'road' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'rād' (also written 'rad'), where the root referred to a 'ride' or 'journey'.

'road' changed from Old English 'rād' (meaning 'a ride, journey') to Middle English forms such as 'rode' and later developed into the modern English noun and verb 'road'; the adjectival/past forms like 'roaded' are regular derivatives formed by adding -ed.

Initially, it meant 'a ride or journey' (the act of riding); over time it evolved into the meaning 'a way or track for travel' and related verbal senses 'to make or provide a way,' which led to forms such as 'roaded'.