No, the center turn lane is meant for making left turns and should not be used for merging into traffic.
200 feet
In most states, you can legally travel up to 200 feet in a left turn center lane before merging back into the regular traffic lane.
Only long enough to execute a legal turning maneuver, or merge into traffic.
A "Center left turn lane".
Yes, it is legal in most states. Just move into the turn lane and make sure there is no oncoming traffic. Wait till there is an opening, and accelerate into traffic. This is not a big deal, if done correctly.
Use your indicator signal to advise vehicles on the expressway that you intend to merge. Match your speed with the vehicles in the slow lane, find a gap in the traffic and enter the slow lane.
When merging from the acceleration lane, you should match the speed of the cars on the main highway while looking for a safe gap to merge into. Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to merge. Once you find a suitable gap, merge smoothly and cautiously into the flow of traffic.
Accelerate to match the speed of traffic before merging onto the freeway. Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to merge, and check for a safe gap in traffic. Merge smoothly and steadily into the flow of traffic at a safe speed.
When making a left turn across opposing traffic you may pull into the center/turn lane to clear yourself out of traffic, until the turn can be made with safety. HOWEVER, it is not meant to be travelled in for more than a certain number of feet (distance may vary by state law) before making the actual turn.
A shared left turning lane is a lane found in the center of a two-way road that is used exclusively for left turn movements and may be used by vehicles traveling either direction down the roadway. It is NOT a traffic lane nor should it be used for passing.
The center turn lane is for turning left only. It is NOT used for passing, merging, making right turns, or for traveling more than 50 feet before turning left. It was primarily designed to get out of the traveling lane when making a left turn consequently, not stopping traffic. Some states it is unlawful to pass a car, that is on the right, when you are in the center lane.
Before you get to the highway, while driving on the access road with a merge sign, put on your turn signal. Check the oncoming traffic behind you in both your rear-view mirror and door mirror. If there is no traffic in the right lane, you should increase your speed to above 40mph (IF safe to do so) as you prepare to merge--but do not cross edge of the road lines; continue on the access road until the road marking shows you can merge. Do not try to edge out someone in front of you, even if they are slow to merge--the person who is first in line has complete right of way. Merge safely, and bring your speed up to driving speed as you turn off your turn signal (it will not automatically turn itself off).If you are on the access road and see traffic in the right lane of the highway, SLOW down instead of speed up. Constantly check your mirrors, with your turn signal on. IF there is enough SAFE distance between two vehicles, AND you can safely get your speed up, you can merge. Then, bring your speed up to driving speed for highway driving and turn off your turn signal.If you are on the access road and see constant oncoming traffic in the right lane of the highway, SLOW down instead of speed up. Keep your turn signal on. IF it is unsafe to merge, DO NOT try. You should brake and wait until it is safe to merge. Do not enter the roadway, even a little. If you have cars behind you, they are supposed to wait behind you (they should never jump the line to get ahead of you). As soon as you see safe distance between 2 vehicles, merge. Watch for drivers in the right lane who try to slow to give you a chance to merge--take the courtesy if offered to you and quickly get your speed up and turn off your turn signal.Merging is probably the most stressful part of driving because you have to watch out for yourself and other drivers. But you'll get the hang of it.NOTE: If you are a driver on a highway moving in the right lane, you should try to safely move over to the left lane to allow merging traffic to merge. Once you pass the on ramp, you can merge back into the right lane traffic again.