# interstate

/ˌɪntɝˈsteɪt/ (US) · /ˌɪntəstˈeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/interstate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a major highway

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a large, fast highway that connects different states.

For teachers: a high-speed, multi-lane divided highway that forms part of the national Interstate Highway System in the United States.

- We took the interstate for three hours to get to the city.
- Traffic on the interstate slowed to a crawl after a heavy snowstorm blocked three lanes near the state border.

Usage: Often used with the definite article 'the' or followed by a number, such as 'Interstate 95'.

Teaching tip: In the US, 'interstate' is the standard term for these roads, whereas 'motorway' is used in the UK.

### 2. between states

adjective · CEFR B2 · American English · Academic

involving or connecting two or more states within a country.

For teachers: relating to, connecting, or existing between two or more states, particularly in a federal union.

- The company handles interstate trade between New York and New Jersey.
- The Supreme Court often hears cases regarding interstate commerce when state laws conflict with federal regulations.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

Teaching tip: Contrast this with 'intrastate', which refers to things happening within a single state.

### 3. moving to another state

adverb · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect

to or in another state.

For teachers: to or in another state within the same country; used to describe travel or relocation.

- My sister is moving interstate to start a new job in Brisbane.
- Many families chose to relocate interstate during the pandemic in search of more affordable housing and a better lifestyle.

Usage: Commonly follows verbs of motion like 'move', 'travel', or 'go'.

Teaching tip: This adverbial use is particularly common in Australian English when discussing domestic travel.

## Examples

- We drove on the interstate for six hours to reach the coast.
- Heavy snow forced the police to close a long section of the interstate near the mountain pass.
- The construction of the interstate system revolutionized domestic logistics, allowing freight to move across the continent with unprecedented speed and efficiency compared to older regional routes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.