# Zipper merging

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Created:** [June 12, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623 "2025-06-12T02:50:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**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:** [June 13, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623/21 "2025-06-13T15:30:47Z")

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[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/business/road-rage-zipper-merging.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/10/business/road-rage-zipper-merging.html)

[https://archive.is/zwVfk](https://archive.is/zwVfk) for those without subscription.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623/22 "2025-06-13T16:27:05Z")

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> [@MikeInNH](#):
>
> Zipper merging is a theoretical concept that in over 55 years of driving and over 1 million miles I’ve never seen implemented correctly.

I’ve seen it implemented correctly once or twice, when both lanes funneled into a single middle lane that then moved to one side or the other as appropriate. That way, neither lane is “ending” more than the other.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623/23 "2025-06-13T17:25:16Z")

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We have a zipper merge after two lanes turn onto a road. It usually works except when there’s a dope in the left lane that tries to cut people in the right lane off. Having a left turn at the end of the zipper doesn’t help with traffic flow, although the right lane can pass the turning car before completely merging.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623/24 "2025-06-13T18:25:46Z")

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> [@MikeInNH](#):
>
> Zipper merging is a theoretical concept that in over 55 years of driving and over 1 million miles I’ve never seen implemented correctly.

+1  
I think of _Zipper Merging_ in the same way that I think of living in a condo community. In theory, both are good. But, in practice, all you need is one or two inconsiderate a-holes to make life miserable for everyone else.

[Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/zipper-merging/200623.md?page=1)