By Rachel Puryear

As you’ve driven along highways, you’ve probably noticed that each highway is known by a unique number – you can cruise I-5 near the West Coast between the Mexican and Canadian borders, ride I-80 from the San Francisco Bay Area to New Jersey, drive I-95 between northern Maine and southern Florida, and more.

However, did you know that those highway numbers are not just chosen at random? Instead, they are part of a simple but very helpful system, to help road travelers better navigate where they’re going on them.

Here’s a basic overview of how the U.S. Highway numbering system works, and how it can help you better find your way on the road:

North to South

Highways from north to south follow a grid pattern.

Highways running north to south generally have odd numbers, with the lowest numbers on the East coast, and increasing as they go west, with the highest numbers being on the West coast.

East to West

There’s also a grid pattern for the highways going from east to west.

Highways running east to west generally have even numbers, with the lowest numbers near the northern border, and increasing as they go south, with the highest numbers being near the southern border.

Digits

The number of digits in a freeway number can also give you some clues about it.

Generally, the major aforementioned north to south and east to west highways are two digits (one exception being Highway 101, running along the West coast, as they ran out of two-digit numbers – see more about certain exceptions below).

Usually, though, routes with three-digit numbers are sub-routes of the larger ones.

Signage

Signage for different kinds of highways can also be different.

Each state also uses their own highway signage. While there are general similarities nationwide, each state’s might vary a little bit.

Route number signs typically feature a white shield on a black background, with black numbering. They are usually displayed periodically along the route.

The signs also indicate which direction you’re going. Note that that’s the overall direction, and may not always be that true direction along the entire highway.

Oddities

There are some notable exceptions to the above general rules.

Some routes are divided, and stop in a place and then pick up later on, so that the entire route is not always connected.

Some routes also have special names along certain stretches, to honor local founders, major events, and local attractions, for instance. As an example, part of Highway 101 in the northern San Francisco Bay Area is known as Redwood Highway, in reference to the beautiful redwood trees growing in that region.

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