Planning a road trip this summer? Don’t expect to see billboards in these 4 states — here’s why

Planning a road trip this summer? Don’t expect to see billboards in these 4 states — here’s why From a century-old campaign in Hawaii to a strict law in Maine that required cutting down thousands of existing signs, these states put scenery ahead of commercial profit - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments If you’re planning to hit the road this summer, some highways might look decidedly naked in America’s ad-heavy landscape. That’s because four states — Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont and Maine — have banned roadside billboards for decades to protect the sanctity of their stunning landscapes and associated tourism industry. But corporate interests, and some lawmakers, have been behind attempts to try to change that. Earlier this year in Hawaii, stadium developers and Democratic legislators introduced a new bill to roll back the state’s 99-year-old billboard ban, opening the door for “digital flash ads” — electronic LED screens that cycle through commercials. Though intended for a new stadium district rather than open highways, opponents warned the screens would still be visible to passing drivers. Local advocates at The Outdoor Circle and the national group, Scenic America, rallied public support to stop the bill, defeating it when the legislative session ended in May. “Scenic America applauds the people of Hawaii and the logical response by the Hawaii State Legislature to keep Hawaii beautiful and billboard-free,” the group’s president Mark Falzone said, following a similar billboard battle in the state. “It is truly inspirational to see how a community grassroots effort such as this can help protect one of the world's most beautiful places.” ‘We want to escape the visual noise’ Hawaii led the way with the nation’s first ban on roadside billboards in 1927, decades before achieving statehood in 1959. The legislative push was driven by residents, conservation organizations and business figures concerned that large-scale commercial signs would alter the visual character of the islands and compromise their natural appeal. The campaign was led by the Honolulu Outdoor Circle, a women’s civic group focused on environmental preservation. The organization argued that maintaining the natural appearance of the landscape was fundamental to the territory’s cultural identity and long-term appeal. The century-old prohibition remains a subject of debate. The recent legislative proposal, SB3197, sought to allow digital signs and ads within the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Proponents argued the measure could generate significant revenue for the district. State Senator Glenn Wakai, a sponsor of the bill, said that the world has changed and challenged the logic of continuing a policy with “no ability to monetize and advertise,” according to KHON2.Stadium manager Ryan Andrews told the station that the proposal was intended to create an immersive brand experience for visitors. However, conservationists strongly - and successfully - opposed the exception. “The brand of Hawaii is no billboards,” Winston Welch, executive director of The Outdoor Circle, told the station. “That is our brand. We want to escape the visual noise.” ‘Forever free of billboards’ Alaska brought in its own territorial billboard ban in 1949, ten years before becoming a state. The measure was designed to protect the state’s vast wilderness and support a tourism industry reliant on the great outdoors. Though businesses still regularly push to relax the rules, public support remains high. Alaskans overwhelmingly rejected a 1997 attempt to allow tourism-related highway signs. A subsequent 2018 lawsuit by the ACLU ultimately protected residents' rights to place temporary political signs on their private property, while keeping the commercial billboard ban firmly in place. To ensure compliance, state authorities granted highway patrol officers the power to dismantle illegal signs. In 1998, the policy was permanently solidified when Alaskans overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure stating that the state “shall forever remain free of billboards.” The ban has faced legal pushback over the line between advertising and free speech. The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska filed a lawsuit in 2018 after state workers removed political campaign signs from roadsides while leaving non-commercial signs untouched. ACLU spokesperson Casey Reynolds argued that the state was unconstitutionally restricting political speech, forcing officials to defend why scenery should take priority over individual expression, Alaska Public Media reported. State transportation officials defended the enforcement, stating that political campaigns received annual warnings and signs were only pulled without notice if they posed immediate safety hazards. Small-town charm In 1968, Vermont became the third state to eliminate billboards, heavily supported by then-Governor Philip H. Hoff. The decision was part of a broader mid-century effort to protect the state’s rural character and small-town identity. At the time, an estimated 4,500 billboards lined Vermont's roadways, which many residents viewed as a significant distraction. A legislative proposal from a South Burlington representative mandated the removal of all existing billboards within five years, according to the Bennington Banner. Though legal challenges delayed the complete removal of some signs for nearly a decade, the final commercial billboards came down in late 1976. The law was paired with further environmental regulations in 1970 to shield Vermont's farmlands, forests, and the Green Mountains from rapid commercial overdevelopment. Prior to the ban, roadside advertising had played a visible role in local commerce and historic events. During World War II, prominent local photographers documented billboards that were used to promote the war effort, including signs encouraging the purchase of war bonds or advising motorists to conserve fuel. ‘The people own Maine’ Maine rounded out the group in 1977, passing a strict law heavily supported by environmental activist and state Representative Marion Fuller Brown and backed by Governor James B. Longley. Maine enacted its billboard ban in 1977, making it the first state on the East Coast to completely eliminate off-premises advertising signs. The law took effect in 1978 and required the phased removal of thousands of existing structures across the state. As reported by Associated Press at the time, Longley stated upon signing the bill that the removal of the signs proved that “the people own Maine,” emphasizing that the state's economy relied heavily on protecting its coastal and wilderness scenery. The physical removal process took roughly six years. According to state records, the final state-acquired billboard, which advertised a motor inn in York County, was cut down along Route 1 in 1984. The law does have specific exclusions. Businesses are permitted to maintain signs directly on their own physical premises, and vehicles featuring commercial wraps are allowed as long as they are actively driven rather than permanently parked to serve as stationary advertisements. Additionally, non-commercial and religious messages remain protected under the law, which explains the continued presence of long-standing religious displays in cities like Lewiston. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] ZOMBIELAND FOR LA MAYOR VOTE FOR PRATT SCUUURY UTFRON uewave EXPERT DETAI GIFT SHOP ENTRANCE M PICES the Luewave