States that suck at signing

[Max Rockatansky]

Surprised CT hasn't been mentioned yet.  Absolutely horrible in comparison to MA and NY, who put mile markers and reference route signs on all state maintained highway.  The section of I-84 I drive on often through Greater Hartford has so many missing mileposts, and many of the ones there are illegible. Also, CT (except in one spot), does not label the beginning and endpoints of state routs like most states do.  But the thing that sucks the most: reflective button copy signs that are grossly outdated like this one:

Pretty much every sign in Connecticut is hideous:



The state route marker design is probably the ugliest in the entire country.  There are frequent cheapo wooden signs posted all over the place like the ones above in my own little collection.  The wear isn't worse than elsewhere they just appear that way due to the signage being posted far longer than it should be.

[hbelkins]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

[billpa]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Speaking of WV, I think they have some of the best signage, especially when it comes to marking side roads off of state highways.

SM-T230NU

[cl94]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Funny, the only state I've spent a lot of time on the surface in that doesn't sign them is Massachusetts. In addition to the states already mentioned, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont sign ends pretty consistently.

[jp the roadgeek]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Funny, the only state I've spent a lot of time on the surface in that doesn't sign them is Massachusetts. In addition to the states already mentioned, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont sign ends pretty consistently.

MA has started the practice now, especially along interstates:

https://goo.gl/maps/RQ75LMsF2S42  (END I-84)
https://goo.gl/maps/6MAt4pe5JXE2 (BEGIN I-84)


https://goo.gl/maps/JEuLrfp8gcJ2 (END MA 21, but interesting, no mention of END MA 141 which also ends here)
MA 57 at the Agawam rotary: https://goo.gl/maps/ZFg9mJLctaQ2

[cl94]

I thought I had seen end assemblies in Massachusetts, just couldn't find any on GSV

[Buck87]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

I seem to recall Colorado was not good at end signage.

[cpzilliacus]

No mention of the District of Columbia (for the purposes of highways and transportation, D.C. is a state).

It is not possible to follow any of the U.S. routes that cross D.C. (U.S. 1; U.S. 29; and U.S. 50) or the one  bannered route that has a terminus in D.C. (Alternate U.S. 1) without an accurate map or GPS. 

There are a few reassurance markers, but the turns that these routes make are all unsigned (and Alternate U.S. 1 (with one incorrect exception) is not signed at all in D.C.).

[SidS1045]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Funny, the only state I've spent a lot of time on the surface in that doesn't sign them is Massachusetts. In addition to the states already mentioned, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont sign ends pretty consistently.

MA has started the practice now, especially along interstates:

https://goo.gl/maps/RQ75LMsF2S42  (END I-84)
https://goo.gl/maps/6MAt4pe5JXE2 (BEGIN I-84)


https://goo.gl/maps/JEuLrfp8gcJ2 (END MA 21, but interesting, no mention of END MA 141 which also ends here)
MA 57 at the Agawam rotary: https://goo.gl/maps/ZFg9mJLctaQ2

There are at least two END 128 signs:  One right before the MA 127 junction in Gloucester (shown on 128's Wikipedia page) and the other at the I-95/I-93 junction in Canton.  At the latter point there is also a BEGIN 128 sign.

[Alex]

Delaware certainly falls within this category. The state is good for inconsistent signage, carbon copies of carbon copies, using non-standard logos for a variety of things, etc.

Just finished posting all of the photos I took from my drive across Sussex County last month. Some examples of poor signing:



U.S. 13 south at U.S. 9, this is the lone shield. No JCT assembly.

Approaching Delaware 5 on Delaware 24 east, you get this hanging JCT assembly and nothing else. Then a trailblazer for Delaware 5 afterwards.



Delaware 5 and 23 overlap southward to Delaware 23, where they split. Delaware 5 turns west on Delaware 24, while Delaware 23 continues south to Masseys Landing. You would not know that based upon signage:



Delaware 20 west approaches U.S. 9. This is the lone assembly posted. No west/east shields, no confirming marker for Delaware 20 after wards.



Next Left / Next Right, x3


2001

2004

2012

Beaches...

Delaware 26 east at the merge with Delaware 20


These lifeguard tower trailblazers are all over the state, but this was the first time I found it as a stand alone assembly.

[roadman]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Funny, the only state I've spent a lot of time on the surface in that doesn't sign them is Massachusetts. In addition to the states already mentioned, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont sign ends pretty consistently.

