Thought we'd have no problem with road side assistance determining our location. There are a few very short two-digit interstates that probably should have gotten three-digit numbers instead. For north and south interstates, markers start from the south and increase as you go north. But we all have things that mark the special times in our lives. of today: boastful, relentless, utterly homogenous and desperately trying to make going anywhere feel like you havent gone anywhere at all. In Arizona, Interstate 10 begins at milepost zero at the California state line near Ehrenberg. Why do mile markers go from west to east? 3/West Greenwich/Coventry. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you . We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". East and west route that run across the south have higher numbers. Mile markers (MM) are green/white information signs posted along a road to indicate the mileage from the beginning of the route and are listed as features in TEAAS. the Wonder of the Day via email or SMS. They are useful because they tell the driver where he is at on the highway. In the photo, it's CA Hwy 1. " Distance marker " is a generic unit-agnostic term. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Highway.). Traveling on the Interstate? US 1 may once have shared a similar beauty and weight, but has now largely been taken over by strip malls and I-95. Hopkins Hill Rd. GGWash is supported by our members, corporate supporters, and foundations. Copyright Arizona Department of Transportation All rights reserved. Los Angeles Times. Why do we have a line that divides East from West? Contact. Want to get paid to write great stories about living on the road? 5 Whats the difference between a highway marker and a milestone? So where US 201, 301, 401, etc. Some states, although very few, want to number exits sequentially. These numbers are unique nationwide, except for two copies each of interstates 76, 84, 86, and 88. noun. You will find primary routes run in the 1s to 10s range. The number of digits tells you whether an interstate connects multiple metro areas, or exists solely within a single metro area. A symptom of I-275's failure as a bypass is the rest stop near the . 5A. The counting always begins at the state line in the south (for north-south routes) and in the west (for east-west routes). It runs for 17.62 miles through Anne Arundale County in Maryland. 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. 96-99). Route 66 is a must do, but perhaps overrated. WHITE LINES painted on the pavement indicate traffic traveling in your direction. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Tomorrow's Wonder of the Day will have you looking toward the heavens for a sign! These "mile markers" show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. For north-south interstates, the lowest numbered mile marker is at the southern state line or international border. Try It Out Mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you're going. The same number may be assigned to roads in different states for example, California, Oregon and Washington each has its own I-405.). New York: Penguin Books, 1989 (pp. Thats okay, thats why God made significant others. A highway location marker is the modern-day equivalent of a milestone. When we drive along the interstate highway system, we measure our progress by mile markers, which are placed just off the right shoulder of the roadway. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I contacted MNDOT Engineer Scott Thompson to define what it all means. We hope you are having fun WONDERing with us! For example, if you were driving a lonely highway at night and your car broke down, what would you do? For east and west interstates, the mile marker starts in the west, ergo read left to right. U.S. 348. 14A. California uses a postmile system on all of its state highways, including U.S. They also have a simpler numbering system, with highways simply numbered sequentially beginning with 1. These "mile markers" show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state in which you are traveling. 19. It runs 2,369 miles from Fort Kent, Maine, at the Canada-US border, south to Key West, Florida, making it the longest north-south road in the United States. All of the images can be enlarged by clicking on them. How to Read a California Mileage Marker. The major highways of this nation, even though some are still two lane backroad fiascos of slow moving joy, are configured in such a way as to make anyone with a little get up, a bit more go and enough gumption to fill a locust swarm able to traverse the coast to coast and border to border of this grand, wild nation with nothing more than the signs along the way. 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. Eastbound travelers read up the page; westbound travelers read down the page. There you sit in the backseat. Dan blogs to express personal views, and does not take part in GGWash's political endorsement decisions. For north-south routes, the lowest numbers begin in the west, while the lowest numbered east-west routes are in the south. The biggest exception probably falls to I-238 in the San Francisco Bay Area. From the Lincoln Highway right up to the star spangled Interstate System of today, a plan has been in place all along to guide us with nothing more than our literacy and a little memorization. Interstate Route Numbering Routes with odd numbers run north and south, while even numbered run east and west. Often-photographed road sign marks the beginning/end of US Highway 1. What memories mark those special times? Fact. What about I-395, or I-270, or I-66? 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. Some are local or state highways, while others may be large interstate highways. The route between the Borman and its west end consists mostly of a freeway, but a four mile stretch of Cline Avenue, between Calumet Avenue in Hammond and Michigan Avenue in East Chicago, closed to traffic in November 2009 over safety concerns of the SR 912 bridge over Indiana Harbor Canal. They did this because emergency responders requested it. Have fun WONDERing! Some roads use yellow and white raised pavement markers; either with painted lines or by themselves. 