How Wide Are Highways?
3 Answers
Lane width is 3.75 meters and 3.5 meters. Here is the relevant introduction: Highways: Highways are a type of road classified by technical grade, ranking above Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, and substandard roads. Highways intersect with national or provincial roads in the hierarchical classification of the road network, meaning highways are part of national or provincial roads within the network. Highway Network: The highway network not only includes routes that meet the technical grade standards for highways but also encompasses some express routes that serve high-speed transportation functions. These are mostly closed Class I roads, often integrated with other highways for toll collection.
Highways in China have standardized widths, with a single lane typically designed to be around 3.75 meters wide. If you've driven on them, you'd know that such wide lanes allow for more comfortable overtaking and provide buffer space in case of emergencies. The central median divider, along with emergency lanes on both sides, brings the total width to over 30 meters. I remember driving on the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway last time—the eight-lane section had a one-way width of 15 meters alone, making the drive exceptionally stable. The width may be slightly adjusted for different terrains, such as narrower tunnels in mountainous areas. This design ensures both driving safety and traffic efficiency.
Compared to regular urban roads, highways are significantly wider. Take a standard two-way four-lane municipal road for example – it's only about 14 meters wide, while a two-way four-lane highway easily exceeds 20 meters. The key lies in the shoulder design – highways have hard shoulders at least 2.5 meters wide on both sides, providing safe pull-over space during tire blowouts. This is what I value most on long-distance drives, especially during night highway runs where the wide road surface combined with reflective markers offers clear visibility and peace of mind. However, newly opened mountainous highways might have narrower designs – some sections in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces feel slightly tight.
