Driving to Texas: Tips, Tricks, and Laws
Before heading to Texas, you should plan a great route, try to navigate around traffic, and learn a little bit about the state’s laws.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- The best routes for driving to Texas
- How good are the roads in Texas?
- What are Texas’s speeding laws?
- What are Texas’s alcohol laws?
- Can you use headphones while driving in Texas?
- What are some of Texas’s best road trips?
- How to find affordable car insurance in Texas
- FAQs
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Texas
is the land of BBQ, longhorns, and the Alamo—but it’s also the home of congested roads and quirky speeding laws. As they say, everything’s bigger in Texas—state fairs, football fandom, and speed limits included. Unfortunately, Texas also has bigger traffic jams. Pair that with all of the toll roads and diverse driving laws, and navigating the Lone Star State can be confusing.
We're here to break down traffic laws in Texas (and provide some awesome road-tripping pointers). We’ll go over
Texas road conditions
, rush hour traffic, and so much more. 
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The best routes for driving to Texas
Whether you’re heading to the Lone Star State from New England, the Pacific Northwest, or the dirty South, we can help you pick the best route for your journey. Here are a few popular ones:
- Los Angeles–Houston(22 hours): Nothing says “road trip” like a desert trek through the Southwest. See all the mesas and tumbleweeds your heart desires on this journey along Interstate 10.
- New York City–Dallas(23 hours): Taking you through picturesque Appalachia, this route will give you plenty of time to practice your Southern accent.
- Chicago–San Antonio(18 hours): This won’t be the most visually exciting road trip you’ve ever been on, but it’s the perfect opportunity to break out yourbest playlistsand road trip games.
How good are the roads in Texas?
Though Texas spent around
$18.3 billion on its roads
in recent years, the state’s crumbling infrastructure costs Texas drivers about $682 each per year—$126 more than the national average. Amid ongoing projects, if you’re driving in a big city, you can expect to run into construction work at some point. Outside of the cities, though, Texas roads are smooth and easy.
Does Texas have toll roads?
Yes! Texas has a whopping 25 toll roads—more than any other U.S. state. Major metros like Houston and Dallas have the most, including the well-known Sam Houston Tollway and LBJ Express.
If you’ll be in Texas for a while, you should sign up for a toll tag. You have the choice between
EZTag
(Houston), NTTA TollTag
(Dallas-Fort Worth
), and TxTag
. Each is set up for specific regions, but they’ll all work on every toll road in Texas. Otherwise, you’ll be paying via
ZipCash
, which is at least 50% more expensive—and each road has a different toll rate. Here’s a map of every toll road and toll bridge
in the state of Texas.How bad is Texas traffic?
As the largest state in the contiguous U.S., Texas has plenty of room—but that doesn’t mean you won’t run into traffic. In fact, several Texas cities rank highly on the list of the worst traffic in the entire country.
Here are the cities where you should expect congested roads:
If you’re driving to Texas on a road trip, do your best to miss rush hour in the major metropolitan areas. Your best bet is to drive through bigger cities on the weekends or before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m. to circumvent the worst traffic.
Key Takeaway Texas is home to some of the worst roads in the country. You can avoid construction and traffic to some extent by using toll roads and dodging rush hour.
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What are Texas’s speeding laws?
In Texas, there are two types of speeding laws: basic speeding laws and prima facie speed limits. Let’s break down each one:
- Basic speeding law: Texas’s basic speeding law forbids driving “at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances.” Basically, a safe speed in Texas depends on the circumstances. Driving 55 mph may be safe on a clear, cloudless day, but during a nighttime storm, it may be consideredreckless driving.
- Prima facie speed limits: Unlike states with absolute speed limits, Texas uses prima facie speed limits, which vary based on the type of roadway. For instance, the limit is 15 mph in an urban alley but 70 mph on numbered highways. Exceeding these limits doesn’t automatically mean you’re guilty, though—you can still try to prove that your speed was safe under the circumstances.
Fines for speeding in Texas
In Texas, different cities have different speed limits and fines for driving too fast. For instance, going 10 miles over the limit in Houston will land you with a speeding ticket fine of $229—but the fine is only $173 in San Antonio.
Of course, fines get more expensive if you’re speeding in a school or construction zone. To be sure, drive slowly and check the different fines for the specific city you’re driving in.
Getting a speeding ticket in Texas will also add points to your
driving record
, causing your insurance rates to go up. Keep your monthly payments as low as possible by shopping for better-priced insurance using Jerry
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Start earning nowWhat are Texas’s alcohol laws?
The alcohol laws in Texas are easier to decipher: you’re legally intoxicated when your BAC reaches 0.08% for standard licenses or 0.04% for commercial drivers. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for minors committing alcohol-related offenses.
It’s important to remember that even one drink will impair your ability to drive. So it’s always best to catch another ride home no matter how much you’ve been drinking.
As for
open container laws in Texas
? In the Lone Star State, any open container of alcohol in any area of the vehicle is prohibited—even for a passenger and even in a parked car. Alcohol must be stored in the trunk, glove box, or behind the last row of seats. Alcohol violations—
especially DUIs
—have major and long-lasting consequences including fines, license suspensions
, and possible imprisonment. If you’re blasting through Texas on a road trip, be sure to stay safe and alcohol-free on the road!Can you use headphones while driving in Texas?
While there’s not a specific law in Texas that forbids wearing headphones while driving, that doesn’t mean it’s the safest habit to have. Wearing your earbuds is technically legal, but be aware that it could increase your odds of getting in an accident.
What are some of Texas’s best road trips?
Now that we know all the rules, let’s get to the fun part. There are plenty of amazing places throughout the state you’ll want to see, from the oldest watering hole to the state’s
best ghost towns
to zoos and amusement parks. Don’t forget to explore the sprawling regions outside the big cities, too! Between the contemporary art destination of Marfa and the dozens of wineries in Fredericksburg, there’s an endless array of locations to add to your Texas bucket list.
How to find affordable car insurance in Texas
Texas roads can be ruthless. That’s why it’s a good idea to protect yourself with top-notch car insurance. When you use
Jerry
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super app, it’ll only take a few minutes to get the best rates—from minimum to full coverage
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The best part? The average Jerry driver saves over $800 a year on car insurance without giving up quality coverage.
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FAQs
What are the best and worst cities for driving in Texas?
Between the horrendous traffic and poor roads, Houston tops the list for worst places to drive in Texas with the state’s capital of Austin not far behind. On the other hand, driving in Brownsville is not only easy but it’s also ranked as the safest driving city in the entire country.
How long does it take to drive across Texas?
From west to east, you can expect the 870-mile trip across the state to take between 14 and 16 hours.
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