Point of Rocks (130), Superior (122), Rock Springs (111, 107, 104, 103, 102), Purple Sage (99) and then Green River (91, 89).
      • At exit 170, this interstate leaves the Great Divide Basin.
      • Between Red Desert and Point of Rock exits, you'll find lots of minor roads through Table Rock. Wikipedia mentions that Table is of major significance but when you get to the listing for Table Rock, they say it's a Ghost Town with a population of 0 as of 2011 and because the route is written from eastbound on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Wyoming , they mention the area where the highway rejoins the railroad to enter the Basin.
      • Be aware of Tipton - exit 158. There is a sign for the Continental Divide nearby - marking the elevation of 6930 feet above sea level. [46]
      • Exit 103 services the Western Wyoming Community College.
    • Travel through the Green River Tunnel. At about mile marker 89 miles (143 km). [47] , you'll spot the Green River Tunnel. This 4-lane-wide dual tunnel structure passes I-80 toll-free through a rock ridge and brings vehicles into other areas of the state. [48]
      • It passes you underneath the Teapot-looking rock on top of this large mountain, and if you can catch it, try to photograph this sculpture.
    • Continue traveling in Sweetwater County. Pass into the exits for James Town (85, 83), West James Town (72), Little America (68, 66), and Granger (61).
        • At exit 66, the concurrency with US-30 ends.
    • Travel in Uinta County. Uinta County has exits for Lyman (53, 48, 41), Carter (39), Fort Bridger (33, 30, 28, 24, 23), Evanston (21, 18, 13, 10, 6, 5, 3).
      • Between exits 33 and 28 (going eastbound), the highway will see the optical illusion that the highway is reaching for the sky in what's called its "Highway to Heaven" area.
      • At exit 13, you'll spot another entrance to Divide Road - and the other entrance to the other Continental Divide in Wyoming.
      • It begins a concurrency with US-189 at exit 18.
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12

Travel in Utah.

  1. In Utah, you come in through Utah's boxy northeast corner then travel pretty straight until it reaches east of Salt Lake City and runs concurrent with I-15 (taking itself more flat-north at first) and takes this looping road on a more southwest passage away from the city center while encountering exits designated for streets bringing you into the city. It passes local landmarks of Salt Lake City, then loses I-15 and runs almost straight throughout the other two counties in the boxy end of Utah's top portion until it meets Nevada.
    • Travel in Summit County. In Summit County, you'll experience exits for Wahsatch (191), Fawcett (187), Castle Rock (185), Port of Entry (unnumbered), Emory (178), Echo (169), Ogden, and where I-84 West terminates and the highway will veer to the left (168), Coalville (162), Wanship (155), Tollgate Promontory (150), Silver Creek Junction and the lose of the US-189 and US-40 concurrency (146), Kimball Junction (145), and reaches the first view area within Summit Park (144) and finds Jeremy Ranch (141).
      • Summit County features lots of lookout areas and only one Rest Area. You travel through a lot of towns and cities before its hookup with Salt Lake City. Summit County has a lot of exits - including one where the West Coast version of I-84 terminates (at its southeast end). The road is very flat throughout the journey.
      • When traveling in Echo Canyon, you'll be following the routes of the Mormon Trail and First Transcontinental Railroad and if you stop into the rest area in the canyon, you can expect to read about Pulpit Rock which was partially demolished to make room for I-80!
      • In the Park City area, I-80 parallels the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park in the median between the two sides of the highway.
      • In Parley's Canyon, you'll notice that I-80 becomes a six-lane freeway and will become the highest point in Utah at Parley's Summit. However, the Utah Department of Transportation introduced variable speed limits in the Canyon allowing speeds between 35 and 65 miles per hour (56 and 105 km/h) - depending on weather and traffic conditions. [49]
    • Travel in Salt Lake County. In Salt Lake County, you'll come to exits for Parleys Summit and the Salt Lake County line (140), Lambs Canyon (137), East Canyon (134), and then a utility exit at 133. There's a Mount Aire Rd exit (signed as Ranch exit, 132), Rock Quarry Rd and Quarry Service Rd (signed as "Quarry", 131), Millcreek (130, 129), I-215 (128), 2300 East (127), 1300 East and the Sugar House (126), and 700 East (125). Then the interstate will take you into South Salt Lake for State Street (124) and a connector route to I-15 (123A-B). You'll spot another few exits for the Salt Lake City-South Salt Lake line denoted on the Wikipedia page as 2100, 1300, 900 South (122), and a part of the Spaghetti Bowl interchange, then the road will run concurrent with I-15 and the exit numbers follow those exits for I-15 instead for a short bit.
