Interstate 2
Interstate 2 (I-2) is an east–west Interstate Highway located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, consisting of a 46.8-mile segment of U.S. Route 83 that extends from the junction of Showers Road in Palmview to U.S. Route 77 in Harlingen, passing through Hidalgo and Cameron counties.[1] This designation was established by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) via Minute Order 113584, effective May 30, 2013, and received approval from the Federal Highway Administration through DesLtr 2-2013 on August 8, 2013.[1] The route serves as a critical transportation corridor connecting key urban centers in the region, including McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco, and Harlingen, facilitating commerce, tourism, and daily travel in one of Texas's most populous and economically vibrant areas.[2] While the underlying US 83 roadway has long been in place, the I-2 designation supports ongoing infrastructure enhancements, such as the construction of the interchange with Interstate 69C between 2nd Street in McAllen and FM 2557 in San Juan (underway as of 2025, with completion expected in 2025–2026), aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.[3] These developments are part of broader TxDOT efforts to upgrade the corridor as part of the National Highway System.[4]Overview
Route Summary
Interstate 2 (I-2) is a partially completed east–west Interstate Highway spanning 46.80 miles (75.32 km) through Hidalgo and Cameron counties in South Texas's Lower Rio Grande Valley.[5] The route follows a largely straight path parallel to the Rio Grande, mirroring Mexican Federal Highway 2 on the opposite bank of the river.[6] The highway's western terminus is at the junction with Showers Road in Palmview.[1] It extends eastward to its eastern terminus at the junction with Interstate 69E (I-69E), US 77, and US 83 in Harlingen.[5] I-2 runs concurrent with US 83 for its entire length and passes near landmarks including McAllen Miller International Airport.[5][7] As part of the I-69 system, it contributes to regional connectivity within the larger transcontinental corridor.[8]Significance and Context
Interstate 2 functions as a vital east-west corridor in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, providing essential connectivity for the movement of goods and passengers while supporting regional access to international border crossings and ports along the Texas-Mexico border. As part of the US 83 corridor, it serves as the "Main Street" for commerce in North America's busiest trade gateway, facilitating the transport of freight and enhancing multimodal linkages in an area with over 1.3 million residents.[9][10] The highway significantly contributes to economic growth in South Texas by bolstering sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. In the Rio Grande Valley, agricultural production relies on efficient transportation for crops and irrigation-dependent farming, which generates substantial regional output despite water challenges. Manufacturing benefits from proximity to maquiladoras and cross-border supply chains, while tourism draws visitors to natural and cultural sites, with the corridor aiding access to these assets. Overall, cross-border trade facilitated by such infrastructure added $73.5 billion to Texas's GDP in 2019 and supported 382,000 jobs statewide, with Texas-Mexico border activities having a total economic impact of $325 billion annually as of 2019.[11][12][10] As an element of the broader Texas-Mexico border transportation network, Interstate 2 ties into cross-border commerce historically driven by NAFTA and now governed by the USMCA, handling a share of the $451 billion in U.S.-Mexico goods trade recorded in 2019, including high-value sectors like technology and motor vehicles. Current traffic volumes reflect this intensity, with over 32 million private vehicles and 4.5 million trucks crossing northbound into the region annually, leading to average annual daily traffic (AADT) that varies by segment but contributes to widespread congestion on I-2 stretches.[10][9] Despite its importance, Interstate 2 faces challenges as a non-continuous Interstate, with its partial completion and lack of direct links to the broader national network limiting seamless integration until planned extensions materialize, resulting in discontinuities in lanes, speeds, and design that create bottlenecks. Environmentally and in urban planning, the route passes through densely populated, flood-prone agricultural valleys, exacerbating air quality issues, community disruptions, and evacuation demands during hurricanes for 1.3 million residents, while requiring binational strategies to mitigate impacts on ecosystems and infrastructure resilience.[9][10]Route Description
