Transportation in Texas

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Texas supports a state-of-the-art transportation and telecommunications network facilitating the movement of people, goods, and information. The state’s geographic location offers several key advantages: Its Central Time Zone position eases communications across time zones, making both coasts readily accessible; and the predominantly warm climate minimizes wintertime interruptions of transportation. Texas’ advanced transportation and telecommunications infrastructure facilitates business activity by providing vital links with the rest of the world.

Air

Texas has one of the nation’s most extensive air transport systems. Almost 1,600 landing sites are located throughout the state, and 27 airports in 24 Texas cities offer scheduled daily passenger service. Three major airlines are based in the state, and all major U.S. carriers serve Texas.

Rail

Forty-four railroads operate on almost 12,000 miles (19,312 km) of track in Texas, and over 280 million tons (254 billion kg) of freight is shipped by rail throughout the state each year. Freight shipped via Texas railways includes chemicals, petroleum, construction materials, transportation equipment, and agricultural products, much of which is en route to Texas ports or customs districts for export.

Highways

Texas has over 300,000 miles (482,803 km) of public roads – more than any other state. Texas is also located on the main trade route between Mexico and Canada and has more international highway border crossings than any other state.

Water

The 29 seaports located along the Texas Gulf Coast handle over 371 million tons (336.6 billion kg) of cargo per year. Thirteen of Texas’ ports are deep-water ports with channels at least 30 feet (9 m) deep. The Port of Houston is ranked first in the United States in Foreign waterborne commerce. It handled 175 million tons (158.8 billion kg) of imports and exports in 2000. The Port of Houston has capacity to transfer standardized containers from ships to rail or truck.