A right of way is a legal right that allows someone to pass through a specific route on property belonging to another person or entity. It can be established by grant from a landowner or long usage, known as prescription. A right of way can also be granted or reserved over the land for transportation purposes, such as for a highway, public footpath, railway, canal, electrical transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, or along a waterway.
A right of way is a type of easement that allows someone to travel across another persons land to get somewhere else. It is broader than a gross easement in the sense that it does not apply to one specific person, but rather grants access to anyone who may need to travel through the land.
In traffic law, right of way refers to the right to proceed. Many state statutes lay out various circumstances when drivers must yield the right of way, and most states grant pedestrians the right of way.
It is important to note that easements and rights of way are both examples of property rights, and can allow others the use of your property. In order to remove them from your deed, both parties need to agree.
