Last month we asked "how often do you use HOV lanes in SA" and nearly 50% didn't know we had them. We're hitting the highways to explain what these special lanes are, how to use them, and where they're located.

HOV lanes explained

VIA Metropolitan Transit and TxDOT partnered to develop HOV lanes in the Alamo City. High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are special roads reserved for those carrying more than one person. They are found next to the regular lanes along highways.

Those who carpool or ride the bus have an added advantage of bypassing traffic in the designated lanes. These roads are identified as “2+” referring to the minimum number of occupants to qualify.

Here are some of the benefits of using HOV lanes:

Cuts down commuting times
Reduces highway traffic
Eases congested areas
Encourages transit + ridesharing

Who can use HOV lanes?

Qualifying vehicles include:

Transit buses, cars, and trucks
Carpools, vanpools, and motorcycles
Emergency + law enforcement vehicles
VIA and marked vehicles

While driving in these special lanes, trailer towing is prohibited and bicycles + pedestrians are not permitted. Pro tip: The HOV lanes in Bexar County are free to use 24/7 as long as your vehicle meets the occupancy requirements.

Driving on local HOV lanes

Now that we identified what these lanes are, where can you find them in the 210? Currently, there are two places in San Antonio where you can find them:

US 281 North between Evans Road and Stone Oak Parkway
I-10 between La Cantera Parkway and Ralph Fair Road

Check out the future HOV lanes currently under construction, in development, and areas being studied. Learn how to use HOV lanes before your next drive.