Why do we say, "The 5," when we are talking about a freeway but we DON'T say, "The El Camino Real," a street?

Answer 1

Because you're probably from LA, or have a lot of LA influences. In San Diego, most people I know just say "5", of "15" etc... Its just a regional difference.

Answer 2

Because "El Camino Real" is Spanish for "The King's Highway". It would be grammatically incorrect to say "Take the The King's Highway", just as it would be grammatically incorrect to say "Take 5 freeway". Basically, saying "The 5" in English is the same as saying "El Cinco" in Spanish. To further clarify this, El Camino Real was originally a dirt road stretching hundreds of miles, a primitive highway if you will, connecting the California missions. It was not originally a street. Now, after a few hundred years, it has been cut up, paved over, and otherwise altered to the point where it is no longer a continuous stretch of road, and it looks more like streets and freeways. In fact, where it still exists along its original path, there are signs on special posts that indicate that you are traveling, if not the original dirt road, at least the original route of El Camino Real. Same with Route 66. I hope this clears it up for you.

Answer 3

Adding the definite article before the number gives listeners more time to hear what is being said. El Camino Real has enough syllables already. I've never hear "the five" but I've heard I5 and "the I5 freeway."

Answer 4

Because "El" is Spanish for "The". It would be like saying "The The Camino Real" or "The The Royal Road". However, if you are referring to an old Chevy pickup, you might say "The El Camino".
Language doesn't always make sense.

Answer 5

why do you care