The Loop

Often on addresses and traffic updates you'll hear two major things when people are referring to The Loop.

123 S Loop W

The first direction indicates which portion of the loop the address can be found. In the above example, this address would be located on the South Loop.

The second direction advises you which direction the traffic is running on the Loop. In the above example, this address is located on the section of the South Loop that runs Westbound. Here's a little visual aid to assist.

Note: This is overly dramatized for learning effect.

Major Highways - The Clock Method

One of the first things you'll want to do once you get here is to become familiar with the major arteries that run through the city and what they are called by local news and radio stations: Interstate 10 (I-10), Highway 59, Highway 290, Highway 288 and Interstate 45 (I-45). One of the easier ways I learned the location of these thoroughfares was by imagining a clock. Let's start at 12...

I-45 North runs just left of the 12:00 point on the clock. I-45N is called the North Freeway since it heads north to Dallas.

59 North runs just right of th 12:00 point on the clock. 59N is called the EastTex Freeway since it heads to east Texas; Lufkin is a major city off of 59N.

I-10 East runs at the 3:00 point on the clock. I-10E is called the Baytown Freeway since it heads to Baytown, TX.

I-45 South runs between the 4:00 and 5:00 points on the clock. I-45S is called the Gulf Freeway since it heads to the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston, TX.

288 South runs just left of the 6:00 point on the clock. 288 is called the South Freeway since it runs directly south from Houston. 288 heads to LaPorte and the Gulf of Mexico.

59 South runs between the 7:00 and 8:00 points on the clock. 59S is called the Southwest Freeway since it heads Southwest and to Sugarland and Victoria, TX.

I-10 West runs at the 9:00 point on the clock. I-10W is called the Katy Freeway since it heads west to Katy, TX.

290 runs between the 10:00 and 11:00 points on the clock. 290 is called the Northwest Freeway since it heads North West towards Austin, TX.

There are two major loops that circle the city: Loop 610 and the Sam Houston Tollway.

610 is an interstate bypass that is also known as "The Loop." 610 is the innermost loop around Houston. It's diameter is approximately 10 miles from downtown Houston.

The Sam Houston Tollway is also known as Beltway 8 and is a toll road that has approximately a 20 mile diameter outside of the downtown area.

What's this all about?

I've lived here for almost 10 years and have learned quite a few things that have helped me be successful in making Houston my home. A few friends that have recently moved to Houston have told me that my explanations for certain things, like freeways, have helped them in becoming more familiar with the city. It made me think that maybe other people would benefit from these tricks and hints. So... here it is: Houston for Beginners!

First lesson: getting around!