Flag Use on Vehicles

There’s something undeniably patriotic about cruising with Old Glory trailing behind your vehicle. At Gettysburg Flag Works, we love seeing Americans show their pride — but it’s important to know the limitations and risks of flying a flag on a moving vehicle.

We get many customers that ask about the limits of our flags, because they are some of the longest lasting American flags on the market today.

HOWEVER- from a practical standpoint - we DO NOT recommend flying flags, especially larger flags, on vehicles that will be traveling above parade speeds (5-10MPH) like you see in this video!

Why We Don't Recommend Flying Flags Behind Cars

While it might look great, flying a flag at highway speeds puts extreme stress on the fabric. A single trip down the interstate exposes your flag to wind speeds equivalent to a hurricane! Even our Battle-Tough® nylon and Steadfast polyester flags — made for harsh weather — aren't going to last forever in that kind of punishment.

It can also be distracting to other drivers and potentially dangerous when the flag becomes loose while driving.

For normal outdoor use, check out our guide to American flag specifications or review our flag longevity tips to get the most from your flag investment.

But in the case of flying an American flag behind a vehicle, there just isn't a fabric that exists that will stand up to that abuse for sustained periods of time.

How Long Will a Flag Last on a Vehicle?

A 65MPH trip can fray or destroy even a brand-new flag. We’ve had customers tell us their flags lasted only a few hours when flown behind a truck or motorcycle.

If you still want to display a flag from your vehicle, here are some safer alternatives.

• Use a smaller flag: Less wind resistance means longer life. We recommend sizes like 8x12" or 12x18".
• Plan for replacements: Buy several flags at once and rotate them as needed to avoid flying a tattered banner.

Flags Designed for Use on Vehicles

For better durability, check out our car window flags and motorcycle flags — these are the only flags we make that are specially designed for vehicles and quick mounting.

If you are determined to use a bigger flag, here's our honest recommendation: You should shop for the least expensive flag that you are going to be happy with quality wise, buy in bulk to save money, and plan on replacing frequently, even if that isn't with us!

Looking for Car window flags designed to be displayed on a car? Check out our collection of car window flags here.

Interested in a flag you can fly on your motorcycle? Browse our variety of motorcycle flags here.

Still Have Questions?

Call us at 1-888-697-3524 or contact us online — we’ll help you find the best way to show off your patriotism without ruining your flag.