What is the max distance for which "TO" should be used?

[webny99]

Here's a question that I'm sure people will have opinions on... or maybe there is even official guidance on the issue. How far away from a route should the "TO" banner for that route be used from a freeway exit or other intersecting road? 1/4 mile? 1 mile, or even longer?

[hotdogPi]

2 1/3 miles, reasonable:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.676771,-71.1518014,3a,75y,347.54h,90.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soEn6hagUgtw7SPl2j5bbFQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[webny99]

Yes, arguably it could be a much longer distance for interstates than state or US routes.

[sprjus4]

Here's 5 miles in North Carolina. The roadway leading to I-40 is official US-117 Connector and is not actually apart of US-117 mainline, it's sole purpose is to bring traffic to I-40. I'd say it's reasonable.

The southern end of that connector at I-40 also lists To I-795 which is about 23 miles north. Again, reasonable, as the US-117/I-795 combination operate as a single transportation corridor.

[kenarmy]

I think it depends on what kind of route. I don't think 3di's really need a limit, unless it's only touching the interstate it branched off of.

[NWI_Irish96]

I think up to 5 miles is reasonable, but if it's more than 1 mile, the exact distance should be posted at the end of the exit ramp so people don't turn around after a couple miles thinking they missed it.

[roadman65]

Well NJ now has implemented TO NJ 29 shields on pull through signage on all WB I-195 signs staring at the GSP, and TO NJ 138 shields on all EB I-195 pull through signs as well. I think NJDOT considers  I-195, NJ 29, and NJ 138 as one cross state corridor.

[paulthemapguy]

Before anyone decides on a set number, I can see more desolate areas, especially western states, using guide signs a long distance from the mentioned route.

[jmacswimmer]

I think it depends on the context of the "TO" in question.

For example: VA 207 "TO" US 301 at I-95 exit 104.  US 301 is 10 miles away via VA 207 (noted on the first mileage sign beyond I-95), but I think the "TO" is well-advised since at VA 207's terminus, US 301 takes over the physical roadway and continues straight (and much of this traffic originating at exit 104 is likely continuing straight towards the Nice Bridge, which even gets its own sign from I-95).  Based on this, I think the "TO" would still make sense even if the distance on VA 207 was longer.

Conversely, if VA 207 simply intersected US 301 10 miles away from I-95 and continued onward to some other destination?  Then the "TO" might not make as much sense.

[sprjus4]

I think it depends on the context of the "TO" in question.

For example: VA 207 "TO" US 301 at I-95 exit 104.  US 301 is 10 miles away via VA 207 (noted on the first mileage sign beyond I-95), but I think the "TO" is well-advised since at VA 207's terminus, US 301 takes over the physical roadway and continues straight (and much of this traffic originating at exit 104 is likely continuing straight towards the Nice Bridge, which even gets its own sign from I-95).  Based on this, I think the "TO" would still make sense even if the distance on VA 207 was longer.

Conversely, if VA 207 simply intersected US 301 10 miles away from I-95 and continued onward to some other destination?  Then the "TO" might not make as much sense.

In a sense, the VA-207 / US-301 situation is very similar to how US-117 Connector / US-117 works, except longer and with its own actual designation.

[andrepoiy]

In Niagara-On-The-Lake in Ontario, they have "To QEW" trailblazer signs 13 km (9 miles) away from the freeway, and I think it's a pretty valid use as it directs tourists back to the freeway from the town.

Here's a link to one within the town which is 13 km away: https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.2584299,-79.078056,3a,25.6y,304.3h,87.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syOoIo2PXggYDG2B0o1JnAQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

On another note, Highway 407 ETR has a lot of trailblazer signs everywhere. A lot of them are large signs and are placed far from the freeway. I'm guessing the company paid for these signs to get people to drive on it? I don't think it's as a valid use since it's rather useless and more like advertisements

[Roadgeekteen]

Depends on the context. For US and state routes, a couple of miles or less. For interstates, could be longer.

