What Is a Four-Way Stop?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nA four-way stop is simply an intersection in which the drivers on all four roads coming into the intersection have stop signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These intersections are also called all way stops, and while they\u2019re designed to keep things orderly, they can easily confuse even experienced drivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe \u201csimply\u201d isn\u2019t the right word. Things can get a little dicey when more than one of the four spokes heading into the intersection has a vehicle waiting at a stop sign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The car that goes first is the one\u2026that\u2026no, wait\u2026it\u2019s the one that\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s complicated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, How Does a Four-Way Stop Work?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nEveryone hits the gas at the same time, squeals tires, and hopes to get through the intersection before anyone else does. And trusts that whatever type of insurance coverage<\/a> they have will cover all damages if things don\u2019t go as planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\nJust kidding. Here\u2019s a sensible set of rules that should remove both the stress and the major auto damage claims. If you\u2019ve ever wondered who has the right of way at a four-way stop, you\u2019re not alone. The answer depends on when and how each vehicle approaches the intersection\u2014but don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll walk you through it step by step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule #1: First to Arrive, First to Drive<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nSounds fair, doesn\u2019t it? And simple. The first driver to get to their stop sign goes first. It\u2019s like your first board game when you were a kid, learning to wait your turn.<\/em> It\u2019ll come. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not like two or more cars would ever arrive at the four-way intersection at the same time. That couldn\u2019t possibly happen. Could it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uh oh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule #2: Tie Goes to the Right<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s highly unlikely that four cars would all arrive at the intersection at the exact same time. But two certainly could. What then? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The car to the right of the other goes first. Just because\u2026someone<\/em> has to. <\/p>\n\n\n\nRule #3: Straight Doesn\u2019t Wait<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow, imagine two drivers getting to the intersection at the same time from opposite directions. One is going straight through, while the other has signals to turn left at the intersection. What then? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about how it works if you\u2019re at a simple streetlight, two cars facing each other and waiting for the light to turn green. One car is going straight while the other is in the left-turn lane. The straight-ahead driver goes first, and the driver waiting to turn left cools their heels until the intersection is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Same four-way stop sign rule. If two cars arrive at about the same time and are waiting across from each other, the one going straight gets the nod. The left-turning driver waits until the four-way stop intersection is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Car](\"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/acc-rules-of-the-road-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRule #4: Left Turn Yields to Right<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nTwo vehicles hit the intersection at the same time, one signaling to turn left. The other will make a right-hand turn. Let the right-turning driver go first, leftie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule #5: Let Courtesy and Common Sense Take the Wheel<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf a rude driver decides to go out of turn and you demand our legal right of way, you might be right but still in a jarring collision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to gauge what the other driver will do based on the movement of their vehicle or their body language. Are they waving you forward even though it\u2019s not your turn? Give a thank-you wave and proceed with caution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the other driver seems to be avoiding eye contact and their vehicle is obviously going for it \u2014 let them. A four-way intersection is no place for road rage. Besides, that other motorist might be going out of turn simply because they don\u2019t know the rules of the road as well as you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special Scenarios and Situations<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nFollow the above rules, and you\u2019ll be safe and assured at a four-way stop \u2014 usually. But there are exceptions. Here are a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Handling Multiple Cars Arriving Simultaneously<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nStay cool! That\u2019s the most important advice when all four intersection spokes are full and things get confusing. Some drivers might get impatient and proceed out of turn. Others might be ignorant of how the system is supposed to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to make eye contact with other drivers to guess what they\u2019re about to do. Do the right thing and hope that most other drivers do the same \u2014 but stay heads-up for whatever might happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you find that a particular four-way intersection is always challenging, plan a route that lets you bypass it and stay stress-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flashing Light vs. a Stop Sign<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, there is no versus<\/em> in this situation. Don\u2019t let a flashing light throw you off your game. Treat the intersection as if it had a stop sign. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Pedestrians or Cyclists Are in the Intersection<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn an ideal world, people on foot or bicycles would treat the four-way intersection the same way you and other motorists do. They\u2019d take their proper turns going through. But we don\u2019t live in such a world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those pedestrians and cyclists might be young people who have never learned the rules of the road and other safety laws<\/a>. Or they think the rules only apply to motorized vehicles, not to their mode of transportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour safest bet is to assume that the walkers, runners, and pedal-pushers won\u2019t follow the four-way stop sign rules<\/strong> of the road, so watch them carefully and expect anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFour-Way Stops Are Confusing. Your Auto Insurance Shouldn\u2019t Be.<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nDo you have a better feel for the four-way stop rules? It can be a real head-scratcher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your auto insurance, however, should be much more straightforward. It will be if you\u2019re doing business with an auto insurance agent who\u2019s knowledgeable and will patiently answer all of your questions and maybe ask a few of their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, after getting a crystal-clear idea of our needs and budget, your agent will go shopping for coverage on your behalf. If you\u2019re dealing with an independent agent, they have contractual relationships with multiple brand-name insurance carriers, so they\u2019ll be able to bring you a selection of policies at the most affordable rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reach out to an independent agent at Acceptance Insurance. Call us at (877) 405-7102<\/a>, or get a quick online quote<\/a>. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019re in the business of easing confusion on the road and behind the wheel. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You\u2019ve driven a car for, like\u2026forever. Seems that way, anyway. So, of course, you know the four-way stop rules. Right? Believe it or not, many people seem to have forgotten the rules of a 4-way stop \u2013 you\u2019ve probably had some spicy words when one of them cut you off. Keep reading for a quick […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":1568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,8],"tags":[],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/acceptance.com\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Rules of the Road: How to Properly Cross a Four-Way Stop\u00a0","url":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/acc-rules-of-the-road-1-150x150.jpg","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/acc-rules-of-the-road-1.jpg"},"articleSection":"Auto Tips","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Samantha Seaman"}],"creator":["Samantha Seaman"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Acceptance Insurance","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2025-07-04T15:30:15Z","datePublished":"2025-07-04T15:30:15Z","dateModified":"2025-08-28T14:35:40Z"},"rendered":"