      • Travel in Salt Lake City via exit numbers based on the alternative concurrency route, Interstate 15. You'll encounter exits for West Valley and part of the Spaghetti Bowl interchange (305A). Then takes a lot of additional exits for eastbound travelers only for 2100 South and 1300 South (305B and 305C). You'll encounter 600 South for westbound travelers (306), then at about mile marker 119.591 miles (192.463 km), you'll catch the end of concurrency with I-15 (I-15's exit 308).
      • Continue traveling on I-80 where exits are signed back to I-80's mileage. You'll encounter eastbound exits for 600 South (121), an extra connector route to I-15 (for eastbound travelers only) (120), Redwood Rd (118), I-215 (117), and Downtown (115C). Exit 115 is the exit for the Salt Lake City International Airport, and you'll also catch Wright Brothers Drive (114) then an exit for 5600 West and 7200 West (113, 111). Pass into the unknown location's Saltair Drive (104) and Magna-West Valley City (102). Pass over the Jordan River and Salt Lake City International Airport (115A) - you should see the airport directly to your right (just north of the airport within eyesight distance of the terminal buildings and runways). Pass by the salt flat of Great Salt Lake. You'll pass Salt Lake to your north.
          • Avoid stopping on I-80 to take a peek at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). It's too busy even to pull over here. If you miss your exit, get out at the next exit and come back (take exit 114 to N Wright Brothers Drive to either W Amelia Earhart Dr or Harald Gatty Dr to N 5600W to I-80, heading east).
      • The interstate near Salt Lake City is formed to head around the lake's southern edge, curves north, then back southwest again, until it heads toward the next sub-step. Exit 104 is your best choice of exit to get to Great Salt Lake National Park. However, if you want a quick view as you pass, the best choice is to stay on I-80, and you'll see it out your window.
        • Be careful of bottlenecks near the Great Salt Lake and Kennecott Copper smelter and Tailings Pond. The Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine was once considered the largest open-pit copper mine - and can be seen.
        • As you pass the Saltair Resort, you'll see the Kennecott Smokestack which is one of the tallest freestanding structures in the U.S. [50]
    • Travel in Tooele County. Watch for exits towards Lake Point (99), Erda (94), Grantsville (88 and 84), Rowley Junction (77), Delle (70), then there's a military area and Lakeside (62), Aragonite (56), then a patch called the Grassy Mountain Rest Area, Clive (49) and up to Knolls (41). Pass-through Knolls, UT, and the "Wendover Cut-off". There's a Rest and View Area off the interstate for Bonneville Speedway at (4), then there's an exit for another "Port of Entry" and you'll enter the town of Wendover (2 and 1).
      • Between Knolls' exit 41 and Bonneville Speedway's exit 4 (with a slight reprieve at mile marker 9.816 miles (15.797 km) per a Rest Area), you'll find the area called the Wendover Cut-off, which is the largest stretch between exits on an Interstate Highway" where it's on its longest stretch between exits which doesn't deviate into any curves or similar. [51] You'll have sightings of the Rocky Mountains in front of you and salt flats on either side as you make your way between these exits (41 and 4). [52] [53] [54] There's signage saying driver fatigue and drowsiness may result.
      • In Tooele County, you'll need to take frequent breaks. The mandatory rest break is upcoming because of other issues, so beware.
      • There's no entrance onto the interstate for exit 2 for westbound travelers. However, for those heading eastbound, it's not signed as I-80's Business Route.
      • Pass Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway just east of Exit 2 at Wendover, UT. There's also Danger Cave State Park Heritage Area at this same exit.
      • In Tooele County, you'll be following the routes of the Wendover Cutoff, Victory Highway, and Feather River Route's Western Pacific Railroad.
