# Texas State Highway 173

State Highway 173 (SH 173) is a state highway that runs for 97.9 miles (157.6 km) from Jourdanton to Kerrville in south Texas, traversing through the Texas Hill Country.

## History

The highway was originally designated on August 4, 1932 from Hondo southeast to Devine. On October 26, 1932, it was extended southeast to Pleasanton. On January 11, 1933, it was rerouted to end in Jourdanton. On October 16, 1933, this section from Devine to Jourdanton was cancelled. On May 14, 1935, it was extended back to Jourdanton. On July 15, 1935, SH 173 was cancelled. On September 3, 1935, a road from Devine to Jourdanton was being investigated for preparation for restoration of this section of SH 173. On April 20, 1936, the entire route was restored. On September 26, 1939, the designated route was extended south from Jourdanton through Freer, absorbing most of SH 241, with an expected terminus at Hebbronville. on January 29, 1942, the section from Freer to Hebbronville had been cancelled. On August 31, 1965, the section south of Jourdanton was transferred to SH 16. On February 21, 1972, SH 173 was signed, but not designated along FM 689 to Kerrville. On October 23, 1978, the section west of Loop 534 was transferred to Loop 534, but still signed as SH 173.. On August 29, 1990, the route was extended northward to Kerrville, replacing FM 689.

## Route description

SH 173 begins at SH 16 just north of Jourdanton. SH 173 runs northwest toward Devine where it intersects I-35 in the south part of town. Leaving Devine, 173 turns running in a sharper northwest direction. Just east of Hondo, the highway interchanges with US 90. The highway turns to run in a more north–south direction, twisting and turning many times through canyons. SH 173 enters Bandera and intersects SH 16 for a second time. The two highways share a short overlap before splitting. Here, signs are posted advising trucks and through traffic to use SH 173 as a route to Kerrville instead of SH 16, as SH 173 is a shorter and faster route, while SH 16 traverses a hill with many sharp curves. SH 173 intersects SH 16 for a third time in Kerrville, where the highway ends.

## Junction list

| County | Location | mi | km | Destinations | Notes |
| Atascosa | Jourdanton | 0.0 | 0.0 | SH 16 | Southern terminus of SH 173 |
| Atascosa | ​ | 6.0 | 9.7 | FM 2146 north to FM 476 | South end of FM 2146 overlap |
| Atascosa | ​ | 6.3 | 10.1 | FM 2146 south to FM 1333 | North end of FM 2146 overlap |
| Atascosa | ​ | 9.8 | 15.8 | FM 1333 – Charlotte | |
| Atascosa | ​ | 15.2 | 24.5 | FM 2504 north – Rossville | Southern terminus of FM 2504 |
| Frio | Bigfoot | 21.5 | 34.6 | FM 472 south – Bigfoot | |
| Medina | Devine | 24.9 | 40.1 | I-35 – Moore, Natalia | I-35 exit 122. |
| Medina | Devine | 25.7 | 41.4 | FM 3176 south to FM 462 | Northern terminus of FM 3176 |
| Medina | Devine | 25.8 | 41.5 | SH 132 – Pearsall | |
| Medina | Devine | 26.6 | 42.8 | FM 2200 north – Yancey | Eastern terminus of FM 2200 |
| Medina | ​ | 30.7 | 49.4 | FM 1343 north – Castroville | Southern terminus of FM 1343 |
| Medina | ​ | 45.7 | 73.5 | US 90 – Hondo, San Antonio | Interchange |
| Medina | ​ | 45.8 | 73.7 | 18th Street | Interchange |
| Medina | ​ | 47.0 | 75.6 | FM 2676 east – Quihi, Rio Medina | Western terminus of FM 2676 |
| Bandera | ​ | 72.9 | 117.3 | RM 1077 west – Hill Country State Natural Area | |
| Bandera | Bandera | 73.3 | 118.0 | SH 16 south – San Antonio | South end of SH 16 overlap |
| Bandera | Bandera | 73.8 | 118.8 | SH 16 north (Main Street) – Medina | North end of SH 16 overlap |
| Bandera | ​ | 74.3 | 119.6 | FM 3240 west | Eastern terminus of FM 3240 |
| Bandera | ​ | 84.0 | 135.2 | RM 2828 west – Medina | Eastern terminus of RM 2828 |
| Kerr | Camp Verde | 86.6 | 139.4 | RM 480 north – Center Point | Southern terminus of RM 480 |
| Kerr | ​ | 92.0 | 148.1 | FM 2771 west (Lower Turtle Creek Road) | Eastern terminus of FM 2771 |
| Kerr | Kerrville | 95.8 | 154.2 | Loop 534 north to I-10 / SH 27 | Southern terminus of Loop 534 |
| Kerr | Kerrville | 97.9 | 157.6 | SH 16 – Medina, Kerrville | Northern terminus of SH 173; access to Peterson Regional Medical Center |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Concurrency terminus ||||||