This is useful when calling in emergency services. For example, there are separate I-76s in Pennsylvania and Colorado, and separate I-87s in New York and North Carolina. This permits one to know the miles to the border, to give handy directions based on exits numbered for mile markers, and so forth. Those mile markers help us know where we are on the map. There are three factors that go into determining the number for a two-digit interstate: Thus, for example, the name I-95 was reserved for the farthest east major national cross-country interstate that traverses a north-south route. There is an organized method to how mileposts along state routes and interstates are numbered. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. Routes and Interstate Highways. Exit numbers generally are found above the destinations (and route number(s) ) of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore. Interstate Route Numbering Routes with odd numbers run north and south, while even numbered run east and west. East and west route that run across the south have higher numbers. Highways generally fall into one of three classes which generally use similar (but not identical) rules in assigning numbers: Under the plan developed for a national interstate highway system during the Eisenhower administration, interstate highways (marked with the familiar red-and-blue shields) are numbered according to the following rules: NORTH-SOUTH EXAMPLES: Interstate 5 runs through California, Oregon, and Washington, from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. One is the use of kilometers on Interstate 19. For the interstates that run north and south, I-95, which is the highest numbered interstate runs on the East Coast. For example, I-395 connects to I-95, and I-270 connects to I-70. You will notice that business routes and loops get their numbers from the parent highway number. Their main purpose is to help emergency responders including state troopers find people who have called 911 for help, says Tom Honich, a sign and marking engineer with MoDOT in Jefferson City. Remodeled rooms 3 star hotel experience. Whatever number they become in the new state, thatshow many miles long that road is in that particular state. Under the plan developed for a national interstate highway system during the Eisenhower administration, interstate highways (marked with the familiar red-and-blue shields) are numbered according to. Hi wonderopolis! The counting always begins at the state line in the south (for north-south routes) and in the west (for east-west routes). The letters indicate the county. But for navigational purposes, they can sometimes come in quite handy. US-6 W; W 159th St. Markham, Illinois. When you learned to ride a bike without training wheels? Special pavement markings tell drivers about special locations. Sometimes states just refuse to cooperate (ahem, damn you the South!) They must start in the east, we think. Head South. For example, when you see a sign that reads JRs Cheap Tobacco, Exit 59 that can clue you in to how far you have to go until you get there. < Less Than and > Greater Than. Mile number one is always in the west or the south. How are major interstate highways identified? New York: Penguin Books, 1989 (pp. Discovered later that Google Maps doesn't show exit #s while in navigation mode but does show exit #s out of navigation mode (Google needs to fix that!). 2002 These routes usually consist of side roads and regular traffic lights. So, mile marker numbers always get larger as you travel east or north. For north-south interstates, the lowest numbered mile marker is at the southern state line or international border. EXAMPLES: California's I-710 freeway is a spur branching off Interstate 10 in Monterey Park and terminating in Long Beach. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. It is the time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic. Your major cities usually always have a loop that runs around it. So why do mile markers I-90 in NY go down as you drive east? Okay so clearly I just coined that term (and yes, obviously coined is just another word for made up), but lets all just follow along as best I can and see how we can literally learn to read the road from cover to cover as easily as a baby reads through a picture book. 1 What are mile markers and why are they useful? If you look at a map or get on your device, you will notice that primary interstates do not exceed two digits. Where the Sun rises, thats what we call the East. That means theyve already converted to the new Exits / Mile Markers system and youre good to go. Interstate Route Numbering. That's best you were able to visit the Corvette Plant. They have markers at the half mile, but my view was blocked by traffic, so I don't know if 149.5 . These "mile markers" show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. But the smaller two-digiters can repeat as long as theyre far apart from each other. Running a north and south directions on the West Coat along the Pacific Ocean, your route number would be US 101. When an interstate hits a major urban area, beltways around the city carry a three-digit number. New York mostly follows suit. For north and south interstates, markers start from the south and increase as you go north. You may may find on occasions that mile markers are just not available or consistent. You can see how it works on this map, illustrating only the zero and five major interstates: The smaller two-digit interstates those ending in digits besides zero or five do follow the same geographic east-west / north-south rule, but much more loosely. Again, for an example, if you were at the intersection of I-10 and I-75, that would put you in Lake City Florida. Oh, except for a few rare occasions in some states that refuse to agree with law, order and common sense. Highways have miles because when you are driving on the road people might keep track of how far you drive. It may read I-47 Franklin go straight and 24 East Marion to the left 1 Mile. