Side Road sign

A side road joins from the direction shown.

What to do

Watch for vehicles entering from the side road.

Watch the side shown on the sign for vehicles pulling out, and be ready to slow down.

Image shows the right-side version.

Where it's used

Section 2C.41 allows Side Road (W2-2, W2-3 or W2-3a) signs in advance of an intersection where a road joins from one side, to warn of entering or turning traffic. It is a black-on-yellow diamond whose short branch shows the side and angle of the joining road. It should not be used on approaches controlled by STOP, YIELD or signals, and it may be combined with a curve symbol (W1-10 series) where the side road is on a curve.

Don't confuse it with

Cross Road: Cross Road shows roads joining from both sides, not just one.
T-Intersection: On a T-intersection sign your road ends, while with a side road your road continues straight.
Y-Intersection: Y-Intersection means the road splits into two branches, not that a road joins from the side.

Type: Warning signs
Shape: Diamond
Colors: yellow, black
MUTCD code: W2-2
MUTCD section: 2C.41

On state permit tests

Our questions for 3 states ask about this sign, including Maryland, Michigan and Mississippi.

Test yourself

What does this sign mean? (Maryland practice test)

T intersection
Crossroad
Side road enters ahead
Y intersection

Show answer

Side road enters ahead. The Side Road Enters Ahead sign warns that a road joins from the side.

What does a sign showing a short road joining yours from the right mean? (Michigan practice test)

Right turn only
Side road ahead; watch for traffic entering from the right
Merge left
Right lane ends

Show answer

Side road ahead; watch for traffic entering from the right. A side road ahead sign warns that a road intersects from the right; watch for traffic.

More warning signs

Road signs test All road signs

From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.41. Sign image: public domain, source.