G20-1 Road Work Next XX Miles
Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead.
- Sign Name
- Road Work Next XX Miles
- General Meaning
- Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead.
- MUTCD Code
- G20-1
- Typical Use
- Beginning of the work zone (advance/upstream).
- Sign Category
- Guide Signs
Specifications
- Standard Shape
- Rectangle (Horizontal)
- Background Color
- Orange
- Legend / Symbol
- Black legend
- Border
- Black
- Reflectivity
- High Intensity (for nighttime visibility)
- Compliance
- MUTCD / CA MUTCD
Standard Sizes (inches)
- Conventional Rectangle (Horizontal)24"–48" tall
- Expressway Rectangle (Horizontal)36"–60" tall
- Freeway Rectangle (Horizontal)48"–72" tall
Material / Application Notes
Beginning of long-duration or corridor work zones. Confirm placement and supplemental plaques against the applicable CA MUTCD standard.
View this sign on the Federal MUTCD (FHWA)California Notes
California-specific application notes and adoptions may differ. Review California requirements where applicable.
What It Means / When This Sign Is Used
In the field, G20-1 Road Work Next XX Miles is typically positioned at the beginning of the work zone (advance/upstream). Common deployments include beginning of long-duration or corridor work zones; highway and expressway projects spanning miles; paired with END ROAD WORK at the downstream end. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
Learn more about Road Work Next XX Miles sign requirementsWhen & Where It's Used
- Beginning of long-duration or corridor work zones
- Highway and expressway projects spanning miles
- Paired with END ROAD WORK at the downstream end
Placement on a Traffic Control Plan
- Where it sits
- Beginning of the work zone (advance/upstream).
- CA MUTCD reference
- CA MUTCD Part 6, Chapter 6F (Temporary Traffic Control)
- Typical minimum size
- 48" × 24"
California / Field Use Notes
Used at the start of longer California work zones, especially on highways and corridors, to set driver expectations for an extended work area.
In Los Angeles, this sign must conform to CA MUTCD 2026. Work in City of LA right-of-way is reviewed by StreetsLA and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE); state highways in LA County are permitted and reviewed by Caltrans District 7; county roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Sizes, retroreflectivity, and placement must meet CA MUTCD minimums — local agencies may require larger signs based on roadway class, speed, pedestrian volume, and proximity to schools or transit.
Common Plan Review Comments
- Stated work-zone length does not match the actual work limits.
- END ROAD WORK missing or placed before the termination area.
- Wrong size specified for the facility.
- Sheeting / retroreflectivity class not noted.
Confirm the stated distance matches the actual work limits and that END ROAD WORK closes the zone. Public Ready reviews work-zone limits signing.
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View All G-Series Signs
Educational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements. Local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements, and final selection, placement, and dimensions may require engineering judgment or agency approval. Written against California MUTCD 2026 (effective January 18, 2026) and the Federal MUTCD 11th Edition. Official sources last verified June 2026.
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