HOV / HOT (Express) Lanes – U.S. 290 Northwest Freeway

U.S. 290 Inbound

 

U.S. 290 Outbound

 

Overview

HOV stands for High Occupancy Vehicle. HOT stands for High Occupancy Toll. Both refer to a barrier-separated lane that runs down the middle of I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290. The lane runs in one direction, but it’s reversible depending on the time of day. In the mornings, vehicles travel toward downtown Houston. In the afternoons, they travel away from downtown. Lane usage, and whether or not a toll is required, depends on the freeway you’re using, time of day and total number of people in your vehicle.

METRO operates HOV / HOT express lanes on I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290.

Lanes are in operation seven days a week and closed on holidays. Weekend operations follow the same schedule, occupancy requirements and tolls as weekdays.

For real-time traffic reports, please visit the Houston TranStar website.

US 59N HOV / HOT (Express) Lane overall access ramp map

 

Common Questions

What is an HOV / HOT Express Lane?

The acronyms HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) and HOT (High Occupancy Toll) refer to a barrier-separated lane that runs down the middle of a freeway in one direction, depending on the time of day. It allows drivers to travel faster and avoid congestion.

The lane is reversible.

In the mornings, it’s open in the eastbound direction (inbound) towards downtown.

In the mornings, it’s open in the eastbound direction (inbound) towards downtown.

In the afternoons, it’s open in the westbound direction (outbound) for traffic leaving downtown and headed home.

Where does the HOV / HOT Express Lane run on U.S. 290?

The lane runs from I-10 (east of I-610) to the Highway 99 area, just east of Mason Road – as shown on the map below.


US 290 HOV / HOT lane overall access ramp map

When is the lane open and available for use?

U.S. 290 East (inbound) towards I-10 (east of I-610): Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

U.S. 290 West (outbound) towards Highway 99: Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m.

How much does it cost to use the lane?

6:30-8:00 a.m. - No toll for vehicles with at least three people. All other times must be 2+ to ride with no toll. Single occupant vehicles must pay a toll. If you are a single occupant vehicle, you can only use the lane during certain hours and must pay a toll. Refer to tables below for details:

INBOUND (U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610)
Time No Toll Occupancy Requirement Single Occupant Vehicle Toll
5-6:00 a.m. 2+ $2.50
6-6:30 a.m. 2+ $7.00
6:30-8:00 a.m. vehicles with at least three people Not allowed
8-9:00 a.m. 2+ $5.00
9-10:00 a.m. 2+ $2.50
10-11:00 a.m. 2+ $1.00

OUTBOUND (U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99)
Time No Toll Occupancy Requirement Single Occupant Vehicle Toll
1-3:00 p.m. 2+ $1.00
3-4:00 p.m. 2+ $2.50
4-4:30 p.m. 2+ $5.00
4:30-6:00 p.m. 2+ Not allowed
6-7:00 p.m. 2+ $5.00
7-8:00 p.m. 2+ $2.50

 

Where to Enter and Exit the Lanes

Northwest Transit Center and I-10 (east of I-610)

Access to the express lane is available in two different locations near Northwest Transit Center, as shown in the images below.

This map is to and from I-10.

US 290 HOV lane access ramp 1 map

The exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound) is open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

See exit ramp location >>

 

The entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99 (outbound) is open Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m. Access is available from the left lane of I-10 Westbound, just east of I-610.

See entrance ramp location >>

This map is to and from Northwest Transit Center.

US 290 HOV lane access ramp 2 map

The exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound) is open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

See exit ramp location >>

 

The entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99 (outbound) is open Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m. Access is available from Old Katy Road east of North Post Oak.

See entrance ramp location >>

West Little York Park & Ride (a.m. & p.m.)

Access to the express lane is available in two different locations near the West Little York Park & Ride:

US 290 HOV lane access ramp 3 map

U.S. 290 frontage road Inbound (east of Beltway 8) and Hempstead Highway between Beltway 8 and W. Little York Road

This functions from 5-11:00 a.m. as:

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 east towards I-10 (east of I-610) open Monday-Sunday.

An entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 east towards I-10 (east of I-610) open Monday-Sunday.

 

This functions from 1-8:00 p.m. as:

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 west towards Highway 99 (outbound), open Monday-Sunday.

An entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 west towards Highway 99 (outbound), open Monday-Sunday.

See entrance and exit ramp location >>

US 290 HOV lane ramp 3A map

Hempstead Highway (near I-610)

This functions as:

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound), open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

See exit ramp location >>

Northwest Station Park & Ride

Access to the express lane is available in two different locations near the Northwest Station Park & Ride:

US 290 HOV lane access ramp map 4

U.S. 290 frontage road outbound (west of Jones Road)
Castlebridge Drive (east of West Road)

Both access points function as:

An entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound), open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99 (outbound), open Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m.

See entrance and exit ramp location >>

Huffmeister Road and U.S. 290

US 290 HOV lane access ramp map 5

This functions as:

An entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound), open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99 (outbound), open Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m.

See entrance and exit ramp location >>

Mason Road and U.S. 290

US 290 HOV lane access ramp map 6

This functions as:

An entrance ramp to the express lane on U.S. 290 East towards I-10 (east of I-610) (inbound), open Monday-Sunday, 5-11:00 a.m.

An exit ramp from the express lane on U.S. 290 West towards Highway 99 (outbound), open Monday-Sunday, 1-8:00 p.m.

See entrance and exit ramp location >>

 

Additional HOV Lane

To further reduce traffic congestion, the far left lane in both directions between W. 34th St. (west of Loop 610) and Barker Cypress Road is now an HOV lane on weekdays as well.

Vehicles with at least three passengers can now travel in that lane during these hours:

U.S. 290 West towards Barker Cypress Road: Weekdays, 6-9:00 a.m.

U.S. 290 East towards W. 34th Street: Weekdays, 3:30-7:00 p.m.