The Interstate Shield Gallery provides a shield photograph from every Interstate highway in the country. We generally strive to obtain a photo of a shield with a state name if one is available. Currently, we are missing a few shield pictures for Interstates in the gallery, and we are always interested in obtaining different perspectives or better overall photographs for any shield. If you have photographed one and would like to see it added to this collection, please contact us.
The Interstate highway shield has undergone a few revisions since its first
appearance in 1958, with subsequent modifications made in 1961, 1972, 1979, 1988, and 2000 to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Some states adhere to these signage standards, while others have opted to use older shield specifications. Generally speaking, the primary changes to the shield involved enlarging the shield to accommodate bigger numerals and/or the elimination of the state name. The following table provides examples of shields that show the specifications for each year.
2di
3di
2di
3di
1958 (6" numbers)
1961 (8" numbers)
1972 (8" numbers)
1979 (10" numbers)
1988 (12" numbers)
2000
The original, 1958 specifications for the Interstate shield allowed for 18-inch shields on side streets/roads that led to interchanges with Interstates, such as the Interstate 95 shield shown in the above table. They also provided for a the same width for Interstates with two or three digits. However, in 1961, the three-digit width shield became the standard, with 18-inch shields dropped from the MUTCD.
In the following years of MUTCD revisions, the numerals within the Interstate shield were enlarged, thus requiring larger shields (see below for more on the various kinds of Interstate shield fonts). The 1979 and 1988 specifications are commonly used today; some states retain the state name within the Interstate shield, but most states have opted for "neutered" shields, which do not contain the state name (see the map below). Compared to the original 18-inch shields from 1958, some shields based on the 1972 and 1988 specifications can be twice as large at 36 inches in diameter.
California adheres to its own MUTCD as opposed to the national standards; as a result, that state still utilizes the 1972 specifications as its standard. An exception occurs with the usage of a new "angular" style shield that has debuted in recent years.
Around the year 2000, "bubble" shields began to appear in some states. These shields feature a more pronounced curvature on the sides of the Interstate shield itself. It is unknown at this time if there are specifications are contained within the MUTCD or are a personalized concept based on the sign contractor.
Lastly, a "non-cutout" Interstate shield can be found on some of the nation's roads. New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin use both cutout and non-cutout shields on their highways. In addition, many construction contractors place non-coutout signs for detours.
Interstate Shield Fonts
Five variations of the "Highway Gothic" font can be found on Interstate shields. Also some states now use the new "Clearview" font for their Interstate shields and guide signs, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas. The next table profiles each font, with the oddball Arial font thrown in for good measure.
Series B
Series C
Series D
Series E
Series EM
Arial
Interstate Shield Map - State Name vs. Neutered
This map, originally created by Shawn De Cesari with the help of Ron Wilbanks, profiles the United States based upon the current (or thought to be current) signing practices. Based on photos, field observations, or discussions with state department of transportation officials, this map shows the states that still include the state name within their Interstate highway shields and which states "neuter" their shields. If you have an update or comment about this map, please send us an email
Recent field observations see the use of both state-named and neutered shields in Oklahoma and South Carolina. Alabama utilizes both kinds of shields, but more often than not places state-named shields. Many state-named shields can be found in southeast Texas, including the placement of new Interstate 610 Texas shields. However, in northeast Texas, state-named shields are becoming increasingly sparse. Georgia began neutering their shields in 1999 and no longer places new state-named shields.
Even though the map shows those states that still actively place state-named shields, many states have several Interstate shields
remaining, including Pennsylvania, Missouri, New Jersey, and Kansas. Other states have few, if any, shields remaining, including
Delaware (only for Interstate 95), Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington.
We challenge anyone to find an Interstate shield with the word "Oregon" or "Utah" in it: Dan Stober found only one state-name standalone shield in the
Beehive State, and we were able to locate just one for Interstate 70 in Fishlake National
Forest on 10/18/04.
States that are extremely difficult in finding state name shields (through our experiences):
