Why are freeways called parkways back east?

[rockymountaindem]

Out here we call them freeways but those wierdos back east call them parkways and expressways. You can't park on them and they're definately not "express" in a traffic jam. What the hell is up with that?

[flamingyouth]

1. That's what I want to know too

Expressways? Puhleeze. :evilgrin:

[The Straight Story]

2. Cause you ain't moving due to congestion, you're parked ;) (n/t)

[Nite Owl]

3. Cause they aren't free

We got tolls!

[Branjor]

4. Why does one drive on a parkway....

and park in a driveway?

Seriously, I think parkways are supposed to have some sort of landscaping. Ex - The Garden State Parkway is pretty with grass, trees and sometimes flowers along the side but the New Jersey Turnpike is ugly, at least the part of it I am familiar with. And neither of them is free.

[BattyDem]

5. In my state, we pay to drive on the parkway ...

so there's no way it can be called a FREEway. :(

[AlCzervik]

6. now see in massachusetts the toll road is called the turnpike

:hurts: my head is starting to hurt.

[BattyDem]

7. We have a parkway and a turnpike ...

and we have to pay tolls on both of them. :mad:

[name not needed]

23. I guess you live in New Jersey.

[KDLarsen]

8. I suppose it's a bit easier over here..

.. after all, we've got roads, county roads & highways.. and that's about it (unless of course, you want to add 'der Autobahn', which I consider in a league of its own!)

[Renew Deal]

9. Hey Rockymountaindem

I am coming to see more of your state during the holiday break. I will be staying at Steamboat Springs for 5 days. I can't wait.

[rockymountaindem]

12. Oh yeah, I recall your post asking for tourist info.

I can't tell you much personally about Steamboat. I think the last time I was there I was 8 years old. Have a great time!

[RagingInMiami]

10. Cause they ain't free

[Steven_S]

11. Because they go through park-like settings....

Where I am we have the Hutchinson River Pkwy, Saw Mill River Pkwy, Bronx River Pkwy, and others. Passenger cars only.

They all were at one time narrow, winding two lane roads that went through wooded areas.

They weren't free either, until several years ago when they took down the toll booths.

Now, who you calling wierdo?

[DemBones DemBones]

13. You think you're "free" when driving on a "freeway"?

Maybe we should all just call them "big roads."

[Saffy]

14. Montana: Last Best Freeways

Ok, okay...so we did recently change the maximum speed from NOTHING to 75 mph. 75 mph after dusk, anyway..or, if you're operating an 18 wheeler. Otherwise, it's still pretty open to interpretation before night falls.

Ah, the freedom of the freeway.

[DemBones DemBones]

21. Ah, but how many are driving on *those* freeways

and how many are driving on LA freeways?

Not many U.S. drivers feel much freedom behind the wheel, I fear. I feel good driving the country roads where I live but there is a speed limit, not to mention kamikaze deer that dive into the road at times.

[Kat45]

15. I'm in the East and we call them highways.

We also have parkways, which are generally along rivers, with trees--leisure routes rather than commerce routes. And they are not high-speed roads as highways are. I always wondered why you folks called them freeways. :-)

[russian33]

16. They used to pass near a park, hence parkway

Now all the trees have been chopped down, for land...

PS: I just made that up, so don't take me seriously :)

[stranger_with_candy]

17. parkways are truck-free

passenger cars only. anything else is the interstate or highway.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Parkways are Park Service property

Park Police enforce the speed limit (though I believe other cops can stop offenders as well). Commercial trucks are not allowed to drive on them. And development along them is restricted.

Parkways are not always high-speed roadways. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Rock Creek Parkway, for example, are pretty curvy, and not so great for 65 mph speeds.

[hickman1937]

19. In Michigan freeways are free

the only tolls are on the bridge from Lower to Upper. Apparently to pay for the original construction of the bridge. At a buck fifty a car I think that was accomplished years ago. Now its just a hidden tax.

[realisticphish]

20. no we dont

we call them freeways. or highways. but thats ohio, i dont know if you count it as east :shrug:

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[ElsewheresDaughter]

22. why are driveways not called parkways?