Can an experienced driver clarify the sign?

[strateguy632]

When i drive to Philadelphia a sign showed distance "42 miles " to it. But that can mean different things? Which?

Literally distance from here to there in a line or

Driving distance on curvy roads or

Or driving distance to intersection of road to it.

[Smashingdoozy]

Generally it's the distance it will take you to drive to either the start of the town, the town center, the main post office, the city/town hall, city marker... It varies from place to place.

[LiamJHayden]

The standard is "42 miles on the road to the center of that city" but it is not always followed. Sometimes it means to city hall or just to the borderline.

[Likes2drive]

The border to that city from where you are at the moment

[NathanDavis]

take it as a geodesic distance...

[strateguy632]

You mean 1st, but everyone else said road distance.