Western Segment (Peñitas to Pharr)
The western segment of Interstate 2 begins at the interchange with Showers Road in Palmview, Hidalgo County, marking the current western terminus of the route. From this starting point, the freeway heads eastward as a four-lane divided highway through predominantly rural and suburban landscapes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, characterized by flat floodplain terrain with minimal elevation changes, typically less than 100 feet above sea level. This initial stretch traverses agricultural lands, including extensive citrus groves that are a hallmark of the region's economy, supported by irrigation from the nearby Rio Grande. The highway crosses minor tributaries and drainage features, such as those near La Joya Lake, facilitating drainage in the low-lying alluvial soils. Near the beginning of the route, the highway provides access to Farm to Market Road 886 (El Faro Road), serving local rural traffic. The highway continues through open areas west of McAllen, passing near additional citrus orchards and floodplain vegetation adapted to periodic flooding from Rio Grande tributaries. As I-2 approaches Mission, the landscape transitions from rural to suburban, with increasing development and connections to local arterials such as Farm to Market Road 494 (Shary Road), which intersects the freeway and supports regional commuting and agricultural transport. The route curves slightly southeast to bypass the core of Mission, maintaining its controlled-access design amid scattered residential and commercial growth. By the time it reaches Pharr, the segment has covered approximately 15 miles, blending into denser urban integration while contributing about one-third of the overall completed I-2 length in the Valley. Throughout, the roadway remains elevated minimally over the flat terrain to manage seasonal flood risks in this agriculturally vital floodplain.Central Segment (Pharr to Weslaco)
The central segment of Interstate 2 spans approximately 14 miles from Pharr to Weslaco, traversing the densely urbanized core of the Lower Rio Grande Valley as a four-lane freeway with high daily traffic volumes exceeding 50,000 vehicles in peak areas.[13][14] This portion begins at the junction with I-69C and US 281 north of Pharr's city center, then proceeds eastward, curving slightly north to pass south of McAllen and Edinburg while directly serving Pharr and San Juan.[2] The route facilitates efficient navigation through these interconnected cities, connecting residential neighborhoods, business parks, and agricultural outskirts without entering downtown cores, thereby reducing congestion in the region's primary east-west corridor.[15] Running parallel to the southern edge of McAllen, this segment provides close proximity to McAllen Miller International Airport, located just 2 miles south of the freeway near its western end.[16] The airport, serving regional and international flights, benefits from the corridor's connectivity, supporting economic ties to Mexico and beyond.[17] Major commercial districts thrive along this stretch, anchored by large retail centers that draw shoppers from across Hidalgo County. In McAllen, La Plaza Mall—a 1.3 million square-foot complex with over 100 stores including department anchors like Macy's and Dillard's—sits adjacent to I-2, serving as a key hub for fashion, dining, and entertainment.[18] Further west in Pharr, the Pharr Town Center features big-box retailers and outlets, while Las Tiendas Shopping Center along the corridor offers a mix of national chains like Best Buy and local businesses, capitalizing on the freeway's visibility to a trade area of over 500,000 residents.[19] These developments underscore the segment's role as a commercial backbone, with properties strategically positioned for logistics and retail due to direct access to cross-border trade routes.[20] Engineering enhancements in this urban section emphasize capacity and safety, including multi-lane expansions to six lanes in interchanges and the addition of overpasses to separate local traffic from through movements. The completed I-2/I-69C Interchange project, valued at $303 million, reconstructed 8 miles from McAllen to San Juan with two-lane direct connectors in all directions and widened general-purpose lanes to handle freight and commuter flows.