Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Created by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1925, the U.S. Highway System alleviated the confusion of approximately 250 named highways. Rather than use existing names, the U.S. Highway System numbered the routes with a uniform route marker. U.S. routes are under individual state authority, however, the federal government resolved any confusion and irregularity of the routes from state-to-state. The numbering system was unpopular at first, as many believed numbers would make highways cold and impersonal.
According to U.S. Highways, the U.S. numbered highway system exists in the contiguous 48 states and may be up to three digits in length. Odd numbers in the system run north to south, and increase to the west. For example, U.S. 1 runs the length of the East Coast, whereas U.S. 101 runs the length of the West Coast. These two routes are the easternmost and westernmost north/south routes in the United States. Even-numbered routes run east to west, and the number values increase as you go south.
The designated metal signs, or markers, used to identify U.S. highway routes, are a white, uniform shield. Surrounded by a black border and the route number in bold black print at the center, older markers identified the state on the top line, followed by "U.S." on the second. Current U.S. highway markers no longer contain state identification. Other markers, including those indicating state roads, are shaped differently to avoid confusion.
The Interstate Highway System, founded in 1956, is officially known as the Eisenhower Interstate System for former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The interstates are a modern U.S. highway system, fulfilling the need that the older routes served in the past. Interstate markers are also badges, but are less defined than the U.S. route markers. Also, interstate markers are blue and red, with the interstate number in the lower blue field and the "interstate" designation in the upper red field. Similar to U.S. highways, the interstate system follows the same even/odd system. However, lower numbered routes are found in the west, with higher numbers in the east.