# Do you make u-turns on public roadways? **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094 "2025-09-17T21:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/1 "2025-09-17T21:27:28Z")
I never do. They take too long, end up blocking traffic. Worse, sometimes the driver undestimates turning radius and needs to make a 3-point turn. If there’s cross-traffic someone crossing the street may think the u-turner is just turning left, proceed on that assumption, end up with a showdown in the middle of the street. It just isn’t a deal to me to go another block. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/2 "2025-09-17T21:50:41Z")
Public roads? Yes.. Busy roads/streets? Never… I have on less traveled roads like secondary and or back roads/streets made U-turns when I am lost or missed a turn, but if I can see other vehicles anywhere close, then I keep driving until it is safe to enter a side street and or safely make a U-turn… ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/3 "2025-09-17T22:02:25Z")
I do all the time. Whenever I need to as long as allowed. Unlike some people , I can make a u turn across 2 lanes with my truck but most main roads where I’d need to do that has 3 or 4 lanes to make that turn. And some have trouble with that! ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/4 "2025-09-17T22:03:02Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > They take too long, end up blocking traffic. Worse, sometimes the driver undestimates turning radius and needs to make a 3-point turn. If there’s cross-traffic someone crossing the street may think the u-turner is just turning left, proceed on that assumption, end up with a showdown in the middle of the street. That’s just called “bad driving.” Are there times that I won’t do a U-ey because it won’t work? Of course! But if it will work, then I’ll do it. I’m not a “bad driver.” ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/5 "2025-09-17T23:18:54Z")
I make U-turns on a regular basis . It is too difficult to go left out of our addition so I go right and make a U-turn at the entrance to the addition on the other side of the state highway. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/6 "2025-09-17T23:56:08Z")
I probably do it most of the time I go for a drive. Left turn lanes here are set up to turn both left and make a u-turn. It’s the only way to get to many shopping centers when approaching in the opposite lane. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/7 "2025-09-18T00:19:31Z")
Yes it is totally legal in Minnesota unless there are signs or a hill restricting vision. Like I reported I did one downtown trying to find a parking place first the barber shop. A local saw me and had a few words for me. I was polite but I thought go ahead and shoot your mouth off. I dare you to cite me for a legal u turn. He finally went away mumbling. People have been doing this as long as I can remember. Four way stop signs. What’s the big deal. Wanted me to go around the block but that would mean going around two blocks to get on the correct side. Or I could have done a J turn but the jury is out on how legal that is. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/8 "2025-09-18T00:48:50Z")
A common thing to do, no problem if the traffic allows and road is wide enough. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/9 "2025-09-18T01:06:41Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > That’s just called “bad driving.” Sometimes traffic shows up. > [@cigroller](#): > > I’m not a “bad driver.” I didn’t say everyone who did is. I look at it as careful, more than safe. > [@bing](#): > > it is totally legal in Minnesota unless there are signs or a hill restricting vision. I didn’t mention legality. I have read the rules for where I have lived, it’s mostly legal. > [@bing](#): > > go around the block but that would mean going around two blocks to get on the correct side. How onerous! > [@texases](#): > > no problem if the traffic allows Traffic shows up. I can’t remember the last time I made one. I often have to wait for u-turners blocking traffic, see others waiting. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 9:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/10 "2025-09-18T09:57:07Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > They take too long, end up blocking traffic. I usually drive several hundred feet past an intersection to make a U turn, there is usually a break in traffic within 30 seconds. Waiting for a green arrow at an intersection takes up to 3 minutes per traffic light cycle. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 11:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/11 "2025-09-18T11:43:32Z")
Where I live in FL there are some dedicated U-turn lanes, some on 55 MPH roads. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/12 "2025-09-18T13:12:56Z")
According to my wife, I’m never wrong. I never make u-turns. I just change my destination ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/13 "2025-09-18T13:15:03Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > Sometimes traffic shows up. Well, then. That’s called poor visibility. Or complete inattention. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/14 "2025-09-18T13:15:48Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > I usually drive several hundred feet past an intersection to make a U turn There is a left/u-turn lane (no traffic light) near me that often has a long line of traffic. I usually drive 1000 ft farther to another left/ubie to make my u-turn. Then I pass lots of cars in the turn lane I didn’t use. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/15 "2025-09-18T13:20:20Z")
Why does R, Troll care about U-turns ? I thought he rode a bicycle every where he went. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/16 "2025-09-18T14:29:00Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > I often have to wait for u-turners blocking traffic, see others waiting. Then those u-turners are doing it wrong. I see that too. Biggest beef - folk who do a u-turn at a break in the median, still sticking out into traffic, blocking a lane, instead of driving 300’ further to a turn lane where they’d block nobody. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/17 "2025-09-18T15:14:30Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > There is a left/u-turn lane (no traffic light) near me that often has a long line of traffic. I usually drive 1000 ft farther to another left/ubie to make my u-turn. Then I pass lots of cars in the turn lane I didn’t use. +1 There is an exit ramp from I-287 in my town that has two left turn lanes, which are separated by only ~500 ft. Almost all of the left turn traffic goes to the first one, while I cruise past them to the second one, that is almost always devoid of traffic. Like you, I make my left turn almost immediately, and then I pass the many folks who are still sitting in that very long line of traffic in the other left turn lane. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/18 "2025-09-18T20:40:24Z")
With limited access on 4 lane roads I many times have to go to the next light and make a uturn on left turn arrow, be it green or flashing yellow. No signs indicating it is not allowed. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/19 "2025-09-19T03:48:33Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > That’s called poor visibility. Or complete inattention. I see it often. A motorist is on a narrow city street, starts making a u-turn, can’t fit it in 1 turn, and somebody on a cross street turns into the block. > [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Why does R, Troll care about U-turns ? I thought he rode a bicycle every where he went. I have to deal with others. The other day I crossed a busy street, 2 lanes each direction, 40 mph limit, an interstate ramp a block north. I was waiting for a break, a motorist from my right moved into the left turn lane, signaled. I waited for him to not-u-turn because I’ve been caught at just that intersection trying to cross when the motorist u-turned and we had a showdown in a street in which I didn’t have time to dawdle. Bicycles can’t back-pedal. > [@texases](#): > > those u-turners are doing it wrong. Yes. I make sure I’m not one of them by never trying, at least on city streets. I used to drive up forest service roads where I had no choice - but I was alone too. > [@Barkydog](#): > > No signs indicating it is not allowed. I wasn’t accusing anyone of illegality. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2025, 5:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094/20 "2025-09-22T05:39:41Z")
Often. Never fails when efficiently already on the way, the hospital will call to turn around and bring an add-on order. Many times have used Interstate highway barrier openings, always looking for debris which may puncture tires. Start turn signal well in advance and slow with **left tires on the** **yellow lane line** so vehicle position shows drivers behind what is happening. Then wait for oncoming traffic opening. Often wait for lane one traffic to pass and cross into lane two. A 180º on surface streets preferrably in an intersection where the turning radius will fit. Or three left turns around the block and right. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-make-u-turns-on-public-roadways/204094.md?page=2)