What are motorways called in USA?

E6 RDM · 10-17-2018, 06:51 AM

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

Tano22 · 10-17-2018, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E6 RDM

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

cmyx6go · 10-17-2018, 07:02 AM

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.

ASAP · 10-17-2018, 07:07 AM

I would argue highway is most commonly used... which actually means high "speed" way.

E6 RDM · 10-17-2018, 07:17 AM

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...

insanecoder · 10-17-2018, 07:38 AM

highway

1MOREMOD · 10-17-2018, 07:43 AM

Don't forget interstate

Efthreeoh · 10-17-2018, 08:06 AM

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.

E6 RDM · 10-17-2018, 09:02 AM

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.

10" · 10-17-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tano22

Quote:

Originally Posted by E6 RDM

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.

cmyx6go · 10-17-2018, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10"

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.

are0lies · 10-17-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

You have a point. I guess we should also include Expressway and Parkway.

And toll roads.

Captain Blood · 10-17-2018, 09:22 AM

Around Dallas, they are called "parking lots".
Houston and LA may be the same

King Rudi · 10-17-2018, 09:22 AM

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why we park in a driveway and drive on the parkway.

E6 RDM · 10-17-2018, 09:30 AM

On/Off Ramps - in UK are called slip roads!

Captain Blood · 10-17-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not_Judy

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why we park in a driveway and drive on the parkway.

Seinfeld?

Chappers 71 · 10-17-2018, 09:35 AM

You guys...you're just confusing the op now

arkie6 · 10-17-2018, 09:40 AM

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.

cmyx6go · 10-17-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

Around Dallas, they are called "parking lots".
Houston and LA may be the same

The Long Island Expressway is actually the Long Island Distressway

10" · 10-17-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10"

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...

10" · 10-17-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

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

cmyx6go · 10-17-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railgun

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....

10-17-2018, 06:51 AM	#1
E6 RDM Enlisted Member 19 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW, Peugeot, Audi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Shrewsbury, UK iTrader: (0)	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, 07:02 AM	#3
cmyx6go Colonel 17249 Rep 2,096 Posts Drives: 2022 X6///M Comp Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 X6 ///M [10.00]	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
ASAP Major General 11327 Rep 9,298 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	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
E6 RDM Enlisted Member 19 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW, Peugeot, Audi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Shrewsbury, UK iTrader: (0)	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
insanecoder Banned 1411 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: 340isDrive Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast USA iTrader: (0)	highway
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10-17-2018, 07:43 AM	#7
1MOREMOD - 11829 Rep 23,186 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Don't forget interstate
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10-17-2018, 08:06 AM	#8
Efthreeoh General 20055 Rep 20,158 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Summum Choragium iTrader: (0)	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
E6 RDM Enlisted Member 19 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW, Peugeot, Audi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Shrewsbury, UK iTrader: (0)	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, 09:22 AM	#13
Captain Blood Banned 13876 Rep 14,518 Posts Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me Join Date: May 2017 Location: Alph Ceti VI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Audi S3 [9.50] 2012 135 [6.83]	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
King Rudi Lieutenant Colonel 13071 Rep 1,965 Posts Drives: Meat Suit Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (0)	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
E6 RDM Enlisted Member 19 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW, Peugeot, Audi Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Shrewsbury, UK iTrader: (0)	On/Off Ramps - in UK are called slip roads!
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10-17-2018, 09:35 AM	#17
Chappers 71 Major General 6227 Rep 5,871 Posts Drives: Beige G31 540ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [7.67] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	You guys...you're just confusing the op now __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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10-17-2018, 09:40 AM	#18
arkie6 Lieutenant 395 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 08 335i, 12 X5 35d, 17 X3 35i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Russellville, AR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 xdrive35d [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	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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