I-45 traffic

I was just wondering what traffic might be like traveling south on I-45, from the northern part of the city, at around 3:30-4:00 pm.

Thanks.

I-45 traffic

From the North going towards downtown you should be okay around that time (going against rush hour). If you are going past downtown - it will be congested.

I-45 traffic

I am assuming you are headed to downtown or south of there?

Going south is always a nightmare around the Sheperd Curve, this is the area of say Tidwell almost to Loop 610.

If you can, hop over to the Hardy Toll Road and head south to Loop 610, it%26#39;ll save you the aggravation. The Hardy Toll road parallels I-45

If you are just going south to say Beltway 8, or Sam Houston Tollway, you%26#39;ll be in the clear.

Thanks for the info.

My hope is to head south all the way through Houston, past downtown, towards Galveston. What might be the best way to go?

Any chance you can go earlier or later, say before 2pm or after 7? That would be your best time. The straightest shot is take 45 thru town, but you could also take 610 around to 45 south. The Beltway would be another option, but it is not a freeway all the way around on the east side of town, so it slows you down.

Hopefully someone can post about the traffic on the south side of downtown, down to Galveston for your times, but if if were me, I would avoid this travel time.

Also, I am assuming this is weekday travel? If it%26#39;s the weekend, it wouldn%26#39;t be as bad.

On good work days traveling I-45 from the north, vicinity of IAH, south through central Houston and onwards towards Galveston, traffic will average 40-50 mph, provided weather is good and no major accidents have occured. This will on average happen 3-4 days each week. The balance of the days average speed for the trip will be 15-20 mph, with one or two long delays of 0-5 mph tie ups slowing you down.

Traveling south will be counter commute, until vicinity of I-10 intersection, then it turns into commute for the balance of the way until about 10 miles north of Galveston proper.

Houston%26#39;s internet traffic map lets you watch in advance, and even during your trip if you have mobile links.

http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/

Houston AM radio stations provide spotty traffic reports every 10 minutes or so during this time, e.g. 610 or 790 radio.

Best alternates are the east side of either the inner loop (I-610) which is non toll or the outer loop (various names, generally known as the Toll Way or Beltway 8). Both come back into I-45 on the south.

If it is just more than you you can take the HOV lane - in that case take 610 (loop) around from the North side (610 North and I-45) and go around down town and then get to the I-45 HOV lane. This might be tricky so look at a map (like a very detailed map - maybe houston metro map) for the entrance to the HOV. If not take the outer loop (beltway 8) part toll road and go all the way and get back on to I-45 (much further South then 610). If not just make sure that you are passed down town by about 3:00P

Also to get your bearings, here%26#39;s how we call our freeways:

I-45 from Airport to Downtown = 45 North

I-45 from Downtown to Galveston = 45 South or Gulf Freeway

So if you see signs saying ';Take Gulf Freeway'; they mean I-45 South of Downtown.

Also when you click on the Houston Transtar website for traffic, take a peak regarding construction, which you may need to know on your return. There%26#39;s been a number of construction projects up and down I-45 that occur late Friday night thru early Monday morning closing down major parts of the interstate. If you will be traveling back north during those times, you may want to figure out another alternate route or plan your trip back rather early.

Watch out for Crosstimbers, there are always wrecks around there during Rush hour. If at all possible stop and have an early dinner until you see the rows of traffic thin to a trickle of cars.

Otherwise you might be in traffic anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours depending on where you are going.

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