Highway Information
The winding roads and wide-open spaces of Texas are calling. Here are a few quick day trips that will satisfy even the most adventurous spirit. So hop in the car, grab the wheel, and get ready for the unforgettable people and places you can discover on your own.
Here is all of the information you'll need about the Texas highway system! Get friendly tips about Texas roadways, find out driving distances between major cities before you get your trip underway, and familiarize yourself with some of Texas' driving laws. You can also get names and numbers of helpful people who will make your trip more enjoyable.
Travelers may also call 1-800-452-9292 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST for travel information, professional trip planning assistance and emergency road condition information.
Mileage Finder
Texas is the largest of the continental United States. Need to know how far you'll be traveling from city to city? Click on the "From" and "To" boxes. A list of cities will appear. Choose a starting point and destination and the driving distance will be calculated for you. If your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or if you don't have scripting support enabled, click the "Update" button to calculate the driving distance.
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Travel Information Centers
The Texas Department of Transportation operates travel information centers for the convenience of
the traveling public. Uniformed, professional travel counselors welcome visitors and provide a wealth
of free literature, information, and suggestions to make every Texas trip more pleasant.
Working with the Texas Official Travel Map, counselors expertly chart routes to any area of Texas.
They point out the most convenient short-line directions, or leisurely scenic drives to your destination.
They supply comprehensive statewide travel publications, plus detailed brochures about points of
interest, attractions, and recreational areas along the way. All of those services are free.
The centers are open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except
New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday.
In addition, travel counseling and emergency road condition information may be obtained by calling 1-800-452-9292.
Amarillo | I-40 (from Oklahoma & New Mexico |
Anthony | I-10 (from New Mexico) |
Austin | Capitol Complex |
Denison | U.S. 75/69 (from Oklahoma) |
Gainesville | U.S. 77, I-35 (from Oklahoma) |
Langtry | U.S. 90, Loop 25 |
Laredo | I-35 & U.S. 83 |
Orange | I-10 from Louisiana) |
Texarkana | I-30 (from Arkansas) |
Valley | U.S. 77 & U.S. 83 in Harlingen |
Waskom | I-20 (from Louisiana) |
Wichita Falls | I-44, U.S. 277/281 (from Oklahoma) |
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Highway Rest Areas
Throughout the superb system of Texas highways, motorists find bonuses of travel pleasure in highway rest areas. Texas pioneered the concept of miniature parks along travelways, an idea that has been adopted nationally.
Today more than a thousand Texas rest areas, picnic areas, and scenic turnouts invite motorists to pause and relax from the concentration of driving. Often the site has been selected for its impressive landscape views, and each of the small parks is landscaped to complement its individual surroundings. All are equipped with shaded arbors, tables, benches, and cooking grills. Law prohibits remaining in a rest area for more than 24 hours or erecting any kind of structure.
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Speed Limits
In Texas, the maximum speed limit for cars and light trucks (pickups, panels, vans, etc.) is 70 miles per hour (mph) daytime, 65 mph nighttime on all numbered highways in rural areas. Lower speed limits are posted on many Texas Highways to account for their individual operating characteristics. Speed limits on urban freeways typically range from 55 mph to 70 mph.
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Traffic Signs
Speeds, caution areas, stops and directions are marked along the more than 79,000 miles of Texas highways by over half a million signs. Passing is illegal when there is a continuous yellow stripe on the drivers side of the centerline. Centerlines are yellow dash stripes. White dash stripes separate dual lanes of traffic in the same direction. Painted or reflectorized pavement arrows often show approved directions or turns. Arrows pointing toward you or showing red reflectors indicate you are driving the wrong way on a freeway ramp or one-way street.
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Auto Safety Belts and Child Seats
Texas law requires front seat occupants must be buckled up while riding in cars and light trucks. Further, the law requires children under age four be secured whether in front or back seat. Infants under age two must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat; children between two and four may use such a seat or be secured in standard safety belts. Fines of $25 to $50 may be levied for failure to use safety belts and child safety seats as prescribed. The driver and all passengers of a motorcycle may not operate the vehicle unless each is wearing a safety helmet of approved design.
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Auto Insurance
A motor vehicle may not be operated in Texas unless a policy of liability insurance is in effect. Evidence of insurance must be furnished when requested by a police officer.
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