[14][21] Overpasses, such as those at Bicentennial Boulevard in Pharr, incorporate pedestrian accommodations and bike lanes, improving multimodal access while elevating the roadway above intersecting arterials like FM 2061.[22] These features address the area's rapid growth, projected to increase traffic by 20% by 2030.[15] The corridor intersects flood-prone lowlands in Hidalgo County, where flat terrain and proximity to the Rio Grande exacerbate risks from tropical storms, as seen in events like Hurricane Dolly in 2008 and subsequent heavy rains in the 2010s.[23] Post-2010 improvements include enhanced drainage systems by Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, funded by $32.7 million from the Texas Water Development Board in 2021, featuring upgraded channels and pumps along I-2 to divert stormwater away from the roadway.[24] Complementary efforts under the International Boundary and Water Commission's Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project have reinforced levees and added detention basins near the segment, reducing flood recurrence intervals from 100-year events to more manageable levels.[25] These measures ensure resilience, with the freeway elevated in vulnerable spots to maintain operations during heavy precipitation.[26]Eastern Segment (Weslaco to Harlingen)
The eastern segment of Interstate 2 spans approximately 20 miles from Weslaco eastward to Harlingen, traversing the fertile Lower Rio Grande Valley as a controlled-access freeway that parallels and bypasses the older surface alignment of U.S. Highway 83.[5] This portion begins at the eastern edge of Weslaco, where the highway departs from denser commercial zones and enters more open terrain characterized by expansive agricultural fields, including citrus groves and vegetable farms that define the region's economy.[5] Passing through the small city of La Feria, the route features partial cloverleaf interchanges and service roads that accommodate local access while maintaining high-speed travel for through traffic, effectively relieving congestion on the parallel Business U.S. 83.[5] As the freeway progresses, the landscape opens further, with flat, irrigated farmlands giving way to subtle elevation changes and increasing proximity to the Gulf Coast, roughly 25 miles to the southeast. Notable features include bridges over drainage channels that manage seasonal flooding in this subtropical area, supporting the highway's role in regional connectivity. Nearing Harlingen, Interstate 2 approaches the outskirts amid continued agricultural dominance, crossing near the Arroyo Colorado—a significant waterway that drains into the Laguna Madre—and shifting traffic patterns from urban commuters to regional freight haulers bound for coastal ports.[27] The segment culminates at a directional T-interchange with Interstate 69E and U.S. Highway 77 (Exit 176), marking the current eastern terminus and facilitating seamless integration with north-south corridors.[5] This stretch handles substantial truck traffic, with average daily volumes exceeding 20,000 vehicles, underscoring its importance for Valley logistics.[28]History
Planning and Designation
The planning for what would become Interstate 2 (I-2) originated in the 1990s as part of broader efforts to integrate southern Texas into the national transportation network. The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 designated key corridors, including Corridor 18 (later aligned with I-69), extending from Houston to the Lower Rio Grande Valley along routes such as US 83, to enhance interstate commerce and mobility.[29][30] This inclusion positioned the east-west alignment in the Rio Grande Valley as a critical component of the National Highway System, eligible for federal funding to support regional trade growth.[31] In the early 2000s, TxDOT and regional planning entities conducted studies highlighting the need for an upgraded east-west link in the Rio Grande Valley to accommodate increasing cross-border trade volumes spurred by NAFTA. These assessments identified congestion on existing US 83 as a bottleneck for freight and passenger movement, recommending improvements to create a continuous, high-capacity corridor connecting key Valley cities.[32] The push for enhancements gained momentum through the I-69 corridor expansion, which aimed to connect Mexico to the Midwest via Texas.