Longitudinal Placement

Longitudinal mailbox placement relates to the distance between a mailbox and other mailboxes, the beginning or end of the mailbox turnout, and an intersection (if the mailbox installation is close to an intersection).
  • Distance between Individual Mailboxes and Mailbox Installations:
     There should be a separation of approximately 2 ft between single and multiple mount mailboxes or between a single/double mailbox installation and a multiple mailbox installation. There should be approximately 4 ft between adjacent multiple mailbox installations. Figure 9-1 illustrates mailbox separation distances.
  • Road with Mailbox Turnout:
     There should be a minimum of 14 ft from the mailbox to the beginning of the 8 ft wide all weather surface and a desirable distance of 6 ft from the last mailbox to the end of the 8 ft wide all weather surface. Figure 9-2 illustrates the longitudinal placement within a mailbox turnout.
  • Intersections:
    Mailbox placement at intersections depends on whether the through road has a speed of less than 55 mph or 55 mph or greater. See Figures 9-3 and 9-4 for mailbox locations near a rural intersection for these two cases.
Approximate Distance Between Mailbox Installations (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 9-1. Approximate Distance Between Mailbox Installations
Mailbox Longitudinal Placement Within aMailbox Turnout (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 9-2. Mailbox Longitudinal Placement Within a Mailbox Turnout
Mailbox Placement at Rural Locations: ThroughHighway Speed ≥ 55 mph (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 9-3. Mailbox Placement at Rural Locations: Through Highway Speed ≥ 55 mph
Mailbox Placement at Rural Locations: ThroughHighway Speed ≤ 55 mph (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 9-4. Mailbox Placement at Rural Locations: Through Highway Speed ≤ 55 mph