Brake lights, slowing traffic, and that orange “RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD” sign just changed your relaxed cruise control pace to a turtle’s stop-and-go crawl. You’re in the right lane and have a decision to make. RVs aren’t exactly nimble when doing lane changes, and executing one is usually dependent on luck or the courtesy of another driver. Do you merge now, or hang out longer in the right lane and hope for sympathy when the time comes? Most drivers get this wrong!
Types of lane closures
When you encounter a lane closure, there are two merge options and, yes, they have a name:
Early merge
Some people prefer to merge into the open lane as soon as they see the lane closure sign. We’ve all been there. While you patiently wait in the stopped left lane, cars and trucks go zooming by in the open and soon-to-be-closed right lane, merging way up ahead into your lane. Angered by all this, a trucker pulls a self-righteous vigilante move and goes back into the right lane, blocking it by going the same speed as his buddy beside him.
The result is an empty right lane up ahead all the way to the merge point, and stop-and-go inching along in both lanes behind them. Emotions run high and everyone secretly cheers for this resourceful trucker. While this early merge approach is polite, it actually leads to longer backups and congestion.
Zipper or late merge
Drivers are directed to remain in their current lane until they reach the merge point, at which time they will alternate merging, much like the teeth in a zipper. This method is considered safer and better for traffic flow than merging early and uses all available lane space. Many states recommend this method, and some require it. The exception to all this is when traffic is free flowing, not stopped or congested. The Early Merge allows plenty of time to move over in advance.
Zipper merging can help reduce traffic backups, accidents, and speed differences between lanes. It’s still important for drivers to cooperate and work together for the zipper merge to be effective.
More road construction expected in 2025
You’re going to get even more opportunities to put this knowledge to use in 2025. Highway and bridge construction spending is projected to rise another 18% to $173.5 billion this year. That follows a 23% increase to $147.1 billion in 2024 and a 14% jump to $119.5 billion in 2023.
So, what are you going to do now? You can’t unsee this now that you know. You will soon become the driver in the open lane scurrying to the front and cutting in ahead of all those who are frustrated and patiently waiting in that line. In your heart, you will know you are right, but they, the uneducated masses, will all despise you. Education is the solution and we must all get on the same page, but it will take time.
A simple sign that says something like “REMAIN IN YOUR LANE UNTIL MERGE POINT” would immediately fix a lot of angst there on the spot. You can also help by sharing this article with your friends. Not only will it educate them, but it will make them feel good about staying in the open lane all the way to the front, and confirming they have been right all along.
Here is a humorous explanation of the Zipper Merge from a Canadian that still applies in the U.S.
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RVDT2682
So, unless a LEO is stationed at every merge point to ensure that the “zipper” idea is applied by each driver, the lane that is ending will be stopped.
The zipper method hasn’t worked very well for me in the past.
Most people understand the zipper and are courteous. I have had people try to block me before. The zipper works so well, just do it!
The zipper merge is fantasy! Cars aren’t magically spaced to facilitate the every-other-one merge. Nothing more frustrating that the car/truck/RV that has not thought far enough ahead and tries to jam into the open lane at the last minute. Merge early to prevent finding yourself waiting forever to get into the open lane from a standstill.
For me when towing, an early merge removes the stress. Much easier to crawl along for a few extra minutes in the correct lane than worrying if someone is going to let you in at the “zipper”.
Exactly. The zipper idea only works when everyone yields-it almost never happens.
Once everyone starts using the much safer zipper, it will work much better for the flow of traffic.
I always get into the open lane well before the merge point.
The big problem is the ones that fly up the closing lane and then expect everyone to let them in.
This causes even more congestion and fender benders when they try to force themselves in.
I’ve seen many use the berm to get around the ones using the zipper method.
BIG hurry to get nowhere!
In my experience this does not work, what does work for me is get over early so the pinch point does not back up. But the impatient always run up to the last 10 feet and expect everyone else to let them in.
Another peeve is moving to single lane for a mile or so then reopen traffic only to go back to one lane in less than a mile, would make more sense to stay in one lane for the whole distance needed especially in construction areas.
Actually I’ve seen a state police officer citing those “zippers” and we all cheered!
I’ve seen signs saying “Alternate Merge” which seems to work well. But I always merge early when towing.
If I have the opportunity for an early merge (but after the 1st sign that tells me to merge), I take it. If I have to come to a stop before changing lanes, I am slower getting restarted. Basically the vehicle in the other lane will have to also come to a stop to let me in.
I merge to the open lane at the 1st opportunity because my experiences have shown me that rarely anyone wants to let a 40′ motorhome get ahead of them. When I get to the zipper area I will make a break for a couple of cars to go ahead of me as I move forward.
When driving my motorhome in the right lane and a closure sign comes up, I check my left mirror for traffic and allow faster traffic to pass until the 2nd warning, I then move into the open lane. At the zipper I will let in one merging vehicle. I also move immediately to the right lane following the closure. When in construction zones I drive the posted speed limit which is quite often in ND at 60 mph, which means I usually have to speed up from 55 or 58 to 60! I also pull off when able to allow faster traffic to get off my bumper! Best to let em’ go than to worry about em’….. !
Thank you for the discussion and sharing the entertaining and instructive video, Steve. I habitually merge early in all instances. I would rather be the one letting someone in front of me than the one asking to be let in front of another, particularly when driving the RV and towing the Jeep (overall length of 56 feet). However, I have noticed that lane closures in Alaska are accompanied by sign thst say, “stay in lane to merge point.” Efficient is good, but getting unanimity on this merging technique is going to take a LOT of work and education. Have a great day and safe travels!
I merge early as the zipper method requires courteous drivers, a scarce commodity now a days.