Road closed to thru traffic sign: what it means

ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC sign: a white horizontal rectangle with the words ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC in black
Drawing: Drivoku, based on MUTCD sign R11-4. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

The ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC sign means through traffic must not use the road, but local traffic may drive up to the closure.

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What does the ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC sign mean?

MUTCD Section 2B.63 says this sign, or ROAD CLOSED LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY, should be used where through traffic is not permitted, or for a closure some distance beyond the sign, but where the highway is open for local traffic up to the closure. Section 6G.05 says it may be used in urban areas.

Quick quiz

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

  1. The road is closed to all traffic.
  2. A detour onto another road ahead.
  3. Only local traffic may use the road.

Show answer

C. Only local traffic may use the road. Through traffic is not permitted, but local traffic may go up to the closure (MUTCD Section 2B.63). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.63, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6G.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Where will you see it?

At the start of streets closed further along, often in cities.

What should you do?

If you are not going to a place on that road, take the detour.

What do people get wrong?

Driving in to get through. The road is closed ahead, so you will have to turn back.

Common questions

Who counts as local traffic?

Drivers going to homes, businesses or other places on the road before the closure.

How is it different from ROAD CLOSED?

ROAD CLOSED shuts the road to all traffic except authorized vehicles. This one still lets local traffic in.

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Sources

Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Sections 2B.63 and 6G.05.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.63, FHWA
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 6, Temporary Traffic Control: Section 6G.05, FHWA
  3. 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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