You're Never More Than 115 Miles From McDonald's

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You're Never More Than 115 Miles From McDonald's

Posted by samzenpus on Tuesday September 14, 2010 @03:39AM from the 2-hours-until-delicious dept.

There is some bad news for McNugget lovers. Thanks to a store closure in northeastern California, you can now be as far 115 miles from a McDonald's in the contiguous United States. The new "McFarthest" spot is in northwest Nevada, replacing the previous in South Dakota by eight heart-pounding, artery-clogged miles.

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Your mother. by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-14 06:38 · Score: 0

Is swallowing my Big Mac.
1. Re:Your mother. by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-14 07:51 · Score: 0
  
  Unfortunately, your mother couldn't swallow my Big Mac... something about a "gag reflex".
ISS by vlm · 2010-09-14 06:41 · Score: 1

The ISS orbits around 190 nm aka 220 or so statute (regular) miles. So, if you're willing to count the ISS while its over the lower 48, I think it has this record beat even if it passes directly over my local McD.

--
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
1. Re:ISS by WolfeCanada · 2010-09-14 07:24 · Score: 1
  
  Not exactly the contiguous US, is it?
  
  --
  "If it's stupid and it works....it's not stupid."
2. Re:ISS by Yvan256 · 2010-09-14 08:39 · Score: 1
  
  190 nanometers = 0.00019 millimeters.
3. Re:ISS by Ohrion · 2010-09-14 08:48 · Score: 1
  
  nautical miles maybe?
4. Re:ISS by Yvan256 · 2010-09-14 09:05 · Score: 1
  
  And I suppose km means kilomiles?
5. Re:ISS by Decker-Mage · 2010-09-14 22:27 · Score: 1
  
  Only if you are un-American/pro-MKS ;-). For me it means Nautical Mile (equivalent to 2000 yards) but I'm qualified as helmsman, quartermaster, and navigator of the watch including under-way refueling.
  
  --
  "[I]t is a wise man who admits the limits of his knowledge or skill, and that pretending either causes harm." --Terry Go
6. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-15 00:53 · Score: 0
  
  oh well good for you! *sarcasm detection system suddenly spikes off the charts* nm still means nanometers and you cant change that by being a mariner, seafarer, pirate or lowly deckhand.
7. Re:ISS by jgagnon · 2010-09-15 01:39 · Score: 1
  
  Go read a dictionary... nautical miles can also be abbreviated nm. Just because you only know one interpretation for nm doesn't mean other valid ones do not exist.
  
  --
  Remember to maintain your supply of /facepalm oil to prevent chafing.
8. Re:ISS by BobNET · 2010-09-15 07:10 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  km = knotical miles
9. Re:ISS by Rob+Kaper · 2010-09-15 23:05 · Score: 1
  
  The ISS is international, so metric units would be the logical assumption. I'm not going to trash imperial units and say that nautical miles have no place, but they certainly make little sense in space.
10. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-16 00:11 · Score: 0
  
  You are wrong. All of those ridiculous units you use in the states haven't been used anywhere else for years. The metric system is the only one, therefore nm is nanometers. You are a stupid person for suggest otherwise.
11. Re:ISS by ModernGeek · 2010-09-16 08:07 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe not, but the space station is awesome and should be mentioned as much as possible. I wish that we would have just kept launching Saturn Vs into orbit and deep space instead of retiring them. Imagine the space station we could have if each module was the size of SkyLab!
  
  --
  Sig: I stole this sig.
12. Re:ISS by mavasplode · 2010-09-16 16:33 · Score: 0
  
  Well if the ISS was to count, then what about when it's on the far side of the planet?
  
  --
  ACTUAL SIZE!!!
13. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-17 04:41 · Score: 0
  
  Nautical miles are a metric unit. By definition, they're 1852 m long (or approximately one minute of arc).
14. Re:ISS by harrytuttle777 · 2010-09-17 11:42 · Score: 1
  
  The problem is the the Eurofags don't like the imperial system because it makes no sense. The Usians don't like metric because it is Eurpoean, and makes you gay.
  I propose a compromise at least as far as mass is concerned. The official ANSI standard for mass should be the turd. The turd is defined as the mass of an average piece of human excrement, which just so happens to be 2.20462262 pounds. This will make the US happy because it is something we can relate to and have direct experience with. (not like some gay piece of metal in France of all places). It will also make Europeans happy because it will be easy to do the kg / turd conversion in your head. And most importantly for Usians, talking about turds is never gay.
15. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-18 07:35 · Score: 0
  
  Unlike you, as you're totally gay.
16. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-18 13:49 · Score: 0
  
  Actually, which system to use was an argument that had in the early planning stages of the ISS. Since the US was providing the most funds and initial resources I believe they won the battle and went with SI units. Just being international doesn't mean it's going to be on the metric system.
17. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-19 16:40 · Score: 0
  
  What if you're packing turds? That can be pretty gay.
18. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-21 02:07 · Score: 0
  
