# Last Exit in This State **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706 "2015-01-13T12:56:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/21 "2015-01-13T20:53:13Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > There are free interstates in the Northeast too btw. I-89 in Vermont has no tolls. Even in NJ, there are quite a few interstates that aren’t tolled: - I-295 - I-195 - I-78 - I-287 - I-76 & I-676 (though these are only in NJ for a few miles before ending) I-95 is the only one that has a toll, and that’s only the part of it that’s concurrent with the NJ Turnpike (which pre-dated the Eisenhower Interstate System). (That said many - if not all - force you to pay a toll to cross a bridge to get out of NJ on said road, not sure if that counts) ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/22 "2015-01-13T21:01:06Z")
Oklahoma has toll roads too. I don’t recall ever seeing a sign such as the OP describes out here in flyover country. All I’ve seen are ‘Leaving (state)’ and ‘Welcome to (state)’. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/23 "2015-01-13T23:07:38Z")
If you’re transporting a state prisoner, you’re not allowed to take them outside of the state. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/24 "2015-01-14T00:25:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If you’re transporting a state prisoner, you’re not allowed to take them outside of the state. What’s the penalty? Are they entitled to be set free? Do you get reamed by your supervisor when you get back to the office and get a disciplinary note put in your personnel file? Is the driver guilty of an offense? ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/25 "2015-01-14T00:47:16Z")
Interesting. I wonder if a prisoner (who has not yet been convicted) could escape and demand extradition proceedings before he could be brought back. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/26 "2015-01-14T02:38:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > To anyone not from the northeast, the idea of “Interstate highway” and “toll booth” applying to the same road makes as much sense as a square circle or a flying submarine. It does seem oxymoronic. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/27 "2015-01-14T02:40:48Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > When my family is driving, and we are near the border between states (let’s use NJ-NY as an example), and we see a sign which announces that the next exit is the “LAST EXIT IN N.J.”, we tend to ask the other passengers, “Is anyone here wanted by the New York State Police? No? Okay, let’s continue as planned.” > > Seriously, what is the purpose of these signs? I really can’t figure any other than to warn people about such things. Similarly, I can see their use if one is passing from a state where something is allowed to where it’s not - fireworks or marijuana, for examples. But are these eventualities serious enough and/or common enough to justify the signs? > > These signs are reasonable when approaching an international border. But going from one state to another within the country, I think people are smart enough to plan ahead and the government doesn’t need to waste money on such signs. Remembering that this is GQ, what reasons might I not have thought of? If you promised the kids you’d stop in Arizona for instance and you wanna keep your promise. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/28 "2015-01-14T02:47:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > To anyone not from the northeast, the idea of “Interstate highway” and “toll booth” applying to the same road makes as much sense as a square circle or a flying submarine. All the bridges in and out of SF are Interstate highways and have tolls. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/29 "2015-01-14T02:48:07Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > The section of I-95 in Delaware is so short that it has only one toll booth. (I once tried using local streets to go around it and then back onto 95, but it was NOT worth the time and hassle.) I had once a new employee who shouted to get off the highway here. I did then it was turn right and turn left etc until in 20 minutes were back on the highway. “what was that all about?” I asked the newbie. “We avoided the toll booth.” He informed me. “We have 4 people who missed 20 minutes of work here in the truck” I said “And the 50 cents we saved didn’t come close to the amount of time we missed on the job we are headed to.” ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/30 "2015-01-14T03:24:39Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > If you are driving a triple trailer, you might want to be warned that you are approaching a state that only allows double trailers. Similarly if you are not in compliance with other state vehicle regulations. Likewise, if the trailer you’re hauling hasn’t got one of those “apportioned” stickers for the state you’re about to enter. I imagine it’s a pretty hefty fine if you’re driving a big rig and get pulled over for this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/31 "2015-01-14T03:43:45Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > All the bridges in and out of SF are Interstate highways and have tolls. Tolls only one way, generally in the SF/outward directions. Not all interstates: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge is State Route 92. Dumbarton is SR 84. Antioch is SR 160. At least the Bay Bridge has “Last Oakland (SF) exit” signs. Personally the idea of road tolls is _still_ foreign to me as bridges provide an obvious barrier. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/32 "2015-01-14T05:24:10Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > What’s the penalty? Are they entitled to be set free? Do you get reamed by your supervisor when you get back to the office and get a disciplinary note put in your personnel file? Is the driver guilty of an offense? It happens very rarely. Technically, the officer who took a prisoner out of state was breaking the law. But I’ve never seen anyone charged with it. I suppose a prisoner could try to claim he was entitled to be released but I’ve never seen it tried. A lawyer could help me on this but I think the prisoner would have to make the claim while he was out of state. But we would definitely chew out the officers that did it. More importantly we probably wouldn’t let them take any more trips. And trips are a real popular job because they involve lots of overtime. This used to be a real pain in the ass in New York back when we had a good-sized prison in Staten Island (it’s now closed). It’s very difficult to drive from Staten Island to anywhere else in New York without leaving the state. