The Four-Lane

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "the four-lane" refers to a divided highway or major road with four lanes total. It’s a regional way of saying "the highway," especially when contrasting it with the older two-lane road.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #TravelandLocation #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Most people call the main highway 'the four-lane' around here.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Most people call the main highway 'the four-lane' around here.

Pronunciation

[thuh FOR-layn]

Meaning & Usage

- A divided highway with four lanes total (noun/dialect)

Mae:

Which way you goin’?

Earl:

We’re takin’ the four-lane - it’s faster.

- The newer, bigger road vs. the old two-lane (noun/dialect)

Mae:

Is that on the old road?

Earl:

No ma’am, it’s on the four-lane.

variations: the highway

★ "The four-lane" reflects how rural communities describe roads by their lane count rather than their official route numbers. It signals local knowledge - if you’re from there, you know which one’s "the four-lane." ★

Origin and Etymology

Came into common use mid-20th century as divided highways replaced old two-lane roads in the South and Appalachia. Locals began saying "the four-lane" to distinguish the new high-speed road from the old one.

Usage Notes

Still widely used in Southern/Appalachian speech. Outsiders might simply say "the highway" or give the route number, but "the four-lane" remains the local favorite.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "the four-lane." Often used with a town or landmark: "Take the four-lane to Knoxville."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "the four-lane" mean an interstate?

Not always - it can be any divided highway with four lanes total, interstate or state.

Do other regions say this?

Rarely - it’s most common in the South and Appalachia.

Is it still used today?

Yes - especially in small towns and rural counties.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 11). The Four-Lane. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/the-four-lane
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "The Four-Lane." HillbillySlang.com, 11 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/the-four-lane.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "The Four-Lane." HillbillySlang.com. September 11, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/the-four-lane.