This is done in an effort to help normalize nomenclature across the Missouri state highway system. As it currently stands, ways can use any number of name strings from "Route X" to "State Road X" to "Highway X" to the most common, and most TIGERish, "State Highway X".

It's important to recognize that, when a MoDOT sign indicates a road is named "Route X" or "Hwy X", that's not the canonical name string. That's a systematic designation of the road segment as belonging to the X route in the broader state route system.