Destination Florida Presents.....A World of Color
A Look Back at Florida's Colorful US Highway Shields
For nearly four decades, the state of Florida took a unique approach to signing their US Highways.  In 1956, the state devised a system of using colors to help designated the 18 US Highways within the state.  This practice would continue until 1993 when the FHWA mandated that Florida use the MUTCD standard black on white highway shield.  If the state wanted to, they did have permission to continue to use the color shields; however, it would have to come out of their own funding sources.  FLDOT opted to follow standard and beginning in the mid-90's began a program to replace the signs that were "in living color".

If you are able to come across a leftover color shield or have photos of color shields from years past, please e-mail me.

To navigate this page, click on a shield below to go directly to that route.


  • FL 814 and US 1 color shield; Pompano Beach.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Red US 1 and FL A1A shields; Ft. Lauderdale.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.
  • Traditional Red US 1 shield; Deerfield Beach.  Photo taken by Michael Summa, 1977.
  • S-A1A and Red US 1 shields; Key West.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • 'JCT' US 1 in Red; Hallendale Beach.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1979.
  • 'TO' Florida's Turnpike, Red US 1, and FL 824 shields; Hallendale Beach.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1979.
  • US 1 color shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1984.
  • Red South US 1 shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1984.
  • South US 1 in Red along Biscane Blvd.; Miami.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • Red South US 1 shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • Red US 1 shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • North US 1 shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • Traditional Red 'END' US 1 shield; Key West.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • Color shields for North/South US 1/23/301; Callahan.  These were located at the Northern terminus of FL A1A.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • Traditional South US 1/23/301 shields; Callahan.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • South US 1 shield in red; Bunnell.  Photo taken by John Krakoff; 1994.


  • Yellow US 17 shield; Jacksonville.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color US shields for US 17/92/441; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color shield overheads for US 17/92/441 on FL 50 East; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color US shields for US 441, 17 and 92; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Traditional Yellow US 17 Shield; Southern Polk County.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse Green South ALT US 27, Yellow US 17 North, and Blue East US 92 shields; Haines City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Yellow 'TO' US 17 shield; Jacksonville.  Photo Taken by Averill Hecht; 1984
  • Overheads with Green US 27 North, Yellow US 17 North, Blue US 92 East, and inverse green US 27 Alt; Orlando.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • JCT US 17 and US 92 shields in color; Kissimmee.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, Spring 2005.
  • JCT US 17 and 92 color shields; Poincianna.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka; October 2006.
  • Color US 17 and 92 shields on Polk County 547; Davenport.  Photo taken by J.P Natsiatka; November 2006.

  • Classic US 19 and US 98 south shields; Homossasa Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • 'JCT' US 27 ALT, US 19, US 98 shields; Cross City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Red US 19 and Green US 27 shields; Capps.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Inverse green US 27 ALT, red US 19, and black US 98 shields; Fanning Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • ALT US 19 shields in inverse red; Clearwater.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Aged 'JCT' US 19 and 98 shields; Perry. There should also be signs for US 27 Alt and US 221.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • I-275 and red US 19 shields; St. Petersburg.  Photo taken by John Krakoff; 1994.
  • 'TO' ALT US 19 North color combination; Clearwater.  For Alternate US 19 the colors were reversed.  Photo taken by Jim Teresco; August 26, 2003.
  • Second 'TO' ALT US 19 North color combination; Clearwater.  Photo taken by Jim Teresco; August 26, 2003.
  • Third 'TO' ALT US 19 North color combination; Clearwater.  Photo taken by Jim Teresco; August 26, 2003.


  • Color shields for North/South US 1/23/301; Callahan.  These were located at the Northern terminus of FL A1A.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • Traditional South US 1/23/301 shields; Callahan.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.


  • Color US 27/301/441 shields; Ocala.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1973.
  • Color US 27 and 98 shields; Sebring.  This is where US 98 joins US 27 North.  Although not designated with a shield, FL 66 continues straight ahead.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse Green South ALT US 27, Yellow US 17 North, and Blue East US 92 shields; Haines City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • FL 121, Orange US 41 North, inverse green US 27 ALT shields; Williston.  The US 27 ALT shield is missing a 'SOUTH' banner.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • US 27/301/441 shields in color; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Brown 'TO' US 441 with green US 27 and FL 80 shields; South Bay.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Pair of Green US 27 shields; Dade County.  These signs were located at the northern terminus of FL 27, which since has been redesignated to FL 997, to eliminate confusion with US 27.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • 'TO' US 90, FL 61, and US 27 shields; Tallahassee.  These color US shields and old FL shield were found in front of the state capital.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • ALT US 27 and ALT US 441 shields; Weirsdale.  These inverse shields on FL 42 west were without corresponding arrows.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • West C-484 and color US 27/301/441 shields; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • 'JCT' US 27 ALT, US 19, US 98 shields; Cross City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Inverse green US 27 ALT, red US 19, and black US 98 shields; Fanning Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Red US 19 and Green US 27 shields; Capps.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • 'JCT' US 27, 301, and 441 shields in color; Ocala.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Overheads with Green US 27 North, Yellow US 17 North, Blue US 92 East, and inverse green US 27 Alt; Orlando.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.


