Is It Legal In Texas To Exit The Highway By Driving Through Grass?

We have all been there. Traffic is backing up on a major highway and the exit is a mile or two away. Suddenly a vehicle or two decides to go off road and drive through the grass to the access road.

As many times as I have traveled I-20 to Dallas and back, I have seen this done many, many times. But is it actually legal to go off road to exit a backed up highway or interstate?

Is Exiting A Highway Through A Grassy Median Legal in Texas?

While it may seem like a quick escape from a clogged road and a lot of drivers do it. Exiting a highway or interstate in this way is actually illegal, and it could actually be pretty dangerous.

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Think about it this way. You are already probably a little upset about the traffic and you may not be paying complete attention to where you are going. Driving through the grass or median could cause an accident on the access road if you aren't paying attention. You could also get your vehicle stuck in tall grass that could be covering.

READ MORE: Is It Illegal To Sleep In Your Car In Texas?

Getting back to the law. Traffic Code 545.064 says that an operator may not drive on or from a limited access or controlled-access roadway except at an entrance or exit established by a public authority. And yes you could face a fine of up to $500.

Also, it makes the grass look bad and could learn to erosion problems in the future according to Texas DPS.