Highway vs. Roadway: What’s the Difference?

A highway is a public route for vehicular travel—often a major route and, in legal and engineering terms, the entire transportation facility within its right-of-way—while a roadway is the specific portion of that facility used by vehicles, typically the paved surface and shoulders. Put simply: every highway contains a roadway, but “roadway” refers to the drivable surface (and, in many standards, its shoulders), whereas “highway” is the broader corridor that can include lanes, shoulders, medians, sidewalks, verges, and adjacent right-of-way. In everyday speech, people may use “highway” to mean a large, fast route (sometimes controlled-access), but “roadway” remains a technical term describing the part vehicles actually use.

What the terms mean in transportation practice

Transportation agencies and laws tend to define these words precisely. In U.S. standards like the MUTCD, “highway” is a general term for any public way for vehicular travel and includes the whole right-of-way. “Roadway” is the portion of a highway improved or ordinarily used for vehicular travel (often including shoulders), while the “traveled way” is the part of the roadway used for movement of vehicles, excluding shoulders. In common usage, “highway” typically signals a higher-speed, higher-capacity route, but it does not necessarily mean limited access.

The following points break down the core distinctions between the two terms as they’re commonly understood and used in standards.

• Scope: Highway = entire facility and right-of-way; Roadway = vehicular surface within that facility.
• Function: Highway is a network element (may be local, arterial, or controlled-access); Roadway is the drivable surface (lanes and often shoulders).
• Everyday meaning: “Highway” often implies a major, faster route; “Roadway” is mostly technical/engineering jargon.
• Standards terms: “Traveled way” is a subset of roadway (excludes shoulders); “Roadside” and “right-of-way” are parts of the highway but not the roadway.
• Access control: Some highways are controlled-access (freeways/expressways); roadway itself doesn’t imply access type—only the surface vehicles use.

Taken together, the terms are nested: the traveled way sits within the roadway, which sits within the highway, which sits within the right-of-way.

How usage varies by region

While the technical distinctions are broadly similar, everyday words differ by country. Knowing the local term helps interpret signs, maps, and rules of the road.

Below is a quick guide to common regional terminology and how it maps to highway/roadway concepts.

• United States/Canada: “Highway” can mean any public road; controlled-access facilities are “freeways” or “expressways.” “Roadway” is an engineering term for the vehicular surface.
• United Kingdom/Ireland: “Motorway” is controlled-access; “A-road” and “B-road” are major/minor routes. “Carriageway” is roughly the UK counterpart to “roadway.”
• Australia/New Zealand: “Motorway” or “freeway” for controlled-access; “highway” used for major routes. “Roadway” appears mainly in technical contexts.
• India and parts of Asia: “National Highway/State Highway” are major routes; controlled-access corridors may be called “expressways.” “Carriageway” is widely used in engineering.
• Europe (various): “Autobahn,” “autoroute,” “autostrada,” or “motorway” denote controlled-access highways; “carriageway”/“roadway” in standards for the vehicular surface.

Across regions, the pattern is consistent: the “highway” (or its local equivalent) is the facility, and the “roadway/carriageway” is the surface vehicles drive on.

Why the distinction matters

For drivers, the difference explains why rules can refer to parts of a road (like shoulders or medians) separately from the main lanes. For engineers, planners, and lawyers, the terms affect design standards, maintenance responsibilities, and how regulations are written and enforced.

Here are practical implications of using “highway” versus “roadway.”

• Design standards: Lane widths, shoulders, and medians are roadway elements; noise berms, sidewalks, and drainage are highway/right-of-way elements.
• Traffic control: Signs and markings apply to the roadway and traveled way; access controls and ramps are highway-level features.
• Speed and access: “Highway” classification can dictate speed limits and driveway access; “roadway” characteristics influence lane configuration and markings.
• Maintenance: Pavement and striping are roadway maintenance; vegetation, lighting, and stormwater features are highway/right-of-way maintenance.
• Legal language: Statutes often define offenses “on the roadway” (e.g., lane use) versus “on the highway” (e.g., stopping on the shoulder or right-of-way).

Clarity about which part of the facility a rule targets helps avoid confusion in both design documents and traffic laws.

