39august Posted October 10, 2014 #1 Share Posted October 10, 2014 We ran into a terrible traffic problem last month going from OKC to Galveston. Not knowing the area, we stayed on 45 all the way. Some on the ship advised taking the Hardy Toll road to 610 and 610 to 45 to avoid downtown Houston. But on our way back home, it appeared that the traffic jam started at the Spring entrance to the Hardy Toll road. Please give me some advice on whether to take this route next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Tillie Posted October 10, 2014 #2 Share Posted October 10, 2014 We ran into a terrible traffic problem last month going from OKC to Galveston. Not knowing the area, we stayed on 45 all the way. Some on the ship advised taking the Hardy Toll road to 610 and 610 to 45 to avoid downtown Houston. But on our way back home, it appeared that the traffic jam started at the Spring entrance to the Hardy Toll road. Please give me some advice on whether to take this route next month. There is major construction going on 45 starting where Hardy comes into 45 and north from there. Often parts of 45 are closed over the weekend, but the traffic can be BAD during the week. Idea - take 105 at Conroe east to 59 and then 59 to 610 to 45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Spirit Posted October 11, 2014 #3 Share Posted October 11, 2014 We've coming from Memphis, have never driven to Galveston. Would these roads work for us also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted October 11, 2014 #4 Share Posted October 11, 2014 We've coming from Memphis, have never driven to Galveston. Would these roads work for us also? First of all, check a map. I never suggest 45 from the north side of Houston as it is old and congested. Hwy 59 to45S on the south side of Houston is the best route. BTW - 610 loop was closed on the east side of Houston on Wednesday due to an accident. There is never a fail safe route on any road anywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted October 11, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) Galveston cruiser, are you saying to take Texas Tillie's advice about taking 105 east to 59, and then stay on 59 until it connects with 45 south? Edited October 11, 2014 by 39august Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Tillie Posted October 11, 2014 #6 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Galveston cruiser, are you saying to take Texas Tillie's advice about taking 105 east to 59, and then stay on 59 until it connects with 45 south? I think what GC means is that you never know from day to day the best way to go. An accident here, an overturned 18 wheeler there, and everything is a mess. 59 to 45 direct takes you right next to downtown. 59 to 610 to 45 avoids downtown. With Houston traffic, it's a crap shoot! :eek::D:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted October 11, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks, Tillie. Looking at the map I see what you mean about going right thru' downtown. We'll try your suggested route next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted October 11, 2014 #8 Share Posted October 11, 2014 (edited) Houston Map PDF Download Here (PDF 64.9KB) Construction is a circumstantial event at a moment in time for a night or day or so. But it not a continuing issue for traffic, because of the nature of that event which was removing major components of highway. I45 north is a bad old highway. If coming in I45 from north take Beltway east around to I45 South of Houston or If coming in I45 from north take Hardy to 610 Loop east around to I45 South of Houston or If coming in I45 from north take Hardy to 610 Loop east to 59 and thru downtown Houston to connect back to I45 South If there is "known" wreck on I45 south take 288 to 6 to Galveston take beltway east and go to 146 to Galveston How long is construction suppose to last or was it a circumstantial short term issue? Hopefully it was a one time issue in spite of continuing construction. Always they try to keep lanes open unless it is major unavoidable event and issue like this one was. Keep checking with us at your cruise time and we will be glad to inform you! A bunch of us live here! Edited October 11, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted October 11, 2014 #9 Share Posted October 11, 2014 For Houston Incidents/Road Closures traffic information: http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/ For the Houston District Real-Time Construction Schedule: http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/construction/construction_report.aspx Keep the links handy during your drive so you can check them periodically. Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted October 12, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Thanks for all your help! In Sept. I45 was actually closed southbound and traffic was shuttled off to a side road before being allowed to re-enter I45 south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted October 12, 2014 #11 Share Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) ... In Sept. I45 was actually closed southbound and traffic was shuttled off to a side road before being allowed to re-enter I45 south. There is ALWAYS some sort of construction going on the Gulf Freeway (I-45 North/South) between Houston and Galveston. There have been folks where their first job was working there... they stayed on... retired from there... and now their kids and grandkids are working there! Kat Edited October 12, 2014 by Host Kat >^..^< typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted October 12, 2014 #12 Share Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) The Highway Department for Interstate 45 on south side of downtown Houston to Galveston by contract during days will have 6 lanes open 3 on each side 3 going north 3 going south Remember Houston is 4th largest and soon to be 3rd largest city in US Traffic can slow in normal patterns Traffic will slow in construction areas and especially during rush hours Traffic will slow in accident areas 6 lanes will always be open unless Edited October 12, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sandinmyshoes Posted November 7, 2014 #13 Share Posted November 7, 2014 They are installing flyover ramps on I45 at Hwy 242 on the south side of Conroe & continue to close various lanes for safety when installing the cross beams. Crazy big project but is scheduled to be complete Jan 2015 so not too much longer. The construction at I45 & Spring Cypress (just south of Hardy Toll road access) is a new circle highway going around Houston & will be a traffic nightmare for a while yet, so I would advise taking Hardy Toll to 610 EAST to 59 south to get back on 45 at the southern end of Houston downtown. If you are coming from Memphis/Texarkana area, you will come south on 59. Stay on 59 until it connects with I45 past the Astros baseball stadium. There is no need to get on 610 to get to 45. That route is the long way around & will put you in (typically) worse traffic. The only time you need to get on 610 would be getting off Hardy Toll Rd & you would go EAST to 59, not west to 45. If you get a chance to look at a map this will make more sense. Have fun & if you get stuck in Traffic, remember you are on your way to a cruise & not work so make the most of it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James in SA Posted November 14, 2014 #14 Share Posted November 14, 2014 (edited) Speaking of Houston toll roads... is the section of Sam Houston Tollway from I-10 west down to I-45s toward Galveston cash friendly, or does one need to have a toll pass before venturing onto it? I have often been tempted to take it when coming in from San Antonio, but I didn't know what the toll collection situation was and didn't want to get a fine. Edited November 14, 2014 by James in SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted November 15, 2014 #15 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Speaking of Houston toll roads... is the section of Sam Houston Tollway from I-10 west down to I-45s toward Galveston cash friendly, or does one need to have a toll pass before venturing onto it? I have often been tempted to take it when coming in from San Antonio, but I didn't know what the toll collection situation was and didn't want to get a fine. Cash friendly. However, have not found it any faster to take the toll road, even in 5 pm traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veekee666 Posted May 11, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Just to be sure, get to Galveston the day before your cruise. Houston traffic is always unpredictable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted May 12, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 12, 2018 This thread is from 2014! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottacruises Posted May 15, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 15, 2018 This thread is from 2014! Sent from my iPhone using Forums But they are still working on 45..... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Tillie Posted May 15, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 15, 2018 But they are still working on 45..... lol The original "Gulf Freeway" in Houston was begun in 1954, before the interstate highway system. It has been in constant construction somewhere between downtown Houston and Galveston Island continually since then! That's just 64 years!!! :o:confused:;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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