HOV/HOT Express Lanes

HOV stands for High Occupancy Vehicle. An HOV lane is 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 in the direction of downtown Houston. In the afternoons, vehicles travel away from downtown Houston.

On I-10, there are "managed lanes" operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority. These are four barrier-separated express lanes with two lanes running in each direction between I-610 and Hwy. 6.

HOT stands for High Occupancy Toll. It’s the HOV lane on either I-45, Hwy. 59 or Hwy. 290, but with a toll. The toll is paid by single occupant vehicles. And the lane is only open to those single occupant vehicles outside of peak travel times.

I-45, I-69 / US 59 and Hwy. 290 (operated by METRO):

• Each has a single HOV/HOT lane that operates daily with the exception of certain holidays.

• Has “managed lanes” (two in each direction) that are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Those lanes are operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority with HOV hours during weekday mornings and afternoons. 
• Has the Katy-CBD HOV ramp between Studemont Street and downtown Houston (one lane in each direction) open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That ramp is operated by METRO.

I-45, I-69 / US 59 and Hwy. 290 (operated by METRO):

• The managed lanes are open daily from 5-11 a.m. inbound (toward downtown) and 1-8 p.m. outbound (away from downtown.
• The lanes will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

I-10 (operated by Harris County Toll Road Authority):

• The managed lanes are open at all times, with HOV hours on weekdays from 5-11 a.m. and 2-8 p.m. in both directions.

I-10 Managed Lanes: between I-610 and Highway 6

I-45 (North Freeway): between downtown and just south of Cypresswood Drive.

I-45 (Gulf Freeway): between downtown and Webster, Texas

Hwy. 59 (Eastex Freeway): between downtown and Humble, Texas

Hwy. 59 (Southwest Freeway): between downtown and just north of Stafford, Texas

Hwy. 290 (Northwest Freeway): between I-10/I-610 and Cypress, Texas

I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290: 

• Vehicles with a minimum of two (sometimes three) people, and motorcycles may use the lane any time they’re open. A baby or infant is considered an occupant for meeting the HOV lane occupancy requirement.
• Single occupant vehicles may use the lane outside of peak travel times which are generally from about 6:30-8:00 a.m. and 4:30-6:00 p.m.

I-10:

• “Managed lanes” are open to all vehicles. Motorcycles and vehicles with a minimum of two people can use the lanes during HOV hours without paying a toll. Single occupancy vehicles who ride during those hours are required to pay a toll. And all vehicles are required to pay a toll outside of HOV hours.
• Katy-CBD HOV ramp into downtown is only open to buses, motorcycles, vanpools and carpools, with no toll. Single occupant vehicles aren't allowed to use this ramp.

I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290 (operated by METRO):

• It’s free to use the lanes during operating hours as long as there are two, or sometimes three, people in the vehicle.
• Single occupancy vehicles are always required to pay a toll (using an authorized toll tag) when using the lanes.
• The toll amount varies by freeway, corridor and hour of the day.
• Toll rates for specific corridors are prominently displayed ahead of each lane entrance.
• Toll rates can also be found on the HOV/HOT Express Lanes page
• Tolls may change from one hour to the next. If this happens during your trip, you're charged the toll listed when you first entered the express lane.

I-10 managed lanes (operated by Harris County Toll Road Authority):

• Toll rates vary depending on the direction and time of day you're traveling.
• Toll rates are prominently displayed on the freeway and can also be found on the HOV/HOT Express Lanes page

I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290 (operated by METRO):

You can use these toll tags in the HOT express lanes:

• Harris County EZ TAG
• TxTAG
• NTTA (North Texas Tollway Authority)
• Kansas Transit Authority (KTA)
• Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA)
• Dallas North Tollway (DNT)
• Bancpass

No other payment method is accepted.

For I-10 and other Harris County operated toll road lanes designated with an EZ TAG-ONLY sign, a TxTag or NTTA TollTag is also accepted, provided your account is in good standing and the vehicle's license plate is registered with your tag.

I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290 (operated by METRO):

• METRO buses and vanpool vehicles travel free - but non-METRO buses and vanpools will get charged unless they use the HOV ONLY lane
• Motorcycles are always free
• Qualified U.S. military veterans are eligible to receive a discounted toll – find out more information, including how to apply, on this PDF brochure

The discounted toll amount is subject to change, and certain restrictions apply.

I-10 (operated by Harris County Toll Road Authority):

• Qualified U.S. military veterans are eligible to receive a discounted toll– find out more information, including how to apply, on this PDF brochure

Vehicles must display a qualifying license plate in order to be eligible for the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program.

A map and videos showing specific entry and exit points along the I-45, Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 290 corridors can be found on the HOV / HOT Express Lanes page.

• Trailer towing is prohibited
• No trucks with more than two axles or a gross weight capacity of one ton or greater
• No bicycles – but motorcycles are permitted
• No pedestrians

There’s no minimum speed, but as with any highway driving, you should maintain enough speed to avoid slowing down the flow of traffic. The speed limit in the HOV/HOT lanes is the same as the freeway it runs alongside.