This study adopted GIS and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) methods to analyze the risk pattern of soil erosion in the affected road zone of Hangjinqu highway in Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, rainfall records, soil type data, remote sensing imaging, and a road map of Hangjinqu highway were used for these GIS and RUSLE analyses. Additionally, the soil erosion situations before and after the construction of this highway were compared by using buffer analysis, which was done by setting a series of buffer gradients and calculating the soil erosion patterns of these buffer gradients. According to the change of these soil erosion patterns within the buffer gradient, the effective distance of highway was also determined, and some prevention suggestions were given accordingly. This study came to the following four conclusions: (1)The estimated average soil loss A (t hm^-2 a^-1), according to the RUSLE results, was 0-380.02 t hm^-2 a^-1 before highway construction and was 0-572.94 t hm^-2 a^-1 after highway construction, demonstrating that soil erosion and soil erosion risk levels were all higher following completion of the highway construction;(2) The results of the buffer analysis indicated that highway construction was the main reason for the increase in soil erosionalong the affected area of highway, and the severe grade of erosion change was most dramatic. The degree of soil erosion changed especially dramatically within 660 meters of the highway, so this area should be identified as the key area in which necessary soil and water conservation measures should be taken to prevent soil erosion; (3) The soil erosion was significantly correlated with the degree of landscape fragmentation and the proportion of build-up area, as shown through cause analysis. Therefore, the increases in the degree of landscape fragmentation and the proportion of build-up area were important contributors to severe grade erosion.These two aspects merit particular focus, and necessary measures should be taken in order to protect soil and water conservation beside the highway. Such measures might include choosing special plant species which can help to prevent soil erosion,changing planting patterns,and increasing the vegetation coverage, which can be done through crop rotation and intercropping methods.