  Are we talking about American average piece of excrement or European ones ?
19. Re:ISS by Jurily · 2010-09-21 22:38 · Score: 1
  
  km = Kraut miles.
20. Re:ISS by vawarayer · 2010-09-22 20:09 · Score: 1
  
  You are wrong. All of those ridiculous units you use in the states haven't been used anywhere else for years. The metric system is the only one, therefore nm is nanometers. You are a stupid person for suggest otherwise.
  I don't know why I'm replying to this as you seem a bit reluctant in other's opinion, but I'll try anyway.
  The Nautical Mile is recognized internationally and used primarily in navigation, ie. marine & air (ISS is air, right?) The International Civil Aviation Association uses nm as its symbol ( Wikipedia page or the initial reference )
  And should it matter - which I don't think it does - I am not a US citizen. I am working in the marine field, and the nm is the de-facto unit here.
21. Re:ISS by Winckle · 2010-09-23 05:48 · Score: 0, Flamebait
  
  Well Americans are full of shit so theirs would be a larger unit.
22. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-23 06:19 · Score: 0
  
  The problem is the the Eurofags don't like the imperial system because it makes no sense. The Usians don't like metric because it is Eurpoean, and makes you gay.
  Well, since you're obviously neither, what kind of annoying, sanctimonious ass are you supposed to be? Your obsession with "gay" and "turds" makes me think of that wanker that's always posting about eating shit out of the toilet.
  Man, I swear to god, the higher the Slashdot ID, the stupider the posts.
23. Re:ISS by jedidiah · 2010-09-24 03:23 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  We're Americans. We're capable of adapting and working with more than one system even if the French are completely incapable. We are willing to adjust to accommodate our more feeble-minded partners.
  
  --
  A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
24. Re:ISS by clone53421 · 2010-09-24 06:46 · Score: 1
  
  Okay... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_mile
  
  The nautical mile (symbol M, NM, Nm or nmi) is a unit of length corresponding approximately to one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian. By international agreement it is exactly 1,852 metres (approximately 6,076 feet).
  Oh look, it seems that nm isn’t considered a valid abbreviation for nautical miles probably due to it being such a common abbreviation for nanometres...
  
  --
  Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
25. Re:ISS by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-25 02:55 · Score: 0
  
  From the guy whose sig shows that he is incapable of grokking that kilo can have different meanings, depending on what is being measured, in different unit systems. (KB=1024 bytes)
26. Re:ISS by jedidiah · 2010-09-28 07:27 · Score: 1
  
  > From the guy whose sig shows that he is incapable of grokking that kilo can have different meanings, depending on what is being measured, in different unit systems. (KB=1024 bytes)
  Clearly you haven't been keeping up with "current events" at all and for quite awhile too.
  
  --
  A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
27. Re:ISS by johosaphats · 2010-09-28 10:40 · Score: 1
  
  theirs would be a larger unit.
  That's what she said.
115 Miles..... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-15 02:02 · Score: 0

.....still not far enough.
1. Re:115 Miles..... by kramulous · 2010-09-16 22:35 · Score: 1
  
  I last had Maccas around 1996. I don't see me having it anytime soon.
  I discovered the joys of cooking ... and flavour.
  
  --
  .
I'm lovin' it! by ModernGeek · 2010-09-16 08:04 · Score: 1

I might just drive my SUV half a mile and get some McD right now.

--
Sig: I stole this sig.
1. Re:I'm lovin' it! by jhoegl · 2010-09-21 17:10 · Score: 1
  
  "Because they put a chemical in their food to make you crave for it nightly smartass!" - "Dad" - So I married an Axe Murderer
2. Re:I'm lovin' it! by gstoddart · 2010-09-23 06:12 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  "Because they put a chemical in their food to make you crave for it nightly smartass!"
  
  Not "crave for it nightly". It's crave it fortnightly -- you know, every two weeks.
  And, it was KFC not McD's.
  
  --
  Lost at C:>. Found at C.
interesting pic by initialE · 2010-09-19 00:08 · Score: 1

why is the east coast that must more dense?

--
Starbucks, Harbuckle of Breath.
1. Re:interesting pic by ScrewMaster · 2010-09-19 10:33 · Score: 1
  
  why is the east coast that must more dense?
  Population density. Many of the Western states are comparatively sparsely populated.
  
  --
  The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
2. Re:interesting pic by Moddington · 2010-09-19 12:21 · Score: 1
  
  For extra fun, compare the pic in the article to this actual population density map: http://i.treehugger.com/files/population-density-us.jpg
3. Re:interesting pic by istartedi · 2010-09-19 16:16 · Score: 1
  
  Yep. For example, Rhode Island has about 1000 people per square mile, Wyoming has 5.
  I've been to both states. You don't really feel crowded in Rhode Island, but you certainly feel isolated in Wyoming. Frighteningly isolated, and then you get to the city you've been wating to reach for several hours, and it's really just a town.
  
