Some road names are regional, but it's the definitions that matter most
Life is a highway, or so the snappy song by Canadian crooner Tom Cochrane tells us. But what is a highway, exactly? And when it comes to freeways vs. highways, is there a real difference? Living in New York City means I’ve driven on many high-speed roads in the tristate area, from parkways to expressways and everything in between. And I’m here to tell you they are indeed distinct from one another.
But don’t take my word for it—I’m no driving expert. (I get more parking tickets than I should and occasionally use the bus lane to pass.) Instead, I’ve tapped Nathan Huynh, PhD, a highway expert and professor of civil engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, to suss out these thoroughfare subtleties, explain regional name differences and tell us why road terms matter. Read on for every key detail.
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What do different regions call a highway?
As a general term for a high-speed road, most of the U.S. uses highway, according to Huynh.
But there’s one region that calls them something else. That place? Sunny California, where they use the word freeway. Yup, West Coasters have been calling them freeways since the nation’s very first one, confusingly named the Arroyo-Seco Parkway, was dedicated in the Golden State in 1940. (We’ll talk about parkways ahead.)
“Over time, this terminology became embedded in California law and everyday language,” Huynh says. “But in other parts of the country, people often use the more general term highway or expressway to describe similar roads, which explains the regional variation.”
And there are spots around the world that go an entirely different route regarding freeways vs. highways. For example, in the United Kingdom, highways are called motorways. In Germany, you’ll see the word autobahn, while in France, a fast multilane road is called an autoroute. But these Euro-roadways “serve the same purpose as American freeways—they are high-speed, limited-access corridors designed for uninterrupted motor-vehicle travel,” says Huynh.
What’s the real difference between the various high-speed roads?
These terms may not seem important in casual conversation. But when you’re behind the wheel, it’s critical to know the difference between high-speed roads. Here’s a basic primer from Huynh and the pavement pros at the American Automobile Association (AAA).
What’s a highway?
A highway is a fast road with open access, which means it “can have intersections, driveways or median openings for turning,” explains Huynh. Highways post slower speeds (40 to 60 mph) and are often “located in suburban or urban corridors connecting cities and activity centers.”
Traffic signals may be present, and gas stations, businesses and even houses can border a highway.
What’s a freeway?
A freeway is a kind of highway “that provides a continuous flow of traffic with minimal interruptions,” Huynh says. “It’s separated by a barrier or median, has no traffic signals, stop signs or at-grade crossings, and you can only access a freeway at interchanges or ramps.”
Freeways allow for much faster travel, as the listed speeds tend to be 60 mph or higher.
What’s a parkway?
A parkway is a roadway often lined with attractive vistas that include trees and grassy spaces.
“Many parkways prohibit trucks and other commercial vehicles, especially those originally built for scenic, recreational or automobile-only use,” says Huynh. But the truck ban isn’t universal. “Some parkways may allow lighter vehicles, noncommercial traffic or maintenance trucks under special permission.”
As an example, the previously mentioned Arroyo-Seco Parkway, which is also called the Pasadena Freeway, restricts truck traffic to 6,000 pounds or less without authorization, according to California’s transportation authority Caltrans.
What’s a turnpike?
A turnpike is a toll road, which means you need to shell out money to use it. Turnpikes tend to function like freeways and expressways, says Huynh, as many are built with divided lanes and controlled access.
What’s an expressway?
An expressway is a divided highway akin to a freeway—but with a difference in access. When driving on an expressway, the access is partial, which means smaller roads and driveways may intersect it. (Remember, freeways promote fast-flowing traffic and don’t allow for local or private roads to cross them.)
Who determines road names and types?
Huynh says the starting point in the highway vs. freeway debate is the federal government, as it “provides guidelines, funding eligibility and national design standards.” But the feds don’t determine which new roads will be constructed, nor their type. He says these decisions fall to state departments of transportation (DOTs) and city groups.
“Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Councils of Government (COGs) develop long-range transportation plans that identify the types of roadways needed to accommodate future growth and ensure regional mobility, while state DOTs handle design, classification and implementation,” he says.
Does it actually matter what you call a high-speed road?
Yes, it matters what you call a high-speed road, whether it’s a freeway vs. highway or expressway vs. parkway. There are speed limit differences and access concerns, and as a practical matter, you need to be ready to pay to access particular roads, like turnpikes. That means having money handy or using a device connected to an electronic collection network, like E-ZPass, the system used on the East Coast.
And then there’s the issue of safety. Some roads, like parkways, were originally constructed to permit only certain sizes of vehicles. “These restrictions are often based on structural limitations, like bridges with low clearance,” says Huynh. “For example, New York State’s parkways are off-limits to trucks and tractor trailers by law, and many bridges on them have clearances as low as 6 feet 11 inches,” he says.
The bottom line? Be careful when accessing certain roads, honor speed limits and always buckle up!
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Sources:
- Nathan Huynh, PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; email interview, Oct. 13, 2025
- American National Standards Institute: “Highway, Freeway, Parkway—Know the Difference”
- State of California: “Caltrans History”
- State of California: “Route 110”
- Your AAA Today: “Parkway vs. Highway: What’s the Difference?”
