As an european (Austria) that never have been in the US, can someone please explain to me what exit left and exit right mean?
In Austria, you have usually one exit. Alternatively, there might be a roundabout.
In Austria, you have usually one exit. Alternatively, there might be a roundabout.
I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul, Minnesota comes to mind. You just merge left onto the other highway if you need to change.
The arrows probably tell you whether your first turn will be a left or a right immediately after leaving the interstate. Many exits have two lanes, one for left turns and one for right turns onto the connected surface street. You have to know which exit lane you want to be in.
On a road trip, gas stations and fast food to the "right" of your travel direction on the interstate are slightly preferable because you don't have to wait for any left-turn signals. The US allows you to turn right at a red traffic light as well, saving even more time.
I think with the left vs right, it might be just a regional / cultural thing. Left exits are frowned up or just not allowed and many places (and for good reason) so people may not be familiar with them.