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/33 "2015-01-14T09:25:23Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Tolls only one way, generally in the SF/outward directions. Not all interstates: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge is State Route 92. Dumbarton is SR 84. Antioch is SR 160. At least the Bay Bridge has “Last Oakland (SF) exit” signs. Personally the idea of road tolls is _still_ foreign to me as bridges provide an obvious barrier. You left out the big one: the Golden Gate Bridge is US Route 101, not an interstate. The only interstate tollways are the Bay Bridge (I-80), the Carquinez Bridge (I-80), and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I-580). ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/34 "2015-01-14T09:42:35Z")
Of course, it’s not blue signs :smack:. But also Benicia-Martinez is I-680. Random trivia: US 50 in Sacramento and US 6 in Bishop have exits listed for the eastern termini, thousands of miles away in Ocean City, MD and Provincetown, MA, respectively. There are corresponding signs but it appears the east coasters screwed up their signs: MD at least at one time [misreported the distance](http://www.route50.com/sign_battle_saga.htm), and MA still lists Long Beach as the EB end. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/35 "2015-01-15T08:52:46Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Random trivia: US 50 in Sacramento and US 6 in Bishop have exits listed for the eastern termini, thousands of miles away in Ocean City, . . . Where exactly is that sign on US 50 in Sacramento? I never noticed it, but I’m only slightly familiar with the area and I don’t get up there all that often? Next time, I’ll want to watch for it! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/36 "2015-01-15T10:19:16Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > A trip to Chicago will cure you of this illusion in short order. No kidding there! On a business trip there about ten years ago I started getting annoyed (it doesn’t take long) at having to stop on a highway to pay tolls on the order of 50 cents. Ridiculous. I started asking for receipts, and claimed the expenses on my expense report to document how ridiculously low the toll charges were. The wear on the brake pads to stop at these booths might have cost more than the toll they were collecting. No wonder the Cubs haven’t won since 1907 & 1908. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/37 "2015-01-15T10:21:58Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Of Random trivia: US 50 in Sacramento and US 6 in Bishop have exits listed for the eastern termini, thousands of miles away in Ocean City, MD and Provincetown, MA, respectively. There are corresponding signs but it appears the east coasters screwed up their signs: MD at least at one time [misreported the distance](http://www.route50.com/sign_battle_saga.htm), and MA still lists Long Beach as the EB end. I recently snapped a picture by that sign in Bishop. Like **Senegoid** , where is that US 50 sign in Sacto? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/38 "2015-01-15T10:30:14Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > All the bridges in and out of SF are Interstate highways and have tolls. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Tolls only one way, generally in the SF/outward directions. Not all interstates: San Mateo–Hayward Bridge is State Route 92. Dumbarton is SR 84. Antioch is SR 160. At least the Bay Bridge has “Last Oakland (SF) exit” signs. Personally the idea of road tolls is _still_ foreign to me as bridges provide an obvious barrier. The Golden Gate Bridge is US Highway 101, not interstate. Regarding toll charge direction, the two San Francisco bridges, Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge, charge toll only in the inbound-to-SF direction. ETA: **Nametag** caught the GGB being Hwy 101 already. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/39 "2015-01-15T15:04:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > … > > This used to be a real pain in the ass in New York back when we had a good-sized prison in Staten Island (it’s now closed). It’s very difficult to drive from Staten Island to anywhere else in New York without leaving the state. Does anyone know what happens with respect to exclaves? E.g. if you are arrested in Point Roberts, WA, do they call for a boat or helicopter to pick you up so that they can stay over Washington State territory? Would Canada allow US police to drive a prisoner into BC and back? How about the Kentucky Bend? That is famous because there just isn’t any way to get from there to the rest of the state without traveling through another, even by water or air. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706/40 "2015-01-15T15:10:11Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Does anyone know what happens with respect to exclaves? E.g. if you are arrested in Point Roberts, WA, do they call for a boat or helicopter to pick you up so that they can stay over Washington State territory? Would Canada allow US police to drive a prisoner into BC and back? How about the Kentucky Bend? That is famous because there just isn’t any way to get from there to the rest of the state without traveling through another, even by water or air. I don’t know the answer to this but it reminds me of another reason for signs marking state lines. It prevents highway patrols from accidentally driving outside of their home state and arresting a driver for speeding in a location where they have no jurisdiction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-exit-in-this-state/709706.md?page=3)