Highways are roads that are usually maintained by the local government (or even the state - never federal) but the funding for the highway can come from the federal government. State highways never cross state lines. US highways do cross state lines. US highways were established to create paths for travel where the road number does not change from state to state. This was done to make interstate travel easier and was mandated by congress in the 1930s if memory serves me correctly.
Freeway is a road that has NEVER been a toll road and NEVER will be.
Interstate - highway that crosses state lines and is not a US highway. This is a seperate act of congress and was established in the 1950s to create highways that were limited access and were designed for those traveling long distances on a regular basis.
EDIT***
I looked at the definitions for freeway, expressway (you didn't ask, but I looked anyhow), etc. and it seems as though there is a small bit of confusion relating to this specific definition of the word freeway. True, the answer below does appear to be factual, but I do seem to recall a state that has designated a definition of a freeway as the one I provided, but I am unable to find the site that stated this (I have seen this and not in a dream). For all intents and purposes however, it appears as though the most common definition for a freeway is a limited access, divided highway.
It also appears that a highway is an undivided road (based on the definition of the other terms).
In the US, it's a matter of who pays for them. The federal government pays for the interstate highways. They can look very similar, e.g., both can have ramps for heavy traffic. From the source links:
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, commonly called the Interstate Highway System or Interstate Freeway System, and colloquially referred to as "the Interstate", is a network of limited-access roadways (also called freeways, highways, or expressways) in the United States. It is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. As of 2006, the system has a total length of 46,876 miles (75,440 km).[1] The Interstate Highway System is a subsystem of the National Highway System.
The National Highway System (NHS) of the United States comprises approximately 160,000 miles (256,000 kilometers) of roadway, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads, which are important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility. It is the world's longest highway system.
The system, which was developed by the United States Department of Transportationin cooperation with the states, local officials, and metropolitan planning organizations was approved by the United States Congress in 1995.
It encourages individual states to focus on strategic routes support these with federal funds where the States can incorporate design and construction improvements that address their traffic needs safely and efficiently.
There may be a typo in your question, but the Interstate Highway System is a network of high-speed roads in the United States, while an intrastate highway refers to a highway that runs entirely within one state.
Highways are roads that are usually maintained by the local government (or even the state - never federal) but the funding for the highway can come from the federal government. State highways never cross state lines. US highways do cross state lines. US highways were established to create paths for travel where the road number does not change from state to state. This was done to make interstate travel easier and was mandated by congress in the 1930s if memory serves me correctly.
Freeway is a road that has NEVER been a toll road and NEVER will be.
Interstate - highway that crosses state lines and is not a US highway. This is a seperate act of congress and was established in the 1950s to create highways that were limited access and were designed for those traveling long distances on a regular basis.
EDIT***
I looked at the definitions for freeway, expressway (you didn't ask, but I looked anyhow), etc. and it seems as though there is a small bit of confusion relating to this specific definition of the word freeway. True, the answer below does appear to be factual, but I do seem to recall a state that has designated a definition of a freeway as the one I provided, but I am unable to find the site that stated this (I have seen this and not in a dream). For all intents and purposes however, it appears as though the most common definition for a freeway is a limited access, divided highway.
It also appears that a highway is an undivided road (based on the definition of the other terms).
In the US, it's a matter of who pays for them. The federal government pays for the interstate highways. They can look very similar, e.g., both can have ramps for heavy traffic. From the source links:
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, commonly called the Interstate Highway System or Interstate Freeway System, and colloquially referred to as "the Interstate", is a network of limited-access roadways (also called freeways, highways, or expressways) in the United States. It is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. As of 2006, the system has a total length of 46,876 miles (75,440 km).[1] The Interstate Highway System is a subsystem of the National Highway System.
The National Highway System (NHS) of the United States comprises approximately 160,000 miles (256,000 kilometers) of roadway, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads, which are important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility. It is the world's longest highway system.
The system, which was developed by the United States Department of Transportationin cooperation with the states, local officials, and metropolitan planning organizations was approved by the United States Congress in 1995.
It encourages individual states to focus on strategic routes support these with federal funds where the States can incorporate design and construction improvements that address their traffic needs safely and efficiently.
I'm going to assume you mean intrastate and interstate. Intrastate do not leave the state or give access to another state by that highway. An interstate travels to and through multiple states.
Interstate highways are part of the Federal Highway System and are typically longer, connect cities across states, and have route numbers beginning with "I". State highways are maintained by individual states and usually serve travel within a single state, with route numbers specific to that state.
One effect of the Interstate Highway System is increased connectivity and accessibility between cities and regions, leading to improved economic growth and development. It has also influenced patterns of population growth and distribution, as well as changing transportation and travel behaviors in the United States.
The major road between Atlanta and Savannah is Interstate 16 (I-16). It is a 166-mile long highway that connects the two cities in the state of Georgia.
State highways typically have a two-digit number, while federal highways often have a three-digit number with the prefix "US." In addition, federal highways are usually major routes connecting cities and states, while state highways tend to be within a specific state's boundaries.
The Interstate Highway System runs through Georgia connecting major cities like Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. Key interstates in Georgia include I-20, I-75, and I-85, providing important transportation routes throughout the state and linking Georgia with the rest of the country.
A waterway is for ships, a highway is for cars.....That simple....
Any road may be a highway, an Interstate is larger and usually funded by a federal government
There isnt a difference between interstate commerce and interstate commerce.
The major highways are highway 50 highway 99 and highway 101 As well as Interstate 5, Interstate 40, Interstate 15, Interstate 8, and Interstate 80.
A US highway is an all access highway, like a main road; it includes businesses, houses, and direct intersections. Top speeds on the average US highway are 55 mph. An interstate highway is a limited access highway that is meant for commute. It includes no property entrances, and interchanges at high speed. Speeds range from 65 to 75 mph (about 90 to 105 km/h).
it is an interstate
Interstate highways are part of the Federal Highway System and are typically longer, connect cities across states, and have route numbers beginning with "I". State highways are maintained by individual states and usually serve travel within a single state, with route numbers specific to that state.
The best way to travel from Nashville Tennessee to Knoxville Tennessee is by Interstate 40.
Interstate Highway 80.
Interstate 10 goes between between El Paso and San Antonio
Signage is the only reliable way to tell. State highways will have a state highway sign (what that looks like varies from state to state), while interstate highways will have the blue and red interstate shield.
Alaska does not have an interstate highway as an interstate highway requires 4 lane divided road connected at the very minimum state. Alaska is separated from the 48 other states. Thus can not have an interstate highway. Alaska has state highways and it has national scenic routes but are not able to have an interstate highway.