Related terms that help clarify

Several adjacent terms often accompany “highway” and “roadway” and help pinpoint exactly which part of a facility is being discussed.

• Traveled way: The part of the roadway used for vehicle movement, excluding shoulders.
• Shoulder: The strip adjacent to the traveled way; typically part of the roadway in many standards.
• Median: The separation between opposing directions of travel; part of the highway, not the traveled way.
• Right-of-way (ROW): The entire corridor owned or controlled for the facility, encompassing the highway.
• Carriageway (UK/Intl. engineering): Equivalent to “roadway”; a single carriageway carries both directions unless divided.
• Street: Common term for urban roads; legally, often still a type of highway in North American statutes.

Using these terms precisely helps distinguish between where vehicles move, where they may stop, and what parts belong to the broader corridor.

Summary

A highway is the whole public transport corridor—often a major route—including lanes, shoulders, medians, and roadside within the right-of-way. A roadway is the vehicular surface within that corridor, typically the lanes and, in many standards, the shoulders. In short: highway is the facility; roadway is the surface you drive on.

What determines if a road is a highway?

A highway is a major public road primarily for connecting different towns and cities, characterized by features like multiple lanes, limited access points, and a focus on high-speed, long-distance travel. While it’s a broad term that includes high-speed, controlled-access roads like interstates and freeways, it can also refer to simpler, two-lane roads in rural areas, provided they are designated as a main public route for significant travel. Key distinguishing factors are its public nature, its purpose of connecting significant areas, and its typical design for heavier, faster traffic than local streets.
 
Key Characteristics

• Public Use and Maintenance: Highways are public roads, meaning they are open to the general public for travel and are maintained by a government entity. 
• Purpose: Their main purpose is to serve as a main route for travel and trade between towns, cities, and other significant locations. 
• Design:
  • Multiple Lanes: Highways typically have multiple lanes to accommodate heavier and faster traffic. 
  • Limited Access (for some highways): Some highways, like freeways and interstates, are fully controlled-access roads, allowing vehicles to enter and exit only at designated ramps. Other highways may have intersections and traffic lights. 
• Historical Context: The term “highway” originates from historical routes, often on higher ground, that connected major areas for travel and defense. 

Examples and Variations

• Highways vs. Freeways/Interstates: All freeways and interstates are considered highways, but not all highways are freeways. 
  • Freeway/Interstate: A fully controlled-access highway with no intersections, traffic lights, or direct access from properties. 
  • Expressway: A divided highway that is faster than a typical road but might have a higher level of access control than a freeway. 
• Varied Speeds and Flows: The term “highway” doesn’t guarantee a specific speed limit; it can encompass roads with various speed limits and traffic conditions. 

Is a US road a highway?

Highways in the United States are designated into at least four different types of systems: interstate highways, U.S. highways, state highways and county roads. Each system has its own unique shield design that will allow for quick identification.

What is the difference between a roadway and a highway?

A roadway is the specific part of a highway, street, or road intended for vehicle use, while a highway is a major, usually high-speed road designed for long-distance travel between cities or towns. Therefore, a roadway is a component of the larger highway system, which is a type of road with specific design features like multiple lanes and controlled access points.
 
Roadway

• Definition: The physical area designated for vehicle travel within a larger right-of-way. 
• Purpose: To facilitate vehicular movement between destinations. 
• Components: Includes lanes, shoulders, and other elements for traffic flow. 
• Context: A roadway is the portion of any road, street, or highway that is built or used for driving. 

Highway

• Definition: A primary arterial road designed for high-speed travel over long distances. 
• Purpose: To connect cities, towns, and regions, reducing travel time. 
• Characteristics:
  • Multiple lanes. 
  • Controlled access via on-ramps and off-ramps. 
  • Often includes median barriers and grade-separated interchanges. 
  • Higher speed limits than local roads. 
• Examples: Interstate highways and other state or federal arterial routes are types of highways. 

Key Distinction
The main difference is that a roadway is the part of a highway that you drive on, while the highway is the entire infrastructure that includes the roadway, access points, and wider right-of-way. All highways have roadways, but a roadway can also exist on smaller roads or streets that are not highways.

What is the definition of a roadway?

the part of a road over which vehicles travel; road.