Road, Highway, Avenue, Street: What's the Difference?

Road

General term: any paved/gravel path connecting two+ points. Can be rural or urban.

Highway

Major public road, usually paved, designed for higher-speed, longer-distance travel between cities/towns. Often numbered (I-15, US-101, State Route 1).

Avenue

Urban thoroughfare, typically broad, often tree-lined, usually running perpendicular to "streets" in a grid. Connotes prestige (e.g., Fifth Avenue).

Street

Public way in a built-up area, lined with buildings/lots. Default urban term; often narrower than avenues.

Naming conventions vary by city; no universal legal distinction beyond local ordinance.