Houston-area roads to possibly avoid during a freeze, based on past ice crashes

HOUSTON – The Houston area is bracing for a winter storm that could bring freezing temperatures and icy conditions to the region.

Houston isn’t known for cold weather, but recent years have shown that hard freezes can quickly turn local roads and freeways into dangerous driving conditions.

• Texas winter weather map: Where snow, ice and sleet are possible this weekend

Officials repeatedly urge drivers to stay off the roads during freezes whenever possible.

During a January 2024 freeze, officials reported ice on multiple Houston-area roadways. Houston Mayor John Whitmire later confirmed that 251 crashes during that freeze were ice-related, proving just how hazardous icy roads can be in the region.

• Houston winter storm: Which neighborhoods face the highest risk for ice and dangerous roads Saturday

Roads that have iced over before

While it’s impossible to predict exactly where ice will form during the next freeze, transportation officials say certain roadways have repeatedly seen icy conditions in the past.

Below is a breakdown of Houston-area freeways and roads where ice was reported during freezes, including a large list released by TxDOT and TranStar in January 2025.

• Houston’s Winter Weather Guide: List of resources to use ahead of freezing temperatures

Drivers are encouraged to avoid these areas during freezing weather if at all possible.

Freeways and highways with reported ice

Interstate 10 (IH-10)

• IH-10 East westbound at Dell Dale Blvd (mainlanes)
• IH-10 Katy eastbound at IH-610 West Loop / US-290 direct connectors
• IH-10 East frontage road eastbound at Normandy Street

Interstate 45 (IH-45)

• IH-45 Gulf northbound from FM 1959/Dixie Farm Rd to IH-610 South Loop
• IH-45 Gulf southbound from IH-610 South Loop to FM 1959/Dixie Farm Rd
• IH-45 North northbound from IH-610 North Loop to Spring Creek / Harris–Montgomery County line
• IH-45 North southbound at the McKinney exit ramp
• IH-45 North southbound from Spring Creek to IH-610 North Loop

Interstate 610 (IH-610)

• IH-610 West Loop northbound at the IH-69 Southwest exit ramp

Interstate 69 (IH-69 / US-59)

Eastex Freeway:

• Northbound from IH-610 North Loop to the San Jacinto River
• Southbound from Townsend to IH-610 North Loop

Southwest Freeway:

• Northbound from Beltway 8 West to IH-610 West Loop
• Southbound from IH-610 West Loop to Brighton Lane / Harris–Fort Bend County line

Fort Bend / North segments:

• Northbound from FM 2218 to the Harris–Fort Bend County line
• Southbound from the Harris–Fort Bend County line to FM 2218

Beltway 8

• Beltway 8 North eastbound at IH-45 North interchange ramps
• Beltway 8 North eastbound at IH-69 Eastex interchange ramps
• Beltway 8 North westbound at IH-45 North interchange ramps
• Beltway 8 North westbound at IH-69 Eastex interchange ramps
• Beltway 8 West southbound at IH-69 Southwest interchange ramps

State highways and toll roads

• SH-146 northbound and southbound at the Fred Hartman Bridge
• SH-146 northbound and southbound at the Kemah Bridge
• SH-146 northbound and southbound from Texas Avenue to SH-3
• SH-225 westbound from Tidal Road to Beltway 8 East
• SH-249 Tomball Parkway northbound and southbound between IH-45 North and Holderrieth
• SH-6 northbound and southbound between Beechnut and US-290
• SH-99 Grand Parkway (North and West segments) — multiple stretches between Hardy Toll Road, Mueschke Road, Riley Fuzzel Road, San Jacinto River, and the Harris–Fort Bend County line

U.S. highways

• US-290 Northwest eastbound and westbound between IH-610 West Loop and the Harris–Waller County line
• US-90 eastbound from IH-10 East / IH-610 East Loop to the San Jacinto River
• US-90 westbound from the San Jacinto River to IH-10 East / IH-610 East Loop

Major surface roads

• NASA Road 1 eastbound between IH-45 Gulf and SH-146
• FM 1093 (Westheimer) eastbound and westbound between the Harris–Fort Bend County line and IH-610 West Loop
• FM 1960 eastbound and westbound between US-290 and SH-249
• FM 2920 eastbound and westbound between US-290 and SH-249
• BS-90 / Old Beaumont Highway eastbound and westbound between IH-610 North Loop and the Crosby Freeway
• Westpark Tollway westbound at the Harris–Fort Bend County line
• SH-124 northbound at the Galveston–Chambers County line

If freezing temperatures move into the Houston area, the safest option is to stay home and avoid travel altogether.

If you must drive, slow down, avoid bridges and overpasses, and check real-time road conditions before heading out.