MA has started the practice now, especially along interstates:

https://goo.gl/maps/RQ75LMsF2S42  (END I-84)
https://goo.gl/maps/6MAt4pe5JXE2 (BEGIN I-84)


https://goo.gl/maps/JEuLrfp8gcJ2 (END MA 21, but interesting, no mention of END MA 141 which also ends here)
MA 57 at the Agawam rotary: https://goo.gl/maps/ZFg9mJLctaQ2

Actually, Massachusetts began providing END markers, also advance ENDS 1 1/2 MILE signs, on their Interstates and freeways in 2004, at the same time they installed a large number of post-interchange distance signs.  The markers and signs were installed at the request of then Governor Romney.

[dvferyance]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Actually I have found Illinois to be very consistent in signing the ends of their highways. In fact even more so than Wisconsin becasue Wisconsin typically doesn't sign the end of a highway at a state line Illinois usually does. I think your right on Virginia as I saw both ends of VA-122 and the southern end of VA-116 as well as a couple others not one end sign anywhere.

[index]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Speaking of WV, I think they have some of the best signage, especially when it comes to marking side roads off of state highways.

SM-T230NU

Signage along WV-72 (or does WV use SR for their state roads) is very good, especially for a one lane state highway through the middle of nowhere. All county routes, and what I believe are national forest routes are also signed. The ridiculously narrow gravel pathways to homes are signed if they have a name.

[thenetwork]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Michigan says "Hi".

[thenetwork]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

There USED to be...

[hotdogPi]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Michigan says "Hi".

TIL Michigan touches Kentucky

[roadman65]

New Jersey was one of them, but got better in the late 1990's at it. However in some places they still suck at signing like for NJ 27 on US 22, and even NJ 27 from NJ 21.  I have not been to Wildwood in a long time, but I will guess NJ 47 is not signed from the main N-S thoroughfares.

Although, not a state, but DC had been in the department of scarce to none for its three US routes for a while.  I even heard some shields were removed and never replaced with new ones including that erroneous Interstate US 50 shields on NW 14th Street near the Washington Mall that used to direct motorists on NB US 1 to US 50 West being no direct left turns allowed at Constitution Avenue.

[Buck87]

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

There USED to be...

That intersection was recently redone as part of the overall US 250 project in Sandusky and Perkins Township, and now has new signals and signage. 

[sparker]

Of the three Pacific Coast (non-AK) states, the most consistent and well-placed signage would have to be in Washington.  Junctions, even in urban areas, have readily visible trailblazers that seem to be always in good condition.  Oregon's in 2nd place; while rural signage is still quite good (I'd give it a B+), urban signage tends to be spotty (e.g., US 26 from the Ross Island Bridge to the tunnels).  ODOT doesn't seem to be terribly interested in maintaining through routes in the PDX area -- an attitude echoed by Portland itself. 

California is positioning itself as the Atlanta Falcons of the world of state signage -- they came out strong in the beginning, but started their downslide in the '90's, and seemed to lose interest in anything they couldn't put on a freeway BGS after the turn of the century.  I'm sure money (or the lack thereof) has a lot to do with it; signage is likely well down Caltrans' priority list, and enforcing post-relinquishment continuity requirements is even closer to the bottom of that list.  The bottom line is -- just make sure your GPS is working properly when in CA!

[jakeroot]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Michigan says "Hi".

You should cut out the second sentence in your quote of HB. You're replying to sentence one, but syntax suggests that you're replying to sentence two (and suggesting that Michigan neighbours Kentucky).

[wanderer2575]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

There USED to be...

I took this photo almost exactly a year ago -- it's gone now?!

[Scott5114]

More OK:

now how the fuck do you do that?

Sounds like someone hasn't been to Craig County.

[Buck87]

I don't think most states sign the ends of highways. The first time I ever saw the practice was in West Virginia. To me it seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Kentucky doesn't, and neither do our neighbors Virginia, Tennessee or Missouri. I don't think Illinois does it consistently. Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia are the only neighboring states that do it on a statewide basis.

Interesting, I'm so used to seeing them I never would have thought of it as being something that's somewhat rare. Ohio does do a good job posting route end signs, though I didn't notice the other day that there isn't one at US 250's end at US 6 in Sandusky. 

There USED to be...

I took this photo almost exactly a year ago -- it's gone now?!

Yeah, it's gone now...

[WillWeaverRVA]

More OK:

now how the fuck do you do that?

Sounds like someone hasn't been to Craig County.

Apparently the sign for Mayes County isn't much better.