Hurricane Evacuation Driving Tips for the Texas Coast

Hurricane season along the Texas Gulf Coast means evacuation traffic is a real possibility most years, and evacuation driving brings its own risks separate from the storm itself, gridlock, running low on fuel, and long hours behind the wheel with a car full of family and belongings.

Before You Need to Leave

• Keep your gas tank at least half full during hurricane season, stations along evacuation routes run out fast once an order is issued.
• Know more than one route out of your area in case the primary evacuation route is already backed up.
• Pack an emergency kit in the car ahead of time, water, snacks, phone chargers, and any medications.

Driving in Evacuation Traffic

Expect long stretches of stop-and-go traffic, sometimes for hours. Leave earlier rather than waiting until conditions worsen, both the roads and the weather get harder to manage the longer you wait. Keep your fuel topped off along the way rather than waiting until the tank is nearly empty, since stations near the coast fill up fast and some may already be out.

Managing Fatigue and Stress on the Road

Evacuation drives are often longer and more stressful than a normal trip, which makes fatigue set in faster. Trade off driving if you have another licensed driver in the car, and take breaks when you can, even a short stop helps you stay alert for a long drive.

After the Storm Passes

Downed power lines, debris, and flooded low-lying roads are common after a storm moves through, treat any unfamiliar road hazard as if it's dangerous until you can confirm otherwise. Recognizing changing conditions and adjusting before they become a problem is a core part of the defensive driving mindset covered in our Houston-area driving safety course.