Which side of the road does America drive on?

In the United States, traffic keeps to the right-hand side of the road. Across the wider Americas, right-hand traffic predominates as well, with notable left-driving exceptions in parts of the Caribbean, along with Guyana, Suriname, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What “America” can mean—and why it matters

Colloquially, “America” often refers to the United States, where drivers keep right. Geographically, however, “the Americas” spans North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. While most of this region uses right-hand traffic, a cluster of countries and territories—primarily with historical British ties—drive on the left.

United States: Right-hand traffic

The United States uses right-hand traffic nationwide. Vehicles typically have left-hand drive (steering wheel on the left), road signage and lane markings follow right-side norms, and cross-border consistency exists with neighboring Canada and Mexico, which are also right-hand traffic countries.

The broader picture across the Americas

From Canada and the U.S. through Mexico and Central America to the vast majority of South America, right-hand traffic is the rule. Most French- and Dutch-associated territories in the Caribbean also drive on the right. The main departures from this pattern are in the Anglophone Caribbean and a few South American and U.S. territories.

Notable left-hand traffic exceptions in the Americas

While most of the Americas drive on the right, the following countries and territories are known for left-hand traffic, largely reflecting historical British influence or local policy choices.

• Caribbean sovereign states: Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago; Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Caribbean territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands
• Mainland South America: Guyana, Suriname
• U.S. territory: U.S. Virgin Islands (left-hand traffic despite most vehicles being left-hand drive)
• South Atlantic territory near South America: Falkland Islands

Outside these exceptions, countries and territories across North, Central, and South America—plus most Caribbean islands—drive on the right.

Why the split exists

Traffic-side conventions generally trace back to colonial legacies, vehicle imports, and regional coordination. British influence led many Caribbean nations and territories to adopt left-hand traffic. By contrast, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin American countries standardized on right-hand traffic to align with continental neighbors and vehicle manufacturing norms.

Practical tips for travelers

If you plan to drive across different parts of the Americas, it helps to prepare for variations in traffic rules and vehicle configurations.

• Confirm the local driving side before you go, especially on island hops in the Caribbean.
• Check vehicle configuration: some left-driving places (e.g., U.S. Virgin Islands) commonly use left-hand-drive cars.
• Review key rules: speed limits (mph vs. km/h), signage styles, and insurance requirements vary.
• Ease into it: on roundabouts and turns, consciously look the correct direction for the local traffic side.

A little advance research helps ensure a smoother and safer driving experience when moving between right- and left-driving jurisdictions.

Summary

The United States drives on the right-hand side, and so do most countries and territories across the Americas. Notable left-hand traffic exceptions include many Anglophone Caribbean nations and territories, Guyana, Suriname, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Falkland Islands.

Is America right or left-hand traffic?

Although each state sets its own traffic laws, most laws are the same or similar throughout the country. Traffic is required to keep to the right, known as a right-hand traffic pattern. The exception is the US Virgin Islands, where people drive on the left.

Is the US left or right lane?

Common practice and most law on United States highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake.

Is USA steering left or right?

left
Americans and the rest of the world not influenced by British colonialism drive in the right lane and have steering wheels on the left side of the care.

Is America the only country with left-hand drive?

Around 64 countries drive on the left-hand side of the road while the rest of the world drives on the right. In Europe, very few countries drive on the left like we do. These are The Channel Islands, Cyprus, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Malta.