Where in the United States Do People Drive on the Left?

The only place in the United States where motorists drive on the left side of the road is the U.S. Virgin Islands—specifically St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Everywhere else in the U.S., including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and other territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa, traffic keeps to the right.

What Makes the U.S. Virgin Islands an Exception

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) retain left-side driving as a legacy of regional Caribbean practice and historical custom predating the islands’ transfer from Denmark to the United States in 1917. Despite being a U.S. territory with American road standards, the local traffic code instructs drivers to “keep left,” and signage around airports, ports, and rental counters reinforces the rule for visitors.

Islands That Drive on the Left in the U.S.

The following list identifies the specific islands within the United States where left-side driving is the law, helping travelers plan accordingly if they’re island-hopping or renting a vehicle.

• St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)
• St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands)
• St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Together, these three islands make up the entirety of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the sole U.S. jurisdiction with left-side road traffic; all other U.S. jurisdictions drive on the right.

How This Differs From the Rest of the U.S.

On the U.S. mainland and in other territories—Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa—drivers keep to the right, in line with federal standards and common North American practice. Notably, American Samoa is often confused with independent Samoa (which switched to left-side driving in 2009), but American Samoa follows right-side traffic like the rest of the U.S.

Practical Notes for Travelers

If you plan to drive in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a few practical tips can make the transition to left-side traffic safer and less stressful, especially since many vehicles on the islands are left-hand drive (imported from the mainland), which places the driver on the “curb side” rather than the centerline side.

1. Approach turns deliberately: Make wide left turns and tight right turns; pause to visualize your lane before moving.
2. Mind roundabouts: Traffic flows clockwise; yield to vehicles already circulating.
3. Watch sightlines: In left-hand traffic with left-hand-drive cars, overtaking visibility is reduced—be extra cautious.
4. Follow local signage: “Keep Left” reminders appear near ports, airports, and major junctions.
5. Expect U.S.-style rules: Speed limits are in miles per hour and road signs follow U.S. conventions.

With a bit of preparation and patience, visitors accustomed to right-side driving typically adapt quickly to the USVI’s left-side traffic, especially at the relatively moderate local speeds.

Are There Any Other Left-Side Exceptions in the U.S.?

No. Beyond the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are no public-road jurisdictions in the United States that legally operate on the left. While private properties (such as industrial sites or parking facilities) might use temporary or atypical traffic patterns, these do not constitute official left-side road systems.

Bottom Line

Within the United States and its territories, only the U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left; all other jurisdictions drive on the right.

Summary

Drivers in the United States keep to the right everywhere except in the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix—where left-side driving is the law. Other U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, follow right-side traffic. Travelers to the USVI should heed “Keep Left” reminders, take turns carefully, and be aware that many vehicles are left-hand drive despite left-side traffic.

Why did the US switch to right side driving?

for their convenience the US switched from the left to right side. so right hand driving became the norm in the US. then when the pan-american highway was being built basically all the countries in the americas who drove on the left were pressured to switch to the right in the 1920s when construction began.

Which US territory drives on the left?

the United States Virgin Islands
Transportation in the United States Virgin Islands. The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is the only place under United States jurisdiction where the rule of the road is to drive on the left.

Which states drive on the left?

No U.S. state requires left-side driving; all U.S. states drive on the right. However, the U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. territory, is a notable exception where driving is on the left, and Cuttyhunk Island in Massachusetts also uses left-side driving due to its unique low-vehicle traffic environment.
 
Why no U.S. state drives on the left 

• Right-hand traffic is the standard: Opens in new tabDriving on the right side of the road became the norm in the United States and was codified by the year 1804.
• Historical reasons: Opens in new tabThe shift to driving on the right was influenced by factors such as early drivers sitting on the right side of wagons to better see oncoming traffic and avoid ditches.

Where driving on the left does occur in the U.S.

• U.S. Virgin Islands: Opens in new tabThis is the only place under U.S. jurisdiction where driving on the left is the rule, influenced by previous Danish and British colonial rule. 
• Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts: Opens in new tabOn this small island, driving on the left is a practice because there are so few vehicles and a much higher number of pedestrians, making left-hand driving more practical for safety. 

How many countries still drive on the left side of the road?

There are 163 countries and territories that drive on the right side of the road, while 76 of them drive on the left. Many of the countries that drive on the left — making up about 30% of the world’s population — are former British colonies, including ones in Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and Oceania.