My trip to Pittsburgh

[bigsky]

For a good reason, I think, I travelled to Pittsburgh. Call it my quota of one good deed a year. I had hoped to do the round trip in 3 days and would have made it but was stuck 5 hours from home in Gillette WY Saturday night, driven off the roads along with everyone else (truckers) by an Easter blizzard.

I had 80% alcohol in a spray bottle and soaked hands and trousers and sweatshirt after every pit stop. The big diesel has a 700 mile plus range so bathroom breaks are the only limit. I took my own food and drinks. Books on tape. Sirius.

So news I can bring? Lowest gas price? $.94 a gallon in Mason City IA — in my experience this ethanol capital has always, since the 1970s, been the lowest gas price on my routes east. Typical $1.18–$1.99; lower east higher west. Diesel twice the price!

That is because the truckers are working. 15 trucks to every car, higher in some states. Except Pittsburgh, who appeared to have no stay at home or distancing ethic. And a rush hour brewing when I got there Friday. Fearless in Pittsburgh!

Northern Cheyenne had barricaded the driveways off the two lane and had “no stopping” signs up along US 212. Small towns in Iowa closed but for the truck stop and the ethanol plant shift workers. But heartland farms looked prepared and open and ready for the spring.

A similarity of experiences at the Love’s and Pilots on my stops, in some states restaurants working, some were taped off and dark. Nobody questioned my gloves or spray bottle onto the restrooms, anywhere. Nobody at gas pumps. The semi pumps and parking lots were busy. The food items all looked as fresh as truck stop food ever does.

Illinois toll roads had signs, “do not stop at toll plazas, use EZPass or pay on line”. Ok, twist my arm. People, many people driving 120mph plus on the mostly empty Dan Ryan in Chicago. Roads are in worst repair in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Crumbling. Illinois has the worst drivers.

I’m self quarantining for a week. But millions of people are working in the trucking industry and related, every day. They aren’t front lines, but as any war, logistics and supply matter.

[ukpumacat]

Thanks for the update. Pitt needs to shut it down because Pennsylvania is not looking good.

[Catfan73]

Interesting stuff bigsky

[kingcat]

Thanks for the report. And stay safe.

[dan_bgblue]

Roads are in worst repair in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Crumbling. Illinois has the worst drivers.

I will take that up with you when the virus mess is over, and you missed the goat paths in Michigan

[Catonahottinroof]

Primanti Brothers is open I believe. Maybe just carry out, but I’d make a plan to eat something from there if was back in the back in the ‘burgh.

[CitizenBBN]

Roads are in worst repair in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Crumbling. Illinois has the worst drivers.

I will take that up with you when the virus mess is over, and you missed the goat paths in Michigan

Allow me to nominate northern Ohio roads to this competition. I'm familiar with bad Illinois roads going back 30 years on I64, but the worst overall roads I've ever been on mile for mile were in Youngstown Ohio.

Building roads out of concrete is a bad general idea, esp. when you put down salt often. Cheaper up front, but hard to maintain versus flexible asphalt.

[dan_bgblue]

Allow me to nominate northern Ohio roads to this competition. I'm familiar with bad Illinois roads going back 30 years on I64, but the worst overall roads I've ever been on mile for mile were in Youngstown Ohio.

Building roads out of concrete is a bad general idea, esp. when you put down salt often. Cheaper up front, but hard to maintain versus flexible asphalt.

The Northern Ohio road engenders went to school under instructors from southern Michigan.

[StuBleedsBlue2]

I miss Illinois drivers compared to the DMV. They're all terrible drivers here and complain about the traffic.