Highway Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Highway, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Highway?

(n) Highway is the public road, street or pathway owned and maintained by the State or local authority for the use of public as per the rules regulations and restrictions made by the authorities for using the same.

History and Meaning of Highway

A highway is a public road that is owned and maintained by either the state or local authorities. The term "highway" comes from the word "high," which refers to a main road or route that people use to travel between cities, towns, and other points of interest. Highways have been in use for centuries, with some of the earliest examples dating back to ancient Rome and its network of roads.

In the United States, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of a massive interstate highway system that would connect major cities across the country. The system ultimately consisted of 46,876 miles of road and was the largest public works project in American history. Today, highways continue to be an essential part of the country's transportation infrastructure.

Examples of Highway

The Interstate 95 is a major highway that runs along the East Coast of the United States, connecting Miami, Florida to Houlton, Maine.
Highway 1 is a famous coastal highway in California that stretches over 600 miles, from San Francisco to San Diego.
The Autobahn in Germany is a highway system known for having no speed limit in some areas.
In Canada, the Trans-Canada Highway stretches over 4,800 miles and connects all 10 provinces.

Legal Terms Similar to Highway

Roadway: A roadway is any publicly maintained thoroughfare that is open to the public for vehicular traffic.
Boulevard: A boulevard is a type of wide street that is typically lined with trees and landscaping.
Turnpike: A turnpike is a toll road that is maintained privately and funded by collecting fees from users.