Houston is a commuter-friendly metropolitan area, with average commute times of only 25.8 minutes, according to the 2003 Census.
View the Houston GIS map to view the major highways, arterials, freeways, and toll roads. Key features:
- 3,703 lane miles of freeways and expressways
- The total freeway system consists of 16 freeways and toll roads-nine radiating from the Central Business District, and three concentric loops:
- I-610, a 38.3-mile facility on a radius of six miles from the CBD
- Beltway 8, an 88-mile facility at a 12-mile radius from the CBD
- The Grand Parkway (Texas 99), a 172-mile facility on a radius of 25 to 30 miles from the CBD
- Houston has more miles of High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes than any other U.S. city. The HOV system includes 103.2 facility miles and 105.3 operational lane miles.
The Metropolitian Transit Authority of Harris County ("METRO") was created and funded with a one-cent sales tax in a 1978 voter referendum. METRO serves an area of 1,285 square miles and in FY 2008, METRO's fleet of 1,362 vehicles included 1,216 buses, 128 paratransit vans and 18 light rail trains. METRO's services include:
- METRORail - METRO's 7.5-mile, $324-million light rail transit project linking the CBD, Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park.
- RideSponsor - discounted bus passes purchased through an employer
- RideShare - computerized matching of carpoolers
- METROVan - subsidized vanpools
- METROLift - curb-to-curb transportation for people with disabilities
- Subscription Bus Plan - customized service for employers guaranteeing a minimum ridership
- RideHome - door-to-door service for Park & Ride Patrons who experience personal or family emergencies in the middle of the work day
- Special Event shuttles
- Average Commute Time
- Mode
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Learn more about demographics, and transportation infrastructure.
