Freeway ends sign: what it means

Freeway ends sign: a yellow diamond with the words FREEWAY ENDS in black
Drawing: Drivoku, based on MUTCD sign W19-3. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

FREEWAY ENDS warns that the freeway ends ahead. An added ALL TRAFFIC MUST EXIT sign tells drivers when they must leave by an exit ramp.

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What does the FREEWAY ENDS sign mean?

The freeway ends ahead. MUTCD Section 2C.22 says FREEWAY ENDS may be used before the end of a freeway. A separate version includes the distance in miles. If the next freeway section has not been built and all traffic must leave by an exit ramp, an ALL TRAFFIC MUST EXIT sign should be added.

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

  1. The freeway ends ahead.
  2. The road ends with no way through.
  3. One lane ends; move over in good time.

Show answer

A. The freeway ends ahead. The sign warns of the end of a freeway ahead (MUTCD Section 2C.22). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Sections 2C.22 and 2C.21, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Where will you see it?

Before the end of a freeway.

What should you do?

Watch for an ALL TRAFFIC MUST EXIT sign. If it is posted, use an exit ramp to leave the freeway.

What do people get wrong?

Do not confuse FREEWAY ENDS with DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS. DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS warns of two-way traffic beyond the end of a physically divided highway.

Common questions

Does this sign show the distance?

W19-3 says FREEWAY ENDS. The separate W19-1 version says FREEWAY ENDS XX MILES.

When is ALL TRAFFIC MUST EXIT added?

The MUTCD recommends it when the next freeway section has not been built and all traffic must leave by an exit ramp.

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Sources

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Sections 2C.22 and 2C.21.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Sections 2C.22 and 2C.21, FHWA
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025

Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.

This text was written with AI help, checked against the MUTCD and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

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