Highway Gothic or Clearview?
Debuted in recent years, Clearview font is sweeping the nations highway signs into a new era of type. Featuring a larger lettering scheme with thinner curves and lines, Clearview's creators contest an increased legibility over the decades-old Highway Gothic. FHWA agreed and approved it for use on the nation's highways, with Pennsylvania leading the charge with a full commitment to the implementation of the font in all signing projects state-wide.
The following list is by no means a complete listing and will be updated as observations are made in the field or written in to us. Drop us a note if you view Clearview font in any of the states listed as "no" below. Some of the information below comes from the FHWA MUTCD List of Authorized Requests for Interim Approval. While the font may be approved in the states listed, implementation of the new signs may not have occurred.
For even more on the Clearview phenomenon, see the New York Times article "The Road to Clarity" and The Clearview thread on the AARoads Forum.
Updates (06-17-11): Added entry for Alberta, and added changes to various states' use of Clearview from feedback on the AARoads forum, an email related to the Indiana East-West Toll Road and from recent observations in Wisconsin. Yellow now refers to some instances, but not state-wide usage. Noted local usages in Indiana and Tennessee.
| State |
Used and where |
| Alabama |
Yes, statewide |
| Alaska |
Yes |
| Alberta |
Yes, since 2007 |
| Arizona |
Yes, statewide |
| Arkansas |
Yes, statewide |
| California |
No, though a few exceptions are found: I-5 in Orange County, city street signs |
| Colorado |
No, but used in Colorado Springs |
| Connecticut |
No, the font used on new Merritt Parkway assemblies is similar but not Clearview |
| Delaware |
Yes, statewide |
| Florida |
Yes, but only on OOCEA Roads |
| Georgia |
No |
| Hawaii |
Yes |
| Idaho |
Yes |
| Illinois |
Yes, statewide |
| Indiana |
Yes, but only on the Indiana Toll Road and also street signs in the Plainfield area. |
| Iowa |
Yes, statewide |
| Kansas |
Yes, KTA |
| Kentucky |
Yes, statewide |
| Louisiana |
Yes |
| Maine |
No |
| Maryland |
Yes, statewide |
| Massachusetts |
No |
| Michigan |
Yes, statewide |
| Minnesota |
No |
| Mississippi |
No |
| Missouri |
Yes, KC loop, I-70 in Kansas City, and on street signs in Kirkwood. |
| Montana |
No |
| Nebraska |
No |
| Nevada |
Yes, US 395 in Reno |
| New Brunswick |
No |
| New Hampshire |
No |
| New Jersey |
Yes, Somerset and Union County, but only on county roads. I-676 |
| New York |
Yes, New York State Thruway, NYCDOT, and Westchester County DPW |
| New Mexico |
No |
| North Carolina |
No |
| North Dakota |
Yes, statewide |
| Nova Scotia |
Yes |
| Ohio |
Yes, varies by district |
| Oklahoma |
Yes, statewide |
| Oregon |
No |
| Ontario |
Yes |
| Pennsylvania |
Yes, statewide |
| Prince Edward Island |
No |
| Rhode Island |
No |
| Quebec |
Yes |
| South Carolina |
Yes |
| South Dakota |
Yes |
| Tennessee |
No, but used by the city of Franklin. |
| Texas |
Yes, statewide |
| Utah |
Yes, only on Legacy Parkway |
| Vermont |
Yes |
| Virginia |
Yes, statewide |
| Washington |
No, except for the city of Kennewick |
| Washington, DC |
No |
| West Virginia |
Yes |
| Wisconsin |
Yes, only on Madison Beltline |
| Wyoming |
Yes |
Page Updated June 17, 2011.
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