Defined by a breezy, wide-open sound, Interstate features sparse, rhythmic guitar riffs, organ playing, drums and thematic instrumentation, in addition to a distinctive compositional style that has been compared to "the dynamics of a good conversation" by one critic.

Named in relation to the band's collaborative efforts given that the members live great distances from each other, Interstate was released on DGC, their only album on a major label.

"[9] Several critics highlighted the album's ensemble dynamic and breezy, open feel;[3][10] Ned Raggett of AllMusic noted a "wide-open feeling of many of the songs, suggesting a slightly dreamy America where there's little around but the weather and the land," while Tim Kenneally of SF Weekly similar noted the album works as a "sonic analogue to a cross-country road trip.

"[8] Describing the track structures, Bob Gulla of CMJ New Music Monthly said: "Each song on Interstate works like the dynamics of a good conversation.

"[11]The band's press release described the album as possessing a "post-rock, guitar centric, instrumental sound design that's difficult to categorize.

"[12] Michael Lipton of LA Weekly wrote that Interstate "recalled spaghetti Westerns, the minimalist rhythms of '80s N.Y. band Polyrock and a dash of Booker T.

"[13] Anthony Violanti, writing for The Buffalo News, meanwhile, noted the "old-fashioned style," citing the usage of "tight guitars, a tough bass and driving drum riffs that all blend in instrumental form.

[15] "The success of Flow helped make Pell Mell one of the more intriguing major-label signings of the 1990s — who could have imagined Geffen being interested in an all-instrumental group?"

"[4] Ned Raggett of AllMusic gave the album the same rating, saying "it's an ensemble performance at heart, and an excellent one" which was the most fine example of the band's talents.

[10] Thomas Kerpen of the Ox fanzine was favorable and highlighted the album's "great instrumental sounds" and particularly the "melodic atmospheric guitars, no wonder with three guitarists.

"[18] Similarly favorable although slightly more reserved, Paul Lukas and Ira Robbins of Trouser Press described Interstate as "a solid continuation of Flow's sound, although it has less consistently stellar material.

[20] He wrote that the two albums, alongside the music of Dirty Three, The Mermen and The Denison/Kimball Trio, "helped bring instrumental modes of rock alienation into the mainstream.