# Origin of "The" freeway in Southern California.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-freeway-in-southern-california/612543>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 11, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-freeway-in-southern-california/612543 "2012-02-11T19:17:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 33

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**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\
**Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-freeway-in-southern-california/612543/33 "2012-02-12T10:00:47Z")

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> [@Snnipe\_70E](#):
>
> Nor Cal all my long life.  
> Highway 1 is always Highway 1.  
> The 85 or the 87.  
> The 101 has always been the 101.  
> 280 is 280, the 280, or Highway 280 same with 680.  
> The 17 or highway 17. after 1989 from highway 280 north it is the 880 just 880.  
> From Valley FAi south HIghway 17 is still The 17 or Highway 17.  
> The 205 has always been the 205 to me.
> 
> The 5 or The I5.
> 
> Been driving since about 1963.

I drove in the same areas as you starting 1965, and recall only hearing “101” or “17” with no “the.” I’ve heard “I-5” called “5” but never (by a Northerner) “the 5.” You are a Northerner, **Snippe** but perhaps you’ve fraternized with ex-Southerners. 😃

“17” is (was?) also called “The Nimitz,” but I recall that “Highway 17” (or, later, “Old Highway 17”) south of Valley Fair referred to what is now called “South Bascom” or “Los Gatos Blvd.” 🆒  
(PS: I’d been living in “Silicon Valley” for 19 years before ever hearing it called “Silicon Valley.” :smack: )

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