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Highway means a main road connecting significant destinations.

Freeway means a multi lane, restricted access, motor vehicles only, type of road.

Freeways are almost always highways as well.

Highways are, more often than not, NOT freeways.

For example, in the bay area: Highway 101 is built to freeway standards all the way through the bay area. I seem to remember as a kid some sections south of Gilroy were not freeway but that's since been rectified.

In contrast, highway 82 is just a highway and not a freeway, consisting mostly of El Camino Real.



The most common European term, "motorway", is probably clearer. This is a way/road only for motor vehicles.

(Obviously it's translated, autoroute, autobahn, motorvej, avtocesta, autopista, motorväg, autostrada, autovia etc.)


I feel I should point out for completeness sake that 101 stops being freeway for a stretch through San Francisco itself.




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