Difference Between Freeway and Highway

The question of how to define a highway is not at all challenging. This name is basically given to any major paved road. As opposed to by-lanes or sub-lanes that are primarily found in residential or community areas, highways are what we refer to as the "main roads". There is neither any restriction placed on any kind of traffic regarding their access, nor do they have any typically marked entrances or exits.

A freeway is a special subset of highways to which access is controlled or limited. This restriction is put in place with the intention of curbing the volume of traffic that enters, and subsequently drives on this stretch of road at any given time, so as to enable smooth, high-speed traffic flow.

Highway: Highways are general-access roads that neither have any restrictions regarding what kind of vehicle can enter, nor any set minimum driving speed. Their entrance and various exits are regular roads that are not ramped.

Freeway: Freeways, unlike highways, offer only limited access to traffic. On most freeways, the entry of heavy vehicles like trucks and two-wheel vehicles like motorbikes and cycles is prohibited. Ramped slip roads mark the entrance and exits.

Highway: They may or may not contain stop signs, intersections, traffic lights, as well as pedestrian crossing areas. Sometimes, roads that pass through the more densely populated areas of the city can also be termed highways.

Freeway: These roads are characterized by the absence of any distractions that would result in the slowing down of traffic. This includes traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, railway crossings, and intersections.

Highway:  Highways have fewer individual lanes. On an average, the road may have 2-4 lanes, and many times bidirectional roads are not separated by any kind of barrier.

Freeway: Freeway roads may have as many as 6 lanes of which individual lanes are also quite broad. Oppositely directed lanes are separated by dividers, which are sometimes even landscaped.

Highway: Whether or not entry to a highway is charged depends on a number of factors, although generally they are free for everyone to travel on. The governing rules not only differ with country, but also vary in different states. More than one tollbooth may be found on a single highway.

Freeway: In the case of freeways, cars and other personal vehicles are usually not charged on entry; however, a toll may be collected from buses, taxis, and other commercial vehicles. Once inside though, there are no tollbooths throughout the stretch of a single freeway.

Highway: On highways, the flow of traffic is slower, owing to the reasons stated above. Travel is also less convenient. Hence, although they serve the purpose of providing connectivity between major areas, maybe even two different cities, they are not preferred for long-distance travel.

Freeway: Traffic moves quickly on freeways, as they are designed for high-speed traffic. Due to the convenience they provide, they are preferred for long-distance travel. However, due to their popularity, in many countries nowadays, they too are prone to traffic jams.

Highway: In the USA, and in most other countries of the world, they fall under the jurisdiction of the state government, and thus, it is they who are completely responsible for the maintenance and repair of these roads.

Freeway: In the USA, they are governed by the federal government, and the responsibility of their repair and maintenance falls on the different states in percentages. In some countries, their construction was a joint venture with the private sector.