[33] The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005 provided legislative backing and funding allocations from federal Interstate funds for high-priority corridors, including I-69 segments in South Texas. This act authorized over $100 million annually for I-69 development nationwide, with Texas portions receiving earmarks to advance planning and right-of-way acquisition along US 83 in the Valley, facilitating its future Interstate status.[34][35] These funds supported environmental reviews and preliminary engineering, tying the east-west route directly to the broader I-69 network.[36] By 2013, these efforts culminated in the official designation of I-2. On May 30, 2013, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a minute order designating a 46.8-mile segment of US 83 from Showers Road in Palmview to US 77 in Harlingen as I-2, following approval from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in May 2013 and from the Federal Highway Administration on August 8, 2013.[37] This action formalized the route's integration into the Interstate Highway System, leveraging federal funding mechanisms established in prior legislation to address Valley-specific mobility needs.[38]Construction Milestones
Following its designation in 2013, construction milestones for Interstate 2 focused on upgrading the existing US 83 alignment from Palmview to Harlingen to Interstate standards, including paving, widening, access control enhancements, and signage. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) began initial paving and widening projects in 2013–2014 along US 83 in Hidalgo County, with contracts let in September 2013 for overlaying eastbound and westbound frontage roads over 3.611 miles at a cost of $1,028,569 and over 4.456 miles at $1,786,947.[39] These efforts targeted improved pavement quality and lane capacity in the western and central segments.[39] Phased upgrades to Interstate standards progressed in 2014, incorporating full access control features such as median barriers and interchange improvements, alongside reconstruction and widening to four lanes in key Hidalgo County segments. Contracts let in May 2014 included 0.940 miles of reconstruction and widening for $1,275,977 and 0.540 miles for $1,797,291, addressing bottlenecks near urban areas like Peñitas and Pharr.[39] Signage installation for the I-2 route, including shield markers and route confirmation signs, was completed by mid-2013, with debut on July 15, 2013, to guide motorists along the 46-mile corridor.[5] By 2018, major segments in the McAllen-Pharr area reached completion, featuring enhanced frontage roads, bridge upgrades, and full signage rollout to ensure consistent Interstate identification from Peñitas to Weslaco. A significant overlay project on US 83, let in June 2018 for $8,475,488, resurfaced main lanes and supported the final push to operational standards in this densely traveled central corridor.[40] These completions improved safety and mobility, with total costs for the built portions exceeding $500 million by 2020 when accounting for cumulative paving, widening, and access control investments across Hidalgo and Cameron counties.[9] Throughout the process, challenges arose from land acquisition in urban zones around McAllen and Pharr, where right-of-way needs conflicted with developed properties, and coordination with local governments and the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization was essential to align projects with regional mobility goals.[9] These efforts involved stakeholder consultations to minimize disruptions while achieving full access control and geometric standards required for Interstate designation.[9]Recent Developments
The La Joya Bypass, a key segment of US 83 designated as part of future Interstate 2, achieved full operational status in August 2024 following the completion of its four-phase construction. Phase II opened in July 2023, providing eastbound and westbound main lanes and frontage roads from FM 2221 to approximately 1.9 miles west of Showers Road. Subsequent phases included additional frontage road connections and overpasses, culminating in the opening of all main lanes on August 9, 2024, which alleviated congestion in Peñitas and La Joya. The entire project, spanning 9 miles, cost $197 million and enhances connectivity along the western extension of I-2.[41][42][43] In Harlingen, TxDOT completed interchange enhancements at the I-2 and I-69E (US 77) junction in 2023 as part of a $4.1 million ramp reversal project between Industrial Drive and Loop 499 (Primera Road). This initiative reversed northbound ramps to improve traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks at the eastern terminus of I-2, incorporating upgraded signal operations and drainage features for better mobility. The project addressed growing commercial traffic in the area, marking a significant upgrade to the interchange's configuration.