Cam Operating Range & Highway Driveability

Yes and yes to a degree.
A lot depends on the overall package & the C.I.D. Bigger engines have less of a struggle.

Another thing is how efficient it is and how bad it becomes. Also based on the above. How well the package is balanced in the taget area for a hot, bad *** street machine or drag racer will show more of an issue down low more so than a mild street strip engine.

Here, a compromise of a smaller carb and/or smaller cam will help.
Other things that can help the balance would be;

A hyd. Lifter cam (SFT or roller) rather than a solid lifter.
A slightly smaller carb, cam, intake runner, 4 hole carb spacer or a HVH Super Sucker (or equal), a dual plane or small runner single plane.

Running at 500 below the advertised rpm range rated can be a lot on a small engine, (318) or not so much on a larger engine. (408+) The cam size is also a factor. Even if the duration @.050 is the same.

Let’s say the cam has a min. range of 3K on a street grind. And at that magic rpm it picks up. With the Hwy. gears and operating below the min. rpm, the engine will have a soft spot until the system reaches that rpm where it all “catches on” and starts working.

Hey. Gear hurt and the taller the tire, the worse (and longer) it will be.