West to East Across Houston in Rush Hour?

Regarding using the beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway) you will have to go thru the cash line when pulling a trailer. At rush hour, the lines can be anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 mile long at some of the toll booths. Also, some of the toll road cannot be used unless you have a Texas EZ Tag (portion between Highway 59 and I10 on the north side. You will have to use the access road on that portion which isn't too bad. If I were you, I would go straight thru on I10. Get in the middle lane and just watch closely as you approach downtown at the I10 and I45 interchange in order to get in the lane going east on I10. Of course, all bets are off if there is a wreck on the freeway. As someone said monitor the traffic with real time mapping if possible.