One-way streets may be part of a one-way system, which facilitates a smoother flow of motor traffic through, for example, a city center grid; as in the case of Bangalore, India. This is achieved by arranging one-way streets that cross in such a fashion as to eliminate right turns (for driving on left) or left turns (for driving on right). Traffic light systems at such junctions may be simpler and may be coordinated to produce a green wave.

Some of the reasons one-way traffic is specified:
• The street is too narrow for movement in both directions and the road users unable to coordinate easily
• Prevent drivers from cutting through residential streets to bypass traffic lights or other requirements to stop (a so-called "rat run")
• Discourage drivers from cruising through a residential neighborhood (e.g. by having mostly one-way streets pointing outwards, with relatively few vehicular entrances)
• Part of a one-way pair of two parallel one-way streets in opposite directions (such as a divided highway)
• For a proper functioning of a system of paid parking or other restricted vehicular access (these may also use one-way treadles which puncture tires if traversed in the forbidden direction)
• To calm traffic, especially in historic city centers
• Eliminate turns that involve crossing in front of oncoming traffic
• Increase traffic flow and potentially reduce traffic congestion
• Add an additional parking lane in a former two-way street, formerly with parking on one side only. (Commonly found in Malta)
• Eliminate the need for a center turn lane that can instead be used for travel
• Better traffic flow in densely built-up areas where road widening may not be feasible
• Simplify pedestrian crossing of the street due to walkers only needing to look for oncoming traffic in one direction
• Eliminate cars' driver-side doors opening into the travel lane in parallel parking spaces for parking lanes located on the left (right-hand drive) or right (left-hand drive) side of a street
• Locate a one-way bike lane on the opposite side of the street from parallel parking spaces to prevent dooring
• Limited-access highway entrance and exit ramps.

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In the United States, 37 states and Puerto Rico allow left turns on red only if both the origin and destination streets are one way. See South Carolina law Section 56-5-970 C3, for example. Five other states – Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington – also allow left turns on red into a one-way street from a two-way street.

An attempt was apparently made in 1617 to introduce one-way streets in alleys near the River Thames in London by The Worshipful Company of Carmen who were commissioned by the King to regulate traffic in the square mile of the City of London. The next one-way street in London was Albemarle Street in Mayfair, the location of the Royal Institution. It was so designated in 1800 because the public science lectures were so popular there. The first one-way streets in Paris were the Place Charles de Gaulle around the Arc de Triomphe, the Rue de Mogador and the Rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin, created on 13 December 1909.

According to the folklore of Eugene, Oregon, the use of one-way streets in the United States started in Eugene itself. In 1941 6th Ave was converted into a one-way avenue by the Highway Department. Other sources claim the fad arose in relation to the disaster of the SS Morro Castle. On 9 September 1934, the on-fire SS Morro Castle was towed to the New Jersey shoreline near the Asbury Park Convention Center and the sightseeing traffic was enormous. The Asbury Park Police Chief decided to make the Ocean Avenue one-way going north and the street one block over (Kingsley) in one-way going south, creating a circular route. By the 1950s this "cruising the circuit" became a draw to the area in itself since teens would drive around it looking to hook up with other teens. The circuit was in place until the streets went back to two way in 2007 due to new housing and retail development.