Warning signs
Side Road sign
Another road joins yours from the side ahead.
- Diamond
- Yellow
- MUTCD W2-2
Shape and background first
Federal designation W2-2 in the MUTCD, the national standard every state signs to.
What the MUTCD specifies
Designation: W2-2
MUTCD Section 2C.41
Conventional road size: 30 x 30 in
Source: Federal Highway Administration, MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023), Part 2, Table 2C-1; Table 2C-3, Condition B, potential stop, verified 2026-09-26.
Where you will see it
Suggested advance placement distance by posted speed (MUTCD guidance, MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023), Part 2, Table 2C-1; Table 2C-3, Condition B, potential stop, verified 2026-09-26):
- 35 mph: 250 ft
- 45 mph: 360 ft
- 55 mph: 495 ft
What the test wants you to know
The mistake people make
A T shape or a side branch tells you where vehicles will appear from. Drivers entering from that side road are the ones who must yield to you, but you should still cover the brake.
The sign people confuse it with
Side Road gets mixed up with Cross Road more than any other pairing in this category. Put them side by side and the difference is obvious, which is exactly why it is worth doing once rather than meeting them cold in the exam.
Side Road
Another road joins yours from the side ahead.
Cross Road
A road crosses ahead.
