The Town That Went in Circles
No stoplights, almost no stop signs—just roundabouts, everywhere you go.
Image source: City of Carmel
Carmel, Indiana, is officially known as the “Roundabout Capital of the US.” As of 2025, the city has built more than 140 roundabouts—the most of any city in the country.
The first Carmel roundabout opened in 1997, after the city studied European traffic systems. Leaders found roundabouts could reduce serious accidents by up to 80%, improve traffic flow, and lower fuel use. Since then, nearly every major intersection has been converted.
Today, Carmel’s roundabouts are a point of pride, credited with saving lives, cutting congestion, and earning the city national attention for its traffic design.
Learn more about Carmel’s roundabout system.Ever come across a city with its own unusual claim to fame? Share it in the forum!
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