Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead.
MUTCD-style sign reference illustration. Always verify against the official CA MUTCD and Caltrans sign charts.
| Sign code | G20-1 |
|---|---|
| Federal code | G20-1 |
| Name | Road Work Next XX Miles |
| Category | Guide Signs |
| Shape | Rectangle (Horizontal) |
| Color | Orange background, black legend |
| California status | Used in California per CA MUTCD |
| Typical CA minimum size | 48" × 24" |
Download this sign or open the official MUTCD reference.
Official source: FHWA Standard Highway Signs, 2024 (11th Edition) — Guide signs.
Source: FHWA Standard Highway Signs — Public Domain. California: CA MUTCD 2026 (effective Jan 18, 2026).
Files linked from FHWA are official government publications in the public domain. CA MUTCD and Caltrans links open official government websites. Always verify against the current edition.
Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead.
Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead. In the field, G20-1 Road Work Next XX Miles is typically positioned at the beginning of the work zone (advance/upstream). Common deployments include beginning of long-duration or corridor work zones; highway and expressway projects spanning miles; paired with END ROAD WORK at the downstream end. Always confirm its size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement against the CA MUTCD 2026 and the reviewing agency before finalizing the traffic control plan.
Used at the start of longer California work zones, especially on highways and corridors, to set driver expectations for an extended work area.
Common field deployments
Agency review note
StreetsLA, LA County DPW, and Caltrans District 7 may require larger sizes or additional devices. Verify with the reviewing agency before finalizing the TCP.
Typical minimum: 48" × 24".
Sizes are CA MUTCD minimums and vary by roadway classification and speed. Verify against the CA MUTCD 2026 (CA MUTCD Part 6, Chapter 6F (Temporary Traffic Control)), Caltrans sign specifications, and the reviewing agency.
Where it sits: Beginning of the work zone (advance/upstream).
CA MUTCD reference: CA MUTCD Part 6, Chapter 6F (Temporary Traffic Control).
In Los Angeles, this sign must conform to CA MUTCD 2026. Work in City of LA right-of-way is reviewed by StreetsLA and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE); state highways in LA County are permitted and reviewed by Caltrans District 7; county roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Sizes, retroreflectivity, and placement must meet CA MUTCD minimums — local agencies may require larger signs based on roadway class, speed, pedestrian volume, and proximity to schools or transit.
Confirm the stated distance matches the actual work limits and that END ROAD WORK closes the zone. Public Ready reviews work-zone limits signing.
These signs are typically deployed alongside G20-1 on a California TCP.
Running an extended work zone? Public Ready can supply ROAD WORK NEXT XX MILES (G20-1) with the correct distance legend.
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Free official resource — opens official government website
Educational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements.
To understand the bigger picture around permits, agency review, lane closures, and pedestrian access for work zones using G20-1 Road Work Next XX Miles, visit WorkZoneCompliance.com.
Public Ready can help with G20-1 Road Work Next XX Miles — including sign rental or purchase, work-zone signs, TCP sign legends, and permit coordination, and agency-review support for Caltrans District 7, the City of Los Angeles, and LA County.
