Farthest-from-road signed services

[Pete from Boston]

I noticed the other day that off I-89 in Warner, New Hampshire, a sign at the end of the ramp said "Lodging" with an arrow and a distance of 7 miles. That seemed unusually far from the road by northeastern standards. What is the highest mileage on one of the signs that you have seen?

I'm talking about official service signs, not privately-erected advertisements for Rock City or something like that where they are posted all over a quarter of the country.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I think rural roads have much looser standards for these kind of things; I've seen little blue signs advertising services 12-15 miles away off some Minnesota highways (not Interstates).

[roadman]

Longest distance for a service I'm aware of in Massachusetts is Southwick Zoo, which is on Attractions signs on I-495 and is 9 miles from the highway.  MassHighway/MassDOT kept denying the request until the Legislature passed a law (Chapter 312 of the Acts of 2010) requiring that MassDOT install the signs.

[AlexandriaVA]

My mom's rule for out-of-town driving has always been if you can't see the business (or it's really tall sign) from the freeway, then it might as well not exist. I find myself agreeing with this axiom.

[Pete from Boston]

Longest distance for a service I'm aware of in Massachusetts is Southwick Zoo, which is on Attractions signs on I-495 and is 9 miles from the highway.  MassHighway/MassDOT kept denying the request until the Legislature passed a law (Chapter 310 of the Acts of 2010) requiring that MassDOT install the signs.

Was an Act passed specifically regarding Southwick's Zoo?

[Pete from Boston]

My mom's rule for out-of-town driving has always been if you can't see the business (or it's really tall sign) from the freeway, then it might as well not exist. I find myself agreeing with this axiom.

My rule is, the places immediately adjacent to the highway more often than not tend to be the crappiest.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

I remember seeing a 72 km (45 miles) once . But I'm not sure if it was off the road or continuing on the road.

[roadman]

I think rural roads have much looser standards for these kind of things; I've seen little blue signs advertising services 12-15 miles away off some Minnesota highways (not Interstates).

The MUTCD has a provision that the 3 mile limit for services can be extended by 3 mile increments, up to a maximum of 15 miles, in cases where there aren't eligible faclities within the limit, or where facilites within the limit choose not to participate in the services signing program.  Some states, such as Massachusetts, do not recognize this provision in their signing policies and consider the 3 mile limit as an absolute rule.

[noelbotevera]

Off I-19 in AZ, food is 15 miles away. I don't remember where the sign was, as I saw it on a road's website (probably alpsroads).

[roadman]

Longest distance for a service I'm aware of in Massachusetts is Southwick Zoo, which is on Attractions signs on I-495 and is 9 miles from the highway.  MassHighway/MassDOT kept denying the request until the Legislature passed a law (Chapter 310 of the Acts of 2010) requiring that MassDOT install the signs.

Was an Act passed specifically regarding Southwick's Zoo?

Yes

Chapter 312 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ERECT CERTAIN SIGNS REGARDING THE SOUTHWICK ZOO.
PrevNext.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the Department of Transportation may erect tourist attraction signs regarding the Southwick Zoo on interstate highway route 495 at exits 19 and 20, northbound and southbound, in the town of Milford.

[Pete from Boston]

Wow, I guess it's good to have friends on Beacon Hill.