Driving in the USA on Route 66 — Rules Every International Visitor Must Know
Driving Route 66 from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or any left-hand traffic country is achievable and highly enjoyable — but requires a conscious adjustment period and an understanding of US-specific road rules that differ significantly from practice in other countries.
Drive on the Right
The US drives on the right side of the road. For visitors from left-hand traffic countries, this requires active mental adjustment, particularly in the first few hours. The moments of highest risk are turns and parking lot exits — situations where there is no oncoming traffic to provide a reference point.
Practical tip: say ‘stay right’ aloud at every turn for the first few hours. After your first two or three hours of driving, right-side driving becomes increasingly instinctive.
Speed Limits
Speed limits are in miles per hour. On the historic Route 66 corridor, limits vary from 70 mph on open rural stretches to 25 mph through small towns. Posted limits are strictly enforced through towns. Fines for speeding are typically 50–00 for moderate violations, higher in school zones.
Watch carefully for reduced speed limit signs entering towns. Route 66 passes through dozens of small communities where the limit drops sharply and law enforcement is active.
The Four-Way Stop
At a four-way stop, all four approaches have stop signs. The rule: first to arrive, first to go. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle to the right has priority. Stop fully, pause, make eye contact with other drivers, and proceed in turn. Do not rush or wave others forward out of politeness — just follow the first-arrived rule.
Right Turn on Red
In most US states it is legal to turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to cross-traffic and pedestrians. You are not required to turn on red — it is permitted, not mandatory. If a sign says ‘No Turn on Red,’ you must wait for the green.
School Buses: Stop in Both Directions
When a school bus stops with red lights flashing and stop arm extended, ALL traffic in BOTH directions must stop on undivided roads. On divided highways, only traffic behind the bus stops.
Violations carry serious penalties — fines of 00–,000 or more in most states, strictly enforced. When you see a yellow school bus slowing down, be ready to stop.
The Gas Station ZIP Code Problem
This is the single most practical challenge international visitors face, and it catches nearly everyone by surprise at least once: when you pay by card at a US gas pump, it will ask for your US billing ZIP code as security verification. Foreign cards don’t have US ZIP codes. The pump will show an error.
Solutions: (1) Pay inside at the cashier — hand over your card, tell them to authorize the pump for a fill-up, done. (2) Carry cash for fuel. (3) Try entering 00000 — some pumps accept this for non-US cards, but reliability varies. The cashier route is always the most reliable solution.
Distance in Miles, Not Kilometers
All US road signs and speed limits use miles and mph. Route 66 is 2,448 miles long (approximately 3,940 km). Quick conversion: 60 mph = approximately 97 km/h; 100 miles = approximately 160 km.
More Route 66 International Visitor Resources
International Visitors Hub — /route-66-international-visitors-guide/
Cell Phones & Mobile Data on Route 66 — /route-66-international-visitors-guide/cell-phone-data/
Money, Tipping & Paying Your Way — /route-66-international-visitors-guide/money-tipping/
Route 66 Tips for First Timers — /route-66-tips-first-timers/
