What type of easement is acquired when a property has no practical access to a public road?

The correct choice is easement by necessity because this type of easement arises when a property owner has no practical access to a public road, which is essential for using the property. It is established to allow the landlocked owner to legally cross over neighboring property to reach a road or access point. This easement is based on the necessity of access rather than mere convenience; it is critical for the utility and value of the landlocked property.

In many cases, easements by necessity are created when a property is sold without access rights, underscoring the need for a legal solution to grant the landlocked property owner the ability to access public roads and services. This type of easement is usually permanent once established, as it serves a fundamental need for the property owner.

Other types of easements listed, such as easement by prescription, would typically require the user to have openly and continuously used the path for a specific period, and does not directly address the situation of lacking access. An appurtenant easement pertains to rights that benefit a specific parcel of land and is tied to ownership, while an easement in gross is usually granted to a person or entity rather than to a piece of land and does not relate specifically to access issues.