What is the width of a single traffic lane in meters?

[DeFelix]

The width of a single lane on urban roads is 3.5 meters. Quasi-expressway width standards: A four-lane bidirectional expressway is 2X7.5 meters, a six-lane bidirectional expressway is 2X11.25 meters, and an eight-lane bidirectional expressway is 2X15 meters. Expressways are classified as high-grade highways. According to the "Technical Standards for Highway Engineering" issued by the Ministry of Transport of China, an expressway is defined as "a road that can accommodate an average annual daily traffic volume of more than 25,000 passenger cars, is exclusively for high-speed divided-lane vehicle traffic, and has fully controlled access." Road width standards: Each lane on urban roads is 3.5 meters wide, diversion lanes at intersections are 2.3-2.5 meters per lane, trunk roads (including expressways) have a lane width of 3.75 meters, and shoulders (emergency stopping lanes on expressways) are 1.5-2.5 meters wide. Each lane at expressway toll stations is 2.5 meters wide, and when necessary, an extra-wide toll lane of more than 3.5 meters must be established to maintain smooth traffic flow.

[DiJoshua]

I've been driving on the road for over ten years, and the width of lanes is quite a nuanced topic. Standard lanes generally range between 3 to 3.6 meters. Urban roads are narrower, around 3 meters—for instance, you need to be extra careful in Beijing's hutongs. Highways are wider, reaching 3.5 to 3.75 meters, providing space for lane changes or avoiding obstacles. The design takes vehicle dimensions into account; for example, SUVs are nearly 2 meters wide, so lanes that are too narrow increase the risk of scrapes, especially in poor visibility during rainy weather. Remember, if the road seems narrow at night, don’t force your way through. Make it a habit to check road signs frequently—urban signs often indicate lane width. Safe driving comes first.

[AnnaDella]

Let's talk about lane width, which is generally designed to be around 3.3 to 3.6 meters, depending on the road type: highway lanes need to be wider, at least 3.5 meters, to ensure safe high-speed driving and overtaking; urban streets are often between 3 to 3.3 meters to save space. The key is the turning radius—trucks require more space to turn, so main road lanes may extend to 3.6 meters; otherwise, narrower lanes can cause vehicles to sway, increasing accident risks. When driving, pay attention to changes in road width—newly built roads may be wider, while older ones tend to be narrower. Safety always comes first; wider lanes ensure smoother traffic flow and reduce congestion.

[LaNora]

When I first got my driver's license, I was curious about lane width, which is usually a bit over 3 meters. The driving instructor taught me that standard lanes are about 3.5 meters wide, making it easier for beginners to change lanes and park; in urban roads, the width might shrink to 3 meters, and even driving my small car, I was afraid of hitting the curb. Insufficient width can make driving tense, especially at night or on windy days when the car body sways uncomfortably. I recommend beginners practice driving slowly in narrow lanes more often, remembering the common width range of 3-3.6 meters, which can help avoid minor accidents.