vinolover

It looks like 130 is open from just north of Georgetown all the way to hwy. 71 now. Is that true? Would this be the best route to by -pass traffic congestion in the middle of Austin?

None of the map sites offer that in their driving directions recommendations but it seems to make sense.

P_M

If you are going to SA you will still have to cut back from Hwy 71 into South Austin and you could catch some traffic going out of town on I-35. At this stage of the game I don't think the toll road will save you any time, but I could be wrong. If you do decide to give it a go please report back.

bkluvsNola

Yes, State Highway 130 (SH130) is open from Georgetown down to 71. The stretch to 183 was supposed to open late 2007 but has been delayed.

It is a very efficient way to avoid Austin traffic and I highly recommend it.

Just take it all the way to 71 (I believe it will be $4.50 to do that), and go west on 71 to I-35. There will only be one stop light on 71 - the rest has been converted to freeway.

By the way, SH130 and SH45 have got to be among the prettiest stretches of road anywhere - no development, no billboards, etc...

vinolover

Thanks! We are going to be traveling through that area mid day on a Monday so I'm not sure how much traffic there is going through Austin.

We have a Toll Tag for the Dallas area which is also good on all toll roads in Texas so we'll save a little money on the tolls. It's worth it if we can get through the middle of Austin with less hassle.

swisshiker

Just an FYI, there is NO freeway interchange between 71 West and I-35 South.

When traveling on 71, watch the signs very carefully for the EXIT to I-35 South. You will need to exit and then you will be on the frontage road for a good mile or so, then you'll come to all the flyovers at I-35. Stay in the left lane at this point.

Going under the flyovers, you'll go thru a set of signals. Turn left at the sign for I-35 South, which takes you onto another frontage road for another 1/2 mile or so (there will be lots of auto dealership on the right / freeway on your left as you are on the frontage road).

The entrance will be on your left about a hundred or so yards before the next intersection.

bkluvsNola

vinolover,

The TX tag will work on the Austin tollways. By the way, these toll roads are the least congested roads I've ever driven on in my life. Very stress free and scenic too!

swisshiker,

Good point about the interchange of 71 and I-35. The ramps only go to/from the northbound I-35 heading to or away from downtown. I've noticed that is common in Austin, on SH45/I-35 intersection, 183/I-35 and other intersections. I don't know why if they're spending that much money why they don't just complete the intersection anyway?

P_M

This is great news, I didn't realize this toll road would be such a time-saver for people passing thru. And maybe it will relieve some of the congestion for those of us who must take I-35 to get to/from work every day.

Toucan2

This is great news. I hate that snarl through Austin and we head down to South Texas from time to time. Thanks for posting this, I didn't know it was now open.

vinolover

Thanks for the directions on how to get from 71 back to I35. I'll print them and take them with me.

bkluvsNola

Eventually, SH130 will link up with 45SE, which will connect to I-35.

At that time, you will be able to bypass Austin altogether.

vinolover

We just got back last week. Took the 130 toll road by-pass around Austin and thought it was good. The connection on hwy 71 back to I-35 wasn't bad on the way down but coming back there was more traffic on that road so I'm not sure how much time we saved.

What we did like was not dealing with the hassle of I-35 around the downtown Austin area so I think overall the detour was worth it to get off I-35 (which is a MESS between Dallas and Austin). Hwy 130 was a really nice road. It will be really great when they finish the last segment to connect it back to I-35.

P_M

Thanks for the update.

taconictraveler

A slight tangent, and another question for you who are knowledgeable about these Texas highways:

How long does it take to drive from Dallas to San Antonio?

We are planning a trip to Texas in May, and can't decide whether to fly to Dallas (Love Field, probably) or to Austin, (staying away from large airports.)

Would love to see the museums in Ft. Worth, but maybe it's too much for a 7 or 8 day trip, when we also want to see San Antonio, and possibly Austin.

Seamus

Driving SA to Dallas is at least 5 hours, very likely more if you hit traffic, and it is not at all pleasant drive.
Flying into SA is easy - the airport is very close to downtown.
BTW, Ft Worth museums are excellent, well worth a visit. You could fly into SA, spend a couple days then fly to Dallas (DFW is closer to Ft Worth but Love is OK as well) and return home from there. Reverse would work as well.

taconictraveler

Thanks, Seamus, that sounds like a possible plan. If we also wanted to stop in Austin, would 7 or 8 days be enough to do all that?
In Fort Worth, I only want to see the museums, so how would be divide our nights between SA, Austin and Ft. Worth?

Seamus

Not sure where you are originating, but how about fly into DFW, spend two nights in Fort Worth then fly to SA where you pick up a rental car* and drive to Austin, maybe with a stop in Gruene, site of the best Fodor's GTG in recent memory. (OK, slight bias there) Spend the afternoon, night and next day in Austin then drive to SA for the last few days. Use the car to drive around the historic missions and to get to excellent restaurants like Paloma Blanca or The Lodge. Fly home from SA.

*this may sound a little nuts at first but you avoid paying a one way rental charge and probably get a weekly rate if you keep it five days

taconictraveler

Wow, Seamus, sounds good to ME! I will run this by DH and the Dutch friends but I think we could do it. Never been to a GTG but it and the restaurants sound really good. Exactly where are those two restaurants?

taconictraveler

PS - Seamus: where would you suggest staying in Ft. Worth to see the museums? mid-range hotel in early May, if we more or less did the tour you suggest, and only want to see the museums and maybe have a nice lunch or dinner.

swisshiker

Hello taconictraveler

The Kimbell Art Museum has a wonderful permanent collection as well as terrific special exhibitions. They have a little buffet cafeteria, which is ok. We usually like to walk directly across the street to the Modern Museum's full-service restaurant. Much nicer, great architecture, good food.

Have you thought of visiting the Stockyards? They've got a daily "cattle drive" right down the middle of the street. Pretty cool if you've never seen longhorn up close!

For hotels in Ft. Worth, there are lots available thru Priceline. We were up in Dallas just last week and paid $40 for the very lovely Crown Plaza Suites. Of course, you wouldn't want to stay in Dallas, but that gives you an idea of the value you can get.

Looking at google, there are plenty of mid-range hotels near the Museum district in Ft. Worth.

Enjoy your time in Texas!

taconictraveler

SwissHiker: thanks for the tip on the Modern Museum's restaurant. Not sure I'm up for a cattle drive, but I'll bet our Dutch friends will LOVE that!