North north Austin to west side of Houston...290 or 71??? (Katy: school, live)

[10scoachrick]

Howdy, y'all. Seems we need to make a bit of an emergency trip to Houston Friday AM. We're headed just a couple of blocks south of the Houston Country Club, so it looks like a wash distance-wise as I-10 and 290 approach the city. Would anyone have info on current road conditions that would suggest we take 71 to I-10 OR 290 all the way? We've done both, but those trips were over two years ago and road conditions might suggest one route is better than the other. Our destination is off Voss Rd, just south of I-10, so we're 'outside'(west) of the West Loop.

We'll likely get there around lunch and leave well after PM rush traffic, if that matters.

Thanks for any tips you might have!

[Moonlady]

It is pretty much a wash. We recently did a trip through Houston and our preferred route is 71. Haven't done 290 in awhile, so I can't comment on that. From North Austin, you can either take 183 to 71 or take toll 130 down to 71. Once you are past Bastrop, it's pretty much smooth sailing to I-10. 290 will be a little slower to get into Houston IMO. It usually takes us about 2.5 hours from SW Austin to hit I-10.

[N. Olikee]

Definitely 71. This is the way we went 99.9% of the time from Memorial to here and back.

Recently went that way, unfortunately left here on a Friday late afternoon and hit major traffic. I would think on a Friday morning you are OK. We took 290 on the way back on a Sunday, and it seemed a whole lot slower.

I can do from where I live here to Memorial in 2 hours or slightly plus on 71 + Katy Fwy.

[thesonofgray]

71 is always my preferred route. 290 is dangerous and tedious.

Although if you have to deal with Austin rush-hour traffic, take the route that gets you out of the metro first.

[N. Olikee]

290 is a little more like 71 "used to be like" before they improved it. But, it is also to the north of your destination and you have to use a toll road...I think?

71 is fine.....no problem.......and they have "improved" the Katy Fwy.

[10scoachrick]

Thanks all! Looks like 71 is it, unless I get a hankerin' for an ice cream tour! We hope to miss most of the Austin morning rush by waiting until 8:30 or so; returning late Friday or perhaps even Saturday. Should be a beautiful day for a drive!(It's the packing and hauling and storing once we get to Houston that will be a bummer. ) Thanks again!

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Thanks all! Looks like 71 is it, unless I get a hankerin' for an ice cream tour! We hope to miss most of the Austin morning rush by waiting until 8:30 or so; returning late Friday or perhaps even Saturday. Should be a beautiful day for a drive!(It's the packing and hauling and storing once we get to Houston that will be a bummer. ) Thanks again!

Ehhhhh, if you take 183 down to 71 you'll still hit traffic at that time. I don't think ANY of Austin's rush hour traffic lets up until well after 9am, unless it's a school/government holiday.

If you're far enough north, it may be worth it to take 130 down to 71.

[CarnivalGal]

Take 130 to 71.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by thesonofgray

Ehhhhh, if you take 183 down to 71 you'll still hit traffic at that time. I don't think ANY of Austin's rush hour traffic lets up until well after 9am, unless it's a school/government holiday.

If you're far enough north, it may be worth it to take 130 down to 71.

Originally Posted by mm57553

Take 130 to 71.

Heading out between 8:30 and 9...45 & 130 it is! Might as well have a smooth start to the drive.
Thanks! Let's go burn some petrol...gets your attention @ $3.75/gallon .

[Trae713]

You guys have it made. It's $3.88 in DFW.