[44][45] By 2025, TxDOT installed intelligent transportation systems along I-2, including traffic cameras and sensors integrated into the Pharr District's network for real-time monitoring. These systems, part of a broader statewide initiative leveraging AI for incident detection and traffic management, enable dynamic responses to congestion and hazards, with cameras providing live feeds accessible via TxDOT's online portal. The enhancements support operational efficiency across the 48-mile route, particularly in flood-prone sections of the Rio Grande Valley.[46][47][48] Following Hurricane Hanna's landfall in July 2020, which caused widespread flooding in South Texas and disrupted regional roadways, TxDOT implemented resilience upgrades on I-2 through the Pharr District. These included reinforced drainage infrastructure and elevated assets in vulnerable areas to mitigate inland flooding risks, informed by post-storm assessments that prepositioned repair teams and monitored closures. The upgrades align with the 2025 Statewide Transportation Resilience Plan, prioritizing border-adjacent corridors like I-2 for enhanced flood resistance using federal PROTECT funding.[49][50][51] As of November 2025, TxDOT's latest maintenance reports for I-2 indicate ongoing preventative work, including nighttime lane closures from November 2 for pavement resurfacing and barrier repairs between Pharr and Harlingen. These efforts ensure structural integrity amid increasing freight volumes, with no major incidents reported in the most recent quarterly assessments.[52]Future Plans
Western Extension to Laredo
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiated the US 83 Regional Corridor Study in April 2022 to evaluate the feasibility of upgrading portions of US 83 to interstate standards, which would extend Interstate 2 westward from its current terminus in Peñitas to Laredo.[8] The study, recommended as part of the 2021 Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, focused on enhancing mobility, safety, and connectivity along the corridor while assessing traffic, freight movement, and geometric improvements.[9] Concluding in August 2023, the study examined approximately 130 miles of roadway through Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, and Webb counties, culminating in a connection to the US 59/State Loop 20 junction near Interstate 35 in Laredo.[8] Key route options include short- and long-term enhancements to State Loop 195 as a relief route bypassing urban congestion in Rio Grande City, expanding it into a four-lane, access-controlled divided highway.[9] Public input was gathered through surveys conducted in July and August 2022, informing recommendations for interstate designation and phased improvements.[8] The Corridor Development Plan estimates total costs at $3.796 billion in 2023 dollars, with short-term projects at $264 million, mid-term at $416 million, and long-term upgrades at $3.116 billion to achieve full interstate compliance.[9] Potential funding sources include federal programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which supports border trade corridor enhancements.[53] The study identifies US 83 as a major hurricane evacuation route for over 1.3 million residents, with improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency. Further environmental assessments would be required for individual project segments to mitigate effects on sensitive areas.[9][8]Integration with I-69 System
Interstate 2 is designated as a segment of the future Interstate 69 corridor, which aims to create a continuous north-south route from Mexico to Canada, significantly enhancing trade efficiency across the continent.[54] This integration positions I-2 as a vital east-west link in the Rio Grande Valley, bridging key components of the I-69 network and supporting the movement of goods between Gulf Coast ports and border crossings.[55] At its eastern terminus in Harlingen, I-2 directly connects to I-69E along US 77, providing immediate access to the northward extension toward Victoria and beyond, which facilitates freight and passenger flow from the Brownsville area.[54] In Pharr, I-2 intersects with I-69C via US 281, where a major interchange project reconstructed ramps and mainlanes to improve traffic flow and cross-border mobility, completed in late 2025.