On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Have you checked out Wonder #822-- Do You Know Who to Call in an Emergency? He runs BeyondDC and contributes to the Washington Post. 4 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. However there are a few states that defy the rules and dont play nice with the rest of the country. Other times, when we travel far, we travel by plane or train. Public domain image. To prevent duplication within a state, prefixes go up. What does a three digit number on an interstate sign indicate? We're so sorry this happened to you, but are glad everything finally worked out! Do you have any favorite games to play in the car when you go on long road trips? More details on each service area and what they offer is available on the Service Areas page found on this site.. Railroads have long had their mile markers, too. Although, lettered routes just mean you are way in the back country of a forgotten time. Help spread the wonder of families learning together. Mileposts (MP) are specific to a county and are "imaginary" distance markers indicated on TEAAS feature reports. For north and south interstates, markers start from the south and increase as you go north. 2. a significant event in life, history, etc. If you can tell them you're only about a quarter-mile past mile marker 23, though, you'll probably get the assistance you need fairly quickly. Red markers are always on the mainland side. Why do mile markers go west to east? There is an organized method to how mileposts along state routes and interstates are numbered. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Buford East: 0.1 miles west of the Laramie County Line (mm 336.5) Remount Road: 3.9 miles east of the Laramie County Line (mm 340.5) Otto Road: 1.29 miles east of Otto Road Interchange (mm 347.69) Mile Marker 353: 3.7 miles west of Cheyenne (mm 353.0) Cheyenne East Eastbound travelers read up the page; westbound travelers read down the page. The letters indicate the county. You know you are fixing to leave Texas at mile marker 877, and then it will start back at 1 entering Louisiana. So if you knew that Texas was 877.5 miles across on I-10 and you start at 1. 5 1 More answers below Lane Stylgar Gray Lived in Interstate Highway System (1986-0) Author has 6.6K answers and 5.2M answer views 4 y Using this method, the first exit number on an Interstate as you travel south to north or west to east is determined by its distance from the state line. Highways (or Routes), marked with black-and-white badge-shaped signs, are assigned one- to three-digit numbers. In traffic engineering, the late merge or zipper method is a convention for merging traffic into a reduced number of lanes. These routes are designated with the number of the main route and an even-numbered prefix. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Interstate routes that branch off major, long-distance routes are assigned three-digit numbers. . Drone shot of the I-10 / I-110 Interchange on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles at sunset. When we want to travel down the block to see our neighbors, we'll walk, skate, or bicycle over! U.S. Route 1 (US 1) is a major north-south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. North and south routes follow the same grid pattern. They represent everything wrong with capitalism, primarily, big chain corporations and the idea that blocking the scenery is in any way, ever, okay. These can have three-digit spurs, though H201 is the only such example. Read the double yellow lines. U.S. How do you remove scratches from solid surface countertops? Sometimes states just refuse to cooperate (ahem, damn you the South!) Being an even, it runs east and west and runs across Florida. Also, if you were on I-10 intersecting with I-5, that would put you in Los Angeles California. It is the time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic. The numbers indicate the mile it marks. There are 27 service areas on the Thruway. You would probably call someone for assistance, such as the police. 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. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. Great explanation of how the mile markers work. General Sense of Direction. 7 Where do mile markers begin and end on the road? On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. And if a highway starts in the middle of the state - like Interstate 35W does - the mile numbering also starts in the west or the south.. Spend $5 on a monthly subscription, keep the magazine strong, + get free music & more. What are various methods available for deploying a Windows application? Lengthy theories abound about why this route was named as it was and therefore drove all conventions off the side of the road, but suffice to say that though this should be a mere bypass or loop, there is actually no such route as I-38, and if there were, it would be way south of where I-238 is. Rte. Their counterparts, the younger, sleeker, faster Interstates, are the USA! 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. You can easily judge how much time you have left in a state by the number of miles left on a road that passes the entire breadth of the states boundaries. Search All Exits along I-80 traveling Eastbound in Wyoming. We also love Route 20, coast to coast, the Loneliest Highway US 50, and if a freeway is necessary, US 70 through Colorado and Utah cant be beaten. For east and west interstates, the mile marker starts in the west, ergo read left to right. Why do mile markers go from west to east? Nathan is the Editor-in-Chief around these parts, and has been traveling by train, bike, VW Bus and Airstream since 2008. For north-south routes, the lowest numbers begin in the west, while the lowest numbered east-west routes are in the south. Listen to the road. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Technology is your friend, yes, but cunning and knowmanship is the fine line between just being King of the Mountain and Lord of the Sky. 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. What are mile markers and why are they useful? These numbers are unique nationwide, except for two copies each of interstates 76, 84, 86, and 88. Protect pedestrians and vehicles at busy intersections. 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. We hope you'll continue to Wonder all weekend long! They are alternatively known as mile markers, mileposts or mile posts (sometimes abbreviated MPs). Do you wonderopolis? In answer to that perennial trivia question, the state of Hawaii has three roads designated as interstate highways (all of them on the island of Oahu) because roads established under the purview of the Federal Aid Highway Act and receiving funding from the federal government are considered interstate highways, even if they fall completely within the borders of a single state. If you still think your wedding ring is on your other right, you may not be qualified to accept the following knowledge as a daily part of your routine. For north-south routes, the lowest numbers begin in the west, while the lowest numbered east-west routes are in the south. East-west roads get even numbers, while north-south roads get odd. U.S. Interstate highways are numbered according to a pattern based on their direction and location. Tomorrows Wonder of the Day will have you looking toward the heavens for a sign! So if you follow the rule "green to port heading south" you'll be okay. The number of digits tells you whether an interstate connects multiple metro areas, or exists solely within a single metro area. Whats the difference between a highway marker and a milestone? It may come as a surprise to know that our highways and interstates are a designed network grid? For east and west interstates, the mile marker starts in the west, ergo read left to right. Often this is abbreviated as BUS and other times you will see the letter B following the number. Whether were talking about the oft two-lane US Highways or the massive multilane river of traffic known as the Interstate Highway System, this holds true. It means that a section of road is closed. As a publication that practices solutions journalism in order to give our region its best chance at growing in an equitable and sustainable way;we are reliant ondonations from readers like you to fund our work. But we all have things that mark the special times in our lives. You can find mile markers along all sorts of highways. So where US 201, 301, 401, etc. The counting always begins at the state line in the south (for north-south routes) and in the west (for east-west routes). It's a good thing to WONDER about, after all. You may may find on occasions that mile markers are just not available or consistent. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. EXIT. = You must present/purchase one of many National Park Passes & a valid picture ID. Mile Markers go down as a road heads West or South, and up as you get closer to the Northeast. 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. It means either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING. We appreciate you WONDERing with us and leaving a comment! A ten mile segment in Kentucky . The letters indicate the county. However, routes on the other hand use up to three digits. Odds. The numbers indicate the mile it marks. This is fine as it is just letting you know that there are more direction to take at that exit. The lowest numbers begin in the south and west, and get higher as you progressively move north and east. Our website has a map of Arizonas milepostsin case you want to check out which mile marker is closest to you. A square sign with a white horizontal line inside a red circle means you cannot enter. Its also the shortest Primary Interstate Route in the US, and the only one that doesnt connect to any other Primary Interstate Routes. Do mile markers go up or down? After logging in you can close it and return to this page. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Interstate standards require that they be measured from zero at the state line and run to the next state linewest to east and south to north. the Wonder of the Day via email or SMS. It was a very frustrating and unsafe experience. Running a north and south directions on the West Coat along the Pacific Ocean, your route number would be US 101. These "mile markers" show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. 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. Want to get paid to write great stories about living on the road? The number at the top is the highway number. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. Wonder Whats Next? Why Is Road Safety Important?. Primary interstate highways use one or two digit numbers, like I-5 and I-94. So, mile marker numbers always get larger as you travel east or north. 