Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

Are You Driving Down a Street or Thoroughfare?

Quick summary

Street is more commonly used to describe smaller, everyday roads, while thoroughfare implies a larger or more significant route. 

Both street and thoroughfare describe types of roads used for travel. But which one are you technically driving on? Learn the rules of the road with this explainer. 

Street

Street refers to a road in a city or town, usually with houses and buildings on one or both sides. It can connect to other roads on both ends or be a dead end.

  • The kids played on the quiet street.
  • I live across the street from my friend. 

Thoroughfare

A thoroughfare refers to a main road or public highway. It’s intended to help people get from one place to another efficiently.

  • The thoroughfare always gets busy at rush hour.
  • The parade marched down the main thoroughfare.