      • In the middle of the salt flats near the Bonneville Speedway, you'll spot Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, about 30 miles (48 km) east of Wendover.
      • Just before the interchange with Stansbury Park (near the Stansbury Mountains), the highway will bottleneck between the Quirrh Mountains and the Great Salt Lake.
13

Travel in Nevada.

  1. In Nevada, this interstate travels into the state as an almost-flatline for a mile or two then has to go around a series of lakes and heads more northwest starting in about West Wendover, and by the time that curve ends, it reaches Elko and Carlin. It then heads southwest until it reaches a point just west of Battle Mountain. I-80 then curves northwest one more time until it reaches its highest point in the state - just northeast of Winnemucca then drops off in a southwest fashion until it heads through Sparks and Reno and then travels almost flat-line until it begins to exit the Downtown Verdi area and begins to head more straight south and exits Nevada into California.
    • Nowhere on this interstate does it meet up with Las Vegas or Las Vegas Strip. However, you can take a few of these exits to get to alternative routes to take you to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is in the southern part of the state, while this interstate cuts through the lower portion of the northern part.
    • In Nevada, I-80 follows the historical routes of the California Trail, First Transcontinental Railroad, and Feather River Route. [55]
    • I-80 travels as a freeway for all of its Nevadian journey.
    • Travel through Elko County. In Elko County, you'll meet up with exits in West Wendover (410, 407), Pilot Peak (398), Shafter (387), Oasis (378), Pequop (376), Pequop Summit (373), Independence Valley (365), Moor (360), Wells (352B, 352A, 352), Beverly Hills Nevada (348), Welcome (343), Deeth (333), River Ranch (328), Halleck (321), Ryndon (317, 314), Osino (310), Elko (303, 301, 298), and Hunter (292).
      • In Elko, you'll begin to find cities that have casinos. However, some bigger cities have them and you may experience noticing them along the interstate's edges. It's got a Walmart and regional airport and is a former mining town from the California Gold Rush.
    • Watch out for the Carlin Tunnel. Between exits 292 and 282, you'll spot the river and mountain tunnel passing under the Humboldt River and Carlin Canyon at the Carlin Tunnel. It has four tunnel bores (2 vehicular bores and 2 railroad bores) so that it bypasses a sharp bend in the river. [56] Each tunnel bore has two lanes.
    • Continue traveling in Elko County. You'll encounter exits in Carlin (282, 280, 279).
      • From the Utah-Nevada line, I-80 joins with the Feather River Route until it leaves the route near Winnemucca. [57] . It also follows the route of the Hastings Cutoff. [58]
      • Prepare to travel over the Pequop Mountains near Toano Range at the Silver Zone Pass and Pequop Mountains near the Pequop Summit as you travel this route
      • Throughout eastern Nevada, the stream-like water flowing under the interstate is the Humboldt River. It passes several times as it weaves its way around the interstate. It was once used as a transportation corridor during the California Gold Rush. [59]
    • Travel in Eureka County. Eureka County has exits for Palisade (271), Emigrant Pass (368), Beowawe (261), and Dunphy (254).
      • Plan to take a break at the Beowawe Rest Area (at mile marker 258 miles (415 km) [60] ), when it opens again. [61] There is ample room to pull over and use the restrooms, take pictures of the area where California Trail gold miners once traveled or of the geysers off in the distance, or have a picnic on the tables outside.
    • Travel in Lander County. Lander County brings you mostly through Battle Mountain - after first bringing you past exits for Argenta (244). But, Battle Mountain has exits serving Battle Mountain Airport (233) and the Downtown Area (231), West Battle Mountain (229).
    • Travel in Humboldt County. Here, you'll see exits for Mote (222), Valmy (216), Stone Hous (212), Pumpernickel Valley (205), Iron Point (203), Golconda Summit (200), Golconda (194), Button Point (187), Winnemucca and popular casino downtown (180, 178, 176, 173), and Rose Creek (168).
      • You can find exit 173 also services Winnemucca Municipal Airport too.
    • Travel through Pershing County. Pershing County has exits for Cosgrave (158), Mill City (151 and 149), Imlay (145), Humboldt (138), Rye Patch Dam (129), Oreana (119), Lovelock and its casino towns (112, 107, 106 and 105), and Toulon (93).
