"Interstate" vs. "highway": navigating the linguistic crossroads

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 08/10/2024, 15:22

English.me team member

Interstate and highway. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "interstate" and "highway" refer to major roads used for vehicular travel.

What is different?

"Interstate" specifically refers to a type of highway system in the US that connects multiple states, while "highway" is a general term for any main road designed for travel by the public, which can be within a state or region.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Interstate

We took the interstate to drive from New York to Pennsylvania.
The interstate highways are crucial for cross-country travel in the United States.

Highway

The highway was congested during the morning rush hour.
They built a new highway to alleviate traffic in the city.