Houston is the epicenter of culture and events in Texas. The city is one of the largest in the entire country and, as such, faces many of the blights other large cities face, such as constant traffic and lack of parking availability. Driving in the city can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you do not know what you are getting into. Whether you are just visiting or are moving to the city, if you plan to get around by car, there are some important pieces of information that you have to know about.
Houston famously has the worst traffic in the state of Texas and some of the worst drivers in the state.
From 2001 to 2019, in a resident poll for Texans, drivers in Houston came out number 1 for the worst drivers in the state. They earned this top spot due to the sheer number of reckless drivers and fatal crashes that happened within the city.
Roads in Houston
Houston itself is home to over 4,000 miles of highway. It also has roads referred to as “feeder roads.” These differ from the typical access roads seen in most other cities. Feeders go across multiple traffic lanes, and you will need to be in the correct lane for the direction you are going as they directly feed into certain lanes, hence the name. For example, if you wanted to make a right turn, you would need to make sure you are in the furthest right lane.
Parking
Parking in any major city is usually a nightmare no matter what. It is unavoidable due to the congestion of the city and the overall amount of activity going on. Usually, big cities are ones with large buildings like sports stadiums, concert venues, and other places that hold a lot of tourist appeal. For example, the Space Center is in Houston and that garners a lot of attention from visitors. This can make parking around there, even if you are not actually visiting the Space Center, very difficult. That’s why apps like ParkHouston exist. It helps you find and even reserve a space with a parking meter. We also suggest picking up a map of downtown Houston. They will have parking marked off and make the hunt for a good spot much easier.
Weather
If you are moving to or just visiting the city, hopefully, you are aware of the weather in Houston and Texas overall. Texas is known to have severe thunderstorms and hurricanes. It is imperative that you prepare yourself, where you are staying, and your car properly. You want to make sure you have emergency packs in any vehicle you may be driving.