Distance sign: what it means
The green distance sign shows how far it is, in miles, to towns and other places along the road ahead.
What does the distance sign mean?
MUTCD Section 2D.43 says distance signs are horizontal rectangles showing no more than three places and the distance, to the nearest mile, to each. The numbers are to the right of the names.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- How many miles to the places ahead.
- Directions to a place.
- Shows where you are along the highway.
Show answer
A. How many miles to the places ahead. It shows the distance in miles to places ahead (MUTCD Section 2D.43). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2D, Guide Signs: Conventional Roads: Section 2D.43, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
After intersections and towns on numbered highways.
What should you do?
Use it to check you are on the right road and how far you have to go.
What do people get wrong?
Reading the numbers as speed limits or exit numbers. They are miles.
Common questions
Is the distance to the edge of town?
Section 2D.43 says a well-defined central area should be used where one exists.
How many places can it show?
Section 2D.43 says no more than three cities, towns, junctions or other places.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 2D.43.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2D, Guide Signs: Conventional Roads: Section 2D.43, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.