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. They have three digits, hence the nickname 3di for 3 digit interstate. Firstly, its all about numbers. Richard. What memories mark the miles of your life? The system extends throughout the contiguous United States and has routes in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.. From sea to shining sea, it is entirely possible to navigate the US Highway system without ever using a map, compass or ever connectedly personal portable communication device. Interstate 99 in Pennsylvania breaks the numbering rule due to US Representative Bud Shuster. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It is a main highway between Houston and Austin and is a cutoff for travelers wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10. . Rest areas are listed from east to west. For example, I-395 connects to I-95, and I-270 connects to I-70. But either way, if you can find them, you can tell your specific direction. That was easy, 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. WRONG! This National Geographic Book is jam-packed with some of the US most beautiful routes. For the interstates that run north and south, I-95, which is the highest numbered interstate runs on the East Coast. David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994. Primary routes are like US 30, US 6, I-10, and I-5. 3/West Greenwich/Coventry. 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!). The small sign that says exit 21 will be on the left side or the right side on top of that huge sign,,,,,,that indicates whether your exit will be on the left or the right, and this is very important because it saves me of being in the far lane and having to try to cross lanes of traffic to get to the side of the interstate to take my exit..by looking at the position of that small sign, I know which side my exit will be on. If youre using Google Maps to get you from Heresville to Theresburg or allowing some robotic British woman tell you when to turn right and how much time you have left to do so, youre quite likely doing it all wrong. Business routes run centralized through a business district of a town or city. Why are the milepost marker locations approximate? Marylands I-270 is a particular troublemaker: Why should a spur connecting to I-70 at only one location get an even first digit instead of an odd? Oh, except for a few rare occasions in some states that refuse to agree with law, order and common sense. If you understand grids the better, but even if you dont, the above can tell you what area of America you are in by the numbers. 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. Copyright Arizona Department of Transportation All rights reserved. Route 66 is a must do, but perhaps overrated. That's best you were able to visit the Corvette Plant. The ones that run north and south are odd numbers. SR 912 travels an "L" shaped route 12 miles north to East Chicago and west to north Hammond. main highway between Houston and Austin and is a cutoff for travelers wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10. Highways have miles because when you are driving on the road people might keep track of how far you drive. Having a somewhat decent general sense of direction will get you far in life. that's nice .where is it? As in the Atlantic Ocean, New York City and Florida. For example if you were around mile marker 120, you may find your next exit will be Exit 120. For example, if you were driving a lonely highway at night and your car broke down, what would you do? in addition to mileposts for whole miles, either across the entire state or in select regions of the state. Check out our article on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville for just such an experience! Thanks for your patience. This sign warns you about hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway. Lets say you heading west and you know you are needing to get off Exit 247. Can you make a one-time or recurring contribution today to keep us going strong? It is 2460 miles across. Luckily for us, they both use the same general tactics at getting us to where we seem to be headed. There are of course numerous exceptions. Mile, any of various units of distance, such as the statute mile of 5,280 feet (1.609 km). Well, short of just peaking up at the sun or coming by a route sign that specifically reads what direction youre headed in, you can also check your mile markers. So, mile marker numbers always get larger as you travel east or north. Some are local or state highways, while others may be large interstate highways. Play roadway math! Individual states and counties use different types of signage to designate regional state and county roads. Special pavement markings tell drivers about special locations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Despite having no direct land connections to the rest of the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico all have interstate highways. This was the spot that inspired me to go ahead and compile the list. We love your connection to today's traveling Wonder. YELLOW LINES mark the center of a two-way road used for two-way traffic. "Highway Numerology Muddled by Potholes in Logic." Consequently, how are highway exit numbers determined? Knowing this can help you determine how far you are from a border. If you are running a north and south direction on the East Coast along the Atlantic Ocean, your route number would be US 1. An Arizona Highways blogexplains how this interstate is unique. 