It's an easy drive. When you go through the small towns on 290 (Giddings, Elgin, Page, Brenham, etc) pay really close attention to the speed limit signs and follow them. When they say 35 mph, they mean 35 mph! As you approach the toll road, it will be signposted Sam Houston Toll Road or Beltway 8. The toll is paid with exact change only, unless your vehicle has an EZ tag on it. Have a couple of one dollar bills and some quarters handy for the tolls. Depending on the time of day you are travelling, there can be back-ups at th toll booths, so I would allow just a bit more than the three hours. In non rush hour times three hours will be OK. If you are driving a rental car, allow some time to return the car and get the shuttle to the airport as well.

Thanks all, the info on toll booths and everything and yes we're driving a rental car and the tip on returning the car to the agency is good stuff, since we're taking an int"l flight back to SIngapore, need to be at IAH a good 2 hours before take-off.

Much appreciated.

Best regards

Sami

Sorry-should have said cash only, not exact change only. Most exits have a lane at the toll booths for people who don't have exact change, but you still need cash and they won't take anything larger than a twenty dollar bill. The fastest way is to have exact change, so therefore the need for one dollar bills and quarters.

I hope you had some fine TX BBQ while you were in Austin. If you have time take Highway 183 S to Lockhart and Luling for outstanding TX BBQ and take I 10 E to Houston. Lockhart is 29 miles S of Austin. Luling is a few miles S of Lockhart. I 10 is just S of Luling.

Black's BBQ @ 215 N. Main St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 2712.

http://www.blacksbbq.com/

Kreuz Market @ 619 N. Colorado St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 2361.

http://www.kreuzmarket.com/index.shtml

Smitty's Market @ 208 S. Commerce St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 9344.

http://www.smittysmarket.com/

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