newyork.localmean.com/west-side-highway
West Side Highway
WEST SYDE HY-way
Local meaning
The common name for Manhattan’s major north–south roadway along the Hudson River side, including Route 9A segments.
New Yorkers use West Side Highway for driving directions, traffic reports, waterfront access, and neighborhood orientation. The name may refer broadly to the surface highway corridor rather than one perfectly uniform roadway design from end to end.
Example in context
- “Take the West Side Highway downtown.”
How it is used
A widely used Manhattan road name.
neutral, practical
driving, Hudson-side directions, traffic reports
A widely used Manhattan road name.
Street names, route design, exits, and traffic controls vary along the corridor, so current navigation remains necessary.
Spelling and scope
A widely used Manhattan road name.
- Search forms
West Side Highway meaningWest Side Highway NYCtake the West Side
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the West Side Highway an interstate?
No. The Manhattan corridor is associated with Route 9A and city street/highway segments rather than one interstate identity.
Do locals shorten the name?
Some say the West Side, but that phrase can also mean the broader side of Manhattan, so context matters.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- New York City highwaysNYC311
Official city list of highways and common abbreviations including BQE, FDR, LIE, Cross Bronx Expressway, Belt Parkway, and Route 9A.