What Is The Difference Between A Freeway and A Highway?

There’s an ongoing debate about whether a freeway and a highway are the same. Some drivers usually use these terms interchangeably, so the question is what is the difference between a freeway and a highway? 

Are A Highway And A Freeway The Same?

Highway definition

Highways are roadways that may have crossings, intersections at a level from other roads, railway lines, and even footpaths on one or both sides. The term highway can be used for any road but mostly is defined as a paved road connecting two distant cities. It may be a single roadway with one or more travel lanes separated by a painted white or yellow line. For highways, there is no exit or entrance ramps. Access to a highway is usually by intersections. Additionally, a highway is known as a public highway that may collect tolls. Tolls for all types of vehicles are taxed once or multiple times. If all single or multi-lane public roads are highways, you might want to know about the freeway. 

What is a freeway?

A freeway is a highway where access to the roadway is controlled. Drivers can only enter the freeway by ramps. Traffic traveling in opposite directions is usually separated by a median. Vehicles wanting to cross a freeway must use an overpass or underpass. In the United States, freeways are divided, have a minimum of two lanes in each direction, have no cross traffic, have limited access, and usually are not elevated except at interchanges. Simply put, there are no intersections, no yields, and no stop signs on the freeway, that’s why it’s called “freeway”  Because the fact is that you’re free to drive and there are no restrictions when driving on this road. Another feature of freeways, you will not pay any toll fee while traveling on freeways.

We can see that both freeways and highways are major routes connecting cities to different regions. They are both public roadways, connecting important towns and cities. Many people think these types of roads are the same, but there are still some different meanings between them:

>> Related post: Is Heavy Traffic More Accident-Prone Than a High-Speed Highway?

What Is The Difference Between A Freeway and A Highway?

Let’s see what the major differences are between highways and freeways to know what sets them apart. Generally, there is less norm on the freeway. Freeways are eligible for the speediest speed among all the ways. 

• The main difference between these roadways is that the freeways are separated from the rest of the traffic and can only be accessed by ramp. Unlike normal highways, the entrance and the various exits of a freeway are marked by ramps or sloping roads. The level of a freeway is slightly higher than that of other roads.
• Another difference is that freeways tend to run through less populated areas, while highways run through more crowded places. For this reason, the freeway is arguably the better choice for long-distance travelers. There are toll booths at some special points on the highway, while the freeway does not have any toll booths.
• In the United States, you cannot bike or walk alongside a freeway. Freeways are routes that are not open to pedestrians, bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, signals, or intersections.  A freeway will also have a concrete barrier to separate the two directions of the traffic. On the other hand, on a highway, you will have adjoining streets and there is no restriction for slow-moving vehicles and pedestrians to use these roads. 
• Although there are specific speed regulations for vehicles traveling on Highways and freeways, freeways often allow travel at higher speeds. The maximum speed limit on Interstate Highways is 55 to 75 mph in the USA, sometimes outside of “urbanized areas”, the maximum speed can reach up to 137 km/h. While on freeways, these numbers will range from 70 to 80 mph, higher compared to highways. 
• Regarding lanes, the Freeway has more lanes than the Highway, usually more than 4 lanes, and the highway usually has 2-4 lanes. Whereas, freeways have medians and barriers between two opposing lanes, while highways usually do not have medians. The freeway has entrances and exits and no traffic lights, traffic islands, or stops; while these elements are all present on the highway.
• Normally the freeway is run by the Central government, while the highway is owned by the State. Most highway and freeway repair and maintenance work is performed by state governments.

Watch the video to learn more about the topic: 

Final Thoughts

We hope that this article will provide information to help distinguish the difference between the terms Freeway and Highway. So we can be more confident when driving on these types of roads when we know the definitions and the terms of the highways and freeways. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comment box below.