Sam Houston Toll Road

[OrangeBlooded]

We're leaving galveston 4-ish today to head back to austin. normally, we just take 45 to the loop to 10. I'm considering taking the Sam Houston toll road to avoid traffic. However, I've never taken it. 2 things - is it worth it and how much it is?

thanks in advace

 

[NoleHorn]

Can't remember how many toll booths on that section but would guess $3-5.

If you don't have a toll tag you can call the Toll Road phone # and add your car's license plate # for 1 day. That way you can drive through the easy pass lanes.

 

[Blain]

I was just up there about a month ago working on an efficiency report for HCTRA. At about 4 you should be ok. From 45 to 10 there are 3 mainlane toll plazas at $1.50ea.

 

[RoundRobin]

IIRC, there should be 4 toll booths at $1.25 each for cash. If there is an option that will allow you to use the EZ Tag lanes then it would certainly be worth it.

Is there another option further west like the Grand Parkway (99)?

RR

 

[Blain]

Going West from I45, there is Sam Southeast, Sam Southwest and Sam South toll plazas.

 

[Blain]

The Link

 

[RoundRobin]

I wonder if it would be worth it to take 90 to 99 and hit 10 even further west.

RR

 

[Mr. Longhorn]

Taking 90 to 99 at 5 o'clock is murder. Although they finally opened up the overpass at HWY6, but my wife got fed up taking that route home and just decided to take west park tollway.

 

[AstroVol]

In Austin, you can just drive through the EZ pass lanes without a tag, and they will mail you a bill. I think it's only like 30 cents extra. The point is that it's not like they mail you a traffic citation.

Not sure about Houston.

 

[Mack Tripper]

My understanding is that you receive a ticket by mail in Houston.

 

[NBMisha]

You don't want to go round the 610 at that time of day. Using the Beltway isn't perfect, nor free, but its better. You may have a small wait as you ramp over to 10, maybe not. If you go into 610, you will sit a long time in traffic northbound on the west loop.

Don't do that unless you are suicidal.

 

[AustinTejasFan]

Coming or going from Webster to Katy, always use the Beltway.

 

[Roger]

the HCTRA (Harris County Toll Road Authority) will bill you $15 per booth that you go through the EZ pass without a tag. $15 is what it was a couple of years ago anyways may be more now

 

[Roger]

btw you can use any Texas toll tag in any city in Texas

 

[tbone421998]

You can also use EZ pass in any city in Texas.

 

[longyak]

In reply to:

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[NoleHorn]

that's why you call and add your Tag # for a couple days.

 

[madscientist]

just north of the causeway is highway 6. this runs from galveston thru alvin and up to sugar land. there are lights, but they are usually green so you shouldn't hit many of them, and the speed limit is 55-65 the whole way. from sugar land, you could get to grand parkway or go the way i used to go, which would be to take 59 south (which is actually going almost due west at that point) to rosenburg and pick up 36 which takes you up to sealy where you can hit 10.

your only real backup, depending on when you hit the area, would be sugar land and 59 south.

 

[hollisdude]

There are so many rookies here. Pay attention.

from 45 - definitely take the Sam Houston around the south side of Houston. Then, on the west side, take the Westpark tollway westbound and exit the Grand Parkway (99). Go north and you will hit I-10 very quickly and way outside the city limits in Katy. You will be zooming all the way and not have to make one stop. Believe it. The Westpark tollway is a beautiful thing.

Highway 6 from Galveston is for pedophiles and puppy haters, highway 59 is for illegal immigrants, and Loop 610 is for stupid people that got lost.

 

[madscientist]

and westpark tollway is only for those with ez tags.