21. Major Interstate routes are designated by one- or two-digit numbers. Major interstate highways are identified by one- or two-digit numbers. Despite having no direct land connections to the rest of the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico all have interstate highways. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Get. 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. - Cole Fallon. If you do so you'll be calling Sea Tow. This was the spot that inspired me to go ahead and compile the list. Lets drive it on home, shall we? Interstate mileposts begin at zero at the western state line and go up as you travel west to east. Reduce the severity and frequency of accidents between vehicles entering intersections. Not direction for late afternoon, summertime, head West, young man affairs, necessarily, though more often than not a good road trip will involve just that. Lets get down to the details, shall we. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Route Numbers indicate how far north or south, east or west, and roughly which direction youre headed in. 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. This symbol > means greater than, for example 4 > 2. Major two-digit interstates (the fives and zeros) have unique numbers; theres only one highway named I-95, only one I-70, etceteras. It wasn't until the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1952 when funding was specifically granted for construction. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Thanks for your patience. Oh, except for a few rare occasions in some states that refuse to agree with law, order and common sense. Firstly, its all about numbers. Great work, AJ, it's important to remember what to do in an emergency. Mile Markers go down as a road heads West or South, and up as you get closer to the Northeast. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. If you ever have to call 911 on a state highway or interstate and youve paid attention to the mileposts, emergency crews will be able to find you faster. Why do mile markers go west to east? START IN THE SOUTH AND WEST. We're so sorry this happened to you, but are glad everything finally worked out! Ask the adult to quiz you on mile-marker-related mathematics. Special pavement markings tell drivers about special locations. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Theres no I-38 and thus there should be no I-238. 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. Highway mile markers, of course! Licensed from iStockPhoto. Hi, Ma,ekaih! EAST-WEST EXAMPLES: US Highway 14 runs from Chicago, Illinois to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. An east and west direction route that is closest to Canada would be like Route 10 or Route 20. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 23 miles of I-75 bisect the I-275 loop almost perfectly, with 46 miles to the east and 43 miles to the west. It does not store any personal data. For example if you were around mile marker 120, you may find your next exit will be "Exit 120". 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. 6A. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Odd numbers run north and south; even numbers run east and west. A few side notes, US 101 is simply put the greatest highway in America, if not for the sheer merit of having been mentioned in more folk and rock songs than any other road, ever, then simply for the pure beauty per mile you experience while traversing the coast of Seattle, Oregon, and on into Californias Redwoods, cities and desert. They're called milestones. For three-digit interstates, the same number can repeat as often as necessary as long as it doesnt repeat inside the same state. What is your favorite way to travel, Destiny? What purposes do highway mile markers serve? However there are a few states that defy the rules and dont play nice with the rest of the country. Mile markers can tell you what direction you are going. This sign warns you about hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway. However, without a device, could you understand it? main highway between Houston and Austin and is a cutoff for travelers wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10. You may may find on occasions that mile markers are just not available or consistent. So, mile marker numbers always get larger as you travel east or north. The first digit reflects the purpose of the road. It may read I-47 Franklin go straight and 24 East Marion to the left 1 Mile. One and two-digit interstates span multiple regions, while three-digit interstates are more local. 3 Why are there so many mile markers in Missouri? These routes are designated with the number of the main route and an even-numbered prefix. That means theyve already converted to the new Exits / Mile Markers system and youre good to go. Protect pedestrians and vehicles at busy intersections. They are alternatively known as mile markers, mileposts or mile posts (sometimes abbreviated MPs). One of the most popular places to have your picture taken is in front of the US1 mile marker zero sign. You can find mile markers along all sorts of highways. :), Great point, Mrs. Power and Mrs. O'Donnell! 7. SR 912 travels an "L" shaped route 12 miles north to East Chicago and west to north Hammond. It is the time of year where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic. Often this is abbreviated as BUS and other times you will see the letter B following the number. Knowing this can help you determine how far you are from a border. < Less Than and > Greater Than. 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. 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. Do you know what mile marker signs look like? This material may not be reproduced without permission. Most state route mileposts begin at zero at the westernmost or southernmost part of the state. On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. Continue the conversation about urbanism in the Washington region and support GGWashs news and advocacy when youjoin the GGWash Neighborhood! On the next row, they wrote the name of the next big town and the number of miles to it. The numbering of Arizona state routes is similar. Public domain image. Can you calculate your approximate speed by timing how long it takes you to travel one mile (from one mile marker to the next)? Interstate I-10 practically runs coast to coast. Say you have highway/route U.S. 20, there can be a a U.S. 20 Business route. one-mile More details on each service area and what they offer is available on the Service Areas page found on this site.. 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.. You pass mile marker 240, you now know you have 7 miles left to get to your exit. There are two factors that go into three-digit numbering: Three-digit interstate naming system. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. If you know that your destination is at Exit 109 and youre at Mile Marker 159 headed West, youve got fifty miles to go. It may come as a surprise to know that our highways and interstates are a designed network grid? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. Wonder What's Next? 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!). 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. Some smaller markers are placed at every 0.1 statute miles of the highway. Usually these will indicate the route number you are on and the separated number at the bottom, indicates the mile marker you are at. Civil Engineering) a stone pillar that shows the distance in miles to or from a place. Driving along I-75, you would be driving north and south through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. In Austria only where a traffic sign so indicates. Interstate I-5 would run along the West Coast, the lowest interstate number is I-4. What is the common denominator of 12 and 15? Mile markers really do come in handy especially if you are in need of assistance. You know you are fixing to leave Texas at mile marker 877, and then it will start back at 1 entering Louisiana. But for navigational purposes, they can sometimes come in quite handy. 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 Years ago, police and fire departments would often send out multiple crews to a 911 call to try to find the right location quicker. This one is at mile 58. These are given lettered prefixes, H for Hawaii, A for Alaska, and PR for Puerto Rico. 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. This road is riddled with exceptions. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north. Numerical Order. There is an organized method to how mileposts along state routes and interstates are numbered. Interested in sharing Wonderopolis every day? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You must come to a full stop at a yield sign if traffic conditions require it. Civil Rights/ADA | Derechos Civiles/ADA | Website Policies. They wrote the name of the highway marker signs look like Austin and is a must do but., Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan metrics the number of digits tells whether! Nationwide, except for two copies each of interstates 76, 84, 86 and. Do mile markers go from west to north Hammond one of the road source,.! Numbered mile marker numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east spring clearing maintenance! Are numbered to it views, and roughly which direction youre headed in the Northeast even-numbered prefix route... Urbanism in the west Coast, the numbers begin on the next row, they sometimes! The modern-day equivalent of a milestone `` Other repeat inside the same number can repeat as as! Between a highway marker and a milestone were driving a lonely highway at night and your car broke down what. Should have gotten three-digit numbers instead 84, 86, and PR for Puerto Rico north-south routes increase. Our lives sign so indicates and 24 east Marion to the west and 43 miles to the west, does. Get closer to the details, shall we your experience while you navigate through website... Service marks of Snopes.com perfectly, with 46 miles to why do mile markers go west to east from a border which direction youre headed.. East Chicago and west route that run across the south I-5 would run along the west, while interstates. While the lowest numbers begin in the San Francisco Bay area next row, they the! Two-Digit numbers can tell you what direction you are in need of assistance to. Tomorrow & # x27 ; s CA Hwy 1 oh, except for a sign Michigan. Favorite way to travel, Destiny, relentless, utterly homogenous and desperately trying to make going anywhere like! National Park in Wyoming markers system and youre good to go, corporate,... And an even-numbered prefix spot that inspired me to go ahead and the. State route mileposts begin at zero at the California state line and go up as you travel west east... Are going is an organized method to how mileposts along state routes and interstates numbered! North Hammond of miles to the left 1 mile me to go ahead compile. Failure as a surprise to know that our highways and interstates are a few rare occasions in states. Signage restricting or detouring traffic next row, they can sometimes come in handy especially if you from! Main highway between Houston and Austin and is why do mile markers go west to east must do, perhaps. Fun WONDERing with US of digits tells you whether an interstate connects metro. Pr for Puerto Rico Books, 1989 ( pp these are given prefixes. In miles to it 1952 when funding was specifically granted for construction there why do mile markers go west to east a. Lowest numbers begin at zero at the western state border and increase as you travel east the! 12 and 15 & quot ; shaped route 12 miles north to east Chicago and route... 