Are Motorhomes Allowed in Fast Lanes & Carpool Lanes? (Explained)

If you’ve ever dreamed about traveling the country or maybe even the world, you’ve probably dreamed of doing so in a motorhome.  A motorhome gives you the freedom to travel anywhere at any time and all at your own speed.

But what about fast lanes and carpool lanes?

Are motorhomes allowed in fast lanes?
Motorhomes are allowed in fast lanes but there can be some restrictions on some roads.  In most cases, these restrictions will apply to large class A motorhomes as they’re considered trucks rather than standard automobiles.

The rules are different in the UK.  In the UK, large motorhomes are never permitted to use the outside lane.

This is dictated by the weight of the motorhome.  Let’s take a further look at the different rules for driving in the fast lanes of different countries.

Using The Fast Lane in The United States

Some highways will force trucks to use the right lane and others will impose maximum speed limits.  If you’re driving a large class A motorhome, you might find that you aren’t allowed to drive fast enough to realistically use the fast lane.

Additionally, the fast lane in the United States is often only allowed to be used for passing.

If your motorhome isn’t fast enough to pass smaller vehicles on the road then you might end up having to pull out of it shortly after you’ve pulled into it.

On some roads, you’ll see signs that say trucks must use the right lane only.  If you’re driving a class A, you’d be wise to follow this advice.  For those of you with smaller motorhomes, you might want to use the fast lane but only when appropriate.

Here are some rules to consider when using the fast lane with your motorhome:

• Always yield to drivers trying to overtake you in speed.
• Be careful not to confuse the passing lane with a fast lane.
• Never go slower than the speed limit while driving in the fast lane.

It’s common courtesy to allow faster drivers to go by while driving in the fast lane.

This helps traffic from building up behind you and reduces the chances that you’ll be tailgated.  Always yield to drivers trying to overtake you in speed and you’ll have a safer trip.

Sometimes the left lane is only to be used for passing.  In this case, you’ll see signs indicating this and you’ll run the risk of getting fined should you ignore these signs.

When you are in the fast lane, always make sure you’re going over the minimum speed limit.  Driving too slowly can actually result in you being fined and it creates a dangerous situation for faster traffic trying to overtake you.

Using The Fast Lane in The United Kingdom

The UK has similar laws to the United States in that it does not want slow-moving vehicles traveling in the fast lane, otherwise known as the passing lane.  On most motorways, a motorhome cannot use the passing lane because its vehicle speed is restricted.

62 miles per hour is the common speed limit for motorhomes traveling in the UK.

If you are in a position to use the fast lane in the United Kingdom, follow the same practices that they use in the United States.  For example, let faster drivers pass you and make sure you do not travel too slowly.

The fast lane is meant for passing only so do not intend to stay in it for the duration of your trip.

What About Towable Trailers?

The UK and the United States both have rules in place to keep people with towable RVs outside of the fast lane.

For example in the United States, people towing trailers are not permitted to travel faster than 55 miles per hour in some states.

Here is a breakdown of how fast you can drive while pulling a trailer by each state.

State	Miles Per Hour
Alabama	55
Alaska	55
Arizona	65
Arkansas	65
California	55
Colorado	65
Connecticut	55
Delaware	55
Florida	65
Georgia	65
Hawaii	55
Idaho	65
Illinois	55
Indiana	65
Iowa	65
Kansas	65
Kentucky	65
Louisiana	65
Maine	65
Maryland	55
Massachusetts	55
Michigan	65
Minnesota	65
Mississippi	65
Missouri	65
Montana	65
Nebraska	65
Nevada	65
New Hampshire	65
New Jersey	55
New Mexico	65
New York	55
North Carolina	65
North Dakota	65
Ohio	65
Oklahoma	65
Oregon	65
Pennsylvania	55
Rhode Island	55
South Carolina	65
South Dakota	65
Tennessee	65
Texas	60
Utah	65
Vermont	65
Virginia	55
Washington	60
West Virginia	65
Wisconsin	65
Wyoming	60

The United Kingdom has its own set of rules for towing.