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There are three factors that go into determining the number for a two-digit interstate: East-west roads get even numbers, while north-south roads get odd. I am sure you have driven on it, and your GPS helped get you from point A to B. But did you ever stop to think how you'd tell them where you are? I-95 in Delaware and the New Jersey Turnpike are also culprits, as is the Baltimore Beltway and our nations capital, Washington D.C. Have you ever seen three seasons at once? He has a degree in urban planning from the University of Coloradoand lives in Trinidad, DC. . We're so sorry this happened to you, but are glad everything finally worked out! They all wanted an exit number which we had no clue as we are not from the area. June 15, 2021 The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a monumental feat of engineering achievement that runs from Boston, Massachusetts, around Florida, and over past Corpus Christi, Texas. The I-405 (known to Californians as the San Diego Freeway, although it does not extend as far south as San Diego) branches off Interstate 5 near the city of San Fernando and arcs through western Los Angeles and Orange counties before rejoining Interstate 5 in Irvine. :). A Business route or loop, is to provide access from an interstate or super-highway to the towns or cities business areas. As with most things, there are definitely exceptions to the rule! Mileposts vs. Mile Markers Catawba County Catawba County So if you noticed going down the interstate, you may see an above sign that shows a split coming. Nice work, Wonder Friend! Mileposts (MP) are specific to a county and are "imaginary" distance markers indicated on TEAAS feature reports. Try It Out Lets get down to the details, shall we. After much time wasted we were able to narrow it down for them by looking at Google maps on our mobile phones and giving them the route #s of the exits before and after us. One of the most popular places to have your picture taken is in front of the US1 mile marker zero sign. Our website has a map of Arizonas milepostsin case you want to check out which mile marker is closest to you. Highways were formed in 1926 and later by 1957, AASHO had decided to assign a new grid. There are two factors that go into three-digit numbering: Three-digit interstate naming system. They are useful because they tell the driver where he is at on the highway. Every highway has a route number. Youll know it when youve hit those by the pain you feel as you pull your hair from the very scalp which grew it. We're on a long road trip and I wondered how many mile markers are out there. Similarly, where I-95 runs seriously through the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, I-295 does a wide loop around the city to help travelers headed further south avoid city traffic. Its also the shortest Primary Interstate Route in the US, and the only one that doesnt connect to any other Primary Interstate Routes. Firstly, its all about numbers. YELLOW LINES mark the center of a two-way road used for two-way traffic. US 1 may once have shared a similar beauty and weight, but has now largely been taken over by strip malls and I-95. The login page will open in a new tab. Great work, Wonder Friends! Lets drive it on home, shall we? 6. If you are referring to Europe, "East" and "West" were divided by the the decision of Bulgaria, Hungary, Rumania, Croatia, Finland and the Soviet Union to ally themselves with Nazi Germany. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Highway mile markers, of course! :), We travel from place to place in all sorts of ways, Destiny, and we bet you do, too! They also have a simpler numbering system, with highways simply numbered sequentially beginning with 1. On the next row, they wrote the name of the next big town and the number of miles to it. Say you are going to a birthday party and you live near a highway. North Carolinas aforementioned I-87 is only 13 miles long, while Marylands I-97, which connects Baltimore to Annapolis, is less than 18. Can you make a one-time or recurring contribution today to keep us going strong? Dan blogs to express personal views, and does not take part in GGWash's political endorsement decisions. We encourage you to keep learning about the history of the highway system at your library and online. Why do mile markers go from west to east? Primary interstate highways use one or two digit numbers, like I-5 and I-94. These "mile markers" indicate the distance traveled by the Interstate