America has long been regarded as the ultimate destination for long-distance road trips. if you’ve got the opportunity to venture out onto the highways and interstates as part of a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, you should grab it with both hands.
Of course, the rules of the road are different state-side – and it’s not just driving on the right that you’l need to get to grips with. To avoid becoming bamboozled by unfamiliar symbols or road signs, here’s an overview of some of the most common road signs you’ll find in the USA, which are worth learning ahead of your adventure.
4 common US road signs to be aware of
Wherever you go in the world, road signs are primarily designed with safety in mind. In the US, the list of road signs that fall into this category is extensive, including:
Speed limit signs
In the US, there are different speed limits imposed by different states; it’s not like the UK, where the national speed limit is the same whether you’re in Cardiff, or Aberdeen.
The signs showing the speed limit on different roads in the US are also far less conspicuous than they are elsewhere. They’re usually rectangular, with black text on a white background, surrounded by a black outline.
As they can be harder to spot if you’re used to driving overseas and seeing speed limit signs in different colours where you live, you’ll need to be doubly committed to looking out for them.
Warning signs
It’s worth reading a full street signs list to familiarise yourself with the different types of road warning signs which are used on American soil.
You should be particularly aware if you see brightly coloured road signs in the US. For example, red is only used on signs which require you to stop and give way, or alert you to a route that should not be taken if you’re approaching it from a specific direction – like the equivalent of no-entry signs in the UK.
Meanwhile orange signs are associated with construction work, and could also signal that a detour is necessary, so adhering to these road signs is equally important if you want to protect your car.
Informational road signs in the US
There are also road signs in America which don’t give drivers specific instructions but, instead, act to convey useful travel information. For example:
Signs for areas of interest and services
If you’re passing a local attraction of historical or cultural significance, this will be highlighted by the use of a brown road sign, as is often the case in the UK.
Confusingly, however, brown road signs can also denote rest stops on interstates. So, you could also end up finding somewhere pleasant to chill out, grab a bite to eat and reset before returning to the open road, rather than an important monument or museum.
Signs for destination turn-offs and traffic management
In the US, green is the colour which is typically reserved for signs which single out specific destinations, or different routes that can be taken. If you’re on the highway and a green sign is positioned ahead of you, it could indicate that you’re approaching the next turning for your route, and it’ll also show you which lane you need to be in.
This might all sound pretty straightforward and familiar and, for the most part, it is. However, given that American roads can include many more lanes than the roads you’re used to driving on at home, being on the ball when it comes to reading green street signs is a must!
Ultimately, navigating an American road trip shouldn’t be too taxing, especially if you’re an experienced, sensible driver and you’ve read up on the local road signs ahead of time.
Now, all that’s left to do is plan your road trip route (remember to consider toll roads – they can bump up the cost of your journey!) and create a road trip playlist!