Is there any difference between a 'freeway' and a 'highway'? I'm not from the US and have wondered bout this one since watching 'CHiPs' as a kid!

beeaydee

A highway is a main public road, especially one that connects cities and towns. A freeway is a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic and having no traffic lights, stop signs, nor other regulations requiring vehicles to stop for cross-traffic. A freeway is also called an expressway, motorway, pike, state highway or superhighway. Mar 06 06, 9:15 AM

mementoflash

The terms "freeway" and "highway" are used interchangeably. Mar 06 06, 2:42 PM

robboy

I think what's missing in these answers is the evolution of the unique designation 'freeway' and why it's interchangeable with highways, etc. It's a freeway because it's free of tolls, as opposed to the old improved state turnpikes, throughways, expressways, et al, mostly due to Federal funding and the Eisenhower Interstate Highway system. In the following example, a certain amount of funding became unavailable, so a portion of an Interstate connector is redesignated a Turnpike and is a toll road. http://www.texasfreeway.com/dallas/photos/190/190.shtml Mar 06 06, 5:17 PM

beeaydee

robboy: Contrary to popular belief, a freeway is not a highway "free" from tolls. The "free" in freeway instead refers to a legislative definition passed by the California Legislature in 1939 which provided for a highway that would be free of encroaching properties and which provided for control of access. At the time this was very controversial since property owners next to the road could have no rights of direct access. Mar 08 06, 9:09 AM