Streets System in Houston (Katy, Fredericksburg: rental, home, neighborhoods)

[Chrispili]

Hi,

We moved from Phoenix to Houston about 45 days ago. We are really happy, this is such a beatiful city! My only concern by now is trying to understand the street system. I bought three maps but still I can not see weather the streets are numbered. All what I see is names and it is very difficult to try to memorize street names. I think it is easier if you have a number order system. I am sorry if this is a silly questions, but could someone explain to me, if possible, if they are numbered and how those numbers are ordered from East to West and North to South. If they are not, where I can find some explanation about it. The 3 maps I have only show names..and it is driving me crazy. Houston is huge and I would love to understand the system (whatever it is). Thank you.

[Poltracker]

There are very few neighborhoods that have numbered streets, most streets are named. Houston is a product of urban sprawl and there really is no rhyme or reason or real organization to the streets. Many streets actually change names as you croos a major intersection just to make things more confusing. Here are a few tips to orient yourself:
Tips to remember:
1. 610 is the ineer loop around town
2. Bltwy 8 is the outer loop
3. I-45 runs N and S
4. I-10 runs E and W
5. 59 runs NE to SW
6. 290 runs NW to SE
The best map to invest in is a Key Map. You will get the hang of it sooner or later, just remember to orient yourself to one of the major freeways until your sense of direction gets established.

[tstone]

Streets change names when you cross an intersection because of the history of the different areas/neighborhoods. We also do have a lot of numbered streets throughout the NW side including the Heights. It's really odd because the numbering system is usually in a downtown setting in other cities. Here, it's set up cockeyed.

[EasilyAmused]

Then the traffic reports really like to confuse the newbies with North Freeway, Eastex Freeway, Katy Freeway, Gulf Freeway.

Wait until the street name suddenly changes. That's good fun.

[jimboburnsy]

One of the good things about Houston is that it is generally laid out in a nice, square edged grid that lends itself easily to maintaining your bearings during everyday navigation. One of the bad things about Houston is that the street names have about zero functionality as a navigation aid. A key map and google earth come in very handy here. You'll learn your way around, but not until after you've been hopelessly lost for a while.

[dcoolbro]

Thank goodness for GPS. That's what saved me through my travels through Houston. I'd be a lost puppy without it.

[Slappy san]

Yeah I got lost yesterday too. And I was only driving the rental from Hobby to a Days Inn on East Freeway.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

6. 290 runs NW to SE

where in the world is 290 in the southeast part of Houston? It dead ends at 610 on the northeast part of town.

[Svensk08]

Everyone who lives in Houston needs to have a Key Map to consult when driving outside their home neighborhood. They're cheaper than a GPS. Sam's Club discounts them, and one will be up-to-date enough to use for several years.

[Eastender67]

C2H (ComingtoHouston) said:
where in the world is 290 in the southeast part of Houston? It dead ends at 610 on the northeast part of town.

Most all of our roads "dead end" some place. Once at each end. Well, not all (Loop 610 and ?,?), but most. Seriously though, one end of Hwy 290 does end there at Loop 610, and ends again just west of Fredericksburg (TX).