What is the nationwide highway network that improved travel, trade, and suburban growth?

• A. U.S. Highway System
• B. Interstate Highway System
• C. National Tollways
• D. Beltway System

Answer: (B)

This question is about a nationwide, federally coordinated network built to move people and goods quickly across the country. The Interstate Highway System fits best because it was designed as a complete, high-speed system with controlled access that crosses state lines and connects major cities, not just individual regions. It was funded by the federal government and expanded rapidly starting in the 1950s, creating thousands of miles of uniform, standardized highways. This structure dramatically shortened travel times, boosted long-distance trucking and trade, and spurred suburban growth by making commuting to distant suburbs practical and attractive.

The other options describe more limited or localized concepts: a toll-road concept isn’t nationwide, a beltway is typically a ring around a single city, and the earlier U.S. Highway System existed before the modern, uniform interstate design and didn’t provide the same nationwide, high-capacity, controlled-access network.