- Do you have a photo of a US highway terminus that is better, or newer, or older -- or even just different -- than one already on this site?
- Can you get some photos from one or more of the as-yet unphotographed endpoints?
- Do you have a map, a document, or some other information that will add to, correct, and/or clarify what is on these pages?
- Want to know which US routes end (or once ended) in a specific part of the country?
What kind of map images are used on this site?
Scans of historic state highway maps or commercial maps that illustrate a US highway endpoint described on these pages... or you might even have a map that illustrates an endpoint not mentioned on this site.
What kind of photos?
Well, to sum it up in a single word: "signs"... that is, the signage posted at junctions where US routes end (or ended). Photographs of intersections without signs are usually pretty non-descript. But when the signage is included, the photo becomes much more specific. What kind of signs? It can vary, depending on where a particular highway ends, but in general here is what to look for:
- The last reassurance marker before the highway ends.
- Signage at the end of the highway (hopefully there's an "End" sign, but if not there should be at least some kind of directional signage at the junction with the intersecting highway).
- Heading the opposite direction, sometimes there's a "Begin" sign. If not, there's usually directional signage for the intersecting route. And not far beyond that, there should be the first confirming marker for the highway that has just begun.
- Heading either direction (or both directions) on the intersecting route, there should be signage directing travelers onto the beginning of the route.
What's in it for you?
No money, unfortunately. But you can take pride in knowing you've added to the wealth of trivial information on the web. And you will be credited for your contribution.
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A few tips about how to get good road sign photos:
Some people are really good at taking photos out the windshield of a moving car (and on some freeways, this is really the only safe option). But it is not easy, and it takes some preparation. First of all, the windshield should be cleaned often, or else the image may be full of smudges. It helps to reduce glare if a black cloth can be draped over the top of the dashboard. When I'm using my iPhone, I put it on "Live Photo" and set it for the maximum optical zoom (3x). If you don't max out your optical zoom, the signs will appear quite small in your image, and when you zoom in the signs will be sort of pixelated. Using Live Photo allows you to choose a different frame a few fractions of a second earlier or later, which comes in handy when there's a glare or something obstructing the sign. If you're using a more traditional camera, it should be set for a fast shutter speed, or else the exposure may take too long and the image will come out blurry. If you have a camera that is more automatic, and it does not allow you to determine the shutter speed, often it can still be set for "sports mode", which is basically the same thing: a setting meant for "motion shots". If you have the type of camera where you push the button halfway down to focus and then all the way down to take the shot, make sure you focus your lens on "infinity" a few seconds before you get to the sign, and then snap the photo. Depending on the type of camera you're using, there may be some other issues to work out before you get decent photos through your windshield. To summarize, it is a good idea to practice a bit before taking the photos that are really important to you.
That being said -- if I can pull over someplace and get out of the car for a photo, I do. I have a lot better success when I'm not having to deal with the added complications of moving shots taken through windshields. I try to fill a good portion of my frame with the sign itself -- if the camera is too far away, then the sign in the resulting image may be illegible. A good zoom lens can really help out in some circumstances. And usually I try to get the exposure using natural light only -- flashbulbs tend to overexpose the signs, because of the reflective sheeting. (However, I have found that if the sign is in shadow and the background is bright, then the flash is sometimes necessary.)
As with many things, getting good road shots is both a science and an art. In my opinion, the most satisfying photos clearly show the signs in the foreground, but also in the background they include something that helps to give a sense of place: perhaps a highway disappearing in the distance, a freeway interchange, a geographic feature, a local landmark, a watertower, a sign on a building... there are many possibilities, which of course will vary depending on the circumstances. Browsing the pages on this site may help you get a feel for which photos are good and which types of photos do not work so well.
That being said -- if I can pull over someplace and get out of the car for a photo, I do. I have a lot better success when I'm not having to deal with the added complications of moving shots taken through windshields. I try to fill a good portion of my frame with the sign itself -- if the camera is too far away, then the sign in the resulting image may be illegible. A good zoom lens can really help out in some circumstances. And usually I try to get the exposure using natural light only -- flashbulbs tend to overexpose the signs, because of the reflective sheeting. (However, I have found that if the sign is in shadow and the background is bright, then the flash is sometimes necessary.)
As with many things, getting good road shots is both a science and an art. In my opinion, the most satisfying photos clearly show the signs in the foreground, but also in the background they include something that helps to give a sense of place: perhaps a highway disappearing in the distance, a freeway interchange, a geographic feature, a local landmark, a watertower, a sign on a building... there are many possibilities, which of course will vary depending on the circumstances. Browsing the pages on this site may help you get a feel for which photos are good and which types of photos do not work so well.
Page originally created 1999;
last updated Sep. 26, 2023.
last updated Sep. 26, 2023.