southbound lane

Meaning

The specific lane of a road or highway designated for vehicles traveling toward the south. It is widely used in road navigation, traffic broadcasts, and when giving driving instructions.

Examples

• The southbound lane is completely clear, but the northbound side is backed up for miles.

  The southbound lane is completely clear, but the northbound side is backed up for miles.

• To reach the beach, you need to stay in the southbound lane of the highway.

  To reach the beach, you need to stay in the southbound lane of the highway.

• A stalled vehicle is blocking the right shoulder of the southbound lane.

  A stalled vehicle is blocking the right shoulder of the southbound lane.

• He missed his turn because he was looking at the signs for the southbound lane.

  He missed his turn because he was looking at the signs for the southbound lane.

• Heavy rain has caused localized flooding in the southbound lane of Route 1.

  Heavy rain has caused localized flooding in the southbound lane of Route 1.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We took the southwards lane to get to the coast.

  ✓ We took the southbound lane to get to the coast.

  'Southward' is an adverb or adjective meaning 'toward the south', but 'southbound' is the correct, idiomatic term specifically used for lanes, trains, and traffic.

• ✗ The southbound lane has a lot of traffics.

  ✓ The southbound lane has a lot of traffic.

  'Traffic' is an uncountable noun and should never be pluralized as 'traffics'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are driving down to Florida, you will be in the ___ for most of the trip.

  💡 The lane heading toward the south.

  Show answer

  southbound lane

• The radio announcer warned drivers of a speed trap in the ___.

  💡 The lane of traffic going south.

  Show answer

  southbound lane