To reverse direction on a two-way street, you will best manage your risk by:

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When reversing direction on a two-way street, the safest choice is a controlled two-point turn. This maneuver uses a brief back-and-forth move near the curb to switch the direction you’re facing, so you spend minimal time in the travel lane and stay largely aligned with traffic in the opposite direction. It reduces exposure to oncoming vehicles because you’re not crossing multiple lanes or making large, abrupt sweeps across the street.

Other options introduce more risk. A three-point turn requires more steering and can involve crossing paths with oncoming traffic in the middle of the street, increasing the chance for conflicts. A U-turn in one step is often illegal on two-way streets and can force you to cross both lanes at once, which is dangerous. Going around the block takes longer and creates more time spent in intersections and other drivers’ paths, raising the likelihood of misjudgments by others.