      • Exit 93 serves Derby Field.
    • Travel in Churchill County. Churchill County has exits for Trinity (83), Jessup (78), and Nightingale Hot Springs (65).
      • Watch out for the Lahontan Valley. Although it's a barren desert sometimes called the Forty Mile Desert, it was once a place where emigrants had to endure 40 miles (64 km) of desert without usable water. [62] There is even a still-open rest area providing a marker talking about the travelers who perished crossing it and became the most dreaded portion of the California Trail. The marker stands in either the Wadsworth or Trinity Rest Areas - on opposite sides of the road, at the opposite sides of the Valley.
    • Travel in Lyon County. In Lyon County, you'll only travel through Fernley with its exit for the Nevada Pacific Parkway (50), Downtown route (48), and West Fernley with access to Wadsworth and Pyramid Lake (46).
      • Pass by Fernley containing the largest Amazon distribution hub which you’ll see off the side of the highway.
    • Don't worry about Storey County. Although you'll travel through it, there are no exits for any of the fun in this county because the exits between Lyon and Washoe County it's only 2.4 miles (46.4mi and 44.0mi) (according to mile markers), and the fact that Exit list on Wikipedia says so. [63]
    • Travel through Washoe County. You'll have interstate exits for Wadsworth (43), Painted Rock (40), Orchard (38), Derby Dam (36), Clark (32), Patrick (28), Mustang (23), and Lockwood (22). It travels through Sparks' (21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16) and Reno (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 9, and 8) then heads through Mogul (7) and Verdi (its last casino town) (5, 4, 3, 2, and 1).
      • Be able to identify what river passes south and within eyesight distance of I-80. That little stream-like area to the south of I-80 is the Truckee River. It runs almost concurrent with the interstate and runs right through Reno and Sparks. There are no spots to pull over and take some pics, but be able to note that it's there.
      • Stop into Reno and Sparks - propose to take a picture of the skyline, if possible. Reno and Sparks are gambling cities, but the skyline is most prominent from the interstate. [64]
        • Expect I-80 to pass over a viaduct of the casino floor of the Nugget Casino Resort as it travels through Downtown Sparks. [65]
      • Reno is the divorce capital of the world. [66]
        • In addition, if you travel a little south on I-580, you'll also wander into Carson City - another casino city.
      • The area between Verdi and Reno-Sparks is called the Truckee Meadows. [67]
      • Exit 43 serves Pyramid Lake, exit 32 serves Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, exit 17 serves Victorian Square and Exit 15 serves Reno-Taho International Airport. Exit 14 serves the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, and Exit 13 services the University of Nevada.
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14

Travel in Eastern California.

  1. In Eastern California (from the Nevada-California border up until it reaches the outskirts of Sacramento County and into eastern Yolo County), it pretty much travels southwest - with deviations within the Tahoe Mountains including a place in Nevada County where it travels almost straight south past Floriston then into a curve and northwest to Hinton. But by the time it reaches Boca, it begins traveling on an almost straight course until it gets to Yuba Pass, where it splits from California Route 20 and continues going straight southwest past Emigrant Pass, Citrus Heights, right into Sacramento (California's capital). In Sacramento, it splits with Business Interstate Route 80 and travels on an almost belt in Sacramento's northwest corner until it merges back up with its Interstate Business route and travels west again from about exit 81 in West Sacramento (Yolo County).
    • In Eastern California, you'll be traveling within the Tahoe National Forest area of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range (which crests at Donner Summit). Because of this, you will most often notice checkpoints set up to ensure you are using snow equipment on your vehicle - especially in higher terrain, during the winter. [68] In Donner Summit, you'll be at its highest point in the state and spot the Donner Summit Rest Area. [69]
    • In Central California, you'll see the freeway open up to a six to eight-lane freeway with carpool lanes between Air Base Parkway and Fairfield (47 to 39A). However, inside Sacramento, I-80 runs as the Beltline Freeway originally signed I-880. [70]
    • During your entire route in California, there is a speed limit of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) on the route, because it is so mountainous and some in urban areas. [71]
    • California's I-80 is designated under several different names; the Eastshore Freeway, Alan S. Hart Freeway, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. However, between Emigrant Gap and Donner Lake, it is also called the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake Wagon Road. And to top it off, between Emigrant Gap and Truckee, it is also called the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway. [72]
    • Travel in Sierra County. Although you'll only travel in Sierra County for a mile and not encounter any cities or exits, once you get to this point I-80 prepares you to get into the Sierra Mountains.