[2][15][56] To fully align with I-69 standards, I-2 is undergoing incremental upgrades, including widening and operational enhancements to meet federal interstate criteria for controlled access and safety.[54] These improvements are part of broader I-69 initiatives that incorporate managed lanes, such as HOV facilities in other segments, to prioritize freight efficiency along high-volume trade paths.[55] I-2 plays an essential role in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, a high-priority freight route designated as future Interstate 27, which utilizes US 83 (the alignment of I-2) from Laredo through the Valley to connect Mexican ports with northern markets.[57] Full integration into the I-69 system, including complete interstate designation and connectivity, is projected as a decades-long effort, with significant milestones anticipated beyond 2030 as funding and construction progress.[54] Economically, the integration of I-2 with I-69 is expected to boost trade volume with Mexico, where Texas-Mexico commerce exceeded $281 billion in 2024, by streamlining truck crossings and reducing congestion in the border region post-extension.[58] Projections indicate freight movement along these corridors could double over the next 25 years, driving job growth and regional development in South Texas.[59]Ongoing and Proposed Improvements
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Pharr District is implementing projects as part of broader maintenance upgrades funded through the 2025-2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).[60] Safety enhancements on I-2 target high-accident zones through TxDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which prioritizes rumble strips and median barriers to mitigate run-off-road and crossover crashes. In the Pharr District, these countermeasures have been applied to segments with elevated severe crash rates, such as eastbound approaches near FM 1015, achieving up to 50% reductions in target crash types based on statewide data.[61] The 2025 HSIP guidelines emphasize systemic installation of milled edgeline rumble strips and cable median barriers on divided highways like I-2, with funding drawn from the STIP's safety category totaling over $200 million statewide for 2025-2028.[61] Proposed accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians along I-2 frontage roads include shared-use paths and enhanced crossings, as outlined in the I-2 and Bicentennial Boulevard improvement study in McAllen. These features aim to connect local communities to the highway network while minimizing conflicts with vehicular traffic, aligning with TxDOT's Pharr District Bicycle Plan recommendations for the Rio Grande Valley.[22][62] In Cameron County, climate resilience measures focus on elevating vulnerable sections and upgrading drainage infrastructure to counter sea-level rise projections of up to 3 feet by 2100, which threaten coastal bridges and evacuation routes, as part of TxDOT's broader 2025 Statewide Resiliency Plan, supported by federal PROTECT funding averaging $145 million annually statewide through 2028.[51]Interchanges and Exits
Major Junctions
Interstate 2's western terminus is at the interchange with Showers Road in Palmview, Hidalgo County, providing access to the US 83 corridor.[1] This configuration allows for grade-separated movement, reducing conflicts between through traffic on I-2 and vehicles entering from the parallel US 83 route, which serves as a key north-south artery in the Rio Grande Valley.[63] A central highlight is the interchange with I-69C and US 281 in Pharr, which is undergoing full reconstruction to include two-lane direct connectors in all directions for high-volume access between these east-west and north-south routes.[2] The project, under a design-build contract with groundbreaking in 2021, includes reconfigured on- and off-ramps to optimize mobility and safety amid increasing cross-border and local traffic flows.[2] [21] This setup minimizes weaving and supports future expansion, with construction ongoing as of September 2025 and substantial completion expected in 2026.[3] The eastern terminus is at the interchange with I-69E, US 77, and US 83 in Harlingen, integrating I-2 into the regional I-69 network.[54] The design accommodates heavy freight and commuter traffic toward the Gulf Coast ports.[54] It enhances connectivity for over 40,000 daily users by reducing delays at this convergence point.[54] All major junctions on Interstate 2 adhere to AASHTO Interstate criteria, featuring 12-foot travel lanes and full shoulders to ensure safety and operational efficiency.[64] These standards, verified by TxDOT during designation, include minimum vertical clearances and ramp radii suited for interstate speeds up to 70 mph.[64] In urban segments, such as through Pharr and Harlingen, traffic engineering incorporates signalized ramps to manage merge flows and prevent bottlenecks during peak hours.[65] These ramp meters, operated by TxDOT, synchronize with mainline volumes to maintain speeds above 45 mph and reduce rear-end collisions by up to 30 percent in high-density areas.[65]Exit List
