Old Texas Tunnel Is Longest In The South And Free

Did you know Texas only has one vehicular tunnel remaining in the entire Lone Star State, and it is also the longest tunnel in the South? The last of its kind tunnel connects a couple of Houston suburbs, and features a simple two lane path with no divider or median between each single lane that runs north and south under the Houston Ship Channel that connects Galveston Bay to downtown's Buffalo Bayou.

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If you ever wondered how long you can hold your breath underwater without actually having to get wet, taking the leisurely 35 mile per hour drive through the Washburn Tunnel is your perfect rehearsal space because you are literally underwater as you travel the tunnel.

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The Washburn Tunnel opened almost 75 years ago, and unless you are on a train, it is the only tunnel you can travel through in all of Texas. My kids like to call any extended roadway that is covered with overpasses and requires supplemental lighting a tunnel, but the Washburn is actually legit.

Old Texas Tunnel Is Longest In The South And Free

Many tunnels nowadays are tollways, but not the Washburn. It is just under 4,000 feet in length and if you drive it at the posted speed of 35, it will take you just about one minute flat to come out the other side.

So, next time you're driving in the Houston area, you can test whether or not you can hold your breath under water for 60 seconds without even getting out of the car.