    • Travel in Nevada County. In Nevada County, you'll encounter exits for Farad (201), Floriston (199), Truckee (194, 190, 188B, 188A, 186, 185, 184, 180), Donner Summit's Rest Area (at mile marker 177.22 miles (285.21 km)), Castle Peak (176), and Soda Springs (174).
      • In Nevada County's east segment, the main city is Truckee. Yet, inside Truckee, there are many exits where exits have exits and not entrances off of/onto the highway, while opposite ones have no exits but do have entrances. Truckee is more famous for the route heading to Lake Tahoe, CA-267
    • Travel in Placer County. In Placer County, you'll travel through Kingvale (171), Big Bend (168, 166), and Cisco Grove (165).
      • You’ll only encounter exit 166 going eastbound.
    • Continue traveling in Nevada County - for the second time. Nevada County is large yet shaped so that you encounter it twice as some counties overlap the cities. You'll encounter exits for Nevada City (164, 161) and Yuba Gap (160).
    • Continue traveling in Placer County - for the second time. Placer County is another large county, and you'll be in this one for quite some time. You'll have interstate exits for Emigrant Gap (158B, 158A, 156), Blue Canyon (155), Alta (150), Baxter (148B), Crystal Springs (148A), and then back in Alta (146), Dutch Flat (145), Gold Run (144, 143), Colfax (140, 139, 135, 133, 131, 130), Heather Glen (129), Apple Gate (128), Clipper Gap (125), Auburn (124, 123), Bowman (122), Foresthill (121), Auburn's other exits at 120, 119C, 119B, 119A, 118), Lincoln (116), Newcastle (115), Penryn (112), Loomis (110), Rocklin (109, 108), Roseville-Rockline line (106), and Roseville (105B, 105A, 103).
    • Travel in Sacramento County. In Sacramento County, you'll encounter the Citrus Heights exit 102 on the county line followed by another in Citrus Heights (100), one for Greenback Lake (98), East Sacramento (96, 95), Watt (94B, 94A, 94), then lots of Sacramento interstate exits as it intersects I-5 (93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 86, and 85).
      • At exit 86, you'll meet up with I-5 - just north of Sacramento and the Sacramento River. Sacramento is California's state capital.
    • Travel in Yolo County. As I-80 makes its way around Sacramento and heads out, you'll encounter exits in West Sacramento (83, 82, and 81). However, these aren't the only exits in Yolo County you'll encounter, but they do reflect the general information about "Eastern California" above.
      • At exit 82, you'll meet up with Business Interstate-80 and the terminus of I-305 (no exits on this I-305 name).
      • See if you can catch a glimpse of the sign mentioning the mileage from it to Ocean City, Maryland, off the interstate's exit 81 at the Capital City Freeway. [73]
        • While traveling westbound, you can only see it off to the east (on your left) while in the interchange. However, if you are traveling east, you can get off at exit 81 and look to your right while on the off-ramp onto Business Interstate 5/Capital City Freeway.
15

Travel in Western California.

  1. In Western California (west of Sacramento and Yolo County to the western terminus in San Francisco County), things are different. Although it continues to travel southwest towards Valejo encountering smaller cities, I-80 then dips and travels across Carquinez Straight (on the Carquinez Bridge) and travels back over land in a southwest fashion between Selby-Crockett and Richmond's North & East section then travels south till it meets with I-580 and continues to run at the bay-front (next to the Bay at the west coast of Berkley - all until it runs past Emeryville and curves to the west and heads across the tolled San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It has an exit on Yerba Buena Island that is meant for the military only then continues on the bridge up until it reaches land near Pier 24 and the Embarcadero. It passes many more exits inside San Francisco and terminates where it joins with US-101.
    • In Western California, you'll need to look out for the Eastshore Freeway name which is a portion of the concurrent I-80/I-580 freeway along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay from the MacArthur Maze to the Carquinez Bridge to the eastern portion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Where I-580 and I-80 split, you'll notice an interchange that is called the Hoffman Split (Albany) and has a wrong-way concurrency there.
