Navigating Rough Right Lanes: Staying Left on I-95 and Other Highways

[Wasillaguy]

Even if I am slowly gaining on a vehicle, if I see someone coming up on me quickly, I get over if reasonable and let them go.
If it would cause me to significantly lose clip, then I'll hold my ground and get over as soon as possible, speeding up some to get it done quicker.
It's called not impededing the flow of traffic, aka courtesy/consideration.
If the slow lane sucks, yes, I'll use the fast, only until traffic comes up on me. Then I get over in the rough slow lane where I belong. Tough for me that it's rough.
I have also gone 85 in the fast lane rather than rattle my rig apart in the slow lane, another option.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Go Indiana LEO!!!

 

[whiteva]

Yesterday I tried the right lane for the entire day. It was a very depressing travel time, no one waved a single finger, not one horn or brake check.
Ah well back to the left lane for me. (And engage the left turn signal until parked.)

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Even if I am slowly gaining on a vehicle, if I see someone coming up on me quickly, I get over if reasonable and let them go.
If it would cause me to significantly lose clip, then I'll hold my ground and get over as soon as possible, speeding up some to get it done quicker.
It's called not impededing the flow of traffic, aka courtesy/consideration.
If the slow lane sucks, yes, I'll use the fast, only until traffic comes up on me. Then I get over in the rough slow lane where I belong. Tough for me that it's rough.
I have also gone 85 in the fast lane rather than rattle my rig apart in the slow lane, another option.

Very reasonable approach whether towing or not.
Many states have added restrictions to the left lane for trucks, vehicles towing, to keep them out of the left lane and slower speed limits for those vehicles to attempt to correct the behavior.
Some will never understand.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Gotta love the states that have slower speed limits for trucks and left lane restrictions.

 

[DutchmenSport]

That's a quandry in Indiana, .... Indiana is considering turning I 70 into a toll road to collect money to help with maintaining the interstate. ...

Yes, this absolutely angers me to no end also. Our taxes already paid for the interstate (probably several times over), and our taxes are still being collected to pay for upkeep. It's call "Excise Tax" and we pay that every time we get our license plates renewed and every time we pump at the gas station. Excise Tax was suppose to be used for roads, construction and repair. So, you, me, and everyone else has long paid.

Now "they" want to charge to use the road that we've been paying for all our lives! No! I'm a hundred-thousand percent against it. If it goes "Toll" then they need to remove Excise taxes from license plate registrations and fuel stations!

 

[whiteva]

Yes, this absolutely angers me to no end also. Our taxes already paid for the interstate (probably several times over), and our taxes are still being collected to pay for upkeep.

In Florida only us gas guzzlers pay road tax at the pump. EV's not so much. I say this simply because it is very cold today. So let the flames begin, I need the heat.
Cheers Y'all. ( A wee dram of scotch also helps make the cold go away)

 

[mrschwarz]

... plus, Indiana is so narrow semi's don't have to buy fuel here, so no money for road maintenance from fuel taxes.

Doesn't matter where a semi gets fuel. They pay taxes based on the miles driven in each state.

 

[Oldgator73]

In Florida only us gas guzzlers pay road tax at the pump. EV's not so much.

We have a Prius and our neighbors have a Tesla. We both received notices that we renew our registrations we will have to pay extra due to our vehicles utilizing alternative fuel.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Doesn't matter where a semi gets fuel. They pay taxes based on the miles driven in each state.

I believe commercial vehicles, especially semis, need to have fuel tax stickers on their rigs showing they pay for the states they're in.

 

[Bob_W-iRV2]

I'm going to steal another person's mention. It's cold here in Alabama and they're talking snow, sleet, ice so I need the heat too. I've said this hundreds of times so I'll say it again. THERE IS NO FAST LANE. The only signs on major highways are the Speed Limit (its a big white sign saying Speed Limit) that means every lane, two, four or six, should not be going above that speed. Yes, there is also a sign that says 'slower traffic use right lane,' but if I'm doing 65 in a 65 MPH limit I can legally be in ANY lane. And yes, I've been told I'm number one, I just don't understand why they use the wrong finger.
Now, I will stay in the right lane unless there's a sign that says 'trucks must use left lane or right lane' depending.
The flaming starts in 3, 2, 1

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Good to stay in the right lane, safer for passing vehicles to pass on the left.
Agreed there is no FAST LANE, only TURNING LANE, TRAVEL LANE, and PASSING LANE.

 

[Wasillaguy]

there is also a sign that says 'slower traffic use right lane,'

Depends where you are. In many places the sign says "keep right except to pass" or "left lane for passing only".
Also. Even if the sign says "slower traffic use right lane", one needs to interpret the word "slower". Slower than what? The posted max speed? The posted minimum? Slower than other traffic?
To be sure you're obeying the law, get over in any of these situations.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

It is “Intuitly obvious to the most casual observer” what to do, some must go out of their way to offend.

 

[Lou Schneider]

California just announced they're deploying speed cameras on major freeways that will issue automatic tickets at 11 MPH over the posted speed limits. I guess that means it's OK to go up to 10 MPH over the limit, i.e. 75 in a 65 MPH zone or 80 MPH on a 70 MPH freeway?

 

[Bob_W-iRV2]

Here's a warning to anyone going/traveling/driving along Interstate 40 starting February 10, 2026. I will be driving from Alabama to California with several and various stops along the way to and from. So, if you see me in the right lane doing 65, I'd appreciate a wave. Just remember to use all your fingers.

 

[[email protected]]

That's a quandry in Indiana, because by state law the left lane is for passing only, right lane is driving lane, and I 70 is in terrible condition. Indiana is considering turning I 70 into a toll road to collect money to help with maintaining the interstate. I completely understand why, I 70 is a near-constant train of semi's now, in both directions; plus, Indiana is so narrow semi's don't have to buy fuel here, so no money for road maintenance from fuel taxes.
Looks like I'll be using US 40 (national road) if that happens.

Oh yes, going west into Indy is a mess. All of that shaken and banging finished off my fresh water tank a year ago.

 

[RayIN]

Doesn't matter where a semi gets fuel. They pay taxes based on the miles driven in each state.

Good Catch! I forgot that.

 

[Oldgator73]

I'm going to steal another person's mention. It's cold here in Alabama and they're talking snow, sleet, ice so I need the heat too. I've said this hundreds of times so I'll say it again. THERE IS NO FAST LANE. The only signs on major highways are the Speed Limit (its a big white sign saying Speed Limit) that means every lane, two, four or six, should not be going above that speed. Yes, there is also a sign that says 'slower traffic use right lane,' but if I'm doing 65 in a 65 MPH limit I can legally be in ANY lane. And yes, I've been told I'm number one, I just don't understand why they use the wrong finger.
Now, I will stay in the right lane unless there's a sign that says 'trucks must use left lane or right lane' depending.
The flaming starts in 3, 2, 1

Guess what; you’re wrong.

 

[Oldgator73]

Depends where you are. In many places the sign says "keep right except to pass" or "left lane for passing only".
Also. Even if the sign says "slower traffic use right lane", one needs to interpret the word "slower". Slower than what? The posted max speed? The posted minimum? Slower than other traffic?
To be sure you're obeying the law, get over in any of these situations.

You are always going to be slower than somebody.