Lane widths

**paul67** · 10-05-2005

Does anybody know the width of a US freeway lane, because I'm sure there wider than here in the UK.
just wondering
paul67

**chevymike** · 10-05-2005

I think most roads are 8' wide but I think there are some freeways that have 9' ones. I think the DOT standard minimum is 8'. From what I have seen, yes they are wider then the UK.

**6'9"Witha69** · 10-05-2005

Unless you are on the 110 going into Pasadena. I swear those lanes are like 5-6' wide.

**Pzary3233** · 10-05-2005

UK lanes seem MUCH smaller... Espcially the backroads with hedgerows (sp?)!!! Having alittle fun on one of those roads and then a car coming the other way pops up around the corner... BAD feeling!

**nancejd** · 10-05-2005

I think most US freeway lanes are closer to 10' in width. An average two way roadway is about 24' including the gutter on the side. Even a parking space is usually 8'-6" to 9' wide, compact stalls can be 8'.

**zbugger** · 10-05-2005

On average, they are 12 feet wide on most US Interstate highways. Some side roads are smaller, with some being a little less than 9 feet wide.

I'm just not going out there with a tape measure......

**68BNUT** · 10-06-2005

OH come on get out there, aparently theres a problem in CA with people on the freeway, I drove out there 3 or 4 years ago for two weeks. I noticed that they had barb wire on the sides and wraped around all the big exit signs posts?? whats up with that??

**yody** · 10-06-2005

no way they are 12" maybe 6-8" wide.

**derekf** · 10-06-2005

Cody, even if you meant 6 feet instead of 6 inches - have you measured your car lately? I'd be willing to bet even a Civic is close to 6 feet wide, and you know the big-rigs are much wider than that.

http://www.answers.com/topic/interst...hway-standards says interstate lane width is required to be at LEAST 12'.

**yody** · 10-06-2005

civic 6' no way. i am 6'2" and will easily hang off a civic if i layed across it. I would say the lanes on average are about 9'

**Kenova** · 10-06-2005

I believe the trailers for transport trucks are held to a maximum width of 8'. In my neck of the woods, the rigs have approx. another 12" to 18" of room on both sides (if the driver can keep it centered). I've driven on some of Florida's Interstate highways and they do seem to be slightly wider.
Ken

**6'9"Witha69** · 10-06-2005

Originally Posted by 68BNUT

OH come on get out there, aparently theres a problem in CA with people on the freeway, I drove out there 3 or 4 years ago for two weeks. I noticed that they had barb wire on the sides and wraped around all the big exit signs posts?? whats up with that??

To keep the F'ing taggers off the signs. People will "bomb up" (not sure if that is still the acceptable lingo) anything out here. They have died hanging from Freeway overpasses trying to tag on the signs. Morons!!! Go paint your own house or wall. They have done it on my parents wall. Rant over.

**Jim Nilsen** · 10-06-2005

If I remember correctly, US highways are min. 10 ft. and interstate hiways are 12ft. The width of a semi trailer inside dimensions is 96 in. so when you add mirrors and such on the outside you take up considerably more and to accomadate wider loads of up to 12 ft. without an escort i think the 12 ft interstate width is correct. I do know that 10 ft. is common on our regular streets around where I live and I think I once heard 22 ft total for a 2 lane road making it actually 11 ft with the stipes.

Jim Nilsen

**paul67** · 10-06-2005

Thanks for the input I have just checked our UK dept of transport site and they say they are made 3.65 mtrs wide which in real measurement is 12 ft ,anybody willing to play chicken with a tape.
paul67

**Q ship** · 10-06-2005

Good God, have any of you guys ever heard of RESEARCH and posting factual information?!?!

Something this simple.....and no one can bring any tech or do some Googling. :bsjerk:

**paul67** · 10-06-2005

Yes but do you always believe what the Govt print.

paul67

**Jim Nilsen** · 10-06-2005

In my town we have a road that is 2 ft short of being wide enough for 2 lanes , one lane is actually a parking lane. If you parked a car in that lane ,which is legal, in about and hour you would have a wrecked car. Everyone including the police use it as a driving lane.
Like Pual said do you believe what is in print by our gov. the other thing is I don't always like to sound like I know everything since laws change and from state to state things can be different. I actually knew that 12ft. was the exact measurement but just in case someone wanted to say it was 11.5ft because of the stripe I didn't want to have to defend it. Plus when someone comments about research and giving factual info and didn't take the time to do so themselves it can get messy around here lately. So feel free to go to U.S.D.O.T and get us a copy .I don't have the time or care since I have been known to use the whole road when noone else is around and then my lane is more than big enough not to worry about it.

Jim Nilsen

**zbugger** · 10-06-2005

I actually did the research. I typed in U.S. Highway Lane Width into google and that is what I found out. There are roads that are 9' or less. Not that many though. Here's a link to actual numbers.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/hs98/tables/hm53.pdf

Sorry Brian, but I did use my head. Here's my google page for proof.

Common sense tells you that the lanes can't be 6-8 feet wide. Many pickup trucks and old cars wouldn't fit in that lane. Now my question is why do so damn many people have so damned much trouble staying in that much damn space? And how damn many times can I say damn in one sentence?

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**Q ship** · 10-07-2005

Originally Posted by paul67

Does anybody know the width of a US freeway lane,

Jim, he didn't ask about a local road near your house, heck I live on a dirt road-maybe I should talk about that? If you knew the right answer, just state it and maybe back it up with a link.

My point was that it's easily found data, and yet everyone sounded like they were guessing. Vince would say I need to eat more bran(he's probably right!). I am just afraid this forum is getting "dumbed down" to the point that it is little more than a chat board. I promise to stay out of the general forums from now on, let's not waste any more bandwidth. My apologies to anyone I offended.

Allen, sending you a PM.

Peace.

**yody** · 10-07-2005

take the stick out of your butt! Sorry we didnt' waste time doing a search for the width of a freeway lane???? get over it.

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Thread: Lane widths

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Lane widths

Not totally sure....

Research and factual info...