What makes a highway a highway and a freeway a freeway?

Question

Someone once told me that highways run north/south and freeways run east/west. Is that what it is or is there another reason why they are called highways and freeways?

Answer 1

All freeways are highways, but not all highways are freeways. You have to pay tolls on some highways, thus they are not freeways.

Answer 2

I was always told (similar to the other answers) that a highway doesn't have regular on and off ramps. There are usually cross streets or roads that intersect the highway, and therefore the possiblity of stop signs as well...

While a freeway has on and off ramps, no stop signs and no roads or streets that intersect the freeway. Our freeway only has 2 lanes in each direction though, many are more.

But the number of the highway or freeway usually has to do with the direction. Odd numbers generally run north and south, while even numbers run east and west. Like highway 66- east and west. Highway 1- north and south. 101 freeway is north and south as well. Interstate 5 is north and south. Although I think there is some other type of rule to this where it changes, I don't know all the details...

Oh actually, here is more information if you are interested that is (I think it's kinda neat, I mean it would always give you a good idea of where you are going, etc.)
http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/highways.asp

Answer 3

Highways are mostly 1-2 lanes per side and barely get to 3 and Freeways have faster speed limit and can get to 2-8 lanes and can handle more traffic then regular highways

That has nothing to do with it

West-east is highways or freeways that have a even number on them

South=north is highways or freeways that have an odd number on them

Answer 4

It's legal to walk or ride your bike on a highway, where it is not legal to do so on a freeway, and access into and out of the freeway is highly controlled by onramps and offramps.

Often, highways are in more rural areas where other roads intersect them...This means that you'll have a greater chance of meeting a stop light, as well as people getting on and off the roadway in various places.

Some freeways turn into highways in order to allow for this, then turn back into freeways a few miles down the road. You may have even seen the signs as you're driving that say, "End Freeway", and then, "Begin Freeway"...in between those two signs, the road is considered a highway.

Answer 5

First of all that north, south ,east ,west thing is not correct and has nothing to do with freeway and highway. Usually freeways are a multilane highway with a median and full
controlled access. Controlled access means no direct connections tothe highway from intersecting roads or adjacent property access. Highways usually connect one city/town to another and are actually arterial roads. You can expect stop signs, traffic lights and more stringent signs like pedestrian crossing, bike crossing, etc. A freeway as the name sounds is free of all the above mentioned obstructions. Hope this helps...

Answer 6

Highways are usually one or two lane roads in rural areas, Freeways are usually 3+ lane roads that aren't so rural.

Answer 7

I heard highways have stop signs, freeways don't.

Answer 8

freeways are called freeways because you don't have to pay a toll to drive on them. There are tollways where you have to pay to drive on them.

idk about highways tho. I don't think the north south east west thing has anything to do with it.

Answer 9

For in basic terms hammering down. Kickstart My coronary heart by technique of Motely Crue Cruising mild to mild Panama by technique of Van Halen long distance cruise working Down A Dream by technique of Tom Petty existence is a highway (remake) by technique of Rascal Flatts

Answer 10

On ramps = Freeway
No on ramps = Highway