The exit list for Interstate 2 employs mile-based numbering referencing a future western terminus in Laredo, Texas, with current signage beginning at Exit 130 near Palmview; proposed extensions west to Peñitas will add lower-numbered interchanges as part of the US 83 corridor improvements.[8] Signed I-2 exits are limited to the freeway segment from Palmview to Harlingen, while overlaps with US 83 provide additional at-grade access points not listed as Interstate exits.| Exit Number | Milepost | Locations | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | 130.0 | Hidalgo County, Palmview | Showers Road | Current western terminus of signed I-2; full interchange; transitions to US 83 freeway.[1] |
| 131 | 131.1 | Hidalgo County, Palmview | FM 492 – Palmview | Partial interchange; eastbound exit/westbound entrance; local access.[5] |
| 133 | 133.4 | Hidalgo County, Palmview | SH 364 – Palmview | Full diamond interchange; major junction to local business district.[22] |
| 136 | 136.2 | Hidalgo County, Mission | SH 107 – Mission | Full access; serves Mission city center; overlaps with US 83 signage.[1] |
| 137 | 137.5 | Hidalgo County, Mission | FM 494 – Granjeno Road | Eastbound/westbound exits; frontage road access.[66] |
| 139 | 139.0 | Hidalgo County, Mission | Conway Avenue | Partial cloverleaf; high-volume local traffic; not signed as primary I-2 exit.[5] |
| 140 | 140.3 | Hidalgo County, McAllen | SH 336 (Houston Avenue) – McAllen | Full interchange; key access to McAllen; I-2/US 83 overlap.[1] |
| 141 | 141.1 | Hidalgo County, McAllen | 10th Street – McAllen | Westbound exit only; serves downtown; distinguishes from US 83 business route.[2] |
| 142 | 142.0 | Hidalgo County, McAllen | US 83 Business – McAllen | Eastbound entrance/westbound exit; transitional to frontage roads.[5] |
| 144 | 144.2 | Hidalgo County, Pharr | Jackson Avenue – Pharr | Full diamond; part of ongoing interchange improvements.[2] |
| 145 | 145.0 | Hidalgo County, Pharr | I-69C north / US 281 – Pharr | Major interchange; full access; critical junction for northbound travel; under reconstruction as of 2025.[2] |
| 147 | 147.3 | Hidalgo County, San Juan | FM 3362 (Kingston Road) | Partial interchange; eastbound exit; local farm access.[1] |
| 148 | 148.1 | Hidalgo County, Alamo | FM 493 – Alamo | Full access; serves Alamo community; US 83 overlap noted.[5] |
| 150 | 150.4 | Hidalgo County, Donna | FM 1015 – Donna | Diamond interchange; high truck traffic; signed I-2.[66] |
| 152 | 152.2 | Hidalgo County, Donna | FM 1423 (Val Verde Road) – Donna | Eastbound/westbound; rural connector; not primary I-2 signage.[5] |
| 155 | 155.0 | Hidalgo County, Weslaco | FM 88 – Weslaco | Full interchange; access to Weslaco; overlaps US 83.[1] |
| 157 | 157.1 | Hidalgo County, Weslaco | FM 1016 (Mile 8 Road) | Partial; westbound entrance; local service.[22] |
| 159 | 159.3 | Hidalgo County, Weslaco | Bus. US 83 – Weslaco | Cloverleaf; business district access; distinguishes from mainline US 83.[5] |
| 161 | 161.0 | Hidalgo County, Mercedes | FM 88 (Texas Avenue) | Full diamond; serves Mercedes; I-2/US 83 signed.[1] |
| 164 | 164.2 | Hidalgo County, Mercedes | Texas Boulevard – Mercedes | Eastbound exit only; commercial area.[66] |
| 166 | 166.5 | Cameron County, La Feria | SH 107 – La Feria | Major junction; full access; transition to Cameron County.[5] |
| 168 | 168.1 | Cameron County, La Feria | Bus. US 83 – La Feria | Partial interchange; local loop; US 83 overlap.[1] |
| 172 | 172.3 | Cameron County, Harlingen | I-69E / US 77 north – Harlingen | Interchange; partial ramps (no direct southbound); major junction to north.[2] |
| 175 | 175.0 | Cameron County, Harlingen | US 83 Business / SS 206 (Tyler Avenue) | Eastbound exit to downtown; current eastern terminus of signed I-2; full access via US 83.[1] |
| 176 | 176.1 | Cameron County, Harlingen | I-69E / US 77 north (continuation) | Westbound entrance/eastbound left exit; connects to future extensions; serves Valley International Airport area.[5] |