MUTCD E1-3: Interchange Advance Guide Signs

The E1-3 sign is covered in Section 2E.23 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition. Below are the provisions from that section that describe when the sign is used and how it is placed.

What it means and when it is used

• Standard · Required (shall)
  Except as provided in Paragraph 16 of this Section, and in Paragraph 18 of Section 2E.25, at least one Interchange Advance guide sign shall be used for all interchange classifications.
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  At major and intermediate interchanges (see Section 2E.11), at least two Interchange Advance guide signs should be used, placed at ½ mile and at 1 mile in advance of the exit. A third Interchange Advance guide sign should be placed at 2 miles in advance of the exit if spacing permits.

Placement and mounting

• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  At minor interchanges, the Interchange Advance guide sign should be located ½ to 1 mile from the exit gore.
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  Where an Interchange Advance guide sign is located more than 1,000 feet to ½ mile but not more than 1 mile from the exit, the distance displayed should be to the nearest ¼ mile. Where the distance to be displayed on an Interchange Advance guide sign is 1,000 feet or less, the distance should be displayed in feet, rather than miles, to the nearest 100 feet.
• Option · Permitted (may)
  Where the distance between interchanges is more than 1 mile, but less than 2 miles, the first Interchange Advance guide sign may be closer than 2 miles, but not placed so as to overlap the signing for the preceding exit. Duplicate Interchange Advance guide signs or Interchange Sequence Series signs may be placed in the median on the opposite side of the roadway and are not included in the minimum requirements of…

Where to read the rest

• Full text: MUTCD Section 2E.23: Interchange Advance Guide Signs
• Minimum sign sizes by roadway type are in the size section for this chapter: Section 2E.12
• Mounting height, lateral offset and retroreflectivity for any sign: MUTCD sign placement guide

Related signs in Section 2E.23