Question

What is the difference between a freeway and a highway?

All freeways are highways, but not all highways are freeways. The main difference between a highway and a freeway is limited or controlled access. You can only get on a freeway via ramps at designated points.

Whether it’s on your daily commute or annual road trip, highways are a significant part of the travel experience. The NHS (National Highway System) covers over 160K miles, some of which are freeways. But most people interchangeably refer to high-speed roadways as ‘highways’ or ‘freeways’.   

You are not entirely wrong because the difference between a highway and a freeway is subtle. Both terms refer to a roadway with higher speed limits. This is to facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce travel time.

But can you call any highway a freeway or vice versa? The answer to that is  – no. 

In the US and across the world, highways are roadways with a higher speed limit than other roads. They are broader and usually have multiple lanes for traffic. However, highways can also be two-lane roads with wider shoulders.   

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices defines freeways as divided highways with complete access control. So, they are also called controlled-access highways. Designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, freeways have limited traffic control. To ensure “free-flowing” traffic, freeways do not have traffic signals, intersections, crossings with railways or other roads, or property access.   

Freeways usually connect major cities and offer ideal conditions for trucking, shipping, or long-distance road travel. While exit/entrance ramps strictly control access to these roads, underpasses and overpasses allow cross-traffic. Frontage roads provide access to properties adjacent to a freeway.  

Freeway vs. Highway

The speed limits on freeways are generally higher than on highways. And to further reduce travel time between cities, all interruptions to the constant flow of traffic are removed.   

Rest areas are common on freeways so that travelers can stop without completely exiting the road. The right lane is reserved for exiting/entering the roadway on a three-lane freeway. The left lane is only for passing, and the middle lane is for driving when not passing or exiting. Additional lanes on freeways are common near congested or metro areas.