    • During your entire route in California, there is a speed limit of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) on the route, because it is so mountainous and some in urban areas. [74]
    • Continue traveling in Yolo County. In the rest of Yolo County, you'll first meet up with the Blecher-Freeman Memorial Causeway (commonly called the Yolo Causeway) shortly before your next exit in Davis (78). You probably won't even recognize you're on it until it's over (as it only runs about a mile). Then watch your upcoming exits for Davis (75, 73, 72, and 71).
      • Exit 72 serves the downtown area of Davis, while 71 serves the UC Davis location at Old Davis Road.
    • Travel in Solano County. In Solano County, you'll see exits for Woodland (70), Dixon (69, 67, 66B, 66A, 64), and then Vacaville (60, 59, 57, 56, 55, 54B, 54A, 53, 52, 51B, 51A) and Fairfield (48, 47, 45, 44B, 44A, 43, 41, 40 (and it's connection to San Jose), 39B, 39A)
    • Watch the exit and rest area at the county line nudge for Solano County. You’ll encounter one exit for American Canyon Road (36) and the Hunter Hill Rest Area (westbound only) here.
    • Continue traveling in Solano County. Look for exits towards Vallejo in this county. These exit numbers include 33 (service towards Napa, if necessary), 32 (with two different sub-signs going each different direction if heading eastbound, instead), 31B, 31A, 30C, 30B, 30A, 29C, 29B, 29A.
      • Stay on I-80 and head past the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom exit (33B).
    • Head across the Carquinez Bridge. Officially called the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge, this set of parallel suspension bridges is tolled going eastbound. Most 2-axle vehicles should expect to pay $7 while traveling over this bridge. [75] [76] This bridge crosses the Carquinez Strait and Glen Cove, and is technically part of the Carquinez Bridge Trail.
    • Travel in Contra Costa County. In Contra Costa County, you'll spot exits for Crockett (27), Cummings (26), Hercules (24, 23), Pinole (22, 21, 20), a diamond exit on the line for the Richmond Parkway (only from the HOV lane and only when traveling eastbound), two exits for Richmond (19B, 19A), San Pablo (18), and several from Richmond (17, 16B, 16A, a diamond exit for Cutting Boulevard followed by a separate exit for Cutting Boulevard), an exit on the town line for Richmond-El Cerrito (15) and Richmond (14B, 14A).
      • Be careful of the rare tarweed plant in the right of way in Pinole. It's been transplanted from Santa Cruz. [77] If you'd like, take a picture with it.
    • Travel in Alameda County. In Alameda County, you'll encounter exits for Albany (unlabeled exit followed by 13B (for I-580), 13A), followed by Berkley (12, 11), Emeryville (10, 9), and Oakland (8B, 8A).
      • Exit 11 contains access to UC Berkeley through University Avenue.
      • Exit 8B is a dangerous one called the "MacArthur Maze". It connects a total of three freeways where it takes I-80 west to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, I-Eastast and I-580 west towards Berkley and Sacramento (on the Eastshore Freeway), I-580 E towards Downtown Oakland and eventually terminates at Interstate 5 (on the MacArthur Freeway), and I-880 South towards San Jose (on the Nimitz Freeway). There are tons of signs in this area, and you'll need to follow all of them to ensure you stay on the right interstate as all of them conglomerate here with highway spirals! [78]
      • There is another note on the Wikipedia page about the Maze not allowing complete movement between each part of the Maze. Drivers on I-880 from the south can't access I-580 East, nor those on I-580 East can't access I-880 South. [79]
    • Travel across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. This bridge contains a set of two bridge structures and is tolled going westbound only. The eastern portion before Yerba Buena Island is a cantilever bridge, and there are twelve lanes spanning two sides of the highway. Most 2-axle vehicles should expect to pay $6.00 while traveling over this bridge. [80]
      • It was in the eastbound section that the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake did the damage to the bridge when the top layer caved into the lower floor below during the 5 PM rush hour. [81] [82]
      • For those heading eastbound, there's an observation deck you can walk onto, just after the bridge, that allows you to look out onto San Francisco Bay right near the shoreline. This must be reached via Burma Rd or the Alex Zuckerman Path.
