Highway vs. freeway: what’s the difference?
The short answer
A highway is a broad term used globally for any main road and may include intersections or traffic lights. A freeway specifically refers to a controlled-access road with no intersections or traffic lights, mostly used in the United States.
What they have in common
Both highway and freeway refer to major roads designed for fast traffic with multiple lanes in each direction.
Examples
highway
- They took the highway to drive across the state.
- The highway can get very busy during rush hour.
- There was construction on the highway, causing delays.
freeway
- We entered the city via the freeway.
- The accident caused a major backup on the freeway.
- She prefers taking the freeway because it’s faster.
Which one is more common?
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