I-40 West (NC), Raleigh To Chapel Hill, Exit 289 To Exit 270

[Kuma562]

I noticed you referenced the rush hour delays. It is a parking lot if you are trying to get through Durham/RTP during rush hour. As to it being Raleigh-Durham Cary as opposed to Chapel Hill, I think that is new. Cary was pretty sleep during the 1980s, but that population growth you mention is what caused it to take off. On the other hand Chapel Hill has been around since before Durham.

[texacobigred42]

The toll road is coming! First phase of the Triangle Parkway is currently under construction, extending the existing N.C. 147 from I-40 to NC 540...

[cableguy1994]

Great video and music edit. RTP means Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill as the three cities all host research universities that support the park in various ways. Cary is nothing but a collection of subdivisions

[FreewayBrent]

@cableguy1994: I've always wondered why the U.S. Census Bureau designates the region as being "Raleigh/Durham/Cary", instead of "Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill?" Sure, Cary is much larger than Chapel Hill, but Chapel Hill has a LOT more culture, with the university being in town.

[CosmoPhotography]

@FreewayBrent I'm making my I-40 thru RTP video right now and NC residents define the Triangle as Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham. I think the US Census says Cary instead of Chapel Hill because Cary has a population of 100,000+ and CH doesn't. Cary has also had an acronym made out of its name in recent years... Containment Area for Relocated Yankees. haha

[FreewayBrent]

@CosmoPhotography: Word! I always thought it was Chapel Hill/Raleigh/Durham, until I saw the official designation from the U.S. Census Bureau website. But I highly doubt anybody would consider Cary to be more significant (certainly from a cultural standpoint) than Chapel Hill.

[houston4848]

love this song

[DSNCB919]

I believe the Triangle is Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill.. Not rRaleigh Durham Cary... a slight mistake I noticed in your video

[FreewayBrent]

That's what I initially thought too, but the U.S. Census Bureau officially classifies it as Raleigh-Durham-Cary. I suppose that makes sense, as Cary is a much larger city, vs. Chapel Hill. But Chapel Hill is...well, it's Chapel Hill of all places...awesome place. :-)

[DSNCB919]

really? hmm thats weird ( im actually from chp hill) but I always remember local news calling triangle raleigh dur chp hill i guess Ive been misinformed

[cableguy1994]

RTP is Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill as the three cities all host research universities that support the park in various ways. Cary is nothing but a collection of subdivisions

[edgexxi]

Wow, all those NC town names suddenly has me craving a cigarette.

[cityzoo07]

Not use 2 seeing you go this slow, who was driving U or the wife? ? ? ?

[FreewayBrent]

lol, wife? I'm probably never getting married!

As for the actual speed, I was doing anywhere between 65 to nearly 80 MPH in this video.

[Freewayjim]

I saw that strong pass you made on the left halfway through the video, I thought your driving was fine Brent.

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah. The drivers in my lane were alternating between 60 and 70 MPH, way too inconsistent, and decided to just pass everyone.

[Freewayjim]

Nice work Brent, you made this road far more interesting to watch than to actually drive :)

5*****

[FreewayBrent]

Haha. My inbox didn't even show that you commented on this video. Sometimes, you've gotta put in the work to make a seemingly boring stretch of roadway look interesting. :-)

[Freewayjim]

LOL,

Been there, done that too :)

[Cyrus992]

FreewayBrent:

I really want to see that area.... I love its scenery with so much trees unlike the clutter found in Southern California...

I used to think suburban areas were unattractive until I saw the beauties of Atlanta and Raleigh..... Texas is less attractive...

[FreewayBrent]

If you've never had a chance to yet, you should really try exploring suburban San Mateo County, which runs just south of San Francisco and down toward Silicon Valley. A lot of really attractive (and some of them are also pretty lively) downtown centers, and some of the most beautiful scenery for any major urban area in the country.

[Cyrus992]

FreewayBrent:

I have seen many of your clips of the Bay Area, besides I have been there myself too and I see a HUGE DIFFERENCE compared to Southern California....

What Raleigh and the Bay Area have in common is that they have more trees and landscape and less of those unattractive box stores, flashy signs, and billboards.....

Las Vegas is opposite and yet it is still cool and attractive, but not Southern Califronia where it sorta disgusts me....

[aswchris]

I guess RTP is the next "silicon valley"?

Pavement looks good by the way. A pleasure to drive if traffic moves well.

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah, the pavement is definitely in great shape. It's a really terrible freeway to drive during peak hours, though, although traffic is highly 1-directional during the commute (inbound in the mornings, and outbound from Raleigh in the evening).

[ScrewdUPClickV2]

I Dont ever think ive seen a urban freeway with this many Trees . neat fly overs at 1:45 , also bridge at 3:12 was unique

[Bryant5493]

Pretty cool freeway through Raleigh.

[mariusbleek]

Meh. NC is a very lush state in terms of vegetation, and they've done a good job at preserving their greenery. That being said, this highway looks pretty boring. Nothing stood out particularly well.

[FreewayBrent]

Ha, FreewayJim shares a similar viewpoint about this stretch of I-40 as well. I personally like it, though, 'cause it's wide and fast-flowing, but with enough traffic to keep your attention as you're cruising at 70 to 75 MPH.

[adogg619]

From the looks of it NC is very green. Reminds me of the state of Washington.

[Cyrus992]

Oh... I always wanted to see Raleigh...

[FreewayBrent]

Raleigh is pretty cool, and definitely worth a day or two. Downtown Chapel Hill is *definitely* worth checking out, as well as its smaller but atmospheric neighbor city, Carrboro. Durham, while much larger than Chapel Hill, isn't as interesting (in my opinion, anyway), although its downtown area still warrants a half-day visit.

[CosmoPhotography]

Great video! RTP also has NC State in Raleigh that is one of the leading engineering and architectural schools in the country. It's not as popular as UNC or Duke though. When I go to the Triangle, I don't feel like I'm in NC. As you stated, the area has grown tremendously due to investments in technology and transplants. NCDOT is also starting construction on NC's first toll road, the Western Wake Parkway (part of 540). Hope you enjoyed your stay in my state! :)