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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Merge onto a Highway in Indiana
Merging onto an interstate takes good judgment and timing, the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says. Here is how to use the on-ramp and acceleration lane, who has the right of way, how to check your blind spot, what a zipper merge is and how to give trucks room, for drivers around Michigan City.
Yielddrivers entering an interstate yield to traffic already on it (BMV)
One lanechange only one lane at a time (BMV)
80.7 fttraveled each second at 55 mph (BMV)
200 ftblind spot behind a tractor-trailer (BMV)
The short answer
On the on-ramp, stay to the right and use the acceleration lane to build up speed. Check your mirrors, turn your head to check your blind spot and signal. Drivers entering the interstate must yield to vehicles already on it, so merge smoothly when your path is clear. If you miss your exit, do not back up on the interstate; drive to the next exit.
How to merge onto a highway, step by step
Based on the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual guidance for interstates and lane changes:
1. Stay right on the ramp
When you enter an interstate on-ramp, stay to the right.
2. Build speed in the acceleration lane
Increase your speed in the acceleration lane so your vehicle can merge with traffic when your path is clear.
3. Check mirrors and your blind spot
Check your mirrors, then briefly turn your head toward the lane you are entering to make sure no vehicle is in your blind spot and there is room to move over.
4. Signal
Use your turn signal to let other drivers know you intend to move into their lane.
5. Yield, then merge smoothly
Drivers entering an interstate must yield the right of way to vehicles already on it. When your path is clear, move smoothly into the lane.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), Chapter 7: Driving on Interstate Highways and Changing Lanes and Passing Other Vehicles, read October 28, 2026.
Right of way and on-ramp rules in Indiana
Good judgment and timing are needed to merge smoothly with fast-moving traffic on highways, the BMV manual says. Drivers already on the interstate should make allowances for those entering, but drivers entering an interstate must yield the right of way to vehicles on the interstate.
If you miss an exit, drive to the next one: it is unsafe to back up on an interstate to reach a missed exit. It is illegal for any vehicle other than an emergency vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle to make a U-turn by crossing the median or a crossover of an interstate. Except in an emergency or with a disabled vehicle, do not stop or park on the shoulder of an interstate.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving on Interstate Highways, read October 28, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Changing lanes after you merge
Change only one lane at a time and do not weave in and out of lanes, the BMV manual says. On the highway, slower vehicles should use the right lane; leave the left-hand lane for faster-moving or passing vehicles.
Before each lane change, make sure there is no traffic ahead of you in the lane you want, check your mirrors for vehicles preparing to pass you, turn your head briefly to check your blind spot, signal, and move smoothly into the new lane. The manual also notes that trucks are restricted to the right lane where an interstate has two lanes in one direction, and to the right two lanes where it has three or more.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Changing Lanes and Passing Other Vehicles and Driving on Interstate Highways, read October 28, 2026.
Lane closures and zipper merges
In work zones, flashing arrow boards often show a lane closure or crossover, with lane markings, cones, barrels or barricades outlining the path to follow. An arrow board that does not point either way means use caution, but does not require you to change lanes, the BMV manual says.
The manual's work zone advice is to merge early: if drivers merge at first sight of the signs, traffic generally flows more smoothly. At some locations, though, traffic is encouraged to merge toward the lane closure. This is known as late or zipper merging, may be used to reduce the length of a traffic back-up, and signs will be used in these cases. In any work zone, slow down, do not tailgate, minimize distractions and expect delays.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Work Zones and Work Zone Safety Driving Tips, read October 28, 2026.
Merging near trucks
The BMV manual's points on sharing the road with tractor-trailers:
Do not cut in
A tractor-trailer takes longer to stop than a car at the same speed, so do not make a sudden lane change or stop in front of one.
Know the stopping gap
A passenger car at 55 mph can stop in about 130 to 140 feet. A fully loaded tractor-trailer with hot brakes may need more than 400 feet.
Stay out of the blind spots
A truck driver's blind spots reach up to 20 feet in front of the cab, along either side of the trailer, alongside the cab and up to 200 feet behind the truck. Do not linger there.
Watch the mirrors
If you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Sharing the Road with Tractor-Trailers, read October 28, 2026.
Routine checks at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Book it whenever your vehicle is due for maintenance.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, October 28, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Merging onto a highway FAQ
Who has the right of way when merging onto an Indiana interstate?
Traffic already on the interstate. The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says drivers entering an interstate must yield the right of way to vehicles on the interstate, although drivers already on the interstate should make allowances for those entering.
How fast should I go in the acceleration lane?
The BMV manual says to stay to the right on the on-ramp and increase your speed in the acceleration lane so your vehicle can merge with traffic when your path is clear. Merge only when your path is clear, and yield to vehicles already on the interstate.
What is a zipper merge?
At some lane closures, traffic is encouraged to merge toward the lane closure instead of merging early. The BMV manual calls this late or zipper merging, says it may be used to reduce the length of a traffic back-up, and says signs will be used in these cases. Otherwise, the manual's general work zone advice is to merge early, at first sight of the signs.
What if I miss my exit?
Drive to the next exit. The BMV manual says it is unsafe to back up on an interstate to reach a missed exit, and it is illegal for any vehicle other than an emergency or highway maintenance vehicle to make a U-turn by crossing the median or a crossover.
Can I stop on the shoulder of the interstate?
Only in an emergency or with a disabled vehicle. The BMV manual says not to stop or park on the shoulder of an interstate highway otherwise.
Why give trucks extra room when I merge?
The BMV manual says a tractor-trailer takes longer to stop than a car at the same speed, so you should not make a sudden lane change or stop in front of one. Its blind spots reach up to 20 feet in front of the cab, along either side of the trailer, alongside the cab and up to 200 feet behind it.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Merging, lane change, work zone and truck guidance is from the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual, read October 28, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual: Chapter 7 (Driving on Interstate Highways; Changing Lanes and Passing Other Vehicles; Work Zones; Sharing the Road with Tractor-Trailers), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, read October 28, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, October 28, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, October 28, 2026