1. Interstate 90 (I-90) – 3,020 Miles
You can’t talk about long interstates without mentioning I-90, the longest of them all. Stretching from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, this mammoth road takes you through 13 states. It’s a journey that feels eternal, especially when crossing the endless plains of South Dakota or the remote forests of Montana. You’ll see everything from the urban bustle of Chicago to the quiet serenity of the Great Lakes, but there are miles of nothingness in between to make you wonder if you’ll ever reach your destination.
2. Interstate 80 (I-80) – 2,899 Miles
Next up is I-80, which runs from San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey. This coast-to-coast highway is perfect if you want to experience the “middle of nowhere” vibe. Parts of Nebraska and Wyoming are so flat and desolate, it can feel like you’re the last car on Earth. But don’t let the monotony fool you—there’s a lot of history along I-80, including parts of the old Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental road.
3. Interstate 40 (I-40) – 2,555 Miles
Spanning from Barstow, California, to Wilmington, North Carolina, I-40 is a major east-west corridor that slices through the heart of the country. The stretch through the Mojave Desert in California is an endurance test in itself, with miles of open desert that make you question your GPS. But I-40 also takes you to gems like the Petrified Forest in Arizona and the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee.
4. Interstate 10 (I-10) – 2,460 Miles
Running from Santa Monica, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, I-10 is a true southern classic. The segment through Texas, however, is what will test your patience—it takes up nearly one-third of the entire interstate. It’s 880 miles of rugged, sun-baked landscape, and when you’re in the middle of it, it can feel like it’s never going to end. Still, there’s something poetic about cruising through the vast emptiness of West Texas with nothing but the open sky.
5. Interstate 70 (I-70) – 2,151 Miles
I-70 is known for its scenic beauty, especially as you cut through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. But once you hit Kansas, brace yourself for some of the flattest land you’ll ever see. Those long, straight stretches between Denver and Kansas City feel like a time warp, where the scenery never seems to change. Yet, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of those awe-inspiring Midwest sunsets that light up the entire sky.
6. Interstate 95 (I-95) – 1,919 Miles
The busiest highway on the East Coast, I-95 stretches from Miami, Florida, to Houlton, Maine. It’s known for its relentless traffic, especially around major cities like Washington, D.C., and New York City. But what really makes I-95 feel eternal is the constant stop-and-go traffic during rush hour. Still, there are pockets of beauty, like the coastal views in Georgia or the scenic charm of New England as you head north.
7. Interstate 75 (I-75) – 1,786 Miles
I-75 is your gateway from the tropical paradise of Miami all the way up to the industrial city of Detroit, Michigan. It’s a road of contrasts: one minute, you’re driving past palm trees and beaches, and the next, you’re surrounded by Ohio’s farmlands. But when you hit Georgia, especially during peak travel seasons, it feels like you’re stuck in an eternal loop of semi-trucks and roadside billboards.
8. Interstate 94 (I-94) – 1,585 Miles
Starting in Billings, Montana, and ending in Port Huron, Michigan, I-94 offers a blend of big cities and rural stretches. The drive through North Dakota is a mix of vast farmland and rolling hills that can start to feel repetitive after a while. But you’ll pass through quirky roadside attractions like the World’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, making those endless stretches a bit more bearable.
9. Interstate 35 (I-35) – 1,568 Miles
Running north-south from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minnesota, I-35 is a staple of the Midwest and the Plains. It’s not just the length that gets to you—it’s the stretches through Texas and Oklahoma where the scenery barely changes. But hey, if you need a break, pull off in Austin for some world-class barbecue or in Kansas City for some legendary jazz.
10. Interstate 15 (I-15) – 1,433 Miles
I-15 is a road that feels both epic and endless. From San Diego, California, up to the Canadian border in Montana, it takes you through deserts, mountains, and small towns. The stretch between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City can be particularly mind-numbing, with miles of sagebrush and nothing else in sight. But the stunning views of Zion and Bryce Canyon are worth the drive.
11. Interstate 5 (I-5) – 1,381 Miles
The West Coast’s backbone, I-5 runs from San Diego, California, to Blaine, Washington, near the Canadian border. It’s known for its heavy traffic, particularly around Los Angeles and Seattle. But once you hit the farmlands of central California, it’s just miles and miles of fields—perfect for zoning out and getting lost in your thoughts. Just keep an eye on that fuel gauge; there aren’t a lot of gas stations in some parts.
12. Interstate 55 (I-55) – 964 Miles
Though shorter than others on this list, I-55 can still feel never-ending. It takes you from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois. The flat, open stretches through Mississippi and Arkansas are the kind where you can almost fall into a trance if you’re not careful. But once you hit St. Louis, the iconic Gateway Arch serves as a nice reminder that you’re making progress.
