Unit 11 Freeway

This stylized drawing of an overpass is used to represent a freeway in many countries.

A freeway (also motorway or expressway) is a type of highway that is designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. This is accomplished by imposing full control of access from adjacent properties and eliminating all cross traffic with grade separations and interchanges, and no railroad crossings. Such highways are usually divided with at least two lanes in each direction. Because traffic never crosses at-grade, there are generally no traffic lights or stop signs. The word freeway is also used to describe a highway without tolls.

Note: Expressway has other meanings, and motorway typically applies only to those roads designated as motorways by the national highway agency. Thus this article will primarily use the term freeway for clarity and conciseness. The terms “controlled access” and “limited access” are also used, but both terms can also apply to arterial roads with partial control of access.

Despite the name, a freeway can be a toll road.