Highway Route Sign
Highway route signs identify numbered provincial and county highways in Ontario. Blue shields mark the 400-series expressways, blue rectangles mark provincial roads, and blue markers indicate county roads.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
Route signs tell drivers which numbered highway they are on or approaching. In Ontario, the 400-series expressways use blue shields, provincial roads use a blue provincial sign format, and county or regional roads use their own marker styles. These signs help drivers confirm their route and navigate toward their destination without GPS.
Quick Facts
Type
Information Sign
Shape
Shield-shaped or rectangular depending on highway class
Colours
Blue and white (400-series), blue and white (county roads), green and white (provincial)
In this guide
What does the Highway Route Sign mean?
Route signs tell drivers which numbered highway they are on or approaching. In Ontario, the 400-series expressways use blue shields, provincial roads use a blue provincial sign format, and county or regional roads use their own marker styles. These signs help drivers confirm their route and navigate toward their destination without GPS.
What to do when you see it
Use route signs to confirm you are on the correct highway. When following a route, look for the route number at intersections and interchanges to stay on the correct road. Route signs are often combined with direction arrows to show which direction leads to the indicated route number.
Where you'll see it in Ontario
Route signs appear at highway entrances, interchanges, intersections with numbered roads, and at regular intervals along all numbered highways in Ontario. They are also posted on direction signs at intersections leading to major highways.
G1 test relevance
G1 questions on information signs occasionally cover route markers. The main distinction is between types of roads: 400-series expressways (controlled access, high speed), provincial roads, and county or regional roads, each with different signs and rules.
Common mistakes drivers make
Confusing a county road route number with a provincial highway number is a common navigation error. County road numbers are typically lower (under 50) and the signs look different from provincial highway shields.
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