Guide MUTCD D10-1

Mile Marker Sign — Meaning

By DMV Master Editorial Team Updated Also: Mile Post, Milepost
Mile Marker Sign
Category
Guide
Shape
Vertical Rectangle
Colors
Green, White
Text
[mile number]
MUTCD Code
D10-1

What does the Mile Marker Sign mean?

Mile Marker signs are small green and white rectangular signs displaying a mile number along a highway. They count miles from the start of the road within a state (often the south or west border). Critical for emergency response, navigation, and exit prediction.

What to do when you see this sign

  1. 1

    Use mile markers to track your distance traveled

  2. 2

    Report your location to emergency services using nearest mile marker

  3. 3

    Estimate when your exit will appear (exit numbers usually match mile markers)

  4. 4

    Note that mile markers reset at state lines

Where you'll see it

Test trap: don't get caught by this

On most US interstates, EXIT numbers match the nearest mile marker. So Exit 47 is at approximately Mile Marker 47. This makes it easy to estimate distance to your exit.

Frequently asked questions

How are mile markers numbered?
Counts begin at the state's south or west border (depending on the highway's direction) and increase northward or eastward. Numbers reset to zero at state lines.
Why are mile markers important in emergencies?
They provide a precise location for emergency dispatchers. "I-95 northbound, mile marker 247, Florida" gives exact GPS-equivalent location for rescuers.
Are exit numbers always the same as mile markers?
In most states, yes (mile-based exit numbering). A few states (especially in the Northeast: NY, MA, NH) use sequential numbering instead. New York is gradually converting.

Related signs

Interstate Route Marker

Interstate Route Marker
US Route Marker

US Route Marker

Master every road sign for your DMV test

Hundreds of practice questions on signs and signals across all 50 states. Free to study, app for full mock exams.

Browse signs questions Download App