Sam Houston Tollway - Cost

[Ashpalo]

The Tollway website is confusing me!

 

Can someone please tell me the total cost to take the Sam Houston Tollway...getting on from eastbound I-10 (I'm coming from Austin/San Marcos) and getting off at I-45 headed towards Galveston?

 

We'll be heading to Galveston on a Friday afternoon and will be driving through Houston during rush hour!! I think that it would be best to take the tollway to try to avoid the heaviest traffic. I want to make sure that I bring enough small bills and change.

 

For those with Houston driving experience...is this a good decision, or would I be better off staying on I-10 until I-45?

 

TIA,

Ashley :)

[Terence81]

From I-10 to I-45, taking the tollway around...I believe you hit 3 tolls, each for $1.50. If you chose to get off/on, each entrance/exit is $1.00 or so.

 

Hope this helps. (I use the tollway from SH288 to I-10 on a daily basis).

[Galveston Cruiser]

Take Hwy. 6 south to 45 south just before the island.

There are some lights, but it is 4 and 6 lanes all the way.

Take it all the time from our Dr. in Sugarland to Galveston and it is just as fast if not faster than the toll road. No stopping for tolls.

[Host Kat]

... I'm coming from Austin/San Marcos...

Ashley,

 

If you have a toll tag from a toll provider in Austin, you may be able to use it on the Sam Houston Tollway too. Check with your provider. I understand the toll provider in Dallas allows their tag to be used on any toll road in Texas.

 

with your trip and cruise!

Kat

[Ashpalo]

Thank you everyone for the info.

 

I don't have a TexTag...so I'll have to bring cash.

 

I saw hwy 6 on the map & thought about that... But - I'll admit - I have a lead foot when I'm excited to get to my vacation!! What is the speed limit on 6? Also - are there portions that are only 2 lanes (I don't want to get stuck behind a John Deer).

 

TIA,

Ashley

[Galveston Cruiser]

Hwy 6 is 6 lanes through Sugar Land (45 mph) then 6O when it turns to 4 lanes, same as Hwy 45. There is little congestion where as the toll road can get very backed up during peak travel times. We have always made better time on hwy 6 than 45.

[Terence81]

My experience would lead me to take I-10 to the Sam Houston tollway around to I-45 South. Yes, you might hit congestion if you drive during rush hour, but if it's the weekend, you'll only hit it for a few miles down on I-45.

 

There are lights and more on Hwy 6...I prefer the tollway. Either way...you'll get there and be off on an awesome cruise, no doubt!

[Texas Tillie]

My experience would lead me to take I-10 to the Sam Houston tollway around to I-45 South. Yes, you might hit congestion if you drive during rush hour, but if it's the weekend, you'll only hit it for a few miles down on I-45.

 

There are lights and more on Hwy 6...I prefer the tollway. Either way...you'll get there and be off on an awesome cruise, no doubt!

 

Glad you piped up. I was thinking that there's NO WAY I'd do HWY 6 on a Friday afternoon. I live just off Hwy 6 and FM 1092 and the part from Hwy 90A to the Fort Bend Tollroad can be just:eek::eek::eek::eek:. I'd do the Sam Houston Tollway anytime over Hwy 6.

[Galveston Cruiser]

I lived off of 1092 and 6 for 12 years, then 6 and Williams Trace for 13. Still would take hwy 6. Drove it to Galveston every Friday and still do on Friday at least once a month.

 

45 was closed last night for 2+ hours. Friday night, closed for 1 hour. There are so many accidents and absolute grid lock.

 

Choose any hwy, just be prepared for traffic.

[Ashpalo]

Thanks again, everyone. The information that you are providing is really helping me.

 

Galveston Cruiser - I used the map function on my phone to check out 6. The application has an aerial feature that I used to look at the whole route. It looks like there are not too many lights between Sugarland and Galveston, but the section from I-10 to Sugarland looks like it has several lights. Do you ever take 6 all the way to I-10, or do you just take it to Sugarland? Since we will be going through at rush hour, I'm thinking that we might lose a lot of time on the section from I-10 to Sugarland. What do you think? :confused:

 

TIA,

Ashley :)

[Galveston Cruiser]

Hi Tia:

I have taken it to I 10 from Sugar Land - awful due to construction at I 10. Going south is not bad. There are some lights, but traffic moves. I 10 can be backed up in both directions near the toll road.

 

Houston traffic is bad no matter what.

 

You could also take the toll road and exit Hwy 6 south. This avoids 45 and lights on 6 from I 10 to Sugar Land. It is an easy drive and brings you to 45 near the Galveston Causeway.

[Ashpalo]

Hi Tia:

I have taken it to I 10 from Sugar Land - awful due to construction at I 10. Going south is not bad. There are some lights, but traffic moves. I 10 can be backed up in both directions near the toll road.

 

Houston traffic is bad no matter what.

 

You could also take the toll road and exit Hwy 6 south. This avoids 45 and lights on 6 from I 10 to Sugar Land. It is an easy drive and brings you to 45 near the Galveston Causeway.

 

 

Thanks. I'll have to check that route out.

 

Ashley :)