Differences in United States numbered highway route markers

[hbelkins]

There've been some discussions about various shapes of US route markers -- and by that I mean the United States Numbered Highways assigned by AASHTO, not differences in state route markers in the US. Some might call them "federal routes" but they'd be viatologists, therefore they'd be wrong.

There seems to be a lot more variation in three-digit markers than two-digit, although there's plenty of variation in the square shield shapes as well.

Anyway, here are a few different shapes that I've encountered.


Tennessee -- there are a few of these in which the bottom curves of the shield go upward before coming to the point.


Tennessee -- this style seems to be disappearing from common use.


Tennessee -- these are in Pigeon Forge and a number of others could be found along US 231 between Lebanon and the Kentucky state line.

[hotdogPi]

Then there are those with the state name on them.

[Zeffy]

This oddly shaped 3dus... which only serves as a complete eyesore:


Then you have this 3dus, which I believe is much more common in California:


Speaking of California, they use these US shields:



and:

Then there are those with the state name on them.

I believe those are the first US highway shields (1926?), the ones that look like this:

[US71]

60's Guide Sign


Modern Guide Sign


Independent signage


Contractor Signage

[Alps]

[hbelkins]

Kentucky: The infamous new-style shield for the US 27 markers.



Kentucky: The most common three-digit shield.



Kentucky: A three-digit route marker that's becoming more commonly used.



Kentucky: Old-style three-digit and new-style side by side.



Kentucky: Two different two-digit markers.



Kentucky: Again, two different styles of three-digit markers side by side.



Kentucky: A more traditional-looking 24x24 marker.

More to come...

[oscar]

I've never seen that cutout US marker style currently in use outside of California (too bad), except for one cutout US 93 marker in Nevada that somehow hasn't yet been stolen AFAIK. 

[Alps]

I've never seen that cutout US marker style currently in use outside of California (too bad), except for one cutout US 93 marker in Nevada that somehow hasn't yet been stolen AFAIK. 

Colorado, 1960s. The bolder numerals distinguish it from CA.

[getemngo]

This oddly shaped 3dus... which only serves as a complete eyesore:

Looks like the dreaded "acorn" shield. Never seen a 3-digit version before.

I can understand 3-digit shields existing that are just stretched 2-digit shields, and I can sort of understand shields where the white part is a different size (I like having more black; it makes the shape stand out more). But why would there be any variation in shape?

[hbelkins]

Pennsylvania, speaking of acorn shields.



Pennsylvania, two-digit acorn shield.



Pennsylvania, odd-looking two-digit markers.



Pennsylvania, another acorn.

[txstateends]

Wow, I almost need eye wash after all those 'acorn' shields....

[hbelkins]

West Virginia: A pretty standard shape.



West Virginia: These abominations can be found all over the state. Wide bottom curves and almost a flat bottom with no point.

[hbelkins]

A few more:



South Carolina: three-digit route marker with more black than normal.



South Carolina: Looks like a square shield inside a rectangular marker.



South Carolina: Standard three-digit marker.

[US71]

Liberty, KS


Moran, KS

[hbelkins]

More from the Volunteer State:



The top marker is pretty traditional. There are some subtle differences in the bottom marker.



This three-digit style with more black than typical is also showing up in other places, such as new US 25E between Morristown and New Tazewell.



The US 41 and US 64 markers are similar to Alabama's standard.



This style is common. The curves are a bit flatter and it looks as if the top is a bit wider than the curves at the bottom.



A couple of these have the Alabama look. And the US 27 sign should not even be there at all, as US 27 hasn't run on surface streets in Chattanooga for years.



Normal style and Alabama style.



Two normal and two with the "fat bottom" Alabama style.



Another one of the "squared-off" shields.



A two-digit version of the US 127 with more black posted earlier.



Good closeup of what I call the "squared-off" shield.

[roadman65]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8710937161/

Here is an oddity in New Jersey on the Garden State Parkway.

[Zeffy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8710937161/

Here is an oddity in New Jersey on the Garden State Parkway.

The more south you go on the GSP, the worse the signs are. Remember the US-Interstate 9 shield (there was a topic on that, I believe) near Exit 13 (IIRC)?

[roadman65]

I think that may be right.  Also there was once one, I think, north of here at Exit 50 in Burlington County of  an interstate US 9 shield that once existed as well. 

[cpzilliacus]

The more south you go on the GSP, the worse the signs are. Remember the US-Interstate 9 shield (there was a topic on that, I believe) near Exit 13 (IIRC)?

Not just the southern reaches of the GSP either.  Consider the U.S. 46 shield on the southbound side of the Parkway approaching Exit 157 (GSV here). 

[Zeffy]

Not just the southern reaches of the GSP either.  Consider the U.S. 46 shield on the southbound side of the Parkway approaching Exit 157 (GSV here).

Is that another 'Exit 13' shield I see?

http://goo.gl/maps/04h2K

Side note: Why the hell does Google Maps show the GSP as 'Route 444' (I get it, it's the internal number assigned) when probably 1/2 of the general population who use Google Maps don't know it's internal number? The Turnpike is shown as 'New Jersey Turnpike', when it could really be shown as 'Route 700'. I believe the ACX is also like this, as well.

[agentsteel53]

the 206es on the green sign at that bridge between NJ and PA are standard federal '61 spec.  you are right that CA was one of the last states to use them.

here is the two-digit variant.



and here's a neat old New York shield:

[NE2]

Side note: Why the hell does Google Maps show the GSP as 'Route 444' (I get it, it's the internal number assigned) when probably 1/2 of the general population who use Google Maps don't know it's internal number? The Turnpike is shown as 'New Jersey Turnpike', when it could really be shown as 'Route 700'. I believe the ACX is also like this, as well.

Why does every fucking map show the unsigned state roads in Florida?

[hbelkins]

Some more Kentucky examples;



That US 150 marker is fugly.



Two different treatments of the same route.



That ugly pointy-bottom shield again.



Two different square shield varieties.



The US 460 marker has a more traditional shape, the US 23 marker is of a variety that is starting to emerge in Kentucky.



The US 23 marker is a contractor installation; the US 460 marker is a recent state installation and just looks a bit "off" to me for some reason.



Perfect example of that unusual pointy-bottom shield.



One pointy, one more traditional.

[hotdogPi]

The US 23 marker is a contractor installation; the US 460 marker is a recent state installation and just looks a bit "off" to me for some reason.

It's off-centered, and the 0 is slightly tilted.

[formulanone]

Florida

'70-spec, the most common variety:


Colored uni-shield phase (1970s-1980s), slightly thicker ears:


Colored square '70-spec shields (early 1990s)


Borderless cut-outs (seen in various spots throughout Palm Beach County):


Typical '70-spec 3 digit shield:


Stretched 2di shield to fit 3 digits?


Stretched even more?