More than 1 million people are expected to attend at least one of the numerous events planned for the week leading up to Super Bowl LI in Houston on Feb. 5, according to the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. To prepare for this influx of visitors, the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee has provided the following information to help residents and visitors alike avoid the brunt of traffic congestion.

Planned road closures

Road closures between Jan. 26-Feb. 6: Downtown Houston
  • Polk Street between Austin and LaBranch streets
  • Dallas Street between Austin and LaBranch streets
  • LaBranch Street between Walker and Bell streets
Near Discovery Green
  • Avenidas De Las Americas
  • McKinney Street
  • Lamar Street
Road closures Feb. 4: Downtown Houston
  • Prairie Street between Louisiana and Bagby streets from 2-11 p.m.
  • Smith Street between Preston and Texas streets from 3-6 p.m.
  • Texas Street between Bagby and Smith streets from 8-10 p.m.
Recommended routes into downtown Houston:
  • From the west: I-10 east to Smith Street
  • From the east: I-10 west to Fannin Street or I-45 North to Scott Street/St. Joseph’s Parkway
  • From the south: Hwy. 59 north to West Gray Street or Hwy. 59 spur to Louisiana Street
  • From the north: Hwy. 59 south to Jackson Street

Alternate transportation options

  • Taxicabs: Various taxicab stands can be found across downtown Houston, or they can be hailed through the city of Houston’s new ride-hailing app, AARO.
  • Uber: Houston has partnered with Uber to have designated pickup and drop-off zones around the Super Bowl event locations to make the wait time and surge charging minimal. www.uber.com
  • Houston B-Cycle: This bike-sharing program offers guests the opportunity to ride bicycles throughout the week from various pickup and drop-off locations. www.houston.bcycle.com
  • BikeHouston Bike Valet: Guests who have their own bike can ride to any of the Super Bowl LIVE events in the week leading up to the big game. The bike valet will be located on Rusk Street between Crawford Street and Avenida De Las Americas. www.bikehouston.org
  • Pedicabs: Local pedicabs will be available around certain locations on the north and south side of Discovery Green and will travel anywhere in the Central Business District.
 

Public transportation options

METRO will offer extended hours and additional trains and buses during the nine days leading up to Super Bowl LI. Extended rail hours: Jan. 28: 4 a.m.-midnight Jan. 29: 4 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 30: 4 a.m.-midnight Jan. 31: 4 a.m.-midnight Feb. 1: 4 a.m.-midnight Feb. 2: 4 a.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 3: 4 a.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 4: 4 a.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 5: 4 a.m.-midnight METRO fares: Rail: $1.25 one way Bus: $1.25 one way All day fare bus/rail: $3 Special event circulators Several free event circulators will operate in downtown, Midtown and the Galleria area in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. Guests will be able to ride these circulators to and from the aforementioned areas in the two hours before and after Super Bowl LIVE events. • The green, orange and silver links and will run between Jan. 28-Feb. 5 in downtown, along with the Midtown circulator, while the Galleria circulator will run from Feb. 1-5.

Downtown parking

If you do plan to drive downtown, the host committee has offered the following advice:
  • Guests are encouraged to park on the west side of downtown and use the special event circulators to get to their destination.
  • Plan ahead on the lot or garage in which you want to park.
  • There will be 62,000-plus spots for Super Bowl-related events available.
  • A prepaid parking app is available through the host committee app and website, or visitors can find a parking meter when they arrive in downtown.
For more information related to traffic conditions during the days leading up to the Super Bowl, visit www.housuperbowl.com/transportation. If you'd still like to get tickets for the big game, find out how here.