Winding Road sign
Three or more changes in direction ahead, each less than 600 feet apart; used instead of several Turn or Curve signs.
What to do
Slow down and drive carefully through the whole winding section.
Keep a lower, steady speed for the whole winding stretch and do not pass where you cannot see far ahead.
Where it's used
Section 2C.07 allows a Winding Road (W1-5) sign instead of a series of Turn or Curve signs where there are three or more changes in direction, each separated by less than 600 feet. It is a black-on-yellow diamond with a snake-like arrow. A NEXT XX MILES (W7-3aP) plaque may be added below it when the curves continue for a set distance.
Don't confuse it with
- Reverse Curve: Reverse Curve warns of exactly two curves, while Winding Road warns of three or more.
- Curve: The Curve sign warns of a single curve.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Diamond
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W1-5
- MUTCD section
- 2C.07
On state permit tests
Our questions for 3 states ask about this sign, including California, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Test yourself
A yellow sign shows a snake-shaped line. It warns of: (California practice test)
- A slippery road
- A lane shift
- A detour
- A winding road ahead
Show answer
A winding road ahead. The winding road sign warns of a series of curves ahead.
A Winding Road sign means there are how many curves in a row ahead? (Pennsylvania practice test)
- Three or more
- Exactly five
- Two
- One
Show answer
Three or more. The Winding Road (series of curves) sign means three or more curves in a row.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Chevron Alignment
Advisory Speed plaqueFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.07. Sign image: public domain, source.