Patrick over at T5T.org is a big fan of big internet games. He’s organized very successful runs of Carmen Sandiego and Oregon Trail. This time around the game i’s Clue.

if you’d be interested in joining SMcQuaid and I as we co-captain a clue team to glory, just comment on this post and we’ll add you to the mix.

for starters, we have to think of an awesome team name and a creative weapon that we can suggest for this internet game of murder and mystery.

dun dun dun!

I hope you’ll join us!

If you Google “Shaun McQuaid” or “smcquaid”, the “Defy S. McQuaid” section of this web site is the first item returned.

Awesome!

I would just like to point out, that throughout my sickness, travel, and general weak posting… Mr. Shaun McQuaid has been relentless and persistant with his Tuesday Defy Shaun McQuaids.

His regularity is worthy of an award. So I would like to take this opportunity to bestow upon him the first ever Rock Award from Mike DiDonato.com.

Well done SMcQuaid.

The Question

Ben asks:

Shaun, simple question for you today:

If I was to drive the Mass Pike from the beginning (NY border) to the end (Logan Airport) exclusively in the right lane, would i travel a longer or shorter distance than someone traveling in the left lane? (we can ignore the pesky middle lane since it only exists on like half the pike)

The Answer

Taking a quick look at the road map, the casual observer will see that the Mass Pike curves in a gentle “U” shape, starting at the MA border, dipping down to drift through Springfield, staying low through Sturbridge, then slowly drifting back up for it’s eventual end in Boston. Given that this is the case, it’s clear that the left lane is shorter (just like how the inside track in a circular race course is shorter).

BUT WAIT! Have you taken into account the CURVATURE OF THE EARTH?

Well, of course! Would you expect anything less from me?

A “Great Circle Route” shortens the distance you travel on the globe by taking into account the curvature of the Earth. However, because we are in the Northern Hemisphere, any Great Circle Route would curve DOWN, like a frown, not UP, like the Mass Pike. So, even with the curvature taken into account, the left lane is STILL shorter.

Here are some posts from other would-be answerers or commenters on the question.

Mike D says
whoa! I’ve been wondering this same thing for years!

Now you can rest easy, Mike D….

Kurt says
Don’t forget the Right lane at around exit 9 becomes the middle due to the addition of the NYC traffic. So the right lane would become that pesky middle lane. And if you try to go the other way, the right lane would dissappear as it is the exit lane for Exit 9 (Rt84) Don’t forget to keep that in mind while calculating that all knowing Shaun.

No worries. I take all factors into account. Even the gravitational constant. And the X-files (especially the episodes with cameos from current West Wing stars). Please note that we are only concerned with the “left-to-right” journey in this answer…

Patrick says
You’d be driving a longer distance in the right hand lane.

Our conclusions agree, Patrick. As a side note, Interstate 90 would continue beyond the MA border, across the country, and directly into Seattle. Connected by the same road! Ever drive on I-90?