Which Side of the Road Does the USA Drive On?

No. In the United States, people drive on the right-hand side of the road. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., follow right-hand traffic rules. A notable exception within U.S. jurisdiction is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where driving is on the left.

The U.S. Standard: Right-Hand Traffic

Across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and most U.S. territories, vehicles keep to the right and feature left-hand-drive configurations (steering wheel on the left). This standard underpins national traffic laws, road design, signage placement, and driver education programs.

Notable Exceptions Within U.S. Jurisdiction

While the United States is overwhelmingly a right-driving nation, there is one widely recognized exception under the U.S. flag: the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), which drive on the left. Other major U.S. territories—Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa—drive on the right.

The following list outlines driving sides across key U.S. jurisdictions for quick reference.

• All 50 U.S. states + Washington, D.C.: Right-hand driving
• Puerto Rico: Right-hand driving
• Guam: Right-hand driving
• Northern Mariana Islands: Right-hand driving
• American Samoa: Right-hand driving
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Left-hand driving (most vehicles are still left-hand-drive due to imports from the mainland)

In practice, this means most U.S. travelers will encounter right-hand traffic almost everywhere under U.S. governance, with the USVI being the key exception that requires extra attention.

How This Came to Be: A Brief History

The United States’ right-hand driving convention emerged in the late 18th and 19th centuries, influenced by state-level laws and the rise of vehicles designed for right-side travel. The practice became uniform as motor vehicles proliferated and national standards matured.

The timeline below summarizes pivotal moments that shaped U.S. driving norms.

• 1792: Pennsylvania enacts one of the earliest right-side travel laws, influencing neighboring states.
• 1800s: Right-hand travel spreads across the young nation, fostering consistency between states.
• Early 1900s: Mass-produced cars (notably Ford’s left-hand-drive Model T) reinforce the right-driving standard.
• 20th century: Uniform vehicle codes and highway standards cement right-hand traffic nationwide.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Retain left-hand driving due to historical and regional practices in the Caribbean.

This progression reflects both legislative choices and practical engineering decisions—especially vehicle design—that made right-hand travel the norm.

Practical Advice for Travelers

If you’re visiting different parts of the United States and its territories, a few simple checks can help ensure you follow the correct driving side and stay safe.

• Confirm local rules: In the USVI, drive on the left; elsewhere under U.S. governance, drive on the right.
• Mind vehicle configuration: In the USVI, many cars are left-hand-drive—take extra care with visibility and passing.
• Follow lane markers: Yellow lines separate opposing traffic; white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction.
• Watch signage: Speed limits are posted in miles per hour across the U.S. and its territories.
• Adjust at intersections: Look both ways and double-check turn patterns if you’re switching from a different driving side.

With a quick review of local rules and attentive driving, visitors can adapt smoothly to regional differences—especially in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Summary

The United States drives on the right-hand side of the road in all states and most territories. The principal exception is the U.S. Virgin Islands, where drivers keep left. Travelers should verify local practices—particularly in the Caribbean—while remembering that vehicle designs and road markings are consistent with each location’s driving side.

Is America left hand or right hand?

The majority of the world – around two-thirds of countries – drives on the right-hand side, including: USA and Canada (Canada switched from left to right in the 1920s to align with the US) Most of Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.) China and Russia.

Is the USA left side or right side driving?

Right Side
The Federal Highway Administration has often been asked about the American practice of driving on the right, instead of the left, as in Great Britain, our “Mother Country.” Albert C.

Which country drives on the left?

These include India, Australia, New Zealand and former British colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Very few countries drive on the left in Europe like we do in the UK. The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left.

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.