Transportation in Texas

Texas is a big state which has meant that they have had to develop an extensive transportation system. This is good news for the visitor in that there is a significant infrastructure so you should not have any trouble getting around. However you should keep in mind that most of the transportation options in Texas are very crowded so there may be delays.

Texas has one of the largest highway systems in the United States and indeed the world. The highways are heavily travelled which does tend to result in lengthy delays, especially on the highways around large urban areas. Most people in Texas get around by driving their own car so there is almost always a great deal of traffic on the roads. The problem is made worse by the fact that public transit in the state is not particularly good. Most of the roads in Texas were built in the fifties and are not really up to handling the amount of traffic that they currently get, which is a big part of why there are so many delays.

Between the fact that most Texans prefer to drive and the fact that the state is well known as one that has low taxes and provides few services it should not come as a surprise to learn that the public transit is considered to be substandard. The major cities for the most part have public transit, although somehow Arlington, right in the middle of the Dallas metropolitan area has no public transit at all. Light rail transit is particularly limited although Houston is currently working on a thirty mile extension to their system.

The state of Texas is well served by air travel. Currently the airport in Dallas is the second largest in the country with the airport in Houston not being far behind. Most cities in Texas have an airport and even a lot of small towns have them as well. Almost all airlines that fly to the United States have flights that go to Texas and there are several regional airlines that offer service within the state.

Most people are surprised to learn that Houston is the busiest port in the United States but that is in fact the case. Texas has several ports and it is one of the major shipping centers for the country. In large part this is to ship the oil and cattle that are produced in Texas.

For the visitor getting around should not be a major issue in Texas. The transportation infrastructure is well developed and except for issues with public transit you should not have a huge problem. Clearly it will be necessary to either drive your own car or to rent one in order to get around but both are easy options and should not present a problem.