The Difference Between Highways And Freeways

A photo partially visualizing the difference between a freeway and a highway (via diffzy.com).

The words Highway and Freeway are usually used interchangeably in everyday conversations, but many people don’t know that they actually have quite distinct definitions. In this article, we will look into these two types of roads and see what sets them apart.

Simply put, highways are broader roadways designed for fast traffic, and they are built to connect cities, states, or even counties. They are typically a part of a larger transportation network, which can include both toll and non-toll roads and run through urban and rural areas. It is really important to note that although the term highway is used all around the world, the features of one can change from country to the other.

In the U.S., highways are made up of many types of roads. For example, in the Interstate Highway System, there are highways that cross state lines. These highways, although they are managed and funded largely by the federal government, are mostly maintained by state departments of transportation. These roads have specific design standards that they have to follow, including controlled access (meaning there are no at-grade intersections or cross traffic), and they often have multiple lanes, wide medians, and emergency shoulders. However, not all highways are interstates because state highways, for instance, might not meet these standards.

Freeways are also highways, but they have some characteristics that set them apart from regular highways. The term "freeway" specifically refers to a highway that has no tolls, no at-grade crossings with other roads, and no direct property access, meaning you can't enter the road directly from a house or business. Freeways are designed for higher-speed travel, and they have multiple lanes in each direction, a central median separating traffic flows, and on-ramps and off-ramps for entrance and exit.

The etymology of the word "freeway" gives a sense of its most important feature: it is free of tolls. In California, where the term is used most frequently, freeways are state highways that don’t have tolls, although the word freeway does not appear in all states' legislation or everyday usage. In some areas, highways of such a character could be known as expressways or thruways. Many freeways are part of the Interstate Highway System, but not all freeways are part of this system because some may be purely state-maintained.

One of the biggest differences between highways and freeways involves access control. Both highways and freeways can be controlled-access roads, but a freeway can only be accessed by ramps. Also, while highways can have points of access directly to any business or residence, freeways do not. This access control on freeways contributes to the free flow of traffic, minimizing the potential for accidents that could be experienced due to traffic merging on or off a road or due to sudden stops for cross traffic.

From the driver's perspective, travel on highways and freeways can be viewed in different ways. For highways with relatively less controlled access, drivers need to be more alert to traffic merging from side streets or driveways. For freeways, the travel experience is more uninterrupted and fluid, although this can quickly change because of heavy traffic or accidents, which create congestion.

One similarity to note is that both highways and freeways have the same kind of signage regarding speed limits, directions, and exits. However, freeway signs can be more uniform given the nature of these roads, while highway signs need to take into account more things like local access points, toll booths, etc.

In conclusion, while both highways and freeways enable high-speed, long-distance travel, their definitions, construction, and operational differences set them apart. Highways, simply put, can be used to describe various types of roads, including those with controlled and uncontrolled access, tolls, and different management structures. Freeways, on the other hand, are a specific type of highway characterized by no tolls, controlled and specific access points (ramps), and more speed and safety.