I work in the Memorial area, and need to get to the seawall by 7:30 tonight. My wife is going with me, so which route would be quicker, or quickest. The beltway to 45, or i10 to downtown and hop on the HOV? 288 seems like it would probably take too long. I'll get out of work around 5:30, is 2 hours enough time in rush hour?
I would do the beltway to 45. You'll run into heavy traffic on 45 that will last until you pass Baybrook Mall, but other than that you should be OK. Two hours seems doable. ::EDIT:: I've actually never taken the HOV. Just saying that I think you could make it in two hours by going 8/45.
HOV. You will be flying by laughing at the fools stuck on 45. But try to find an alternate to downtown instead of I-10.
HOV ASAP 10 into town isn't too bad Clear Lake will suck 288 is out of the way and going 6 thru Alvin sucks I usually go 8 to 45 but at rush hour I'd get in the HOV at downtown
if you are ever by yourself in rush hour 225 to 146 south to 45 probably wont save you time but at least you wont be stuck in traffic. Also a right at 96 via 146 to 45 gets you past the clear lake traffic
I'd take Memorial straight into downtown/I-45 exit, or maybe even Allen Parkway. I-10 East after 5PM can be seriously bad. I go the opposite way of traffic and the traffic going East always seems to be creeping at about 5mph. Also once at the Beltway south up until Baybrook Mall you will barely move, but it seems longer than it really is. Once out of that area it will be smooth sailing to Galveston.
Beltway 8. Exit Beamer (as you near I-45 exit). Follow to FM 2351. Turn east to get to 45. MIGHT save time from I45/Clear Lake traffic.
Like someone already said, the HOV stops at Monroe by Hobby so he'll just exit right into the traffic jam at the beltway.
The only thing that sucks about the 45 S HOV is that you have to drive through downtown to get to it. There's not a direct entrance from any of the freeways that I'm aware of.
I suggest not to take any of the shortcuts suggested , at best you save 5., 10 mins, worst you might get lost. From Memorial, Beltway to 45 is about the same as I10, 45 HOV, 45. You have already bypassed the heaviest traffic on 45 south of downtown. There is a little traffic on 45 south of the beltway and it may look bad but it moves. South of Baybrook mall, it's clear sailing.
This is what I would do. BW8 to 288 S to Highway 6 to 45S. I went on a Friday around 3pm a few weeks ago, and 45 at the Beltway was nightmare. And all it was was a stalled vehicle. I take 288 everyday and it may be slow but nothing like what 45 was that day. I think that's the least chance of a major holdup, but check transtar for wrecks before you leave.
You sure you want to head straight in to the traffic heading back home to Silver lakes on 288? I said earlier that beltway to 35 will bypass most big pockets