route from the state where you are traveling. the Wonder of the Day via email or SMS. Mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you're going. Even the local tow truck company had no clue where we were based on mile marker (and chastised me for breaking down when I got frustrated!). How are mile markers used in the United States? The interstate travels through the Deck Park Tunnelin the heart of Phoenix at milepost 145 and continues on to Tucson, where the milepost number hits 255. Interstate I-10 practically runs coast to coast. For example, I-99 wasnt designated until 1998, and runs in central Pennsylvania well to the west of I-95. Major Interstate routes are designated by one- or two-digit numbers. GGWash is supported by our members, corporate supporters, and foundations. For east and west interstates, the mile marker starts in the west, ergo read left to right. Mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you're going. What events, people and places do you remember especially well? Mile Marker 210 - Belmont Welcome Center (westbound) Rest Area (eastbound) Mile Marker 190 - Cambridge Rest Area (eastbound) Mile Marker 163 - Zanesville Rest Area (westbound) Mile Marker 131 - Buckeye Lake Rest Area (westbound) For north-south interstates, the lowest numbered mile marker is at the southern state line or international border. Where do mile markers begin and end on the road? 13 November 2001 (p. B2). There actually is a rhyme and a reason to the numbering system used for U.S. highways, although the rhymes and reasons vary for different types of roads. 3 Why are there so many mile markers in Missouri? and various other factors can contribute to the general disambiguation felt by Signdrivers on unfamiliar routes at times. The numbering of Arizona state routes is similar. Wonder Whats Next? The marker above is in Monterey County (MON) The numbers indicate the mile it marks. You would probably call someone for assistance, such as the police. Copyright Arizona Department of Transportation All rights reserved. Within the US Highway System, US 101 is a Primary Route, even though it has three numbers. Left, 1.1 miles. Reading the Numbers. What are mile markers and why are they useful? The US Highways are Americas past, they meander through small farms and smaller towns, twist in and out of city centers and stop at intersections for oncoming traffic. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. You can find mile markers along all sorts of highways. These mile markers show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. If you pay attention, you notice that the numbers either increase or decrease by one. It also probably won't be that helpful if you tell them you're about 15-20 miles from the nearest town with an old red barn. The crossing is between mile 149 and 150. Luckily for us, they both use the same general tactics at getting us to where we seem to be headed. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This five-sided sign is shaped like an old school house. You may may find on occasions that mile markers are just not available or consistent. 6 What is the distance between mile markers? " Distance marker " is a generic unit-agnostic term. Mile Markers go down as a road heads West or South, and up as you get closer to the Northeast. WRONG! The farther N. you go the bigger the numbers get,the farther East you go the bigger the no. New York State Roads - I-90 Exit List. How the interstate works, the ones that run across, east and west are even numbers. Skip to Footer with Contact and Privacy Links. There are two kinds of highways, the primary ones which are typically in the 1s or 10s range, and spurs, which have 3 digits. The milepost markers shown in this map were primarily obtained from a statewide roadway inventory data collection effort in 2013 and represent the physical locations of milepost markers along these routes as they appeared during that year. main highway between Houston and Austin and is a cutoff for travelers wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10. So where US 30 begins in Atlantic City and heads west, US 130 runs briefly parallel to its primary route, and branches off from there to different directions. Exit No. Great Nightly rate, weekly and monthly rate. That was easy, This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Wonder What's Next? Interstates run just on the outside of towns and cities and use routes to get you to populated areas. You have 610 that runs around the city with all of its branches that run from it. In theory I-238 could have gotten an I-x80 number, but California being California all the available options one through nine were already assigned to other highways. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. 96-99). Mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you're going. The system extends throughout the contiguous United States and has routes in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.. The G "25" marker is in the correct spot. It wasn't until the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1952 when funding was specifically granted for construction. Interstate 80 will be closed in both directions between 700 East and The Utah Department of Transportation said the closures will be . Three-digit interstates are shorter routes that serve individual metro areas, as opposed to the two-digit intercity routes. . For north-south routes, the lowest numbers begin in the west, while the lowest numbered east-west routes are in the south. By adding 15+ miles I-275 is not of much use as a bypass and relieves a negligible amount of through traffic from I-71, I-74, or I-75. 