You can find mile markers along all sorts of highways. Some are local or state highways, while others may be large interstate highways.
Have you ever seen these mile markers and wondered how they can help you tell someone with some precision exactly where you are.
On most highways, the mile markers also coordinate with the exit numbers. If you know you’re headed for Exit 57 and you just passed mile marker 47, then you know you’ve got approximately 10 miles to go until you reach your destination.
In this way, mile markers can help you keep track of where you are and how far away you are from certain exits.
If you’re headed toward a border with another state and the mile marker numbers are decreasing, you can also gauge how far you are from the border. Most highways change mile marker numbering at state borders.
Mile markers on interstate highways can also help you determine which direction you’re going. On most interstates, mile marker numbers begin at the south state line on north-south routes and increase as you travel north.
On east-west routes, the numbers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east.
When you are traveling this holiday season, give some attention to these helpful traveler’s aids and remember mile markers are more than just numbers along a route. They can help you know your direction of travel, your location along a route, and the distance to your next exit or destination. And if you encounter trouble along the way, a mile marker can help emergency personnel find you.
Content for this question contributed by Michael Lozada, resident of Valenzuela, Manila, Philippines
