Support us

RoadworksUnited States

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United States. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United States

34. Roadworks

Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic lights, barriers, road markings and instructions from authorised personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.

Roadworks
Temporary roadworks signs near Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway. (New York City, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Tdorante10 • CC BY-SA
What should you watch for when approaching roadworks in the United States?

Look for temporary warnings, cones, barriers, narrow lanes and construction vehicles. The MUTCD uses temporary traffic-control devices including orange work-zone signs; traffic-control arrangements and penalties are also governed by state law. Expect workers and slow or stationary traffic near the worksite.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition Revision1 — relevant traffic controls

Is a temporary speed limit at roadworks binding in the United States?

Where an authorised temporary regulatory speed limit is in force, you must obey it. A roadworks warning alone should not be mistaken for a new numerical limit, but conditions may require driving more slowly.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition Revision1 — relevant traffic controls

What if only one lane remains open through roadworks in the United States?

Follow the temporary signals, stop/go instructions, lane arrows and priority signs. Do not enter an opposing traffic lane until permitted, and give vulnerable road users and road workers extra room.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition Revision1 — relevant traffic controls

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...