Highway designations in Texas can be confusing for drivers, with a variety of abbreviations and unique naming conventions. The state’s extensive highway system includes Farm-to-Market (FM) and Ranch-to-Market (RM) roads, business routes, loops, spurs, and even some one-of-a-kind highways.
Farm-to-Market and Ranch-to-Market roads were introduced in 1937 to help farmers move their goods more efficiently. Today, the network includes over 3,400 routes—most labeled FM (3,257), with a smaller number designated as RM (176). The distinction between farm and ranch roads is not always clear. Michael Chamberlain, director of data management in TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division, explained: “RMs are predominately in the Texas Hill Country and west; typically ranches instead of farms. The roads themselves look about the same and are typically about the same size. So the only difference might just be cattle watching you on the side of the road instead of cotton.”
There is also Ranch Road One—commonly referred to as RR—which leads to the LBJ Ranch. It stands out as a unique designation within Texas’ varied highway system.
Some highway names may seem misleading. For example, I-35E runs north-south despite its “E” designation suggesting an eastward direction. Loops are another distinctive feature; while some are circular or semi-circular around cities like Houston’s I-610 (“The Loop”) or San Antonio’s I-410 (“Loop 410”), others such as Austin’s Loop 1 (MoPac) run straight through urban areas. Loop 168 in Tenaha is notable for being only one block long.
Business routes add another layer of complexity by using small letters below route numbers to indicate their sequence through different towns along a highway.
Texas has more interstate miles than any other state and features 25 interstate highways across its vast landscape.
Travelers can find information on all these designations and access real-time traffic updates using Drive Texas.
Meanwhile, federal transportation initiatives continue nationwide:
– Nearly $20 million was awarded to small shipyards across 19 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. This funding will help modernize facilities, boost productivity, create jobs locally, and support competition globally. More details can be found at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic.
– In recognition of the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary, USDOT announced winners for its first Inclusive Design Challenge aimed at improving mobility options for people with disabilities through better automated vehicle access. Information about winners from Purdue University and others is available at https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge.
– New guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding were provided by USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states address extreme weather events affecting transportation infrastructure: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan.
– The Department of Transportation has expanded participation in its FLOW initiative—Freight Logistics Optimization Works—to improve supply chain efficiency by encouraging data sharing among partners: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers.
“RMs are predominately in the Texas Hill Country and west; typically ranches instead of farms,” said Michael Chamberlain, director of data management in TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division. “The roads themselves look about the same and are typically about the same size. So the only difference might just be cattle watching you on the side of the road instead of cotton.”
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