    • Travel onto Yerba Buena Island - in San Francisco Bay. There are exits for Treasure and Yerba Buena Island (4), and Yerba Buena Island (4B). That island is more for the military bases only than for civilians. It contains the Yerba Buena Lighthouse, which will be seen over on your left and looks out over San Francisco Bay's southern portion.
    • Pass through the Yerba Buena Tunnel. This 10-lane (5-lanes in each direction) total tunnel brings drivers underneath Yerba Buena Island and essentially between the two spans of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. [83]
      • For those heading westbound, you'll see the Highway drop a little into a tunnel and it will be a dramatic shift.
      • For those going eastbound, you won't see much shift as you're still accustomed to the underground nature of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge’s first portion (which travels underneath as well) without a stoppage of being underground.
      • Per the Wikipedia article as of 2019, this tunnel didn't have an official name. [84]
    • Continue going west on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as the bridge exits off Yerba Buena Island for those traveling westbound. For this span, westbound travelers have lanes on the upper level of the bridge, while eastbound travelers travel below it. This portion of the bridge is a double suspension bridge with two decks [85] each containing 5 lanes of traffic.
      • For those looking to travel eastbound from this point forward, you'll need to head to the lower level of the bridge (left-hand turn) and follow the bridge across.
      • At the western edge of the bridge, quickly over to your right, and you'll see Google's Headquarters in the Financial District's area about 2 blocks over.
      • You might be able to see Coit Tower, the Embarcadero, or if your eyes are peeled: "Fisherman's Wharf" if it's not as foggy.
    • Travel in San Francisco County. In San Francisco County, you'll be traveling on an interstate near city streets. You'll have several exits for Freemont and Folsom Streets (2C), Harrison Street and the Embarcardero (2B), Fourth Street (2), Fifth Street and Oracle Park (San Francisco Giants stadium) (2A), Ninth Street and the Civic Center (1C), and US-101 and the western terminus (1).
      • Those wanting to travel this interstate going eastbound will find themselves traveling on a lower level and might not even be able to see out.
      • Be aware of some changes for eastbound traffic heading to Oracle Park via I-80. Take exit 2 instead, as it comes a little closer and exits off to the same side of the interstate and is less confusing for drivers. However, with neither direction will you see this stadium off in the distance as there are other tall buildings in the way, and with eastbound you are traveling under the westbound side of the interstate roadway.
      • Be aware of I-80's end near Brannan St at Exits 1A and 1B. If you take 1A, you lead onto US-101, heading southbound. If you take 1B, you lead onto the short US-101 heading northbound. When US-101 seems to terminate off a highway stretch, take a right onto Market St, then go down four blocks to 12th St and take a right. Follow that down one block and at the confusing corner of 12th St, Otis St, Van Ness Ave, and Mission St - follow Van Ness St north - that is the remainder of US-101 heading you north.
      • In San Francisco, you'll find some disagreement as to where I-80 starts/ends. According to records, I-80 has a termination point at US-101. However, other federal records list it as being at the western approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge near the off-ramp to Freemont Street. The disagreement is over whether or not I-80 connects to the San Francisco Skyway/Bayshore Viaduct which may or may not be part of the Interstate Highway System. [86]
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      Tips

      • This interstate resembles several historical routes including parts of the Lincoln Highway, Oregon Trail, California Trail, transcontinental airmail, and First Transcontinental Railroad route. [87]
      • There are plenty of picture-taking spots that you can photograph along the route, so don't forget a camera! Whether it's a cellphone camera, smartphone camera, tablet camera, or one of many regular cameras (including one-time-use cameras), any camera can portray the benefits of some of these places along the route.
        • Avoid photographing anything while you drive. Other passengers are necessary to help you complete the task, but if not, pull over and step out to take the photo yourself. Utilize photography from the viewpoint of lodging, if possible, but don't always assume that things will be seen in every room at these locations.
      • Recognize how much money you'll need to bring along and spend to travel this route. Besides gas and tolls, consider bringing more money for lodging and dining as you travel the route.
