What color are main roads represented by on a map?

• A. Black
• B. Red
• C. Green
• D. Blue

Answer: (B)

In map reading, colors are used to show how important or prominent different features are. To help you navigate quickly, mapmakers color-code roads by size, with the major roads and highways given a color that stands out. Red is used for these main roads because it catches your eye right away and signals the most important routes to take when planning a trip or getting from place to place. Other features use different colors for quick recognition—blue typically marks water, green marks parks and vegetation, and black often represents built features or local streets depending on the map. So main roads are represented in red.