Why when you are driving on the highway does it sometimes look wet?

Question

but as you get closer then it doesn't look wet anymore

Answer 1

Its called a mirage. What your seeing is basically a reflection of the sky.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirage

Answer 2

It's called a Mirage. It is caused when heat waves are rising up from the ground, and the sun gives it a distorted view from a distance. The closer you get to it, the less refraction you have and it just ...disappears. or it always stays way out in front of you, going the same speed you do.

Answer 3

It's a mirage, yo!

Answer 4

It is a mirage, and you also see it in the sun on the desert, where people think water is up ahead but it disappears.

Answer 5

Yes, it is a mirage.

Answer 6

Air near the pavement gets hot and the plane that lies between the hot and cooler air reflects the light at a shallow angle, just like a layer of water does.

When you get close, the angle changes and you can no longer notice the effect.

It is a heat mirage. This can happen on a larger scale on hot flat land.  The layer of hot air reflects the sky, making it look like a lake...until you get closer.

Answer 7

Sometimes I see that too. Ive found that the road is shiny due to oil and sediment on the road.

Answer 8

ohh i learned that in physics! it's a mirage or illusion, i'm not sure of the difference but it's one of the two. it has something to do with the sun and the reflection against the material used to pave the highway and the angle in which you're looking at it.

Answer 9

It is a mirage. It is the sun reflecting off of the hot asphalt.

Answer 10

This  is a reflection of the sky.  It only happens  out close to the horizon where the light is at the right angle.  (sort of like you can see a rainbow but never catch it)

Answer 11

YEAH! i know that stumps me too i think its called a "mirage". whenever im in my car i see that and as i get closer--- its gone...so weird............

Answer 12

it is wet

but with all that traffic it's dry by the time you get to it

:)