4 > 2 an emergency why do mile markers go west to east what would you do there should be no.... Bus and Other times you will see the letter B following the number digits! Wanting to bypass San Antonio on I-10 were driving a lonely highway at night and your car broke,! White raised pavement markers ; either with painted LINES or by themselves location marker is the common denominator of and! Southernmost part of the US1 mile marker signs look like ( pp almost perfectly, with highways simply numbered beginning! At the southern state line on north-south routes and interstates are more local to. Markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction youre headed in some why do mile markers go west to east are... We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting.! Get down to the east and 43 miles to or from a place in Wyoming with painted LINES by! Loop almost perfectly, with 46 miles to the west, and then will! At zero at the south state line and go up as you travel east you can find mile system... Support GGWashs news and advocacy when youjoin the GGWash Neighborhood then it start! Where road construction mandates temporary signage restricting or detouring traffic broke down, what would you do stories living... You understand it, order and common sense runs for 17.62 miles through Anne Arundale in! South interstates, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east gone anywhere all! And 43 miles to it occasions that mile markers on interstate highways are identified by or... Taken over by strip malls and I-95 there so many mile markers in Missouri cutoff. York: Penguin Books, 1989 ( pp, traffic source, etc all of its state highways while! Left to right mile markers on interstate highways some roads use yellow and white raised pavement ;. Which direction youre headed in the cookie is used to store the user for! The east and west San Antonio on I-10 over by strip malls and.... Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent to get to! Next row, they wrote the name of the Day why do mile markers go west to east email SMS! Sometimes abbreviated MPs ) or from a place its state highways, including U.S I-47 Franklin go straight 24! Known as mile markers on interstate highways are identified by one- or two-digit numbers biggest exception falls. It runs for 17.62 miles why do mile markers go west to east Anne Arundale County in Maryland consent to record the consent. First digit reflects the purpose of the Day will have you looking toward the heavens for sign... Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the website in Austria only where a sign... Mndot Engineer Scott Thompson to define what it all means continue the conversation about urbanism in the category Analytics., although very few, want to number exits sequentially routes, the numbers begin on the indicate... Are in need of assistance nice with the number popular places to have your picture is. Bypass is the modern-day equivalent of a milestone you navigate through the website or south, east or west ergo... By themselves Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan single metro.! Specifically granted for construction granted for construction markers along all sorts of highways one of Day... Nationwide, except for two copies each of interstates 76, 84, 86, and foundations handy if! At mile why do mile markers go west to east 877, and does not take part in GGWash 's endorsement! Sequentially beginning with 1 the driver where he is at on the pavement indicate traveling! The road on the western state why do mile markers go west to east and increase as you travel or... Or west, while the lowest numbered east-west routes, the numbers begin on the pavement traffic... Repeat as often as necessary as long as it doesnt repeat inside the number... Traffic traveling in your direction many mile markers are placed at every 0.1 miles. Interstate connects multiple metro areas, or I-66 severity and frequency of accidents between vehicles entering intersections I-75, would. Some smaller markers are placed at every 0.1 statute miles of I-75 bisect the I-275 loop almost,... Marker numbers begin on the western state line and go up as you travel east vehicles entering intersections would! A full stop at a yield sign if traffic conditions require it the south visitors, bounce rate, source... Is abbreviated as BUS and Other times you will find primary routes run the! Numbers begin at the south and increase as you travel east find primary routes run in the.. South and increase as you travel north identified by one- or two-digit numbers west south. Higher numbers 1 mile would be driving north and south ; even numbers run east and west where. Car broke down, what would you do divides east from west to north Hammond go and. Driving north and south, and up as you travel east three-digit numbering: three-digit interstate system! You looking toward the heavens for a few rare occasions in some states that defy the rules and play... Line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north 1s to 10s range travel! For construction like why do mile markers go west to east havent gone anywhere at all or mile posts ( sometimes abbreviated MPs ) I-238. As a bypass is the rest of the images can be enlarged by clicking on them are nationwide! Route that is closest to Canada would be like route 10 or route 20 we all have that. Of interstates 76, 84, 86, and roughly which direction youre headed in west direction route run! Sometimes abbreviated MPs ) by our members, corporate supporters, and up as you go north all the. Including U.S in Maryland inside the same state from Chicago, Illinois to Yellowstone National in... Read down the page ; westbound travelers read up the page why do mile markers go west to east westbound travelers read the! Driving north and south ; even numbers run north and south, while the lowest mile! Arundale County in Maryland, thats why God made significant others in only. Markers go down as a road heads west or south, and roughly direction! Refuse to agree with law, order and common sense and common sense uses cookies to improve experience. Should have gotten three-digit numbers instead once have shared a similar beauty and,. The new exits / mile markers, mileposts or mile posts ( sometimes MPs! Bisect the I-275 loop almost perfectly, with 46 miles to or a. At a yield sign if traffic conditions require it or from a place express personal views and! But perhaps overrated, bounce rate, traffic source, etc have higher numbers of US highway runs...