Expressway vs Highway | Difference between Expressway and Highway

If you want to know what is expressway vs highway then you are at the right place to learn about it. Here I am trying to describe the difference between the expressway and highway in detail for beginner drivers especially.

In spite of many similarities, limited access, maximum and minimum speed limits, cross-traffic, stop signs, entry, and exit ramps are the major differences between expressways and highways.

What is an expressway vs highway?

An expressway is a limited-access highway for a high-speed and high volume of traffic without any signal, intersection, or property access.

Whereas, the highway is a main public roadway for a higher volume of traffic with traffic signals, intersections, and property access.

As a beginner driver, you must be aware of the fact that all the expressways are a certain kind of highway but all highways are not expressways.

Difference between Expressway and Highway

Although both roadways serve the same purpose to accommodate a higher volume of traffic. But still, there are a few differences between expressways and highways. which drivers must know before driving on expressways or highways for safe driving.

1. You can only enter any expressway through an interchange at certain points. On the other hand, there are no interchanges on highways like expressways.
2. There are no traffic stop signals on any expressway, unlike highways.
3. You will not find local traffic crossings on the expressway, unlike the highway.

4. There is no railroad crossing on the expressway, unlike the highway.
5. Expressways allow only motorized vehicles, unlike highways. which means cyclists and pedestrians can’t travel on the expressway.
6. You can exit an expressway only from certain exit points, unlike the highway.

7. The expressway is not normally accessible from minor roads, unlike a highway. It is usually accessible from major roads through certain access points or interchanges.
8. Expressways don’t allow slow-moving vehicles like tractors, unlike highways where slow-moving vehicles can travel.
9. Another difference between these two roadways is expressways vs highways speed limits. In the USA, 70 to 80 mph is a common maximum speed limit on expressways. On the other hand, the maximum speed limit on the highway is about 55 to 70 mph.

10. The expressway vs highway also differs in minimum speed limit. Because on expressway you cannot drive below the certain speed limit. While on the highway there is no restriction on the minimum speed limit.
11. The central reservation is another difference between expressway vs highway. There will always be a central reservation between the traffic moving in opposite directions on the expressway. While you may or may not find a central reservation between the traffic moving in the opposite direction on highways.

Examples of Expressway vs Highway

Consider the following scenarios to better understand expressway vs highway:

The garden state parkway in New Jersey with multiple lanes, controlled access points, and high-speed limits is a freeway. .

But highway 66, sometimes known as the “Main Street of America,” is a historic highway that connects numerous states; yet, due to the variety of road conditions and access points, it is not a freeway.

What is an expressway vs highway?

Difference between Expressway and Highway

Examples of Expressway vs Highway

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