Difference Between Streets, Boulevards, Avenues and Other Roads
If you’ve ever wondered why some roads are called “streets” and others are called “boulevards” or “avenues,” you are not alone. And, as it turns out, there is actually some meaning behind these names, and they might even help you navigate the city.
In this video from Vox on YouTube, Phil Edwards explains what these words mean when it comes to transportation. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll learn:
- Road (Rd.): Can be anything that connects two points. The simplest of the naming conventions.
- Path: A small alley off the road.
- Street (st.): A public road with buildings on either side. They run perpendicular to the avenues.
- Avenue (avenue): also a public road, on either side of which there are buildings or trees. They run perpendicular to the streets.
- Boulevard (Blvd.): A very wide city street with trees and greenery growing on both sides. Also, there is usually a median in the middle of the boulevards.
- Lane (lane): A narrow road often found in rural areas. Essentially the opposite of a boulevard.
- Drive (Doctor): A long, winding road whose route is determined by the environment, such as a nearby lake or mountain.
- Terrace (Ter.): A street that runs along the top of the slope.
- Place (ill.): A road or street with no carriageway or leading to a dead end.
- Court (Ct.): A road or street that ends in a circle or loop.
Of course, these are guidelines rather than hard and fast rules, and not every city in the world follows these naming conventions exactly. Plus, they tend to be less strict in suburbs and new neighborhoods: sometimes a street is called a “lane” simply because a city planner or property developer might think it sounds good . Not only that, but what began as a “street” could subsequently be developed to such an extent that it acquired the characteristics of a “prospect”. But even though these guidelines are not set in stone, they provide some useful context about our roads.
This story was originally published on 11/20/16 and updated on 8/22/19 to provide more complete and up-to-date information.