These are based on the weight of the motorhome or trailer.  You can find this information at https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Traveling with a Motorhome in a Car Pool Lane

The carpool lane, otherwise known as the HOV or high occupancy vehicle lane is very useful for people driving motorhomes.  In most states, you won’t have any trouble driving in a carpool lane.

The main issue to consider in this case is whether or not you have enough people in your vehicle to warrant using this lane.

In most states, you’ll only need to have a total of two people and you will be allowed to use the carpool lane.

Here are the rules for each state:

State	Carpool Rules For RVs & Campers
Alabama	Must have two people.  Children and infants do count.  Trailers and RVs are not permitted in the carpool lane.
Alaska	Most lanes only require two people but some require three.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Arizona	Not applicable.
Arkansas	Not applicable.
California	Most lanes only require two people but some require three.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Colorado	Must have two people.  Children and infants do count.  Trailers and RVs are not permitted in the carpool lane.  Some carpool lanes require three people and some require you to pay an express lane fee.
Connecticut	Must have two people.  Children and infants do count.  Trailers and RVs are not permitted in the carpool lane.
Delaware	Must have two people but will need three people in some areas.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Florida	Must have two people and carpool lanes open and close depending on the time of day.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Georgia	Must have two people.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Hawaii	Must have two people.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Idaho	Must have two people.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can go the speed limit are allowed.
Illinois	Not applicable.
Indiana	Most only require two people but some require three.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes that can safely go the speed limit are permitted.
Iowa	The number of people required varies by road.  See posted signs for details.  Trailers are not allowed but motorhomes are.
Kansas	Two occupant minimum.  No trailers but some motorhomes are allowed.
Kentucky	Must have two people and must be able to drive the speed limit in safety.
Louisiana	Minimum of two occupants and trailers are not permitted.
Maine	Not applicable.
Maryland	Minimum of two occupants and trailers and large motorhomes are not permitted.
Massachusetts	Minimum of two occupants and trailers and large motorhomes are not permitted.
Michigan	Not applicable.
Minnesota	Minimum of two people unless a toll is paid then one person is permitted.  Trailers and large motorhomes are not permitted.
Mississippi	Not applicable.
Missouri	Not applicable.
Montana	Not applicable.
Nebraska	Not applicable.
Nevada	Minimum of two occupants.  All vehicles must be able to safely travel at highway speeds.
New Hampshire	Not applicable.
New Jersey	Not applicable.
New Mexico	Not applicable.
New York	Some lanes have a minimum of two people while others have a minimum of three people.  Trailers and slow-moving motorhomes are not permitted.
North Carolina	Minimum of two occupants.
North Dakota	Not applicable.
Ohio	Minimum of two people and the vehicle must be able to safely keep up with highway speeds.
Oklahoma	Minimum of two people but some lanes require three or even four people.
Oregon	Minimum of two people and the vehicle must be able to safely keep up with highway speeds.
Pennsylvania	Minimum of two people.
Rhode Island	Not applicable.
South Carolina	Not applicable.
South Dakota	Not applicable.
Tennessee	Minimum of two people and the vehicle must be able to safely keep up with highway speeds.
Texas	Minimum of two people but some lanes require three people.
Utah	Minimum of two people unless a toll is paid then one person is permitted.
Vermont	Not applicable.
Virginia	Minimum of two people on most but sometimes three are required.
Washington	Minimum of two people on most but sometimes three are required.  A toll can be paid if only one person is in the vehicle.
West Virginia	Not applicable.
Wisconsin	Minimum of two people but sometimes three or even four are required.
Wyoming	Not applicable.

As you can see, each state has its own rules.

Luckily, you don’t have to memorize these rules as each state should have signs posted letting you know what the rules are for each lane you intend to travel on.

 

Sources: doityourselfrv.com