What Are The Busiest Roads/Freeways In Houston Area?

[Dariusb]

Based on your opinions and experiences what are the busiest/most congested freeways/roads in the Houston area? Are they that way because there are so many people on the road or is it that their aren't enough lanes?

[The Pragmatist]

As for this one, I'd have to go with the West Loop as the most congested. There are so many to choose from though.

[Dariusb]

As for this one, I'd have to go with the West Loop as the most congested. There are so many to choose from though.

Is it a section that is always busy no matter the time?

[The Pragmatist]

Is it a section that is always busy no matter the time?

It's pretty bad right around the Galleria. It will back up quite frequently throughout the day and many times on weekends. I-10, US-59, and US 290 all converge in close proximity on the road and the mall and shops, combined with offices in the area, tend to create congestion.

Here's an article that mentions it as number two for traffic delays back in 2007:

http://autos.aol.com/article/worst-traffic-traps/

[august948]

59 between Kirby and 288 during any time remotely near rush hour.

[Dariusb]

It's pretty bad right around the Galleria. It will back up quite frequently throughout the day and many times on weekends. I-10, US-59, and US 290 all converge in close proximity on the road and the mall and shops, combined with offices in the area, tend to create congestion.

Here's an article that mentions it as number two for traffic delays back in 2007:

http://autos.aol.com...-traffic-traps/

Ok cool. Thanks for the link.

[samagon]

i45 between/around 59 and i10.

not because it has a lot of people, but because there are so few lanes, so many people trying to get from one side to the other, and it's always going slow (even if there are only 3 people, they'll all slow down).

[ig2ba]

By traffic count, it's

1. Southwest Freeway (just outside the Loop): <u>329,000 vpd</u> down from 380,000 in 2001.

2. North Frewway (just outside the Loop): <u>317,000 vpd</u>, up from 292,000 in 2001.

3. West Loop (between Katy and Southwest Freeways): <u>288,000 vpd</u>, down from 293,000 in 2001.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Houston_highways

By average speed, it's a little different picture:

AM:

Longest and slowest rush hour: Tie between Inbound 290 and Inbound North Freeway from BW8 to downtown

Worst peak rush hour: Gulf Freeway, inbound, BW8 to downtown

PM:

Longest and slowest rush hour: <i>Of course</i> Southwest Freeway inbound from I-610 to downtown

Worst peak rush hour: Northbound West Loop

http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/hist/hist_traveltimes_menu.html

Important to note that this an average for the West Loop, and obviously the worst part is between I-10 and U.S. 59, so the average speed for those parts is probably even lower. It's interesting though how much worse the West Loop is in the afternoon rush than the morning rush -- in either direction: NB: 43 mph morning, 18 mph afternoon; SB: 39 mph morning, 22 mph afternoon.

[Dariusb]

By traffic count, it's

1. Southwest Freeway (just outside the Loop): <u>329,000 vpd</u> down from 380,000 in 2001.

2. North Frewway (just outside the Loop): <u>317,000 vpd</u>, up from 292,000 in 2001.

3. West Loop (between Katy and Southwest Freeways): <u>288,000 vpd</u>, down from 293,000 in 2001.

http://en.wikipedia....ouston_highways

By average speed, it's a little different picture:

AM:

Longest and slowest rush hour: Tie between Inbound 290 and Inbound North Freeway from BW8 to downtown

Worst peak rush hour: Gulf Freeway, inbound, BW8 to downtown

PM:

Longest and slowest rush hour: <i>Of course</i> Southwest Freeway inbound from I-610 to downtown

Worst peak rush hour: Northbound West Loop

http://traffic.houst...times_menu.html

Important to note that this an average for the West Loop, and obviously the worst part is between I-10 and U.S. 59, so the average speed for those parts is probably even lower. It's interesting though how much worse the West Loop is in the afternoon rush than the morning rush -- in either direction: NB: 43 mph morning, 18 mph afternoon; SB: 39 mph morning, 22 mph afternoon.

Wow! Those are crazy numbers for the daily traffic counts on the Southwest and North Freeways. I bet those rank among the busiest in the country.

[ig2ba]

Wow! Those are crazy numbers for the daily traffic counts on the Southwest and North Freeways. I bet those rank among the busiest in the country.

Southwest Freeway used to be the busiest in the country. Considering its drop, I wouldn't be surprised if one of LA's freeways has now taken the title.

Of course the North America winner is the Ontario 401.

[kdog08]

West/SW Houston added West Park and SW Houston upgraded 90 and added Fort Bend Toll Road (although it's not very popular at this point). That's a lot of infrastructure.

[Dariusb]

Southwest Freeway used to be the busiest in the country. Considering its drop, I wouldn't be surprised if one of LA's freeways has now taken the title.

Of course the North America winner is the Ontario 401.

Isn't the 401 the busiest in the world as well?

[HTX]

It's not a freeway but I think the Med Center has some of the worst traffic congestion in the city.

[Dariusb]

It's not a freeway but I think the Med Center has some of the worst traffic congestion in the city.

I have to go to the Med Center area Monday morning so I hope I don't have too many problems.

[sevfiv]

Medical Center...argh. When I lived four miles away from work, it would take about 30 minutes during rush hour having to pass through it. I now live about 14 miles away and taking the same route out only takes me about 45-50 minutes. I have tried every route through and around and it's all pretty bad since the peripheral streets are backed up too (Almeda, OST, MacGregor, etc).

[Dariusb]

Medical Center...argh. When I lived four miles away from work, it would take about 30 minutes during rush hour having to pass through it. I now live about 14 miles away and taking the same route out only takes me about 45-50 minutes. I have tried every route through and around and it's all pretty bad since the peripheral streets are backed up too (Almeda, OST, MacGregor, etc).

Wow!