BillboardGuide

The world of outdoor advertising.

Billboards, transit, street and screens

Every format.
Explained.

format guides
79
categories
12

Compare where each format works, what it costs and how long it takes to prepare, then open the guide for specs and buying advice.

All formats

1–12 of 79 formats

Cost ranges are broad planning estimates. Units and buying periods vary by format; production costs are listed in each guide.

Roadside billboards

Static Bulletin Billboards

Expressways, interstates and major arterial roads, normally elevated for long-distance viewing.

Media cost
$1,500-$30,000+ per face per four weeks; landmark locations can be far higher.
Lead time
5-10 business days after final artwork for a standard vinyl posting.

Roadside billboards

Digital Billboards

Highways, arterials and city approaches, using LED displays that rotate multiple advertisers.

Media cost
$250-$20,000+ for a four-week presence in many markets; premium spectaculars and dense metro coverage can exceed this substantially.
Lead time
1-5 business days for standard static creative once approved; dynamic integrations need longer.

Street furniture

Bus Shelter Advertising

Curbside shelters in urban neighborhoods, retail corridors and central business districts, viewed by pedestrians, passengers and traffic.

Media cost
$500-$8,000+ per panel per four weeks, depending heavily on city and location.
Lead time
3-10 business days for standard static or digital assets; custom takeovers need several weeks.

Transit advertising

Full Bus Wraps

Across city bus routes, depots and central streets, turning the vehicle into a moving large-format canvas.

Media cost
$3,000-$20,000+ per bus per four weeks depending on market and route coverage.
Lead time
3-6 weeks including fleet templates, print and vehicle scheduling.

Transport and travel media

Airport Advertising

Terminals, baggage claim, security approaches, concourses, gates, lounges, jet bridges, parking and ground transport zones.

Media cost
$5,000-$250,000+ per month depending on airport, terminal, format and exclusivity.
Lead time
1-8 weeks; security, fire and installation approvals can extend custom work.

Roadside billboards

Wallscapes

Large blank walls beside freeways, arterial roads, downtown approaches and entertainment districts.

Media cost
$10,000-$100,000+ per four weeks depending on city, size and exposure.
Lead time
2-6 weeks after approval, longer when permits or engineered attachments are required.

Specialty OOH

Aerial Advertising

Above beaches, stadiums, festivals, traffic events and outdoor gatherings, subject to aviation rules.

Media cost
$500-$10,000+ per flight for banners, while skywriting, blimps and complex operations cost substantially more.
Lead time
2-6 weeks for artwork, fabrication, permissions and weather planning.

Specialty OOH

Banners And Flags

Storefronts, fences, venues, campuses, sports grounds and temporary events.

Media cost
$0 on owned property excluding permits; paid placements range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars per month.
Lead time
3 days to 4 weeks depending on size and permits.

Place-based OOH

Bar And Restaurant Advertising

Menus, tabletops, bathrooms, digital screens, patios and point-of-sale areas in food and beverage venues.

Media cost
$2,500-$100,000+ for network campaigns, or $5-$30+ CPM for eligible digital screens.
Lead time
2-8 weeks depending on venue and alcohol approvals.

Specialty OOH

Beach And Boardwalk Advertising

Boardwalks, beach entrances, kiosks, lifeguard structures, parasols and permitted sand or aerial zones.

Media cost
$2,000-$100,000+ for seasonal packages depending on destination and exclusivity.
Lead time
4-10 weeks including permits and seasonal setup.

Street furniture

Bike Share Station Advertising

Bike docking stations and mobility hubs in dense urban neighborhoods.

Media cost
$10,000-$1,000,000+ depending on whether the buy is local panels or system naming/sponsorship.
Lead time
3-8 weeks for a standard panel campaign; major sponsorships take months.

Roadside billboards

Billboard Posters 30 Sheet

Urban arterials, neighborhood commercial corridors and surface roads closer to drivers and pedestrians than most bulletins.

Media cost
$500-$5,000 per face per four weeks in many US markets, with major-city and high-demand sites costing more.
Lead time
4-8 business days after artwork approval.