This study investigates how highway nuisances are traded off against accessibility gains and other residential characteristics in the moving intentions of people living near highways. It studies a potential mediating role for residential satisfaction and potential mitigating relationships with highway nuisance perceptions. Structural Equation Modelling was used to test a proposed framework based on survey data collected from 1220 respondents living within 1000 m from a highway in the Netherlands. The results show that higher levels of perceived highway nuisances are associated with increased intentions to move, mediated by lower residential satisfaction. However, better perceived accessibility was not associated with either lower moving intentions or lower highway nuisance perception. Highway usage/interest and other residential characteristics such as satisfaction with buildings, traffic safety, and amount of greenery - seem to countervail perceived highway nuisances as they reduce moving intentions and reduce highway nuisance perception. Finally, the results show that some groups - for example home owners - were less inclined to move (direct effect), independently of their residential satisfaction. From a practical perspective, a more inclusive perspective on highway planning, which accounts for accessibility and other residential characteristics as potential compensators and mitigators for highway nuisances, would be effective to reduce residential stress which could prevent protest and consequent cost overruns of projects. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.