  • US 29 shield in color; Cantonment.  The colors were also used on the accompaning arrows as well.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • Traditional red North US 29; Pensacola.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.


  • A colorful display of US 41 and 441 shields; Ellisville.  These were located on the offramp from I-75 North.  When Michael Summa took this photo in 1974, this was a typical set-up on the offramps of I-75 in Northern Florida.  Michael returned to the same ramp in 1989 and a simpler setup was now in place.
  • FL 121, Orange US 41 North, inverse green US 27 ALT shields; Williston.  The US 27 ALT shield is missing a 'SOUTH' banner.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Orange South US 41 and inverse orange South Business US 41 shields; Chapman.  Another case of 'Business' being spelled out vs. the abbreviated 'BUS'.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.
  • Orange US 41 and yellow US 301 shields; Bradenton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.
  • 'TO' US 41 West shield with 'TO' North/South I-95 Florida shield; Miami.  The 'TO' sign above the US 41 is unnecessary as it is actually on US 41 West.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.
  • 'JCT' US 41 and US 441 shields in color; Ellisville.  These were found at the western terminus of FL 238.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.  Fourteen years later, newer versions of the color 'JCT' shields were in place.  Notice that a box is around the 'JCT' banner and that the black outline around the '41' in the US 41 shield no longer exists.
  • 'JCT' US 41 shield on FL 27 South; Dade County.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • Traditional orange South US 41 shield; White Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Faded US 41 shield; Ft. Meyers.  Hardly any orange left on this sign.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Orange US 41 shields; Siesta Key.  Photo taken by John Krakoff; 1994.
  • Overheads for South FL 45, Blue US 92 West, 'TO' I-275, and Orange US 41 North; Tampa.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, September 2001.
  • Funky Orange US 41 shields; Naples.  Photo taken by Jim Teresco; March 24, 2006.


  • Blue US 90 and yellow US 301 shields; Baldwin.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1968.
  • West US 90 and North US 331 shields; De Funiak Springs.  At one time, Florida placed the cardinal direction below the highway shield.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • 'TO' US 90, FL 61, and US 27 shields; Tallahassee.  These color US shields and old FL shield were found in front of the state capital.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • Brown South US 221 and Blue US 90 shields; Greenville.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • Wire mounted Blue US 90 and 'TO' FL 100 overheads; Lake City.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, 2005.

  • JCT US 92 uni-sign in color; Plant City.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, date unknown.
  • One-piece 'JCT' US 92 shield in blue; Daytona Beach.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color shield overheads for US 17/92/441 on FL 50 East; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color US shields for US 17/92/441; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color US shields for US 441, 17 and 92; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Inverse blue 'JCT' Business US 92 uni-sign; Lakeland.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse black Business US 98 with classic US 98 in black and US 92 in blue shields; Lakeland.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse Green South ALT US 27, Yellow US 17 North, and Blue East US 92 shields; Haines City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Overheads with Green US 27 North, Yellow US 17 North, Blue US 92 East, and inverse green US 27 Alt; Orlando.  Photo taken by Averill Hecht; 1988.
  • Overheads for South FL 45, Blue US 92 West, 'TO' I-275, and Orange US 41 North; Tampa.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, September 2001.
  • JCT US 17 and US 92 shields in color; Kissimmee.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka, Spring 2005.
  • JCT US 17 and 92 color shields; Poincianna.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatka; October 2006.
  • Color US 17 and 92 shields on Polk County 547; Davenport.  Photo taken by J.P Natsiatka; November 2006.

  • Overheads for FL 60 and Black US 98; Bartow.  Photo taken by J.P. Natsiatika, date unknown.
  • Classic US 19 and US 98 south shields; Homossasa Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse Business US 98 shield; Dade City.  Unlike later Business shields, in this case the word 'business' is spelled out completely vs. the abbreviated 'BUS'.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Inverse black Business US 98 with classic US 98 in black and US 92 in blue shields; Lakeland.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Color US 27 and 98 shields; Sebring.  This is where US 98 joins US 27 North.  Although not designated with a shield, FL 66 continues straight ahead.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • 'JCT' US 98 and US 441 color shields; Royal Palm Beach.  These were found of FL 7 South.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1982.
  • 'JCT' FL 7 with black US 98 and brown US 441 shields; Royal Palm Beach.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • US 98, FL 80 and US 441 shields; Loxahatchee.  Located at Twentymile Bend before the new US 441 was built.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • 'JCT' US 27 ALT, US 19, US 98 shields; Cross City.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Inverse green US 27 ALT, red US 19, and black US 98 shields; Fanning Springs.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Aged 'JCT' US 19 and 98 shields; Perry. There should also be signs for US 27 Alt and US 221.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • Business US 98 and West US 98 color shields; Panama City.  Alternate and Business route shields were the inverse of the base color shield.  Photo taken by William Froehlig; March 1999.
  • Black West US 98 shield; near Panama City.  Photo taken by William Froehlig; March 1999.
  • Black on white West/East US 98; Panama City Beach.  Photo taken by John Lucas; October 2005.
  • 'JCT' black on white US 98 shield; Dade City.  This gem is still alive on Pasco County 35A.  Photo taken by Steve Williams; October 2006.