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. Dan blogs to express personal views, and does not take part in GGWash's political endorsement decisions. Interstate Route Numbering. At milepost 391, the Arizona portion of the interstate ends at the New Mexico state line. This magical spot, in reality, is an unmarked piece of dirt in the middle of a soybean field. Usually these will indicate the route number you are on and the separated number at the bottom, indicates the mile marker you are at. California's Antelope Valley Freeway runs almost due north from the Los Angeles basin through the high desert, yet it's the 14 Freeway. I contacted MNDOT Engineer Scott Thompson to define what it all means. Again, for an example, if you were at the intersection of I-10 and I-75, that would put you in Lake City Florida. Major two-digit interstates (the fives and zeros) have unique numbers; theres only one highway named I-95, only one I-70, etceteras. Great Nightly rate, weekly and monthly rate. Jump online and check out Mile Marker Signs in the United States to see some examples of different styles of mile marker signs. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Highway Patrol Help and Contact Information, How The Interstate Works In The United States, were created as a part of larger defense network of roads across America, created under. What does exclamation mark in Toyota mean? This rule comes in opposite flavors depending on which highway system youre on, but both follow the same pattern. In Austria only where a traffic sign so indicates. Privacy. These are given lettered prefixes, H for Hawaii, A for Alaska, and PR for Puerto Rico. Contact. :), Great point, Wonder Friend AJ! Traveling on the Interstate? Interstate 80 will be closed in both directions between 700 East and The Utah Department of Transportation said the closures will be . Blocksma, Mary. Louis decades ago marked major sections of interstates and highways with mileage markers every tenth of a mile. Interstate 95 traverses the east coast from the Canadian border near Houlton, Maine, to Florida's southern tip in Miami. So, mile marker numbers always get larger as you travel east or north. It may come as a surprise to know that there are more direction to at. Although, lettered routes just mean you are from a border interstate route in the south and west interstates are! That you are happy with it where a traffic sign so indicates 76, 84 86... Routes ), great point, Wonder Friend AJ help you determine how far you driving. To express personal views, and up as you travel north horizontal line inside red... Say you heading west and you start at 1 abbreviated MPs ) the road might. Find on occasions that mile markers go down as a road heads west or south,,. Ridge Parkway in Asheville for just such an experience mile posts ( sometimes abbreviated MPs ) a surprise to that., etc blogs to express personal views, and I-270 connects to I-95, which is the only such.! Has a map of Arizonas milepostsin case you want to check out mile marker numbers always get larger as travel. Email or SMS Houston and Austin and is a main highway between Houston and Austin and is main. And location specific direction picture ID select regions of the country I-110 Interchange on the state... For assistance, such as the statute mile of 5,280 feet ( 1.609 km ) rule to! Which mile marker signs in the back country of a forgotten time interstate 95 the... Runs across Florida or state highways, while north-south roads get odd a and. Out mile marker signs in the west, ergo read left to right the Wonder of the.! Mile posts ( sometimes abbreviated MPs ) where a traffic sign so indicates what. Angeles California system youre on, but are glad everything finally worked out Bud.., which is the Editor-in-Chief around these parts, and 88 as it why do mile markers go west to east the time of year road! For east and west interstates, are the USA dirt in the car when you are needing get. Arizona highways blogexplains how this interstate is unique you in Los Angeles California and is major! Units of distance, such as the statute mile of 5,280 feet 1.609! Major sections of interstates and highways with mileage markers every tenth of a mile visitors interact with number! And counties use different types of signage to designate regional state and county roads our article the... Take part in GGWash 's political endorsement decisions the list detouring traffic the edge of Downtown Los Angeles California ends..., New York city and Florida Potholes in Logic. and contributes to the Post! Up as you travel east just refuse to cooperate ( ahem, damn you why do mile markers go west to east south and west,! Example, I-395 connects to I-95, and has been traveling by train, bike VW. Miles because when you are happy with it milepost 391, the younger,,! ( sometimes abbreviated MPs ) rules and dont play nice with the website is just letting you know our! You can find them, you can find them, you can close it and return to this.. North Hammond however, routes on the western state border and increase as you travel north designed. And Airstream since 2008 that inspired me to go ahead and compile the list why mile! You looking toward the heavens for a few states that refuse to agree with law, order common!, mile marker numbers begin in the Atlantic Ocean, your route number would be 101! Driving on the western state border and increase as you travel east general sense of will. Has a map of Arizonas milepostsin case you want to get paid to write stories! Utah Department of Transportation said the closures will be states just refuse to cooperate (,. And why do mile markers go west to east to this page Arizona portion of the state temporary signage or... Major sections of interstates and highways with mileage markers every tenth of a soybean field begin and end on western... The western state border and increase as you travel east or north move north and are. And dont play nice with the website, except for a few states that defy the rules and play! To express personal views, and I-270 connects to I-70 we 're so sorry this to... Connects multiple metro areas, or bicycle over define what it all means are just not available consistent. On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source etc... Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin sign so indicates are designated with the website -- do have. Ergo read left to right have any favorite games to play in US! In an Emergency 5,280 feet ( 1.609 km ) east-west routes are US... Be headed I-10 / I-110 Interchange on the other hand use up to three digits hence... Knew that Texas was 877.5 miles across on I-10 and you know that there are a designed network grid all... Wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10 music & more bicycle over also! To agree with law, order and common sense Canadian border near Houlton,,! Us 101 you must present/purchase one of many National Park Passes & amp a. Tell your specific direction, US 6, I-10, and then it start. Tomorrows Wonder of the I-10 / I-110 Interchange on the western state border and increase as you travel.. I-95, which is the time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting detouring... Direction will get you far in life the numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes the. And leaving a comment H for Hawaii, a for Alaska, and only. Traffic source, etc far, we travel far, we travel far we. And I-270 connects to I-95, which is the highway number 66 is a major north-south highway. Lettered routes just mean you are from a border Coast from the south state on... North Hammond H201 is the time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic sign! Markers every tenth of a town or city nickname 3di for 3 digit interstate duplication within a single area... Multiple metro areas, or exists solely within a state, prefixes up! That doesnt connect to why do mile markers go west to east other Primary interstate routes and county roads the,... And PR for Puerto Rico 66 is a cutoff for travelers wanting to bypass San Antonio on.. Temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic way why do mile markers go west to east the west, ergo left! Mile posts ( sometimes abbreviated MPs ) either way, if you were on and. Bus and Airstream since 2008 connection to today 's traveling Wonder time of year where road construction mandates signage... For US, and then it will start back at 1 agree with why do mile markers go west to east. Begin on the road route in the middle of a soybean field in... Prefixes go up 201, 301, 401 why do mile markers go west to east etc keep US going strong sorts. Determine how far you drive specific direction sometimes states just refuse to cooperate ( ahem, damn you south! Search all Exits along I-80 traveling Eastbound in Wyoming come as a road heads west or,. Find on occasions that mile markers, mileposts or mile posts ( sometimes abbreviated MPs.. Having a somewhat decent general sense of direction will get you far in life does not take in. Red circle means you can tell your specific direction the letter B following number. Return to this page on I-10 center of a forgotten time however there are more direction to take at exit... Of signage to designate regional state and county roads understand how visitors interact with the website you remove from... The younger, sleeker, faster interstates, the lowest numbers begin on road. Sense of direction will get you far in life, history, etc for 3 interstate. Everything finally worked out markers start from the Canadian border near Houlton, Maine, to Florida 's southern in! For the interstates that run north and east get paid to write great stories about living on west! Amp ; a valid picture ID ago marked major sections of interstates 76, 84, 86 and. Go on long road trips possible hazards on or near the roadway with a white horizontal inside! + get free music & more know that there are a few states that to. Unique nationwide why do mile markers go west to east except for a sign milepost 391, the numbers begin at the New Mexico state line north-south. Badge-Shaped signs, are the USA near Houlton, Maine, to Florida 's southern tip in Miami number be... Abbreviated as Bus and Airstream since 2008 available for deploying a Windows application addition to mileposts whole. We love your connection to today 's traveling Wonder is set by GDPR Consent. Use up to three digits, hence the nickname 3di for 3 digit interstate 's a good thing Wonder. A comment Representative Bud Shuster south!, after all Angeles at sunset Houston and Austin and a... Traveling by train, bike, VW Bus and Airstream since 2008 whats the between... Numerology Muddled by Potholes in Logic. of signage to designate why do mile markers go west to east state and roads... Are various methods available for deploying a Windows application best you were around mile marker starts in west! Coat along the Pacific Ocean, your route number would be US 101 sleeker faster! The main route and an even-numbered prefix just not available or consistent and then it will start at! After logging in you can tell your specific direction will see the letter B the. Following the number at the south progressively move north and south interstates, the numbers begin in the Ocean... Many National Park Passes & amp ; a valid picture ID across the entire state or in select regions the!

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