  --
  For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
4. Re:interesting pic by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-20 14:46 · Score: 0
  
  If you call Wyoming "frighteningly isolated" you must be easily scared. I'll take the wide open areas and smaller cities any day over the stinking, polluted, crime-ridden crowded zoos known as "cities" on the East Coast any day.
5. Re:interesting pic by krazytekn0 · 2010-09-20 16:45 · Score: 1
  
  would you do that any day? or just some days? or conversely, any day?
  
  --
  Not all life is cyber. Extra Income
Still too close by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-19 12:36 · Score: 0

McSh1te.
A McDonald's closing? by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-20 13:51 · Score: 0

That's like the 47th sign of the Apocalypse! Armageddon is coming! Prepare yourselves! Repent! Repent!
North Eastern California AKA Nevada? by Animaether · 2010-09-21 07:51 · Score: 1

I haven't poked at the actual data, but just by looking at the map for 2009...
http://www.datapointed.net/visualizations/maps/distance-to-nearest-mcdonalds/ ...and then the one for 2010...
http://www.datapointed.net/visualizations/maps/distance-to-nearest-mcdonalds-sept-2010/ ...aside from seeing a bunch of new restaurants opening, a bunch of restaurants shifting (corrections in data or stores moving locations), there's the one obvious 'big blob' one that disappears near the west coast. But not in California, I guessed.
Overlaying it on Google Maps...
You need to rotate the map CCW a fair bit.. just match up LA, SF and SLC and if you search for "McDonald's" the blobs from the map should line up with several of the Google Maps blips along the I80 - e.g. at Winnemucca, Battle Mountain and Elko ...the big blob that disappeared actually seems to be centered on the location at Tonopah...
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=mcdonald's&ll=38.153997,-117.004395&spn=1.187873,2.469177&z=9&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=38.056254,-117.216531&panoid=0l-zQQd6AtlI4McY-UjHkg&cbp=12,47.78,,0,5.25 ...which is in Nevada, not California.
Any Tonopahians around?
1. Re:North Eastern California AKA Nevada? by Animaether · 2010-09-21 21:46 · Score: 1
  
  oh silly me.. wrong blob. north east california it is; in or near Alturas
Advert for McD or is it beyond a mere company? by fantomas · 2010-09-22 07:51 · Score: 1

Cheap advertising for McDonalds or does it transcend merely being a company and is more like a cultural identification in the USA?
Probably in France the equivalent would be "how far are you from a Michelin starred restaurant?"
Mind you here in the UK it might be "how far are you from the nearest chippie?" to be fair.....
1. Re:Advert for McD or is it beyond a mere company? by gstoddart · 2010-09-23 06:26 · Score: 1
  
  Cheap advertising for McDonalds or does it transcend merely being a company and is more like a cultural identification in the USA?
  Sadly, I think it is.
  
  Probably in France the equivalent would be "how far are you from a Michelin starred restaurant?"
  I don't think most French people regularly dine in Michelin starred restaurants. More like historically, even the peasants in France cooked really good, simple food that led to a food culture being fairly entrenched. That and the wine.
  
  Mind you here in the UK it might be "how far are you from the nearest chippie?" to be fair.....
  Here in Canada, it's Tim Horton's :-P
  I swear to got, at least 1/3 if the country is physically addicted to Tim Horton's coffee here. (Though, that dreck that is Starbucks is growing in popularity.)
  
  --
  Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Stop Making Me Hungry by muphin · 2010-09-23 18:20 · Score: 1

geeze people stop talking about Mc Donalds, Tim Hortons, foooood.... i'm hungry now.

--
It's not a typo if you understood the meaning!
Idle: Broken in FireFox, IE, Chrome, & Safari by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-23 23:45 · Score: 0

Fix this shit already.
Re:Idle: Broken in FireFox, IE, Chrome, & Safa by clone53421 · 2010-09-24 06:49 · Score: 1

I usually fix it by taking “idle.” out of the URL.

--
Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
I'm a little surprised by buckeyeguy · 2010-09-24 11:54 · Score: 1

that the center of Nevada isn't more remote, but there are McDs in Battle Mountain and Ely. Hmm. Probably still a wait at the damn drive-thru there, too.

--
I'd have a personalized plate on my car, but "toxic bachelor" won't fit into 7 letters.
It isn't the acid test for fast food by smchris · 2010-09-24 23:21 · Score: 1

My stepfather lives probably 50+ from the nearest McD -- but the town has a Subway. Cheaper franchise that a smaller town can support.
1. Re:It isn't the acid test for fast food by Allnighte · 2010-09-25 04:10 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, there are more Subways than there are McDonalds. For the US at least. Has been that way for a few years IIRC.
Re:Idle: Broken in FireFox, IE, Chrome, & Safa by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-26 08:47 · Score: 0

Aw, how cute. Somebody thinks the people who run Slashdot are competent.
I must be lucky by Anonymous Coward · 2010-09-28 03:09 · Score: 0

I have one in my basement!