the 5

Interstate 5, the north–south spine of the state. In SoCal it is “the 5.” In the Central Valley and the north people often drop the “the.”

In simple English: The long freeway that runs the length of California.

• We took the 5 straight up to Sacramento.

• The 5 over the Grapevine was closed for snow.

If someone says “the 5,” they have spent time in Southern California.

Track

Places

Region

Statewide

Part of speech

noun

• the Grapevine
• the 405
• SoCal
• NorCal