        • Not all rest areas are covered in this article. However, if you need to stop into another rest area closer, feel free to stop into that as well. Just remember to stop into the mentioned rest areas as well to see what they have in store to learn about too.
        • Avoid straying off the course of I-80 too much, when looking for lodging. Longer trips away from the interstate may be confusing when you try to get back on, and you won't get the full benefits of the routes if you come back onto the interstate off another exit (unless the exit only serves one and not the other).
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      Warnings

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      1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Pennsylvania
      2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Pennsylvania
      3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emlenton_Bridge
      5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Ohio
      6. https://www.ohioturnpike.org/e-zpass/toll-rates - Class 1, entrance 218, exit 2
      7. https://www.twinsdays.org/
      8. https://www.indianatollroad.org/travel-information/#calculator , starting point: Eastpoint 157, endpoint: Lake Station 21
      9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Toll_Road
      11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_94_in_Indiana#Borman_Expressway
      12. https://www.illinoistollway.com/toll-rates#RatesByPlaza
      13. https://www.illinoistollway.com/toll-rates#RatesByPlaza
      14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Plaines_River#Des_Plaines_River_Bridge
      15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Plaines_River#Des_Plaines_River_Bridge
      16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Schwengel_Memorial_Bridge
      17. https://iowadot.gov/autotrails/schwengelbridge
      18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      19. https://iowa80truckstop.com/
      20. https://iowa80truckstop.com/
      21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Iowa
      27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Missouri_River#Nebraska_-_Iowa
      28. http://councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/projects/completed-projects/i-80-missouri-river-bridge/
      29. https://bridgereports.com/1620208?msclkid=49916a9faa3d11ecb61650cb71248901
      30. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      31. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nebraska
      32. http://www.nebraskatransportation.org/roadway-design/pdfs/restareas.pdf
      33. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      34. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      35. https://www.facebook.com/aaroads/posts/pfbid0Cu851XJLKWkC3gMUvp9XU4DbkpusgTXBtMspeVFucv6EZxY6qvZryimD5hdXZ1pGl
      36. https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/red-buttes#:~:text=January%209%2C%202016%20At%20Red%20Buttes%2C%20west%20of,for%20the%20Sweetwater%20River%20and%20the%20Continental%20Divide .
      37. https://www.facebook.com/aaroads/posts/pfbid04JgqtYgwF1CEzAKdvU5rZu1p5m6MHAWZiWu3FVhR4GhojyMwhPmWj8U7oNX6LREGl
      38. https://www.bridgehunter.com/wy/sweetwater/API
      39. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_River_Tunnel
      40. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Utah
      41. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Utah
      42. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCWc6m-6GA&t=25s
      44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0iQBLdzK2M&t=32s
      45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Faca2a0GSNI&t=95s
      46. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      47. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlin_Tunnel
      48. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      49. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      50. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      51. https://www.yelp.com/biz/beowawe-rest-area-crescent-valley
      52. https://www.dot.nv.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/19957/637707621460700000
      53. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      54. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      55. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80#/media/File:RenoI80.JPG
      56. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      57. https://time.com/5783893/reno-divorce-history/?msclkid=82bbdb5eb45c11ec8c3dee15746e8c21
      58. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_Nevada
      59. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      60. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      61. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      62. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      63. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      64. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Hx7oJ8qHzbC4AFo6
      65. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      66. https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/tolls/carquinez-bridge.shtml?msclkid=dc1d2568a97111ec97040e46a536730f
      67. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carquinez_Bridge
      68. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      69. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Maze
      70. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Maze
      71. https://uat.bayareafastrak.services.conduent.com/en/tolls/san-francisco-oakland-bridge.shtml#:~:text=The%20San%20Francisco-Oakland%20Bay%20Bridge%20links%20the%20cities,bridge.%20Cost%20%246%20regular%20toll%20for%202-axle%20vehicles?msclkid=d51115f4a97311ec83dc27f2e2d80cdb
      72. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco%E2%80%93Oakland_Bay_Bridge
      73. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Loma_Prieta_earthquake
      74. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_Buena_Tunnel
      75. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_Buena_Tunnel
      76. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco%E2%80%93Oakland_Bay_Bridge
      77. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80_in_California
      78. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80
      79. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_80

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