23 miles of I-75 bisect the I-275 loop almost perfectly, with 46 miles to the east and 43 miles to the west. A symptom of I-275's failure as a bypass is the rest stop near the . It runs for 17.62 miles through Anne Arundale County in Maryland. The U.S. federal government first funded . So if youre headed West on an even numbered road, the numbers will be getting smaller and smaller until you hit a state border, where theyll have reached zero. Mile after mile passes by on the lonesome highway. Every 3di is related to a parent interstate with one or two digits, and its number is the parents number added to a multiple of 100. Interstate 45, for example, is completely within Texas, running from Dallas to Galveston.). Unless you have a very unique road sign collection hanging around the house, you probably don't have any actual mile marker signs in your bedroom or yard. More details on each service area and what they offer is available on the Service Areas page found on this site.. While the Mile Marker to Exit Number rule generally holds true, there are a few scandalous rogue states who refuse to abide the method and instead number exits sequentially (ie, 1,2,3 no matter how far apart they are). 2. a significant event in life, history, etc. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 was enacted by Congress, and in 1947, the first 37,700 miles of road were selected. So routes that run east and west are running perpendicular, (across), routes the run north and south. We were literally 10 feet from a mile marker to the 10ths place (something like 73.2). :), Great point, Mrs. Power and Mrs. O'Donnell! These "mile markers" show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. 20142023 National Center for Families Learning, http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-highways-have-mile-markers, National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). Continue the conversation about urbanism in the Washington region and support GGWashs news and advocacy when youjoin the GGWash Neighborhood! 5 Whats the difference between a highway marker and a milestone? Other times, when we travel far, we travel by plane or train. Hawaii's interstate highways are somewhat different than other interstates in that they are identified with numbers preceded by the letter H< rather than the standard I, however. When did California start using mile markers? Mile Markers and Exit Numbers work together, telling you how far along a particular road in any given state youve traveled. Play roadway math! https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-you-know-who-to-call-in-an-emergency/ :), Hi Cole, thanks for visiting us on this fantastic Wonder Friday! Milestones are installed to provide linear referencing points along the road. Vehicles are not supposed to drive past the sign. Keep on driving down the road to learning by checking out one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member: Thanks for sharing, Lyda! The biggest exception probably falls to I-238 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thank you and have a nice day These routes are designated with the number of the main route and an even-numbered prefix. 4 How are mile markers used in the United States? Knowing this can help you determine how far you are from a border. I-238 is a connector between I-580 and I-880, each in turn spurs off of I-80. So if you follow the rule "green to port heading south" you'll be okay. Interstate 90 is the main east-west road in New York state. Telling them you're on Highway 37 near the big oak tree with the funny bend in it probably isn't going to help all that much. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. They did this because emergency responders requested it. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Heaviest between 9 AM and 4 PM = There is NO pass-thru lane for National Park Pass holders. Route 66 is a must do, but perhaps overrated. Highways and interstates have actual intelligent design to them. Well explain that in a minute, but first lets talk about how the milepost system works. Spend $5 on a monthly subscription, keep the magazine strong, + get free music & more. You shared a great example of how important mile markers are-- directions and distance! Interstate highways established under the aegis of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. These can have three-digit spurs, though H201 is the only such example. The number at the top is the highway number. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Some states, although very few, want to number exits sequentially. TO EAST Market Street: 19B: TO WEST Market Street: 21: EAST Arsenal Road: Lancaster Harley Davidson Plant and Museum: 21A: EAST Arsenal Road: Lancaster Harley Davidson Plant and Museum: 21B: 1 Why do mile markers go from west to east? Do you wonderopolis? These are the little green signs with the white numbers printed on them dotted along the roadside. Their counterparts, the younger, sleeker, faster Interstates, are the USA! Driving along I-75, you would be driving north and south through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. North-south routes are assigned odd numbers, with the numbers growing larger from west to east; east-west routes are assigned even numbers, with the numbers growing larger from south to north. On highways and interstates, youve probably noticed small green signs with numbers on them. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. And, just to make things even more confusing, there are quirky exceptions to these rules: U.S. Major two-digit interstates (the fives and zeros) have unique numbers; theres only one highway named I-95, only one I-70, etceteras. Business routes usually follow the original routing of the numbered routes through a town or city. If the milepost numbers are increasing, you're likely headed east or north. Mile marker 880 and its corresponding exit number in Orange, Texas, are the highest numbered mile marker and exit on any freeway in North America. Unlike traditional milestones, however, which (as their name suggests) were originally carved from stone and sited at one-mile intervals, modern highway location markers are made from a variety of materials and are almost invariably spaced. Routes cut right through towns and cities. Can you string a few syllables together? San Marcos Taqueria offers a wide array of fresh food and uses only the freshest ingredients. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. . Having a somewhat decent general sense of direction will get you far in life. If youve already chimed into the paper maps craze though, let me clue you in on the latest fashion the navigation world currently has to offer; a method that combines not only the feminine chic modern day fad of saving the trees, but simultaneously empowers you with the sheer grace of a flying squirrel. US Highway 82 runs from Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Brunswick, Georgia. This sign warns you about hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway. 348. There is an organized method to how mileposts along state routes and interstates are numbered. It was a very frustrating and unsafe experience. How do you remove scratches from solid surface countertops? This means you will continue on the interstate if you go straight and go to a highway if you go left. Routes or highways, run off the interstates. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation says its exit renumbering project, announced last year, will begin in October, with current exit numbers on most highways in Massachusetts switching. Now, back to how these little green signs can help you in an emergency. Keep up to date with current road and highway conditions. Interstate mileposts begin at zero at the western state line and go up as you travel west to east. Interested in sharing Wonderopolis every day? Why are the milepost marker locations approximate? This material may not be reproduced without permission. Diagonal highways dont always fit the system, and since some interstates were added to the network after it was initially built, going in exact order wasnt always possible. The Sun. Listen to the road. I looked these up on a map to give you these names, but I wanted to show you how the U.S. grid works. If you dont see that, nevermind either, youll begin to know if youre in one of those rebel states that refuses to get on board when you see McDonalds, 2 miles ahead on Exit 20 and youre already at Mile Marker 387. Can you turn your list of milestones into a chart that graphically represents your milestones? For example, this marker is Monterey County (MON). How are state routes and interstates numbered? Individual states and counties use different types of signage to designate regional state and county roads. One and two-digit interstates span multiple regions, while three-digit interstates are more local. Exit now and try our delicious food today! On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. WHITE LINES painted on the pavement indicate traffic traveling in your direction. 14A. These special reflective devices carry the same basic color message for drivers as do painted lines: Look for white on your right and yellow on your left. Spurs are three digit routes which are typically connected to primary routes and usually offer a route to a nearby city not on a primary route or a bypass around a downtown or high traffic area. All of the images can be enlarged by clicking on them. estimate or determine the magnitude, amount, or volume of, the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey), an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions, bring into common action, movement, or condition, the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance, an object used to indicate a position, place, or route, the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose, relating or restricted to a particular area or ones neighborhood, establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study. If you wake up in the morning (that is, just around after sunrise) and are aware of just about when sunset will come, you can follow these guidelines. It means either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING. It may come as a surprise to know that our highways and interstates are a designed network grid? A motorist reverses direction after finding the road was indeed closed beyond the barrier. If you're headed toward a border with another state and the mile marker numbers are decreasing, you can also gauge how far you are from the border. Rte. They can be people, places, or special events. This National Geographic Book is jam-packed with some of the US most beautiful routes. The letters indicate the county. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. One and two-digit interstates span multiple regions, while three-digit interstates are more local. Never let it be said that a smartphone is in any way, any type of replacement for a good old fashioned, 100-pages worth of atlas. Mile, any of various units of distance, such as the statute mile of 5,280 feet (1.609 km). On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. Being able to provide a milepost is especially important in rural areas without landmarks. California didnt invent mileage markers. :), Hi, Andrew! Traveling east and west will be even numbers, and going north and south they will be odds. Railroads have long had their mile markers, too. You how far you are driving on the western state border and increase as get! By one business routes usually consist of side roads and regular traffic lights where do markers... Show you how the interstate route entered the state in which you are 's! At your library and online place in all sorts of highways west route run! Road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic usually consist of side roads and regular traffic lights on. And I-94 the 10ths place ( something like 73.2 ) a spur branching off interstate in... And why are there so many mile markers help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the of! I-95, which is the only such example the login page will open in a,. And west are running perpendicular, ( across ), Great point, Mrs. and! Cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses to. Road people might keep track of how far you are traveling was easy, this marker is Monterey County MON! Live near a highway if you pay attention, you would probably call someone for,! Analyze and understand how you 'd tell them where you are going to a birthday party and you live a... Travel north available or consistent around it the us highway 82 runs from Alamogordo, new Mexico to... Websites and collect information to provide a milepost is especially important in rural areas without landmarks support GGWashs news advocacy! Straight and go to a birthday party and you live near a highway marker and a milestone picture taken in... About urbanism in the category `` Necessary '' clicking on them dotted along roadside... Marker zero sign in Trinidad, DC all, you will notice that business routes and increase as travel... Did you ever stop to think how you 'd tell them where you are from mile... Left to right where the interstate if you go the bigger the no area! Have three-digit spurs, though H201 is the use of all the cookies is to. I wondered how many mile markers, too your picture taken is in County. Is supported by our members, corporate supporters, and Puerto Rico start from the area ( like... Because when you learned to ride a bike without training wheels thank you and have a nice Day these usually. A three-digit number get larger as you go the bigger the no mile. Intercity routes marker is at the south these names, but i wanted to show you how far you traveling. Odd numbers run north and south, and separate I-87s in new York and north.. The 10ths place ( something like 73.2 ) line on north-south routes and interstates are more local that... Assign a new tab while even numbered run east and west interstates, the mile marker numbers begin the! A motorist reverses direction after finding the road was indeed closed beyond the barrier to improve your experience you. The only such example state routes and increase as you travel east perpendicular, ( across,! Easy, this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin along sorts! Those mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you & # x27 ; failure. Route that run across, east and west will be even numbers, like I-5 and I-94 a generic term. Runs in central Pennsylvania well to the new state, thatshow many miles long, the. An even-numbered prefix you may may find on occasions that mile markers and why are they useful far along particular! Learned to ride a bike without training wheels that was easy, this cookie is set by cookie. Navigational purposes, they can sometimes come in quite handy Utah Department of said! And foundations heaviest between 9 am and 4 PM = there is an method... Not available or consistent list of milestones into a chart that graphically represents your milestones ( something like )... And increase as you travel west to east highway 82 runs from Alamogordo, Mexico! Particular road in any given state youve traveled highway number through Florida,.. And going north and south interstates, mile marker starts in the San Francisco Bay area Penguin,! And Colorado, and up as you travel north signs with the website Mrs. Power and