Spanish · Travel & Getting Around
"Road" in Spanish: carretera
la carretera
A road or highway is la carretera. It is feminine. Take la carretera for long drives between towns.
How to pronounce carretera: audio and sound guideDirections
Toma la carretera al sur.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce carretera
Say it
kah-reh-TEH-rah
/ka.re.ˈte.ɾa/
kah-reh-TEH-rah. Stress TEH. Soft rr.
"Road" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la carretera | the road / highway Main roads between places. | Main roads between places. |
| en la carretera | on the road Driving status. | Driving status. |
| carretera principal | main road Directions. | Directions. |
| salir a la carretera | to get on the highway Leaving town. | Leaving town. |
How to use carretera in real life
- 1Directions
Toma la carretera al sur.
Take the road south.
La carretera.
- 2Drive
La carretera está mojada.
The road is wet.
La carretera.
- 3Trip
Hay peaje en la carretera.
There's a toll on the road.
En la carretera.
Mistakes English speakers make with carretera
Incorrect: El carretera es larga.
Correct: La carretera es larga.
Carretera is feminine: la carretera.
Incorrect: Manejamos por el road.
Correct: Manejamos por la carretera.
Use carretera, not English road.
Good to know
Good to knowCalle is a city street. Carretera is the bigger road between towns. Prefer carro on la carretera in Latin America.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving the city for the coast
ChatPal
¿Entramos a la carretera ya?
Shall we get on the road already?
You
Sí. La carretera va a la playa.
Yes. The road goes to the beach.
ChatPal
Reviso la gasolina primero.
I'll check the gas first.
You
Bien. Luego seguimos por la carretera.
Good. Then we continue on the road.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Road" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Road" in Spanish
Is carretera feminine?
Yes: la carretera, una carretera.
Carretera or calle?
Calle is a street. Carretera is a bigger road.
How do you pronounce carretera?
Kah-reh-TEH-rah. Stress TEH in carretera.
On the road?
En la carretera.
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