Forum Discussion

rolling_rhoda's avatar
Feb 28, 2016

I-45 League City to N side of Houston - clearance?

My Motor Carrier's atlas is dated 2012. It shows a low clearance of 13 feet on I-45 just 1/4 mile north of the I-10 junction. Is that still accurate? I find it hard to believe that I-45 thru Houston isn't a truck route. I'm driving a MH towing by myself, and need to know in advance if there is a re-route due to height.

I greatly appreciate the help!
  • As a native Houstonian, I don't recall any low clearance bridges or overpasses on 45. The lowest TXDot lists is 13 1/2.
  • I-45 through downtown Houston isn't a good route for trucks or RVs. More and more cities are prohibiting hazardous carriers on freeways through the city center.

    Many folks, including me, use I-610 or Beltway 8 (Toll Road) to avoid downtown Houston.

    There are a couple of tight curves with lane changes required in the middle of the curve in heavy traffic when crossing the I-10 intersection on I-45.

    Most importantly for me - the elevated section of I-45 from just past the I-610 split to the I-10 junction is severely washboarded due to shifting of the concrete slaps. Bounces the trailer significantly. As bad as the I-10 section across the swamps in Louisiana.

    I should add - I avoid downtown north to south/S-N, I use I-10 east to west/W-E