Texas State Highways

The Texas State Highway system is one of the most extensive in the United States, reflecting the state’s massive size and diverse geography. Managed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the network includes numbered state highways, loops, spurs, and farm-to-market roads that serve both urban centers and rural areas. The system dates back to the early 20th century and has since evolved into a vast and intricate web of roads, many of which span hundreds of miles and link key economic regions.

Texas state highways are numbered routes prefixed with “State Highway” or “SH,” and include significant corridors like SH 6, SH 71, and SH 288. In addition to these major routes, the state also maintains a unique set of designations including Ranch to Market (RM) and Farm to Market (FM) roads, which connect rural communities to larger towns and cities. These FM and RM roads are a defining feature of Texas infrastructure, supporting everything from agriculture to oil and gas transport.

Texas highways often parallel or intersect with federal interstates and U.S. routes, providing vital redundancy and regional access. Thanks to continuous investment, many state highways in Texas feature modern upgrades such as toll lanes, expressways, and bypasses to accommodate growing traffic, especially around major metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio.