Roadways of Wichita Falls, Texas

Wichita Falls, located in north Texas along the Oklahoma border, has an extensive network of roadways that facilitate transportation through the city and connect it to surrounding areas.

As the largest city in the region, Wichita Falls acts as a hub for road travel. This article provides an overview of the major highways, arterial roads, and other transportation infrastructure that makes up the road system in Wichita Falls.

Highways

Several major highways run through Wichita Falls, enabling efficient travel within the city and providing connections to other parts of Texas and adjoining states.

U.S. Highways

• U.S. Highway 277: A major north-south highway that runs through downtown Wichita Falls, connecting the city to Oklahoma City, OK to the north and Abilene, TX to the south. It merges with U.S. 82 within the city.
• U.S. Highway 281: Runs north-south through the western part of the city, leading to Lawton, OK to the north and Jacksboro, TX to the south among other destinations.
• U.S. Highway 287: Another vital north-south route, U.S. 287 connects Wichita Falls to Amarillo, TX and runs concurrent with U.S. 277 and U.S. 82 within the city.
• U.S. Highway 82: Begins in Albuquerque, NM and stretches east to Brunswick, GA. The highway merges with other roads through downtown Wichita Falls as it makes its way eastward.

Interstate Highways

• Interstate 44: Travels from Wichita Falls southwest toward Oklahoma City, OK. It provides an important link from the city to the interstate highway system.
• Future Interstate 14: A proposed interstate highway that would run from Midland, TX east through Wichita Falls before terminating at Augusta, GA. Once completed, it would significantly expand interstate access to and from Wichita Falls. Currently, sections west of the city are open with more construction planned.

Arterial Streets & Roads

In addition to highways, a network of arterial streets and roads facilitates travel within Wichita Falls proper. These major roads provide connections between neighborhoods and commercial areas.

North-South Arterials

• Kemp Blvd: Runs north-south through much of the city, spanning from McNiel Ave in the south to just past Call Field Rd in the northern part of the city.
• Brook Ave: Begins downtown at 8th Street and runs north, eventually becoming FM 369.
• Southwest Pkwy: Arterial road on the west side of Wichita Falls, running from Barnett Rd to Loop 11.

East-West Arterials

• Midwestern Pkwy: Major east-west artery near the southern part of the city, connecting McNiel Ave to Brook Ave. Portions are six lanes wide.
• Larue Ave/Wellington Ln: Begins at Brook Ave downtown and runs west, transitioning into Wellington Ln further west.
• Holliday St: Begins downtown at Indiana Ave and runs west until becoming Hampstead Ln.
• FM 369: North-south arterial that overlaps part of Brook Ave within city limits. Continues north and south of Wichita Falls.
• Business 287/Kell Blvd: Runs east-west through north central Wichita Falls, from Chase Field to Barnett Rd.

Additional Transportation Infrastructure

Beyond highways and major arterial roads, Wichita Falls has additional transportation infrastructure to facilitate mobility for residents and visitors.

Bridges

Several bridges cross the Wichita River within the city, including:

• 4th Street Bridge – Crosses downtown connecting 4th Street on both sides of the river.
• Wellington Lane Bridge – Located further west at Wellington Ln/Larue Ave.
• Kemp Blvd Bridge – Major 6 lane bridge at Kemp Blvd south of downtown.

Airport

• Wichita Falls Regional Airport – Provides air transportation to the city. It offers daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Airlines. Located around 5 miles south of downtown off Highway 277.

Rail & Public Transportation

• Wichita Falls Transit System – Operates local bus service throughout the city with nearly a dozen routes. Fares are $1.25 per ride.
• Wichita Falls and Southern Railroad – Shortline freight railroad that serves the industrial western part of the city. Connects to BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.
• Amtrak -Nearest Amtrak station is 40 miles west in Vernon, TX, which is served by the Heartland Flyer route.

Notable Road Infrastructures

In addition to facilitating transportation, some of the roads and bridges in Wichita Falls have their own historical and cultural significance.

Kell Boulevard

Kell Boulevard/Business 287 is named after brothers Frank and Joseph Kell, prominent early businessmen in Wichita Falls who helped bring railroads to the city in the late 1800s. Today, Kell Blvd remains one of the most important east-west thoroughfares in the northern part of the city.

Circle Trail

Circle Trail is a scenic 7.4 mile road that loops around the picturesque Wichita Falls Reservoir located just north of the city. The route offers pleasing views of the lake and is popular with runners, bikers, and recreational drivers.

Red River Bridge

Though no longer in use, remnants of the original Red River Bridge remain on the north bank of the Red River east of Deer Creek. It was built in 1911 and provided an early automobile connection between Oklahoma and Texas. Only the piers remain today.

U.S. Highways 82 & 277 through Downtown

The concurrent section of U.S. 82 and U.S. 277 that runs through downtown Wichita Falls follows portions of the early Bankhead Highway auto trail. It remains a crucial transportation corridor through the urban core today as it did when the Bankhead Highway first opened in the early 1920s.

Historical Role of Roads in Wichita Falls

As a city that grew rapidly around the turn of the 20th century, road transportation has always played a major role in the development of Wichita Falls.

Some key events include:

• 1882 – First wagon bridge built across the Wichita River, improving transportation to and through the fledgling settlement.
• 1887 – First railroads reach Wichita Falls, catalyzing growth. Additional railroad development over the next 20 years turned Wichita Falls into a regional rail hub.
• 1911 – First auto bridge opens over the Red River just east of the city, part of the early Dallas-to-Oklahoma City Bankhead Highway.
• 1920s – Numerous state and U.S. highways are paved through Wichita Falls, solidifying its role as a crossroads for road travel in northwest Texas and southern Oklahoma.
• 1958 – Interstate 44 opens between Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City, providing direct interstate access to the city for the first time.
• 2014 – Future Interstate 14 opens between Wichita Falls and Abilene, TX. Ongoing construction aims to eventually extend it to the Georgia coast.

From dusty wagon roads to multilane interstate highways, transportation infrastructure has always been pivotal to connecting Wichita Falls to other economic centers in Texas and facilitating development within the city itself. The present-day road network has evolved over 140 years to meet the needs of what is now a regional industrial and commercial hub.

Roadway Statistics

• Total Road Mileage: 1,560 miles
• Public Road Mileage: 1,135 miles
• Interstate Highways: 12 miles (I-44)
• U.S. Highways: 62 miles
• State Highways: 84 miles
• FM (Farm-to Market) Roads: 45 miles
• Arterial Streets: est. 300 miles
• Bridges: 120 (includes highway, railroad, and pedestrian bridges)

Future Road Projects

Several major highway and arterial projects are planned that will impact Wichita Falls’ transportation infrastructure in the coming years:

• Completion of Interstate 14 – Will provide full interstate connection east to Louisiana, Arkansas, and beyond to Georgia.
• U.S. 287 Expansion – Plans to widen U.S. 287 to six lanes from Wichita Falls north to the Oklahoma border.
• Kemp Blvd Extension – Proposed extension of Kemp Blvd further north through new residential and commercial development.
• Zachry Parkway – Planned arterial loop west of the city that will improve north-south mobility on the city’s west side.
• Downtown Revitalization – Ongoing downtown road improvements including converting streets to two-way and improving pedestrian facilities.

By undertaking these projects, Wichita Falls aims to maintain an efficient transportation network that will continue to provide mobility and drive economic growth for decades to come. The future road system will build upon the city’s long history as a crossroads for travel through northern Texas.