Everyone hits the gas at the same time, squeals tires, and hopes to get through the intersection before anyone else does. And trusts that whatever type of insurance coverage<\/a> they have will cover all damages if things don\u2019t go as planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just kidding. Here\u2019s a sensible set of rules that should remove both the stress and the major auto damage claims. If you\u2019ve ever wondered who has the right of way at a four-way stop, you\u2019re not alone. The answer depends on when and how each vehicle approaches the intersection\u2014but don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll walk you through it step by step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sounds fair, doesn\u2019t it? And simple. The first driver to get to their stop sign goes first. It\u2019s like your first board game when you were a kid, learning to wait your turn.<\/em> It\u2019ll come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not like two or more cars would ever arrive at the four-way intersection at the same time. That couldn\u2019t possibly happen. Could it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Uh oh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s highly unlikely that four cars would all arrive at the intersection at the exact same time. But two certainly could. What then? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The car to the right of the other goes first. Just because\u2026someone<\/em> has to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, imagine two drivers getting to the intersection at the same time from opposite directions. One is going straight through, while the other has signals to turn left at the intersection. What then? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about how it works if you\u2019re at a simple streetlight, two cars facing each other and waiting for the light to turn green. One car is going straight while the other is in the left-turn lane. The straight-ahead driver goes first, and the driver waiting to turn left cools their heels until the intersection is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Same four-way stop sign rule. If two cars arrive at about the same time and are waiting across from each other, the one going straight gets the nod. The left-turning driver waits until the four-way stop intersection is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n Two vehicles hit the intersection at the same time, one signaling to turn left. The other will make a right-hand turn. Let the right-turning driver go first, leftie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a rude driver decides to go out of turn and you demand our legal right of way, you might be right but still in a jarring collision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to gauge what the other driver will do based on the movement of their vehicle or their body language. Are they waving you forward even though it\u2019s not your turn? Give a thank-you wave and proceed with caution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the other driver seems to be avoiding eye contact and their vehicle is obviously going for it \u2014 let them. A four-way intersection is no place for road rage. Besides, that other motorist might be going out of turn simply because they don\u2019t know the rules of the road as well as you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow the above rules, and you\u2019ll be safe and assured at a four-way stop \u2014 usually. But there are exceptions. Here are a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay cool! That\u2019s the most important advice when all four intersection spokes are full and things get confusing. Some drivers might get impatient and proceed out of turn. Others might be ignorant of how the system is supposed to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to make eye contact with other drivers to guess what they\u2019re about to do. Do the right thing and hope that most other drivers do the same \u2014 but stay heads-up for whatever might happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find that a particular four-way intersection is always challenging, plan a route that lets you bypass it and stay stress-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually, there is no versus<\/em> in this situation. Don\u2019t let a flashing light throw you off your game. Treat the intersection as if it had a stop sign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In an ideal world, people on foot or bicycles would treat the four-way intersection the same way you and other motorists do. They\u2019d take their proper turns going through. But we don\u2019t live in such a world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those pedestrians and cyclists might be young people who have never learned the rules of the road and other safety laws<\/a>. Or they think the rules only apply to motorized vehicles, not to their mode of transportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your safest bet is to assume that the walkers, runners, and pedal-pushers won\u2019t follow the four-way stop sign rules<\/strong> of the road, so watch them carefully and expect anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you have a better feel for the four-way stop rules? It can be a real head-scratcher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your auto insurance, however, should be much more straightforward. It will be if you\u2019re doing business with an auto insurance agent who\u2019s knowledgeable and will patiently answer all of your questions and maybe ask a few of their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, after getting a crystal-clear idea of our needs and budget, your agent will go shopping for coverage on your behalf. If you\u2019re dealing with an independent agent, they have contractual relationships with multiple brand-name insurance carriers, so they\u2019ll be able to bring you a selection of policies at the most affordable rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reach out to an independent agent at Acceptance Insurance. Call us at (877) 405-7102<\/a>, or get a quick online quote<\/a>. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re in the business of easing confusion on the road and behind the wheel. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019ve driven a car for, like\u2026forever. Seems that way, anyway. So, of course, you know the four-way stop rules. Right? Believe it or not, many people seem to have forgotten the rules of a 4-way stop \u2013 you\u2019ve probably had some spicy words when one of them cut you off. Keep reading for a quick […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":1568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,8],"tags":[],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/acceptance.com\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Rules of the Road: How to Properly Cross a Four-Way Stop\u00a0","url":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/how-to-cross-four-way-stop\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/acc-rules-of-the-road-1-150x150.jpg","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.acceptance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/06\/acc-rules-of-the-road-1.jpg"},"articleSection":"Auto Tips","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Samantha Seaman"}],"creator":["Samantha Seaman"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Acceptance Insurance","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2025-07-04T15:30:15Z","datePublished":"2025-07-04T15:30:15Z","dateModified":"2025-08-28T14:35:40Z"},"rendered":"Rule #1: First to Arrive, First to Drive<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rule #2: Tie Goes to the Right<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rule #3: Straight Doesn\u2019t Wait<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRule #4: Left Turn Yields to Right<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rule #5: Let Courtesy and Common Sense Take the Wheel<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Special Scenarios and Situations<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Handling Multiple Cars Arriving Simultaneously<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Flashing Light vs. a Stop Sign<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When Pedestrians or Cyclists Are in the Intersection<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Four-Way Stops Are Confusing. Your Auto Insurance Shouldn\u2019t Be.<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n