Winding road sign: what it means
The winding road sign warns of three or more curves ahead, close together. Expect bend after bend.
What does the winding road sign mean?
MUTCD Section 2C.07 says a Winding Road (W1-5) sign may be used where there are three or more changes in alignment, each less than 600 feet apart. A NEXT XX MILES plaque may show how long the curves go on.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Two curves in opposite directions ahead.
- Three or more curves ahead.
- Your road ends at a T ahead.
Show answer
B. Three or more curves ahead. Three or more curves follow each other ahead (MUTCD Section 2C.07). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.07, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
On hill and mountain roads and along rivers.
What should you do?
Slow down, keep right and do not pass where you cannot see far ahead.
What do people get wrong?
Speeding up on the short straight bits between curves.
Common questions
How long does the winding road go on?
A NEXT XX MILES plaque may be added to show the distance.
How is it different from a reverse curve?
A reverse curve sign is for two curves; winding road is for three or more.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 2C.07.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.07, FHWA
- 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.