Austin to SE Houston - first out-of-town trip

[Kat013]

I might be able to take a couple of days to go visit some friends who are conglomerating in Houston next week, and I'd like to know if anyone has any route suggestions to get from Austin to SE Houston and back. This would be my first trip more than an hour from home, so any general advice is appreciated.

I have a first aid kit and a bottle of tire slime. I need to find a foot-operated air pump or some alternative; AutoZone had them at one time but they've since disappeared.

Route-wise, hunkering down on the Ninjette at 70mph isn't especially fun for more than 15 minutes, so I'm looking for back roads that don't have insane traffic, and do have reasonable numbers of gas stations. It's been long enough since I've taken 290 that I don't really remember what it's like, but that strikes me as the most straightforward way to get to Houston.

My friends live in Pearland and League City; not sure where people will be congregating. From 290 I could take 6 / 90 / 8 or just 8 to Pearland. I'm not dead-set on any of these routes, just saying what I see and wondering about alternatives. I won't have the time to do dedicated sight-seeing, but am not going to rush to get there either.

[Squeaky]

There are some nice roads in-between, but it really will depend on how long you have to get from A to H.

[M38A1]

I did the Austin/Houston commute for a year and found highway 71 out of Austin to be an enjoyable ride for the most part. Once you get past the airport, it's little 20-30 mile hops to Bastrop (fuel), Smithville (fuel), LaGrange (fuel), Ellinger (fuel), Columbus (fuel). Do a quick 24 miles to Sealy (fuel) and take 36 South through Wallis (fuel) and Orchard (fuel). About six miles South of Orchard, take a right on Loop??? (the road with a parole office sign) about four miles to Hwy 90, then run 90 in to Richmond, Rosenburg, Sugarland and then your destination. From Oak Hill "Y" to Sugarland was 180 or so miles and right at 2hr45min.

The 71 trip is really nice, not a lot of traffic and 65mph limit.

Hope that helps!

.

[dukey33]

The 71 trip is really nice, not a lot of traffic and 65mph limit.


+1.
Tx71 tends to be less crowded and frenetic than US290 as major routes go. The drawback is 71 drops you onto I-10 as the quickest way into town. I-10 as you get into Katy is a speedway with hummers and expeditions racing each other for pole position.

An alternative is staying on 71 and go past I-10 to US-90. Pick that up eastbound towards Rosenberg. Before you get to Rosenberg there is a cutoff you can take (Spur 10) that bypasses the next town and puts you on Tx36. Take that south to FM1462 and then follow that into Alvin. In Alvin pick up Tx35 bypass north and that will take you right into Friendswood/Pearland. For League City use either FM517 to get over to the Gulf freeway and head north two exits or use FM528 and then pick up FM518 south. Depends on which side of L.C. you are heading to.

All the roads out this way are arrow straight but are in good shape. Gas should not be a problem. Many of us folks out on this end of town use this route to bypass Houston when going west.

Good luck! :thumb:

[Kat013]

Thanks. 71 to 90 sounds and looks promising. I wasn't planning on taking all day to get there, but wasn't expecting to make it to Pearland or beyond in less than 3 hours, either. With stops I figured I'd give myself 5 hours (also leaving from outside Leander) and if I make it there early, no problem.

[dukey33]

From Leander, expect it to take at least 5 hours due to rest breaks.

Depending on what time of day you hit Houston, the traffic could shock you (and make your trip memorable in a not-so-good way). Remember all the schools will be back in session by next week.
The alternate routes suggested have much less traffic than shooting through town.

Other suggestions are adding a wrist rest/throttle rocker if you don't already have one. A hydration pack is almost a must when traveling this time of year.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and you have numbers for your towing service and DPS. You should have no problems with cell service anywhere between Austin and Houston.
Keep your clear visor for your helmet with you. You may not plan to travel at night but if anything delays you, nightfall has this way of sneaking up on you.
Check the weather forecast the evening before for the areas you are traveling through, not just your origin and destination.
Prep your bike ahead of time. Tire pressure and inspect tire condition. Check the oil level and give the chain a shot of lube. Look the bike over for loose fasteners. License plate bolts, mirrors, brake/clutch pivots, shifter, etc. Sustained highway speeds tend to shake things off. Just ask Squeaky.

Have fun!:rider:

[WoodButcher]

So, did you do the trip? How did it go?