Road vs. Highway — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023

A "road" is a surfaced path or route for vehicles and people, while a "highway" is a major public road that typically connects cities, characterized by higher speed limits and greater traffic capacity.

Road vs. Highway — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Road and Highway

Key Differences

Roads are paths or routes used for traveling, suitable for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. They are ubiquitous, found in urban, rural, and suburban areas. Highways, on the other hand, are specific types of roads designed for faster travel, usually connecting towns, cities, or regions. They typically have higher speed limits and are often multi-laned.

The word road encompasses a broad range of pathways, from small local streets to busy urban roads. Roads can be made of various materials like asphalt, concrete, or even dirt in rural areas. Highways are a subset of roads, specifically engineered for higher-speed travel and efficient movement of goods and people over longer distances. They usually have controlled access points.

Roads serve as the basic infrastructure for daily commuting, accessible to all types of vehicles. They play a crucial role in everyday transportation within communities. Highways, being larger and designed for faster speeds, facilitate long-distance travel and are integral to national and regional transportation networks.

In terms of maintenance, roads, especially smaller ones, may be maintained by local authorities. Highways, due to their importance in intercity travel, are often maintained by state or federal governments. The design and upkeep of highways are geared toward ensuring smooth and fast traffic flow.

The terminology can differ based on the region. In some places, all public ways are called roads, with highways being a category within them. In other regions, the term highway is used to denote major roads, while smaller pathways are simply referred to as roads.

Comparison Chart

Definition

A path or route for travel.

A major public road for high-speed travel.

Usage

Broad, includes various types of pathways.

Specific, designed for long-distance and speed.

Speed Limits

Variable, often lower.

Generally higher.

Maintenance

Maintained by local or regional authorities.

Often maintained by state or federal governments.

Accessibility

Accessible to all vehicles and pedestrians.

May have controlled access points.

Compare with Definitions

Road

Road signifies a route for daily commuting and access.

The road to the school was widened to ease traffic.

Highway

Highway refers to a major road with limited access.

The accident caused a closure on the highway.

Road

A road is a way or route connecting places.

The scenic road led through the mountains.

Highway

Highway is a main public road, often connecting cities.

The highway was busy with holiday traffic.

Road

A road is any path or way used for travel.

The country road was quiet and peaceful.

Highway

A highway is designed for high-speed vehicular travel.

The new highway reduced the interstate travel time.

Road

A road is a wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use. Roads consist of one or two roadways (British English: carriageways), each with one or more lanes and any associated sidewalks (British English: pavement) and road verges.

Highway

A highway is a principal public road in a network.

The interstate highway connects multiple states.

Road

A wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use

A country road

The shipment of freight by road

A road accident

They live at 15 Park Road

Highway

Highway signifies a road for long-distance and fast travel.

They took the highway to avoid the city traffic.

Road

A series of events or a course of action that will lead to a particular outcome

He's well on the road to recovery

Highway

A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks.

Road

A partly sheltered stretch of water near the shore in which ships can ride at anchor

Boston Roads

Highway

A main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities

The highway to success

A six-lane highway

Road

Abbr. Rd. An open, generally public way for the passage of vehicles, people, and animals.

Highway

A main public road, especially one connecting towns and cities.

Road

The surface of a road; a roadbed.

Highway

(historical) A road that is higher than the surrounding land and has drainage ditches at the sides

Road

A course or path

The road to riches.

Highway

A main public road, especially a multi-lane, high-speed thoroughfare.

Road

A railroad.

Highway

(figurative) A way; a path that leads to a certain destiny

You're on a highway to greatness.

Road

Often roads(Nautical) A roadstead.

Highway

Any public road for vehicular traffic.

Road

A way used for travelling between places, originally one wide enough to allow foot passengers and horses to travel, now (US) usually one surfaced with asphalt or concrete and designed to accommodate many vehicles travelling in both directions. In the UK both senses are heard: a country road is the same as a country lane.

Highway

(computing) bus

Road

(uncountable) Roads in general as a means of travel, especially by motor vehicle.

We travelled to the seaside by road.

Highway

To travel on a highway

Road

(dated) A physical way or route.

Highway

A road or way open to the use of the public, especially a paved main road or thoroughfare between towns; in the latter sense it contrasts with local street; as, on the highways and byways.

Road

(figuratively) A path chosen, as in life or career.

The road to happiness; the road to success.

Highway

A major road for any form of motor transport

Road

An underground tunnel in a mine.

Road

A railway or a single railway track.

Road

(obsolete) The act of riding on horseback.

Road

(obsolete) A hostile ride against a particular area; a raid.

Road

A partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor; a roadstead.

Road

(obsolete) A journey, or stage of a journey.

Road

At the venue of the opposing team or competitor; on the road.

Road

A journey, or stage of a journey.

With easy roads he came to Leicester.

Road

An inroad; an invasion; a raid.

Road

A place where one may ride; an open way or public passage for vehicles, persons, and animals; a track for travel, forming a means of communication between one city, town, or place, and another.

The most villainous house in all the London road.

Road

A place where ships may ride at anchor at some distance from the shore; a roadstead; - often in the plural; as, Hampton Roads.

Now strike your saile, ye jolly mariners,For we be come unto a quiet rode [road].

My hat and wig will soon be here,They are upon the road.

The highway robber - road agent he is quaintly called.

Road

An open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

Road

A way or means to achieve something;

The road to fame

Road

Taking place over public roads;

Road racing

Road

Working for a short time in different places;

Itinerant laborers

A road show

Traveling salesman

Touring company

Road

Road is a defined path for vehicles and pedestrians.

The new road reduced the travel time to the city.

Road

Road refers to a surfaced path for transportation.

They paved the old dirt road last summer.

Common Curiosities

What is a road?

A road is a path or route used for transportation by vehicles and pedestrians.

Why are highways designed for speed?

Highways are designed for speed to facilitate efficient long-distance travel.

Do highways have tolls?

Some highways have tolls to fund their maintenance and operation.

Do roads have speed limits?

Yes, roads have speed limits, often lower than highways.

What is a highway?

A highway is a major public road designed for high-speed travel, often connecting cities.

Are highways only for cars?

Highways are primarily for vehicles, but some have lanes for bikes or pedestrians.

Can any path be a road?

Generally, any surfaced path for vehicles and pedestrians can be considered a road.

Are all roads paved?

Not all roads are paved; some rural roads may be dirt or gravel.

Who maintains local roads?

Local roads are usually maintained by city or county authorities.

Can roads be private?

Yes, some roads, especially within private properties, can be private.

Can bicycles use highways?

Bicycles are generally not allowed on high-speed highways.

Who maintains highways?

Highways are often maintained by state or federal governments.

Are highways safer than roads?

Highways can be safer due to controlled access and separation from cross traffic.

What's a scenic road?

A scenic road is a route offering picturesque views, often used for leisure drives.

What's an interstate highway?

An interstate highway is a highway system connecting multiple states, usually with high-speed limits.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.