Galveston to San Antonio

I've driven thru Houston, several times, on the Interstates. Most the time I sip right thru downtown . A couple times it was hours to cross town.
If I was making the drive, I'd run 6 to Alt 90 West. Yes 6 is 4 lane w/ some stop lights.

We have a place down there on the gulf. I go from Beaumont I10 to Winnie Hwy 124, then drive to the coast. There are campgrounds on Bolivar. Then take the Ferry to Galveston. Avoids all Houston. Have the chance to watch the porpoise and see the ship channel. When you leave Galveston head back north towards Houston and see the sky line while you aim towards your trip to Big Bend.

If you don't want to take the ferry then I'd go Hwy 146 which hooks into I45 south and then you'll next be in Galveston. Again when you leave go north toward Houston to see the skyline. At least these gives you options without worrying about the time you are driving.

Mostly Route 6 is divided. To see the skyline you'll need the main roads downtown like you described, I10, I45 and I69, whichever works on your route.

Just stay out of prime time which is always in downtown Houston so be prepared to stop and no driving in the rain, to much flooding. That being said we've gone right through without any stopping. And do check for progress on road construction on I45 it's horrible. I10 is always under construction in some places with complete stops, Baton Rouge and Beaumont, but it's been a few months since we've been there. These are projects in the works for years though so not an easy fix.

We traveled the Sam Houston Tollway last year and the tollbooths are very narrow when towing a 100" wide 5 ver. We paid the 4 axle toll about $5 and drove 5 miles and paid $5 again then got off 3 miles later. Kind of pricey for bumper to bumper for about 8 miles.

RainbowsEnd wrote:
We have a place down there on the gulf. I go from Beaumont I10 to Winnie Hwy 124, then drive to the coast. There are campgrounds on Bolivar. Then take the Ferry to Galveston. Avoids all Houston. Have the chance to watch the porpoise and see the ship channel. When you leave Galveston head back north towards Houston and see the sky line while you aim towards your trip to Big Bend.

If you don't want to take the ferry then I'd go Hwy 146 which hooks into I45 south and then you'll next be in Galveston. Again when you leave go north toward Houston to see the skyline. At least these gives you options without worrying about the time you are driving.

Mostly Route 6 is divided. To see the skyline you'll need the main roads downtown like you described, I10, I45 and I69, whichever works on your route.

Just stay out of prime time which is always in downtown Houston so be prepared to stop and no driving in the rain, to much flooding. That being said we've gone right through without any stopping. And do check for progress on road construction on I45 it's horrible. I10 is always under construction in some places with complete stops, Baton Rouge and Beaumont, but it's been a few months since we've been there. These are projects in the works for years though so not an easy fix.

While this route (the one quoted above) will be interesting, it may not fit your plan. You will be routing around basically rural areas (Anahuac and areas east of Baytown) only to rejoin the main highways in the urban part of metropolitan Houston. You will see the Texas coast, but it will definitely take you longer and miles out of the way. If you are interested in seeing the Houston skyline, your best bet will be I-10. Both TX 6 and Sam Houston Parkway loop around so far out that you will only see downtown from a distance. I do recommend avoiding rush hour if you don't want the stress of traffic congestion. The trouble is, it has a fairly long duration in morning or evening, 2 hours if not more. It is worse on the west side of town than the east. I am used to it and do not take routes to avoid it. I have to endure it somewhat frequently since I live in Beaumont and it is between me and a lot of Texas.

From Galveston try highway 6 to Sugarland .Its not to bad but better than worrying about going thru Houston. Sugarland go west on Hwy 90 all the way to Sequin. Thats a nice smooth country drive with no traffic from Richmond Rosenberg to Sequin. Then pickup I10 to San Antonio.

If you want to enjoy the skyline then I-45 to I-10 is the way to go. BUT you may be enjoying the view for a couple of hours. Try to hit Houston mid-day and avoid rush hour. Depending on Traffic I sometimes take I-45 to 610 to I-10 to avoid downtown. You do get to drive by NRG stadium and the old Astrodome. Timing is everything.

filrupmark wrote:
From Galveston try highway 6 to Sugarland .Its not to bad but better than worrying about going thru Houston. Sugarland go west on Hwy 90 all the way to Sequin. Thats a nice smooth country drive with no traffic from Richmond Rosenberg to Sequin. Then pickup I10 to San Antonio.

This is pretty much the route we took last time we went to/from Galveston from San Antonio area. Highway 6 is pretty smooth sailing south of Houston, but as you get into Sugarland and up to I10, you are in city/business area with traffic lights every 4-6 blocks, so a lot of stop and go traffic.

Helpful advice all. Since the skyline is a priority, looks like I45 to I10. Hadn't considered I45 to I610 to I10 Interesting scenery and an alternative to seeing "too much" of downtown. Thanks to all who posted.

Native Houstonian. Been driving it 50 years. Take your time leaving Galveston on I-45 into in Houston. Leave about 9am and you should miss most of the traffic into Houston. Westbound on I-10 will be opposite inbound rush hour morning traffic. Of course a major accident voids any of this. If you have satellite radio check into their traffic/weather stations. Also maybe tune to 740am radio for frequent traffic reports.
Don't stress over it. And don't miss the Houston skyline.

Thanks, TxGearhead. Good info.

Terry