I've been a central Jersey kid most of my life, but I always have a weird answer to the "what exit are you" question.

Because for me, my location has always been judged by how close I am to Route 18. And, as you can see in this week's "Shortcuts with Mike Davis" video, could be reasonably judged as "too close for comfort."

It really is the last great freeway in this part of New Jersey, if not the entire state. At different points, it runs parallel to both the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike but doesn't come with the New York license plates that clog up our highways on a summer Saturday.

WELCOME TO SHORTCUTS: Here's what you can expect.

And it's long enough and positioned exactly right so it connects two completely different, completely cool parts of the state.

Think about it: On one end, you have New Brunswick. From what I've experienced, it's really the last great college town on the east coast. You have people in their twenties playing in loud bands at dive bars and in each other's basements. There's food for all hours of the day and all states of mind or, uh, inebriation.

And on the other end, you've got the Jersey Shore. You'll pass Long Branch, Asbury Park and wind up in Belmar at the southern tip of Route 18 — while all those aforementioned New York license plates are still jammed up in the express lanes on the southbound Parkway.

I AM SO WEIRD: A love letter to Route 18

Clearly, I know from experience: I grew up in Old Bridge (exit 30), went to college at Rutgers University (no exit, just keep going north until you can smell the grease trucks) and have been getting off at exit 10A (Asbury Park, Route 66) since I was old enough to drive.

This is New Jersey. We know our way around — and for me, that usually involves Route 18.

Send your ideas, questions, comments and angry rants to mdavis@app.com.