  • Brown US 129 shield; Trenton.  Photo taken by William Froehlig; March 1999.


  • Green US 192 and Brown US 441 shields; Holopaw.  Note that the US 192 shields are older, as they do not have a border around the direction banner which the US 441 shield has.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • Green US 192 and 'TO' I-4 shields; Kissimmee.  Photo taken by John Krakoff; 1994.
  • Traditional green US 192 shield; Kissimmee.  I remember seeing this shield in person in 1993.  Photo taken by John Krakoff; 1994.


  • 'JCT' US 221 in color and JCT C-361A shields; Perry.  The C stood for County.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • Traditional brown US 221 shields; Perry.  Located on US 27 South.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Brown South US 221 and Blue US 90 shields; Greenville.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • North US 221 shield in color; Greenville.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.


  • Black on yellow US 231 shield; Marianna.  On US 90 West.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.

  • Blue US 90 and yellow US 301 shields; Baldwin.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1968.
  • North 'OLD' US 301 shield; Ocala.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1973.
  • Color US 27/301/441 shields; Ocala.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1973.
  • US 27/301/441 shields in color; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Orange US 41 and yellow US 301 shields; Bradenton.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.
  • West C-484 and color US 27/301/441 shields; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • 'JCT' US 27, 301, and 441 shields in color; Ocala.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.
  • Color shields for North/South US 1/23/301; Callahan.  These were located at the Northern terminus of FL A1A.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.
  • Traditional South US 1/23/301 shields; Callahan.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1989.


  • Yellow US 319 shields; Tallahassee.  On US 90 West.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.

  • West US 90 and North US 331 shields; De Funiak Springs.  At one time, Florida placed the cardinal direction below the highway shield.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • Green US 331 North shield; Santa Rosa Beach.  This was taken at the start of US 331 North.  Photo taken by John Lucas; 1989.


  • Color US shields for US 17/92/441; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color shield overheads for US 17/92/441 on FL 50 East; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Color US shields for US 441, 17 and 92; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • 'JCT' US 441 color uni-sign; Orlando.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1971.
  • Inverse brown 'JCT' 'OLD' US 441 shield; Ocala.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1973.
  • Color US 27/301/441 shields; Ocala.  Black and white photo taken by Michael Summa; 1973.
  • Brown US 441 and FL 84 shield; Davie.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • US 27/301/441 shields in color; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • Brown 'TO' US 441 with green US 27 and FL 80 shields; South Bay.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1974.
  • A colorful display of US 41 and 441 shields; Ellisville.  These were located on the offramp from I-75 North.  When Michael Summa took this photo in 1974, this was a typical set-up on the offramps of I-75 in Northern Florida.  Michael returned to the same ramp in 1989 and a simpler setup was now in place.
  • 'JCT' US 41 and US 441 shields in color; Ellisville.  These were found at the western terminus of FL 238.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1975.  Fourteen years later, newer versions of the color 'JCT' shields were in place.  Notice that a box is around the 'JCT' banner and that the black outline around the '41' in the US 41 shield no longer exists.
  • Brown South US 441 shield; Palm Beach County.  Somewhere between FL 806 and 808.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • 'JCT' US 441 shield; Palm Beach County.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1978.
  • 'JCT' US 98 and US 441 color shields; Royal Palm Beach.  These were found of FL 7 South.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1982.
  • 'JCT' FL 7 with black US 98 and brown US 441 shields; Royal Palm Beach.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • Brown US 441 shield; McIntosh.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • US 98, FL 80 and US 441 shields; Loxahatchee.  Located at Twentymile Bend before the new US 441 was built.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • West C-484 and color US 27/301/441 shields; Belleview.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • Inverse color 'OLD' US 441 shields; Taveres.  These signs were found on FL 19 South.  These are leftover signs from when US 441 was moved onto a new alignment in the 1970s.  They were removed when the appropriate County or State Route signs were placed.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • ALT US 27 and ALT US 441 shields; Weirsdale.  These inverse shields on FL 42 west were without corresponding arrows.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • Green US 192 and Brown US 441 shields; Holopaw.  Note that the US 192 shields are older, as they do not have a border around the direction banner which the US 441 shield has.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1983.
  • 'JCT' US 27, 301, and 441 shields in color; Ocala.  Photo taken by Michael Summa; 1984.


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    • Sources & Links:

  • Florida in Kodachrome ---RV Droz
  • US Highways in Florida @ Southeastroads.com ---Alex Nitzman/Andy Field
  • US Shields made from Shields Up! from David Kendrick


    • Page Created: September 2, 2006
    Last Updated: January 17, 2010

    © 2006-10 William Lawson