What is a Highway?
Autobahns To Two Lane Roads

Let's hit the highways is what a lot of Americans say when they want to get away, whether it's for a short trip or a longer road trip vacation. There are probably similar expressions around the world.

In the U.S., major highways are usually freeways, though there are some toll roads in the East. Some smaller state roads are also called highways. They will all be called highways in guidebooks and on maps. This might lead to confusion by some visitors.

In California, for instance, U.S. Highway 101 is a major freeway, two to five lanes wide in both direction depending where you are. California State Highway 1, however, is a scenic, hug-the-coast, winding road that is only one lane wide in each direction all the way from south to north! Both highways will take you from Southern California to Oregon and beyond in totally different ways. You'll zip along at top speed on 101; you'll poke along slowly stopping often for the scenery on 1.

In Europe, you also have major highways that are free and some that are toll roads... and you can sped along on both. But you will also find some national highways that are only two lanes and will take you longer to drive. We were recently on a road trip in Poland, for example, and we encountered fast toll roads and slow two lane highways.

What is a highway in developing nations? In some countries all the roads will take you more time to navigate. That was certainly the case in Madagascar.

When you plan to hit the highways, you need to learn how to figure out just what kind of a highway you will be driving on. While maps are not necessarily consistent, you can usually tell by the thickness and color of the lines designating the different roads and highways. The thicker the line, the bigger the road.

You can probably count on thick, double lines in blue, red or green being major roads that will get you to your destination in a hurry... these are freeways or motorways or autobahns or autostrases. Whether you have to pay a toll or not, they will be fast.

Thin squiggly black lines are probably small roads that will take you to some great places, but you'll get there slowly. They are not highways... that's probably about the only thing that's certain.

So what is a highway? The dictionary says it is "a main road, especially one connecting major towns", but that leaves a lot open to interpretation. Do your research and allow plenty of time so you can enjoy yourself and not stress on how long it is taking you to drive from one point to another.... that way "What is a highway?" becomes just an academic question, not something to worry about.

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!   Judy and Mark

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