I-45 Cooking Oil Truck Fire Near The Woodlands

Cooking oil spill truck fire on I-45 earlier today

5 posts · 295 views · started 1mo ago

1. Sep 30, 2026, 10:03 AM#1
   Sorry if this is a silly question, we just relocated from Ohio to Sterling Ridge and I am still learning my way around. I was heading back on I-45 earlier today and got stuck in absolute standstill traffic. Someone on the radio said an eighteen wheeler caught fire and spilled cooking oil across the roadway near The Woodlands. It was total gridlock for a while. Does anyone know if emergency crews cleared the scene and if traffic is moving normally again, or are there still major backups on the feeder road?

   New here, be nice

2. Sep 30, 2026, 10:21 AM#2
   Honestly it was complete chaos earlier! I was trying to get back from an errand (and my husband is traveling this week so I had no backup for afternoon carpool) and I ended up sitting on the feeder for what felt like an eternity. Emergency crews did a great job getting it cleaned up though. All lanes on I-45 near The Woodlands have officially reopened now! Traffic on the main lanes is flowing normally again, honestly just a tiny bit of lingering slowing near the entrance ramps.

   Carpool lane survivor

3. Sep 30, 2026, 10:48 AM#3
   I actually saw the smoke dark and heavy over the freeway when I was out walking Buster and Barnaby along the greenbelt trail this morning. My wife was trying to head south toward Spring right when it happened and said the whole interstate was shut down due to the truck fire. She ended up cutting across to Kuykendahl to bypass the entire disaster. Emergency crews finished clearing the spill and opened all lanes back up a little while ago though. Buster and Barnaby

   Biscuit and Gravy's dad

4. Sep 30, 2026, 11:00 AM#4
   Thank you so much Steph and CochransDogDad! That is such a relief to hear. I was worried I would get stuck out there for hours if I went back out for grocery shopping. Is Kuykendahl usually the best backup route when something like that happens on I-45?

   New here, be nice

5. Sep 30, 2026, 11:41 AM#5
   Y'all, a cooking oil slick on the freeway sounds like an absolute nightmare! So glad emergency crews got the spill scrubbed down and all lanes reopened quickly! Welcome to Texas by the way! Yes, Kuykendahl or Gosling are great alternatives depending on where you are heading. Just remember once you cross south into Creekside Park you are down in Harris County and Tomball ISD territory, so watch those school zone speed limits during drop-off and pick-up hours! Did you end up making it out for your groceries okay?

   Mom of 3 | CPJH | Tomball ISD side