Regional Navigation

North Sam Houston Tollway - Outer Loop

North Sam Houston Parkway - Outer Loop


Texas Beltway 8 west
View of Beltway 8 west just after the interchange with the Eastex Freeway. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
The first exit west of US 59 is JFK Boulevard, which is one of the two access points to Intercontinental Airport. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Use JFK Boulevard for Intercontinental Airport. In the background is the flyover ramp from JFK Boulevard to Beltway 8 East. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Just past the JFK Boulevard exit, travelers find the two flyovers for Beltway 8 East to Intercontinental Airport and Intercontinental Airport to Beltway 8 East. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Advance signage for Aldine-Westfield Road. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Just west of Aldine-Westfield Road, advance signage for the Hardy Toll Road is spotted. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Permit loads are not permitted on any toll road in Houston (any HCTRA road). Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.

Unlike from Beltway 8 East, the exit to the Hardy Toll Road from Beltway 8 west simply exits to the feeder roads. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Nearing the Greenspoint area, the next exit is Imperial Valley Drive. In the background is the flyover ramp from Beltway 8 east to Hardy Toll Road northbound. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
The Imperial Valley Drive overpass is one of the first to be completed along Beltway 8, predating the late 1980s construction of the Tollway. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
The next exit is Greenspoint Drive, serving the Greenspoint mall and associated office parks. The Greenspoint area was developed in the 1970s, but succumbed to decay fairly quickly and now has a reputation among many Houston residents. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Greenspoint Drive exits here. The next exits are for IH 45, which mark the end of the Sam Houston Parkway. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
The IH 45/Beltway 8 stack was completed in 1993. The ramps to IH 45 exit here from Beltway 8 westbound. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Looking west at the separation between ramps to IH 45 South and IH 45 North. Photo taken 3/20/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Just after IH 45, the first exit is Ella Boulevard and Greens Crossing Road. This is the last free exit before the tollway begins again. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
Advance signage for Antoine Dr and Bammel N. Houston Road. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
Approaching the north toll plaza, the left three lanes are reserved for EZ Tag traffic, while the remainder of the lanes are for exact change or full service transactions. This toll plaza was renovated in 2005 to add an extra EZ Tag lane. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
The north toll plaza features seven lanes. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
The right lane becomes an exit only lane for Antoine Dr, Bammel N. Houston Road, and Hollister Road. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
Antoine Drive, Bammel North Houston Road, and Hollister Road exit here. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
The next two exits serve SH 249 South, Hollister Road and Fairbanks North Houston Road, and SH 249 North. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
Reassurance sign for the Sam Houston Tollway. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
Advance signage for SH 249 South, Hollister Road and Fairbanks North Houston Road. Photo taken August 10, 2006.
SH 249 South, Fairbanks N. Houston Road, exits here. The next exit is SH 249 north.


SH 249 is Houston's newest freeway, added to the system after Compaq (now HP) built their campus along the SH 249 corridor. First photo taken August 10, 2006. Second photo taken 5/25/05 by Kevin Trinkle.

SH 249 north exits here. The direct connector ramps were added in 2003. First photo taken August 10, 2006. Second photo taken 5/25/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Advance signage for Gessner, Windfern Road, and Fallbrook Drive. Photo taken 5/25/05 by Kevin Trinkle.
Gessner Rd, Windfern Rd, and Fallbrook Drive exit here. Photo taken 5/25/05 by Kevin Trinkle.

Page Updated September 5, 2006.

© AARoads