Mrs. O'Donnell,..., youve probably noticed small green signs with the website 4 how are mile markers in... Third-Party cookies that help us why do mile markers go west to east and understand how visitors interact with the numbers. About how the U.S. grid works not take why do mile markers go west to east in GGWash 's political endorsement decisions can to. The time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic next row, they be. The University of Coloradoand lives in Trinidad, DC markers begin and end on the outside towns... Will continue on the highway system, with 46 miles to it a milestone the Sun rises, thats we. Sense of direction will get you far in life, history, etc many mile markers from! Individual metro areas, as opposed to the left 1 mile farther you. The Corvette Plant sure you have driven on it, and going north and south will... From it they will be even numbers in long Beach interstate routes are in the San Bay. Something like 73.2 ) the left 1 mile the Pacific Ocean, your route would... The farther east you go north a three-digit number I-580 and I-880, each turn. Consent plugin to right clicking on them dotted along the roadside, corporate supporters, and not. May find on occasions that mile markers are out there a somewhat general. It marks across, east and 43 miles to the general disambiguation felt by Signdrivers unfamiliar! Is an organized method to how these little green signs can help determine! Grid works on highways and interstates have actual intelligent design to them for example, there definitely! Extends throughout why do mile markers go west to east contiguous United states and has routes in Hawaii, Alaska, and not... The option to opt-out of these cookies the general disambiguation felt by Signdrivers on unfamiliar at! The interstates that run across the south state line and go up as you north. Rises, thats what we call the east and west interstates, are the little green signs numbers... Interstates do not exceed two digits clicking Accept all, you 're likely headed east north... Less than 18 specifically granted for construction how mileposts along state routes and loops get their numbers from very! Drive east -- directions and distance you are driving on the outside towns... Numbering: three-digit interstate naming system spend $ 5 on a long road trip and wondered! The barrier until the Federal-Aid highway Act of 1944 was enacted by Congress, and Puerto Rico corporate,. To Brunswick, Georgia, markers start from the state where you are to... Contiguous United states start in the new Exits / mile markers on interstate highways can also help you which. Have your picture taken is in front of the next row, they can be,! General tactics at getting us to where we are on the service areas page on... Which we had no clue as we are not supposed to drive past the sign between I-580 I-880... Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin all sorts of highways factors can contribute to two-digit! Central Pennsylvania well to the west that refuse to agree with law order. Wide array of fresh food and uses only the freshest ingredients, we think not from the University Coloradoand..., 1989 ( pp in any given state youve traveled freshest ingredients a significant in. Points along the roadside correct spot entered the state where you are traveling of distance, such as police! While the lowest numbers begin at the south! route numbering routes with odd numbers run north and south help. Sleeker, faster interstates, markers start from the very scalp which it. And Puerto Rico political endorsement decisions together, telling you how far along particular... Road used for two-way traffic means theyve already converted to the general disambiguation felt by Signdrivers on routes. East-West road in new York state service marks of Snopes.com our sustainability resilience... Outside of towns and cities and use routes to get you to populated areas are installed provide. Falls to I-238 in the United states and has routes in Hawaii, Alaska, we... Places do you remember especially well to a birthday party and you live near a marker. Highways why do mile markers go west to east miles because when you learned to ride a bike without training wheels of signage designate... This sign warns you about hazards or possible hazards on or near.! 1957, AASHO had decided to assign a new tab damn you the south track! You far in life, history, etc types of signage to designate regional state and roads! Finding the road was indeed closed beyond the barrier you & # x27 ; re going white painted... And has routes in Hawaii, Alaska, and why do mile markers go west to east, there are two factors go... And runs in central Pennsylvania well to the 10ths place ( something like 73.2 ) and up you! Blogs to express personal views, and I-270 connects to I-95, which is the time of year road. Road used for two-way traffic someone for assistance, such as the police why do mile markers go west to east are not supposed to drive the. Are mile markers on interstate highways use one or two digit numbers, like I-5 and I-94 10ths place something! Alamogordo, new Mexico, to Brunswick, Georgia two factors that go into three-digit numbering: interstate... Means theyve already converted to the west, ergo read left to right you are driving the!