Favorite state route shields?

[bjrush]

AR 980 (Airport Road) is the most enjoyable state shield, and stands out.e

[codyg1985]

As with a lot of people, I am biased towards my home state. Alabama's route shield is simple yet effective in communicating that it is a state highway. If the state outline has to be modified in order to make the numbers fit, I don't think that is a big deal. Legibility is more important. I like other states that use the state outline.

Tennessee is weird with their shield being a 3di shield for every number (including a single number). It is easy to read, but it also looks funny. I still like it better than states with circles or squares.

[mjb2002]

My home state shield (South Carolina) would rank near the top, but below North Carolina's. The simplicity of the shield (by making all shields three digits) cuts down on cost.

[hbelkins]

My home state shield (South Carolina) would rank near the top, but below North Carolina's. The simplicity of the shield (by making all shields three digits) cuts down on cost.

But then they use blue-on-white directional plates the same width as those three-digit-size route markers, with a corresponding proportional increase in height; whereas three-digit US routes get the same black-on-white directional banners as two-digit routes.

[achilles765]

Home state bias here. 

Texas, I've long thought, should swap its state highway shields with the design it uses for Farm Roads.  (Plus using a Texas cutout on BGS displays would be cool.  I don't like how FM routes are a box on the BGS, but then have the cool state shape when you see a marker)

I agree actually.  I have always found it odd that the state shape is reserved for secondary routes while the main routes have a boring white square that say "288 Texas," with the state name under the number.  I like our FM route shields though and I always have liked my home state, Louisiana's, shields as well.  I am not a fan of the new black version. 

[agentsteel53]

Home state bias here. 

Texas, I've long thought, should swap its state highway shields with the design it uses for Farm Roads.  (Plus using a Texas cutout on BGS displays would be cool.  I don't like how FM routes are a box on the BGS, but then have the cool state shape when you see a marker)

I agree actually.  I have always found it odd that the state shape is reserved for secondary routes while the main routes have a boring white square that say "288 Texas," with the state name under the number.  I like our FM route shields though and I always have liked my home state, Louisiana's, shields as well.  I am not a fan of the new black version.

I think the reason for having boring state shields is to accommodate larger numbers. 

[ap70621]

I think Pennsylvania's keystone is one of my favorites. I also like New York's shield however I think they need to pick one version of it and stick with it. Can't say I care much for my home state of New Jersey's though.

[Quillz]

I like California's because of the shape and color. I like the shape of New York's, although I'd prefer it to be a cutout.

[SteveG1988]

I know it is basic, but i like the simple to read circular state shield with a black square behind it, NJ uses that style, and i like it. Simple to read, and since DE uses just the circle, easy to tell the two states apart.

[DandyDan]

I probably have home state bias as well, as I like Nebraska's wagon in trapezoid.  I'm surprised no one came up with using a trapezoid before Nebraska did.

I also like Kansas's and Minnesota's.  I like the state outline ones as well in general, but Arizona could have done theirs without turning their curvy borders into straight lines.

The worst are Illinois and Indiana, at least amongst states I've been to.

[vdeane]

I have home state bias myself.  My favorites are NY, PA, and ON.

I know it is basic, but i like the simple to read circular state shield with a black square behind it, NJ uses that style, and i like it. Simple to read, and since DE uses just the circle, easy to tell the two states apart.

Actually, this is NJ guide sign quirkyness rather than a difference in shield.  NJ doesn't use cutout shields for non-interstates on guide signs.  If you look at a reassurance shield in DE you'll see that they're actually the same (or when a NJ state highway is signed by an agency other than NJDOT, such as the Thruway sign for NJ 17 or any Turnpike sign).

[ap70621]

Actually, this is NJ guide sign quirkyness rather than a difference in shield.  NJ doesn't use cutout shields for non-interstates on guide signs.  If you look at a reassurance shield in DE you'll see that they're actually the same (or when a NJ state highway is signed by an agency other than NJDOT, such as the Thruway sign for NJ 17 or any Turnpike sign).
[/quote]
I am probably in the minority here, but I do like how New Jersey leaves the black backgrounds on the guide sign shields. That is what I have always known, so it looks right to me.

[talfonso]

Actually, this is NJ guide sign quirkyness rather than a difference in shield.  NJ doesn't use cutout shields for non-interstates on guide signs.  If you look at a reassurance shield in DE you'll see that they're actually the same (or when a NJ state highway is signed by an agency other than NJDOT, such as the Thruway sign for NJ 17 or any Turnpike sign).

I am probably in the minority here, but I do like how New Jersey leaves the black backgrounds on the guide sign shields. That is what I have always known, so it looks right to me.
[/quote]

Ditto! Where I live the shields for state routes are good and represent where I live state-wise well, but I always miss NJ's.