What is the Difference Between Street and Avenue?

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The difference between a street and an avenue lies in their characteristics and purpose. Here are the key differences:

  • Street: A street is a public road that connects two points and has buildings on both sides of it. Streets typically run perpendicular to avenues. They are often used for local traffic and can be found in both urban and rural areas.
  • Avenue: An avenue is also a public way, but it has buildings and/or trees on both sides of it. Avenues run perpendicular to streets and are traditionally wider. They are often used for longer-distance traffic and can be found in both urban and rural areas.

While these definitions are widely accepted, it is essential to note that the naming conventions for streets and avenues may vary depending on the location. For example, in Manhattan, avenues run north and south, while streets run east and west. However, these conventions are not universal and can differ from city to city or town to town.

Comparative Table: Street vs Avenue

The difference between a street and an avenue can be summarized as follows:

Feature Street Avenue
Definition A public way with buildings on both sides A public way with buildings and/or trees on both sides, typically running north-south
Direction Often runs east-west, perpendicular to avenues Runs north-south, crossing streets perpendicularly
Width Varies, can be narrower than avenues Often wider than streets, with a median (central reservation) in some cases
Trees/Median May have trees or gardens on both sides Often has trees, gardens, or a median

Please note that these distinctions are not universally applied and can vary depending on the location. For example, in some cities, avenues may run east-west, while streets may run north-south.