[sprjus4]

To I-95 in Dover, DE, about 45 miles south of I-95.

It's intention is to direct long distance traffic off of arterial US-13 and onto the DE-1 toll road.

[SectorZ]

What about when "to" isn't used, but implied, like the US-201 shield on A-73 at A-20 in Levis QB? That's 80 miles.

[jp the roadgeek]

Believe that there is a TO A-15 sign near Lake George, NY, at an entrance to I-87.  That would be about 120 miles south of the Canadian border.

[kphoger]

'TO' a major highway (such as a 2di or similar) as a wayfinder in a town or city:  up to several miles.

'TO' any highway as a wayfinder in a national park or similar:  as long as it needs to be.

'TO' a minor highway outside a national park or similar:  only up to a mile or two.

[ClassicHasClass]

Before anyone decides on a set number, I can see more desolate areas, especially western states, using guide signs a long distance from the mentioned route.

Case in point:

http://www.floodgap.com/roadgap/399/u5/#img_46 (This doesn't have a TO I-5, but it does have banners, showing 26 and 23 miles in each direction)
http://www.floodgap.com/roadgap/399/u6/#img_5 (Another example at the same intersection)
http://www.floodgap.com/roadgap/399/u6/#img_31 (30 miles)

[SkyPesos]

"TO OH 32" on the I-71 ramp to I-275 East. I-71 is exit 49 on I-275, and OH 32 is exit 63, so that's about 14 miles between them, which I find to be acceptable in this situation, as the "TO [Route]" signage sort of acts like a control city.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

The longest one I can think of in Minnesota is 20 miles. There's a TO MN 65 blazer in Hinckley.

[jmacswimmer]

From the south end of I-77: "TO I-95", some 53 miles away via I-26.  Probably an exception rather than the norm as far as this thread is concerned, but I think acceptable in this situation when considering long-haul traffic bound for FL.

[kphoger]

The longest one I can think of in Minnesota is 20 miles. There's a TO MN 65 blazer in Hinckley.

Strange.  I wonder if casino traffic was getting lost.

Looking around in Hinckley:
TO MN-48 / TO I-35 (0.6 miles)
TO WEST MN-23 / TO CH-18 (2.7 miles / 0.5 miles)
TO MN-65 (16.7 miles)

[webny99]

The longest one I can think of in Minnesota is 20 miles. There's a TO MN 65 blazer in Hinckley.

Strange.  I wonder if casino traffic was getting lost.

I think what's strange, if anything, is that Dahl Rd/300th Ave isn't on the state highway system. In a relative sense, it's a fairly significant connector, so it makes sense to point out that it takes you TO MN 65 if it's not going to be signed as anything else.

[GaryV]

What about when "to" isn't used, but implied, like the US-201 shield on A-73 at A-20 in Levis QB? That's 80 miles.

Same thing happens down the road at Saint-Georges where A-73 ends.

Perhaps it's because the French word for "to" is "à" which if capitalized could look too much like the A for Autoroute?

[SectorZ]

New Hampshire uses lots of "to interstate XX" signage at intersections that aren't super close to the interstate.

Twin Mountain at the US 3/302 junction, US 3 south and US 302 west have signage directing to each direction of 93, https://goo.gl/maps/oFZoCTwzk8YzJckY7

Meredith at US 3/NH 104 to I-93, https://goo.gl/maps/Gxe18P4L4TpdWaXt7

A long time ago, pre-streetview, this intersection in Rumney at NH 25/118 used to have "to 89" signage with 118 south (over 25 miles from 89), https://goo.gl/maps/dWxu5vMh9DPEvNWDA

I also can't recall where right now, but there is/was some signage directing to I-91 in Vermont within New Hampshire as well. Like the one in 118 to 89, I think some have been removed over time.

Edit: typo

[TheHighwayMan3561]

There was this, at JCT I-84/86 in Idaho.