The other day, while driving in my small suburban village, I saw a mile marker. It was odd, because I think it is the only one in my village, but it made me think. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, my dad, like many Americans, had a CB radio in his car. As we traveled the highways, interstates, and small roads of Pennsylvania and Texas, there were mile markers everywhere. Many an hour was spent listening to the truckers on the CB’s, and it seemed that the only purpose in having mile markers was so that some “Good Buddy” could tell you his 20, or let you know where the smokies were. I now live in New Mexico, where I either do not see, or do not notice mile markers very often. So the questions, since this is GQ, are, are there less mile markers now than there were then, and what purpose did (do) they serve other than those mentioned above.
There should be a question mark in there somewhere, but I’m not sure where, so I’ll put it here.
As a point of reference is obvious but what else do you want? If nothing else the head of the road repair crew tells his men to go repair potholes between the 231 mile marker and the 237 mile marker. It beats “between the dead tree and the Holiday Inn billboard.”
I may be mistaken, but I’ve only seen mile marker posts on state and US highways/interstates - regular county roads don’t get them. Maybe there aren’t as state roads where you live now?
I suppose the markers come in very handy in directing rescue workers in case of an accident, as well.
Also, they can help you figure traveling distances on interstates. Going west or south on an interstate, the mile markers tell you how long before the interstate leave the state (or the interstate terminates, whichever comes first). Also, I believe that in most states (but quite possibly not all, I know western PA was still changing as recently as last year), interstate exits are numbered according to the nearest mile marker; so, if you’re driving from exit 108 to exit 43 on a given interstate (within a single state), you know you’ll be driving 65 miles on the interstate.
The above has some caveats, though. One problem is when two interstates are concurrent–one interstate’s mile markers and exit numbers take precedence over the other. Actually, I asked this question a while back within a previous thread–does anyone know in such cases what rule decides which interstate gets precedence for the mile markers and exit numbers? I would assume the older interstate takes precedence, but I don’t know that for sure; anyone know?
I use them every road trip I take. I used to actually write down what mile marker I was at once an hour or half an hour and then figure out what my average MPH for the last segment of time. Sure it sounds nerdy, and it is, but it makes long distance travels go by faster. Plus you can allways try to beat your best hour long average. You wouldnt understand how hard it is to average over more than about 5 over the posted limit because of cops and traffic, mostly traffic.
I’ve also used mile markers when calling a tow truck and of course to guesstamate with parents, SOs or friends how long it would be before I get there.
You can also use them to figure out your actual speed is. Use at least 10 for this because they are often not exactly a mile apart.
dead0man
I think it’s safe to say there are more mile markers now than there were 20 years ago. They’re easy to ignore if you have no reason to think about them.
The basic purpose is to be able to identify exactly where one is on a given stretch of highway. The uses are varied and infinite.
You’re right. I don’t understand. Last November I drove from Rochester, NY to Chicago (600 miles) in 8 hours. That’s an average speed of 75 mph including stops for gas and lunch. And in some cases, I was driving on portions of the highway with 55 mph limits.
But don’t worry, I got my comeupance: on the return trip I got two speeding tickets in 4 hours. One in Indiana (83 mph in a 65 zone) and one in Ohio (81 mph in a 65 zone).
When I go back to Chicago next month, I’m flying. It will be cheaper for me.