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motorway vs expressway

Both 'motorway' and 'expressway' are correct terms used to describe a type of high-speed road designed for long-distance travel. The choice between them depends on the regional dialect or the country where the road is located.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 965 views

motorway

The term 'motorway' is commonly used in British English and some other countries to refer to a high-speed road where access is restricted to motor vehicles only.

Use 'motorway' to describe a multi-lane highway designed for high-speed traffic, typically with controlled access and no intersections at grade.

Examples:

  • We drove on the motorway to get to the airport.
  • The motorway was closed due to an accident.
  • The motorway network in the UK is extensive.
  • You should take the motorway if you want to reach the city quickly.
  • The motorway was congested with traffic during rush hour.
  • Under the motorway, same as last time.
  • The motorway is 20 miles further, but probably better for fuel consumption.
  • Poland is planning, in particular, to extend its road and motorway network.
  • It is urgently necessary for the Egnatia Road Company to replace the motorway barrier before any human fatalities occur.
  • They want to extend the motorway right through here.
  • Perhaps he could show me an underground motorway.
  • This does not look like a motorway to me.
  • They closed the motorway for 18 hours.
  • She's travelling eastbound on the fast lane of the motorway at about 80mph.
  • CCTV's just caught it crossing the motorway at Erdberg.
  • If we walk six fields northwest, there's a motorway running perpendicular.
  • It's on a motorway in broad daylight.
  • Firstly, whether Austria should simply be allowed to maintain these higher tolls on the Brenner motorway.
  • Well, we checked more towards the other side of the motorway.
  • I'm calling from a café, on the motorway.
  • I have never braked on a motorway.
  • Release Tom and Greg and meet us on the motorway.
  • The final stretch of motorway to Saint Tropez.
  • For example, we recently did this for a motorway in Greece.
  • The motorway that is under construction in Transylvania could likewise cause serious environmental damage.

Alternatives:

  • freeway
  • highway
  • interstate

expressway

The term 'expressway' is commonly used in American English and some other countries to refer to a high-speed road with limited access and designed for high-speed traffic.

Use 'expressway' to describe a divided highway with controlled access and grade-separated intersections, often used for long-distance travel.

Examples:

  • The expressway was busy with commuters heading home.
  • Take the expressway if you want to avoid city traffic.
  • The new expressway reduced travel time between the two cities.
  • The expressway is a convenient route for long-distance travel.
  • The expressway was closed for maintenance over the weekend.
  • Instead, they take the Long island expressway and head east to the Hamptons.
  • A lot of cars speed by on this expressway day and night.
  • There has been an accident at Tremble Road and the expressway.
  • Taking fire above and below expressway.
  • But tell Zach not to get on the expressway.
  • Mom says don't get on the expressway.
  • We are now entering the expressway at Belmont.
  • Says it was destroyed to make way for a hyperspace expressway.
  • This expressway connects Tokyo with Nagoya.
  • That's good news because we got hundreds of people living underneath the expressway and camped out on Duncan Plaza right across from city hall.
  • The Long Island expressway is the biggest parking lot in the world.
  • The seeds from these trees also have spread by birds here and there nearby the soundproof walls of the city expressway that has been built around the 1988 Olympics.
  • And I was getting on the expressway, and suddenly I had this very strong feeling that you were dead.
  • No, you're going towards the expressway!
  • A listener tells us there's a big hairy dog... hanging out on the expressway.
  • Or it was until the Vogons destroyed it to make way for a hyperspace expressway.
  • Put one of these in every door between the expressway and Winchester, and from Freemont to Fulton.
  • I think I ran over a Wookiee back there on the expressway.
  • When would we get to stand in the middle of an expressway?
  • He's headed for the Star City expressway, probably high-tailing his way back to Central City.

Alternatives:

  • highway
  • freeway
  • motorway

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