Routes out of north San Antonio

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From the UTSA area (I-10 and Loop 1604) you have quick access to I-10 heading northwest and, via Loop 1604, to all the other exits without crossing downtown (chapter 9). Figure 24.3 is a diagram for memorizing directions; use paper maps and DriveTexas.org for the details.

Figure 24.3. Diagram of the exits from north San Antonio. It is a simplified diagram for remembering directions: it is not a map, and distances and angles are not real. Use paper maps and DriveTexas.org. — **Figure 24.3.** Diagram of the exits from north San Antonio. It is a simplified diagram for remembering directions: it is not a map, and distances and angles are not real. Use paper maps and DriveTexas.org.

Routes out of north San Antonio
Direction	Main route	Alternates	Watch out for
Northwest / west (Hill Country)	I-10 west: Boerne, Comfort, Kerrville; continue toward Junction and El Paso.	TX-16 (Bandera Rd) through Helotes and Bandera to Kerrville. US-87 from Comfort to Fredericksburg. Loop 1604 to the southwest and US-90 to Hondo and Uvalde.	Flash flood zone: the Guadalupe and Medina rivers and their low crossings. Never cross water (chapter 10).
North	US-281 north: Bulverde, Blanco, Johnson City (from there, US-290 to Austin or Fredericksburg, or US-281 to Marble Falls).	I-10 west to Boerne and TX-46 east to pick up US-281 or I-35.	Two lanes in each direction in several stretches; it backs up fast.
Northeast	I-35 north: New Braunfels, San Marcos, Austin.	TX-46 toward New Braunfels. TX-130 (toll) from I-10 near Seguin, bypassing Austin on the east.	I-35 is one of the most congested highways in Texas even without an emergency.
East	I-10 east: Seguin; continue to Houston.	US-90A toward Seguin and Gonzales; TX-46 toward Seguin.	It heads toward the coast: don't use it to flee a hurricane. With contraflow active, the eastbound lanes are closed.
South	I-35 south to Laredo; I-37 to Corpus Christi.	US-281 south.	Rarely the right direction: it is where evacuee traffic comes from.

Rules for choosing a route

Move away from the danger, not toward it. Hurricane: north or west. Smoke or chemicals: perpendicular to the wind, never downwind. Grass fire: away from the fire front and the smoke.
Follow the routes the authorities designate. Don't take shortcuts: they may be blocked or flooded (Ready.gov).
Check DriveTexas.org (TxDOT) before you leave and at every stop: it shows closures, flooding, and construction. By phone: 1-800-452-9292.
Carry paper maps. Cell signal and GPS navigation can fail or send you down flooded rural roads.
Prefer main highways over ranch roads: they have more services, more patrols, and fewer low crossings.

Contraflow: how it works for drivers

Contraflow turns the lanes of one direction into outbound lanes. TxDOT has plans for I-37 (Corpus Christi to Pleasanton), I-10 (Brookshire to Loop 1604), I-45, US-290, and US-83/US-281 in the Valley. It may or may not be activated; it is announced on radio and television.

Don't delay your departure waiting for contraflow to open.
Contraflow lanes have exits only at selected points: fill your tank and use the restroom before you enter.
If you have a minor crash, move the cars to the shoulder. Disabled vehicles are towed to the next exit.
Expect travel times much longer than normal.