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      10-17-2018, 06:51 AM   #1
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What are motorways called in USA?

HI All

I am from the UK, random question but I am doing a project on UK driving vs USA. Can anyone tell me what a busy, multilane road is called?

In the UK we call it a motorway (3 or 4 lanes a side) with 70mph limit but in USA, what's it called?

Not sure if it's a freeway or highway.

Thanks
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      10-17-2018, 06:51 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E6 RDM View Post
HI All

I am from the UK, random question but I am doing a project on UK driving vs USA. Can anyone tell me what a busy, multilane road is called?

In the UK we call it a motorway (3 or 4 lanes a side) with 70mph limit but in USA, what's it called?

Not sure if it's a freeway or highway.

Thanks
Either or
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      10-17-2018, 07:02 AM   #3
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I think it depends on where you are. On the east coast, we call them highways. On the west coast they tend to use freeways. Not sure if the difference in terminology actually has to do with whether or not they are toll roads. Plenty of tolls here in the east.
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      10-17-2018, 07:07 AM   #4
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I would argue highway is most commonly used... which actually means high "speed" way.
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      10-17-2018, 07:17 AM   #5
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ok thanks - so if I asked a question; "I think speed limits on freeways/motorways are too low?.." people would generally know I am talking about faster roads...
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      10-17-2018, 07:38 AM   #6
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highway
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      10-17-2018, 07:43 AM   #7
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Don't forget interstate
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      10-17-2018, 08:06 AM   #8
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The US high speed road system is called the US Interstate Highway System. It was a result of the 1956 Federal Aid Highway Act. So using the term "highway" is the most accurate terminology.
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      10-17-2018, 09:02 AM   #9
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Interesting.....in UK a highway is a generic name to describe a road, any road. While a fast road is, as mentioned, a motorway, but also a dual carriageway can be a 70mph limit, but is only 2 lanes.
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      10-17-2018, 09:12 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tano22 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E6 RDM View Post
HI All

I am from the UK, random question but I am doing a project on UK driving vs USA. Can anyone tell me what a busy, multilane road is called?

In the UK we call it a motorway (3 or 4 lanes a side) with 70mph limit but in USA, what's it called?

Not sure if it's a freeway or highway.

Thanks
Either or
They're not the same.

Highways have often stop lights and intersections.

Freeways do not and have on and off ramps.
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      10-17-2018, 09:18 AM   #11
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They're not the same.

Highways have often stop lights and intersections.

Freeways do not and have on and off ramps.
You have a point. I guess we should also include Expressway and Parkway.
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      10-17-2018, 09:19 AM   #12
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You have a point. I guess we should also include Expressway and Parkway.
And toll roads.
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      10-17-2018, 09:22 AM   #13
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Around Dallas, they are called "parking lots".
Houston and LA may be the same
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      10-17-2018, 09:22 AM   #14
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I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why we park in a driveway and drive on the parkway.
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      10-17-2018, 09:30 AM   #15
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On/Off Ramps - in UK are called slip roads!
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      10-17-2018, 09:32 AM   #16
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I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why we park in a driveway and drive on the parkway.
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      10-17-2018, 09:35 AM   #17
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      10-17-2018, 09:40 AM   #18
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Where I am, we call the divided access controlled high speed multilane roads "Interstates" as in I40 = Interstate 40 where the I = Interstate. Highways are typically state highways with opposite lanes usually separated by yellow lines; although, some highways are divided and multilane, but they don't typically have controlled access points with overpasses like the interstate system.
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      10-17-2018, 09:41 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Real Dodger View Post
Around Dallas, they are called "parking lots".
Houston and LA may be the same
The Long Island Expressway is actually the Long Island Distressway
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      10-17-2018, 09:41 AM   #20
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by 10" View Post
They're not the same.

Highways have often stop lights and intersections.

Freeways do not and have on and off ramps.
You have a point. I guess we should also include Expressway and Parkway.
Those are also different.

Freeways have tolls or limited access. Expressways are free. Parkway is a type of Highway without city areas...
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      10-17-2018, 09:42 AM   #21
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Real Dodger View Post
Around Dallas, they are called "parking lots".
Houston and LA may be the same
The Long Island Expressway is actually the Long Island Distressway
Long Island expressway should be called Long Island Shitshow
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      10-17-2018, 09:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Railgun View Post
Why stop there. Don't forget turnpike.

But in Chicago, it's neither, nor. It's the Ryan, Ike, tri-state, etc.
The OPs head must be spinning....
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