Lesson

Travelling by Road

Road travel vocabulary

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Travelling by Road: Vocabulary Overview

This lesson covers common English vocabulary used when travelling by road. You will learn words related to routes, vehicles, roadside services, and common incidents. These terms are useful for planning business trips, understanding travel instructions, and dealing with problems on the road.

  • Key nouns (highway, toll, rest area) and verbs (to detour, to breakdown)
  • Collocations used in travel contexts (pay a toll, call roadside assistance)
  • Phrases for describing incidents and directions (flat tire, take the exit)

Table

Road Travel Reference

Term Part of Speech Example
highway noun We took the highway to save time during our business trip.
toll noun The toll for this bridge costs five dollars.
rest area noun Let's stop at the next rest area for a coffee and a break.
detour noun/verb Roadworks forced a detour through the town centre.
breakdown noun The car had a breakdown on the motorway; we called roadside assistance.
flat tire noun He had a flat tire on his way to the meeting.
service station noun Fill up at the service station before the long stretch on the motorway.
junction/exit noun Take the third exit at the junction to reach the business park.
shoulder noun Pull over onto the shoulder if your vehicle is unsafe to drive.
traffic jam noun We were late because of a traffic jam near the city centre.

Tip

Key Collocations and Usage

Focus on common collocations and prepositions that appear with road-travel nouns and verbs.

  • pay a toll / toll booth
  • call roadside assistance / call for help
  • take the exit / at the junction
  • pull over onto the shoulder / stop at a rest area

Memorize verbs that commonly pair with each noun to sound natural.

Example

Examples in context

We encountered a traffic jam on the way to the client site.

Please take the next exit and follow Route 10 to the business park.

During the conference trip, we stopped at a service station to refuel.

After the flat tire, she called roadside assistance and waited at the shoulder.

Tip

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Be aware of universal errors learners make when using road-travel vocabulary.

  • Using incorrect prepositions: say 'stop at a rest area', not 'stop in a rest area'
  • Confusing similar nouns: 'service station' vs 'rest area' (one is for fuel/services, the other for breaks)
  • Wrong verb-noun combinations: say 'call roadside assistance', not 'make roadside assistance'
  • Mixing singular/plural: 'a flat tire' (singular) vs 'flat tires' (plural) depending on context

Focus on collocations and prepositions rather than translating word-for-word.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think about which preposition commonly goes with 'stop' + place

Quiz

Complete: We took a _____ to avoid the roadworks.

Hint: A single-word noun meaning a temporary alternative route

Quiz

Which phrase correctly describes calling help for a vehicle problem?

Hint: Think about the verb used to contact a service by phone

Key Points

Vocabulary

highway

noun CEFR B1 //ˈhaɪweɪ//

A major public road, often connecting cities; may be called motorway or freeway in some regions.

We drove on the highway to reach the client meeting quickly.

Vocabulary

toll

noun CEFR B1 //toʊl//

A fee charged for using a particular road, bridge, or tunnel.

The company reimbursed the toll fees for the business trip.

Vocabulary

rest area

noun CEFR A2 //ˈrɛst ˌɛəriə//

A place off the road where drivers can stop to rest, use facilities, or have a break.

We planned a 20-minute break at the next rest area.

Vocabulary

detour

noun/verb CEFR B1 //dɪˈtʊr//

A route that is used temporarily to avoid roadworks or an obstruction; to take an alternative route.

Due to construction, we had to follow a detour through the town.

Vocabulary

roadside assistance

noun CEFR B2 //ˈroʊdˌsaɪd əˈsɪstəns//

A service that helps drivers with vehicle problems, such as breakdowns or flat tires.

If we have a problem, call roadside assistance and give them our location.

Vocabulary

flat tire

noun CEFR A2 //flæt ˈtaɪər//

A tire that has lost air pressure and cannot support the vehicle properly.

She was late to the presentation because of a flat tire on the motorway.

Vocabulary

service station

noun CEFR A2 //ˈsɜːrvɪs ˌsteɪʃən//

A place where vehicles can refuel and sometimes receive minor maintenance or shop services.

We stopped at a service station to check the oil and refuel.

Vocabulary

junction

noun CEFR B1 //ˈdʒʌŋkʃən//

A place where roads meet or cross; often used to refer to exits and interchanges.

Take the junction marked 'Business Park' and then turn right.