However, there are a handful of lesser-known road rules.
Still, theyll help you navigate efficiently and communicate silently with other drivers.
Most of the time, left exits are clearly marked, but thats not always the case.
If its on the right, the exit will be on the right.
Not all left exits are marked this way, though.
Some exit panels, right or left, are positioned in the middle, which doesnt really help you.
One reader gave us a heads up about distance-based exit numbers, which correspond with these mile markers.
Its useful info for figuring out where you are and how far you have to go.
For example, if you pass Exit 40, you know youre close to Mile 40.
Keep in mind, however, that notall states follow this standard, though.
you could see whetheryour state uses distance-based exit numbers here.
Highway Numbers Tell You Where Youre Headed
Your highway number is another indication of where youre headed.
Interstate highways follow an odd or even numbering system.
And then there are three-digit interstate highways.
If the first digit is odd, the highway is typically a spur route.
The last two numbers usually tell you which interstate the route spurs off from.
For example: I-210 in California branches off of I-10.
Houstons I-610 loop branches off of I-10, too.
Again, these rules are typically the case, but there are always a few exceptions.
AsSnopes points out, I-238 in California doesnt spur off of Interstate 38, as Interstate 38 doesnt exist.
Broken Secretsoutlines a few others:
The most common signal is used by cars and trucks in oncoming lanes.
They will double-flash their headlights when they just passed a police speed trap that youre heading toward.
Truck drivers will put their flashing hazard lights on when the highway traffic is coming to an abrupt stop.
However, they come in handy for the rest of us, too.
Plus, theyre kind of fun.
If you pay attention, the road often gives you a heads up on this, though.
Blue reflectors on the roadare a sign that theres a fire hydrant up ahead.
While this is designed for firefighters, its useful for those of us who have trouble parking, too.
Red markers are actually clear, white or yellow when youre going the right way.
Most of us know and follow the basic rules of the road.
There are a lot of rules, though, which means many of the less urgent ones are forgotten.
These arent as important as others, but theyre still useful nuggets to have on hand.
Illustration by: Sam Woolley
Photos:Ken Lund,Ken Lund,Ken Lund,Katelyn,Robert Couse-Baker
