Houston driving suggestions

[Jay Henley]

Leaving Fort Worth for Galveston in two hours from now. Coming down 6 through Hempstead. Would it be easier and less congested to get on the tollway versus going in further to loop 610 and going around to 45?

[Stephen H]

I'd probably just hit 45 whereever convenient and take it on through.

[CobyPhoto]

Jay,

Depends on the time of day you hit Houston! If you hit 610 during the peak hours, say around 4:30pm-6:00pm, 610 can get pretty congested in places and especially at the exit to 45 South. I usually elect the tollway and exit on to 45 South there, (less traffic getting onto 45 South.)

However, at the moment they have 45 South tore up and under heavy construction from NASA Rd. 1 to FM 518. Expect delays. Once you get past FM 518 traffic is fine. I drive this stretch everyday, and I started going around, via 518 about a week ago, to avoid the traffic and frequent wrecks on 45 due to the construction. Traffic on 45 South usually isn't as bad as the North bound side, unless there is a wreck...either side! Rubberneckers slow it up both ways.

CJ

[Cope]

Originally Posted by Jay Henley

Leaving Fort Worth for Galveston in two hours from now. Coming down 6 through Hempstead. Would it be easier and less congested to get on the tollway versus going in further to loop 610 and going around to 45?

I would take 610 around past Reliant to 288 South. Take 288 to the Beltway and you only pay 1 toll to get to 45 South. We have friiends who live right at Beltway 8 and 45 South, and after years of trying every route, this is the sanest, day in and day out.

[Steelsun]

If coming down 6 through Hempstead, get on 290 S towards Houston, then exit the tollway/beltway (8) around and taker it to 45 S. I think the tolls will total about $6-7 from that arc.

[Jay Henley]

Coby, off of the tollway, could I just take Main down to Broadway/518 and go over to 45 and bypass the construction. I think Main is same road as Telephone Rd.

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

Jay,

Depends on the time of day you hit Houston! If you hit 610 during the peak hours, say around 4:30pm-6:00pm, 610 can get pretty congested in places and especially at the exit to 45 South. I usually elect the tollway and exit on to 45 South there, (less traffic getting onto 45 South.)

However, at the moment they have 45 South tore up and under heavy construction from NASA Rd. 1 to FM 518. Expect delays. Once you get past FM 518 traffic is fine. I drive this stretch everyday, and I started going around, via 518 about a week ago, to avoid the traffic and frequent wrecks on 45 due to the construction. Traffic on 45 South usually isn't as bad as the North bound side, unless there is a wreck...either side! Rubberneckers slow it up both ways.

CJ

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by Jay Henley

Coby, off of the tollway, could I just take Main down to Broadway/518 and go over to 45 and bypass the construction. I think Main is same road as Telephone Rd.

Jay,

Sure could. That is going to be a little slower however, with stop lights and such.

Depending the time of day, 288 can be pretty slow headed South too. I have been on there in bumper to bumper traffic many times from about 5:00-6:30pm.

An alternate route, that might work for you, is take Telephone (Hwy. 35) south off of the Beltway and then take Hwy 6 all the way to Galveston. I think it might be a few more miles, but the traffic wouldn't be that bad and the Speed limit on most of that stretch is about 50-60 MPH. Hwy 6 dumps into 45 South just in front of the Causeway then stright on into Galveston.

CJ

[Jay Henley]

yeah, I was just looking at that. thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

Jay,

Sure could. That is going to be a little slower however, with stop lights and such.

Depending the time of day, 288 can be pretty slow headed South too. I have been on there in bumper to bumper traffic many times from about 5:00-6:30pm.

An alternate route, that might work for you, is take Telephone (Hwy. 35) south off of the Beltway and then take Hwy 6 all the way to Galveston. I think it might be a few more miles, but the traffic wouldn't be that bad and the Speed limit on most of that stretch is about 50-60 MPH. Hwy 6 dumps into 45 South just in front of the Causeway then stright on into Galveston.

CJ

[jeffkohn]

Rush hour starts early on Friday, also. In my experience there's really no good way to get across town on a Friday between about 3:30-4:00 and 6:30-7:00. You're going to hit traffic no matter what.