What's the correct way to merge onto a highway?

I've had several trainers both in truck driving school and in Werner Enterprises and whoever I asked, "what's the correct way to merge onto a highway" to, would give me a different answer...

(actual quotes)

"put your turn signal on and start accelerating. They'll get outta the way if they don't wanna get hit..."

"it's up to them to get outta the way..."

Only one trainer told me this one:
"If you don't see an opening, stop at the end of the onramp and wait for one."

Another one gave me this one:
(blows his airhorn) "that guy didn't even check before gettin' on... Just got right on. We're lucky there was nobody on the left lane" (we almost rear-ended him)

So after hearing so many different recommendations, the first two being the most common, I was wondering what advice professional drivers had to offer about merging onto the highway. I didn't really trust my trainers on this one...

 

The better question is, how do YOU think it should be done?

 

There are two signs used on those ramps, 1 is yield which means wait for a opening and not force it. The other is merge which means get up to speed and merge in without causing disruption to the flow of traffic. If done properly and ramps built right you should be seen a long way off and flowing traffic is able to make a space, but then that was back before the roads became over crowded.

 

i accelerate, if it doesnt look like people can or will move over i run on the shoulder, if i see theres no shoulder and it appears i cant get over i slow down, if nobody moves then you have to stop, but most of the time someone moves over or slows down. when i see trucks hammering down the onramp like they arent gonna stop then i slow down or move over, maybe they kno that i will and thats why they make it look like theyr not gonna stop, but im not playing chicken, an accident may not be my fault but i still have to sit there and fill out paperwork, and i hate paperwork more than i hate slowing down to let someone in.

 

The highway has the right away. You are MERGING to the highway. So speed up and turn your turn signal, can't make it then run the shoulder or slow down.

And remember, if another truck driver switch lanes just to let you in, don't speed up, let him pass you and let him get in front of you. If you are faster than him then you pass on the left

 

Get it up there in speed while you still have that acceleration lane. While doing this match your position to a open space on the highway.

Be prepared for a failed run down the shoulder or even a stop. Some areas in the USA has no lane to run out in at all you would have to take off and dive into the traffic. Philly NW rush 476 comes to mind.

Most of the time I come off that ramp steaming all out. Most of the time people move. But I try not to force it if there is a problem.

Sometimes certain ramps need a preplanning and be in the correct lane for example I-695 south to I-95 West/South Baltimore towards DC, you have two lanes to merge into 4 all of which are not willing to budge. Once in a while you have giant wrecks there.

Others is a game of inches say for GWB from downtown Manhattan in rush. Everyone wants on that bridge but no one wants you in front of them so you have to chip away at it a few inches at a time. You will hear alot of yelling and so on but eh it's a normal day. You would be watching every corner on that rig as well.

Once or twice in your life time you will see someone impatiently push past you from behind to get ahead before you reach the highway you are trying to merge on. If at all possible let em go. If you don't have the room, then hold it and deal with the bodies after.

I cannot offer you one answer. You have to be flexible.

 

I have seen some stop at the end of the ramp, it sure takes a long time to get up to speed from that spot.

 

safely

 

Put the hammer down and don't let off the air horn.