Forum Discussion

profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
May 28, 2015

Do you use truck bypasses? Are trailers allowed to?

Often, when two major freeways merge, there are truck bypasses or truck routes. Once in a while, the signage says "all trucks and trailers must use bypass." Usually, it just says trucks, without mentioning trailers.

So that is my question -- is there any rule that prohibits travel trailers from using those bypasses? Assuming that there is no such rule, is it a good idea to use them?

Personally, I have found the bypasses helpful -- I can take the transition at a slower speed than the passenger cars are going, without fear of obstructing traffic.

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom!
  • Usually the truck bypass lanes are there for several reasons. They get the big trucks out of the way of the smaller vehicles, they bypass a low or lower overpass, they offer a gentler slope to the grade and/or they allow a truck to exit and merge while still in the right hand lane...especially handy if there's another freeway merging, such as the grade coming out of LA where I-5 meets Hwy 14 to the high desert.

    In California, anyone can use them and the truckers aren't required to do so but please use caution...I've seen cars do stupid things trying to beat the trucks etc......Dennis
  • Anyone can use the bypass lanes and generally trucks are not required by law to use them.