Getting Around Town
Look for posted speeds, but, in general, freeway sections outside Beltway 8 are 70 mph, with freeway speeds inside the Beltway generally at 60 mph.
Freeway names can be confusing, especially when sections of the same freeway have different names. Listed below are the major ones:
This freeway....... | Is also known as....... |
I-45 North (from downtown) | North Freeway |
I-45 South (from downtown) | Gulf Freeway |
I-10 East | East Freeway |
I-10 West | Katy Freeway |
US-59 North | Eastex Freeway |
US-59 South | S.W. Freeway (Lloyd Bentsen Freeway) |
288 South | South Freeway (Nolan Ryan Freeway) |
Sam Houston Toll Road | Beltway |
Hardy Toll Road | North Belt |
As you travel throughout Houston, some of the streets close to the Medical Center area change names.
This Street...... | Becomes...... |
Holcombe | Bellaire (at Buffalo Speedway) |
S. Braeswood | N. MacGregor Drive (at Holcombe) |
Stella Link Rd | Weslayan (at Bellaire) |
Montrose | Studemont (at Allen Parkway) |
Studemont | Studewood (north of I-10) |
Hillcroft | Voss (at Westheimer) |
Hillcroft | Bingle (at I-10) |
Elgin (downtown) | Westheimer |
Also, N. Braeswood runs into Beechnut at Loop 610 and OST is Old Spanish Trail.
There are two toll roads that will help you avoid Houston's rush hour traffic:
- The Hardy Toll Road connects the Woodlands with Loop 610 (great for travel to and from Intercontinental Airport)
- The Sam Houston Toll Road encircles the city.
For information on EZ-Tags or tokens, call the Harris County Tollroad Authority at (281) 875-1400.