Photo : Hayden Walker ( Unsplash )

If you’ve ever wondered why some roads are called “streets,” while others are known as “boulevards” or “avenues,” you’re not alone. And as it turns out, there’s actually some meaning behind those names and they may even help you navigate a city.




In this video from the Vox YouTube channel, Phil Edwards gives the lowdown on what all those words means when it comes to transportation. Here’s a quick taste of what you’ll learn:

Road (Rd.): Can be anything that connects two points. The most basic of the naming conventions.



Can be anything that connects two points. The most basic of the naming conventions. Way: A small side street off a road.



A small side street off a road. Street (St.): A public way that has buildings on both sides of it. They run perpendicular to avenues.



A public way that has buildings on both sides of it. They run perpendicular to avenues. Avenue (Ave.): Also a public way that has buildings or trees on either side of it. They run perpendicular to streets.



Also a public way that has buildings or trees on either side of it. They run perpendicular to streets. Boulevard (Blvd.): A very wide city street that has trees and vegetation on both sides of it. There’s also usually a median in the middle of boulevards.



A very wide city street that has trees and vegetation on both sides of it. There’s also usually a median in the middle of boulevards. Lane (Ln.): A narrow road often found in a rural area. Basically, the opposite of a boulevard.



A narrow road often found in a rural area. Basically, the opposite of a boulevard. Drive (Dr.): A long, winding road that has its route shaped by its environment, like a nearby lake or mountain.



A long, winding road that has its route shaped by its environment, like a nearby lake or mountain. Terrace (Ter.): A street that follows the top of a slope.



A street that follows the top of a slope. Place (Pl.): A road or street that has no throughway—or leads to a dead end.



A road or street that has no throughway—or leads to a dead end. Court (Ct.): A road or street that ends in a circle or loop.




Of course, these are more guidelines than hard-and-fast rules, and not every city in the world follows these naming conventions exactly. Also, they tend not to be as strict with these in suburbs and newer areas: sometimes a street is called a “lane” simply because an urban planner or developer might think it sounds nice. Not only that, but what starts out as a “street” could later be developed to the point of taking on the characteristics of an “avenue.” But even though these guidelines aren’t written in stone, it does provide some helpful context about our roads.

This story was originally published on 11/20/16 and was updated on 8/22/19 to provide more thorough and current information.