Suburban contexts may use a variety of freeway types depending on existing terrain and constraints. These freeways may follow design aspects of both urban and rural freeways.

Suburban contexts may utilize combination type freeways where greater densities exist. Where local streets with higher traffic volumes intersect the freeway, it may be depressed, and the cross street raised to allow both traffic movements proper flow. Longer sections may be designed as ground-level with frontage roads.

Suburban contexts may also contain fewer physical constraints than urban areas, offering wider ROW and less utilities and surrounding buildings. In these areas, crossroads may be more widely spaced. Because of this, it may be common to decrease the cut depth between structures for practical and economic reasons. This simplifies ramp design and can reduce side slopes.

Lane and median width in suburban areas should be designed to meet LOS requirements, see . Suburban contexts may also make use of special freeway designs such as a reverse-flow freeway or a dual-divided freeway, see .