Official Postmile Definitions
Listed in miles, postmile values usually increase from south to north or west to east depending upon the general direction the route follows within the state. The postmile values increase from the beginning of a route within a county to the next county line. The postmile values start over again at each county line.
Enforcement officers, maintenance forces and others use the postmile markers in the field to locate specific incidents or features with reference to the postmile system.
On some stretches of road, the following prefixes may precede the mileage on a postmile marker:
| Prefix | Description |
|---|---|
| R | Realignment |
| M | Realignment of a prior realignment |
| N | Realignment of M mileage |
| C | Commercial lanes paralleling main highway |
| D | Duplication (due to meandering county line) |
| G | Reposting duplicate PM at end of route |
| H | Realignment of duplication |
| T | Temporary connection |
| S | Spur |
| L | Overlap due to correction or change |
The postmile system is the only route reference system used by Caltrans. In 2002, the State started the Cal-NExUS program, which would create a uniform exit numbering system for freeways. Included was a pilot program for the placing of mile markers along rural freeways. Currently, three freeway segments are a part of the experimental program: the Route 14 Freeway, the Route 58 Freeway in Kern County, and State Route 180 in Fresno. Caltrans has not decided if the program will be expanded to all rural freeways.
Read more about this topic: California Postmile
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