How to Make a U-turn on the Highway?
3 Answers
U-turns are not allowed on the highway, whether in a service area or not. To make a U-turn, you must exit at the next interchange and then re-enter the highway. You cannot make a U-turn in a service area because doing so would only allow you to enter the opposite direction lanes. You must wait until the nearest exit to leave the highway and then re-enter from the entrance to reach the opposite lanes. If you miss an exit or take the wrong ramp direction on the highway, note the following: 1. Maintain your speed and continue driving; do not brake suddenly or slow down abruptly, as this could cause rear-end collisions or other accidents. 2. While continuing to drive, first look for the nearest exit or service area. Several dozen meters before the exit toll booth, find a designated U-turn point for drivers who have taken the wrong exit, and use it to return to the highway service area.
Making a U-turn on the highway is literally playing with your life. After years of driving, I've witnessed many tragic cases. Direct U-turns are not only illegal but can also cause rear-end collisions. Highway designs simply don't account for this maneuver, so never take the risk. There's only one safe method: drive to the nearest exit or service area to turn around, even if it takes a few extra minutes. This protects both yourself and others. I recommend developing the habit of using navigation apps to set route reminders for exit locations in advance, preventing panic-induced mistakes. Additionally, maintaining a safe following distance on highways is crucial—sudden braking for U-turns can easily lead to loss of control. Personal experience: I once nearly made this foolish mistake until a colleague reminded me to patiently proceed to the next exit. Stay calm behind the wheel—haste makes waste.
As a family driver who frequently drives, I'd like to share a real experience of taking a wrong turn on the highway. I remember once when I was traveling with my family, the GPS signal was lost, and I was so anxious that I almost made a U-turn on the roadside. Fortunately, my wife stopped me. She taught me to drive to a service area to ask for directions, and after going around, everything was fine. Later, I realized that U-turns on highways are forbidden zones and extremely prone to accidents. Now, every time I get on the highway, I check the map in advance and mark the rest stops. If I really miss an exit, I don't panic; I just keep driving for five to ten kilometers and find a safe exit to adjust. This way of driving is both reassuring and efficient, avoiding unnecessary troubles. Developing this small habit makes long-distance driving more comfortable, and I no longer make the mistakes I did early on.
