The history of the Jeep wave

If you’ve ever driven a Jeep, you’re likely familiar with the Jeep Wave – the mysterious, highly specific and sometimes nerve wracking exchange of nods, waves, and other subtle acknowledgments between drivers of Jeep vehicles.

So the question is, why do Jeep drivers wave to each other? Honestly, no one knows for sure. But it’s a tradition that dates back decades and may have a lot to do with the culture of the Jeep brand itself.

The Jeep Wave has been around for as long as Jeep itself, which was launched in 1941 as an off-road, military utility vehicle. Which is why people believe that the waves origin comes from soldiers who returned from world war II, soldiers would wave to fellow Jeeps, with the assumption that the recipient is a fellow veteran. As more civilians flocked to the Jeep it became almost a hail among drivers of the ultra-rugged, four-wheel-drive vehicles, a “hello” between people who shared a common connection.

Jeep drivers generally recognize each other through a friendly wave, often accompanied by a nod and a smile. In fact, the wave is even mentioned in the Jeep owner’s manual, with a description of how and when to properly exchange the wave. The manual states that Jeep drivers should wave “when encountering other Jeep drivers on or off the road.”

The tradition has been around for so long that it’s developed into a kind of unspoken code of conduct for Jeep drivers, who expect and appreciate the wave when they encounter other Jeep drivers traveling in the same direction. While the wave has become part of the Jeep culture, it’s not enforced or required—it’s a spontaneous, communal act of camaraderie among Jeep fanatics.

The Jeep wave is yet another part of the Wranglers history that continues to make it a one of a kind owners experience, on and off the road.