I have driven across most of the U.S., excluding the west coast, and it all pretty much looks the same. Occasionally you get to see a cool landmark, like the Nazi Indian outside of Buffalo, but normally it is all just the same stretch of road. Not that Buffalo is awesome by any means, but you described any interstate drive.
Also, the view out my window is facing the bad part of town. Lake Erie is behind me and downtown is on the other side of the building. I will need to get some other pictures that better represent the city!