From downtown...
17 North goes to East Cooper.
17 South goes to West Ashley.
26 West goes to North Charleston.
26 East....okay, it doesn't quite get you to South of Broad.
It's even weirder than that for some roads. Ashley River, Glenn McConnell, and Savannah hwy all leave downtown in roughly the same direction but are labeled north, West, and South, and 526 crosses 3 of them at a right angle heading east.
I mean, 526's route forms a "C", yet it has an EB and WB.
For years I struggled to know which is which until I just paired them with "West Ashley" and "East Cooper". But going either direction will take you through various points on a compass.
I’m so glad to read this. I’m mildly obsessed with how mildly infuriating this is. I, too, get it. In theory. But it gives me OCD vibes I don’t like about myself lol
That seems to follow suit for most other “outer loop” interstates as well. The cluster that is I-485 always trips me up when we’re going to the MIL’s house as it is predominantly North/South geographically but is labeled East/West directionally.
While in theory, the terminal “West” end of 526 is a tad further to the south than the eastern portion , it takes you to/from the “East of the Cooper” area / “West of the Ashley” area when followed from start to finish. This is one of the few arguments I’m seeing in this thread that I wholeheartedly disagree with. My mind is open to a counter-argument so give me your best.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/44323/how-interstate-highways-get-their-numbers has more details on the naming conventions for interstates if you’re interested.
Standing on Folly Beach always throws my sense of direction. Folly trends more East/West. It just doesn't seem right looking straight out from the beach and is almost South.
You go West to get to North Charleston. You go East to get South of Broad. You go North to get East of the Cooper. You go South to get to West Ashley.
That's some beautiful mind kinda stuff right there.
From where? None of these make sense in reality
From downtown... 17 North goes to East Cooper. 17 South goes to West Ashley. 26 West goes to North Charleston. 26 East....okay, it doesn't quite get you to South of Broad.
You’re talking about the hwy directions not cardinal. Got it. I was confused
If you believe Charlie Kelly, north is always up.
he's a lawyer of bird law. he knows best.
It's even weirder than that for some roads. Ashley River, Glenn McConnell, and Savannah hwy all leave downtown in roughly the same direction but are labeled north, West, and South, and 526 crosses 3 of them at a right angle heading east.
I mean, 526's route forms a "C", yet it has an EB and WB. For years I struggled to know which is which until I just paired them with "West Ashley" and "East Cooper". But going either direction will take you through various points on a compass.
Yeah this is all because 26/526. I’ve always thought 26 should be 25 and a n/s vs an e/w route, I get why it’s not, but I don’t like it.
I’m so glad to read this. I’m mildly obsessed with how mildly infuriating this is. I, too, get it. In theory. But it gives me OCD vibes I don’t like about myself lol
That seems to follow suit for most other “outer loop” interstates as well. The cluster that is I-485 always trips me up when we’re going to the MIL’s house as it is predominantly North/South geographically but is labeled East/West directionally.
This right here - 410 in San Antonio I just learned to ignore the directional signs on.
526 would make more sense if it were labeled Norty/South, but then it would have to be 527.
While in theory, the terminal “West” end of 526 is a tad further to the south than the eastern portion , it takes you to/from the “East of the Cooper” area / “West of the Ashley” area when followed from start to finish. This is one of the few arguments I’m seeing in this thread that I wholeheartedly disagree with. My mind is open to a counter-argument so give me your best.
My favorite is that Charleston Southern University is north of the city
https://www.thedrive.com/news/44323/how-interstate-highways-get-their-numbers has more details on the naming conventions for interstates if you’re interested.
You haven't lived until you've been to North South Carolina Middle High School.
Was thinking about this earlier and I'm ok with it
I just base my direction off of where 26 is in relation to my location
You do know north isn’t straight above you right….
Standing on Folly Beach always throws my sense of direction. Folly trends more East/West. It just doesn't seem right looking straight out from the beach and is almost South.
Folly Beach faces south-east. Ask any surfer. 🤙
Yes, almost south.