
Yield boards say “YIELD” inside an inverted triangle
US yield signs pair a red border with a white interior and the word ‘YIELD’
Canada’s identical shape lacks the text

Yellow centre-lines & white edges (double yellows common)
Standard pattern is double solid yellow down the middle with solid white edge stripes

Speed-limit boards
Every numeric speed-limit plate includes the words “SPEED LIMIT”; numbers frequently end in 5 because they refer to mph rather than km/h.

Big green exit boards with curved/rounded corners
Interstates use large, curved-corner green panels with white text
Canadian motorway signs keep sharper/rounded 90-degree edges.

Optional Front Plate
Half of the states don't require front license plates

Gen 1 coverage
Extremely rare Gen 1 coverage

Rectangular junction signs with single or double arrow
US crossroads often mark side-roads with a white rectangle containing one or two black arrows

Generation 2 imagery is rare (except Alaska/Hawaii)
Gen-2 coverage appears in North America

Imperial measurements: miles, feet & inches
Speed limits are posted in miles per hour and clearance signs list feet and inches

Construction barrels
Shape: Cylinder (drum)
Material: Plastic
Color: Orange body with white bands and black base.

Overhead traffic lights on long mast arms
At major intersections the signal heads hang from a horizontal metal bar spanning the carriageway

Word-heavy warning and railway-crossing signs
Unlike Canada US warning boards often spell the hazard out—‘RAILROAD CROSSING’, or a paragraph beneath a yellow diamond.

Mailbox on a post with red flag
Curbside mailboxes featuring a flip-up flag line suburban and rural roads

One-way arrows
Words ‘ONE WAY’ on the arrow
Canadian signs don't use text

American-English spelling on signs (center, color)
American English spelling conventions (USA vs Canada’s British, English-speaking countries).
For example: "center"(British: centre) , "license" (British: licence)

Predominantly wooden utility poles
Across both the US and Canada, roadside lines sit on wooden poles

Parking rules on white signs with red/green text
Parking indicators are verbose, colour-coded plates (red, green or black lettering) often with arrows stating exact hours or directions.

Baptist churches
White-clapboard or brick Baptist chapels appear in every state, with highest density in the South.
Extremely rare in Canada.
Related guides
More on United States
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Share your knowledge and help us grow our collection! Contribute geographical features and clues.