What Makes Texas "Texas"?: FM Roads

by Linda Thornton

In the early 20th century, Texas found itself at a crossroads. With more than 127 million acres dedicated to agriculture, and 97 percent of its farms being multi-generational family operations, the state led the nation in terms of the number of farms and ranches. Recognizing farmers were the backbone of Texas's economy and cultural heritage, state leaders were faced with a critical challenge: How could Texas expand opportunities for its farmers in a way that would enable them to remain on the land they cherished?

THE FM ROAD IS BORN

In an effort to create a system of better-quality roads that would connect rural and agricultural areas to towns, cities, distribution centers, and railroad hubs, the Texas Highway Department established the Farm to Market Road system statewide. Defined as a state highway or a country road, the first FM road built in 1936 was just 5.8 miles of pavement.

The program received instant acclaim and prompted the need to increase it to more of the vast, isolated areas of the state. By 1949, the legislature had passed an annual appropriation of $15 million ($200 million in 2024 dollars) from the State General Fund for the construction of farm to market roads.

FARM TO MARKET v RANCH ROADS

In 1932, to appease ranchers who wanted to recognize that not every area of the state was farmed, the Highway Department added the Ranch Road (RR) designation to the FM Road System. Agricultural roads east of U.S. 281 are generally farm to market roads. Those west of U.S. 281 are ranch to market roads. Although the signs read “Farm Road” and “Ranch Road,” the actual designation is FM - ”farm to market” and RM - “ranch to market.”

Owned and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the -to Market system accounts for more than half of the mileage of TxDOT’s road system. In total, 3,550 routes are designated within the FM system, of which 3,370 are FM and 180 are RM and, today, the term is mostly associated with Texas.

According to TxDOT, Texas is the only state to have farm to market roads, though Louisiana, Missouri and Iowa have similar supplemental routes.

FM roads are maintained and paved at highway standards, with one lane traveling in either direction though some have transitioned into what are considered freeways with speed limits up to 75 mph. Others have maintained their rural charm and many a Texan will tell you there is no mistaking a country FM road, with its narrower, more winding route that distinguishes it from other highways.

TO FM OR NOT TO FM?

When TxDOT realized some FM roads transitioned into urban road counterparts with the same route number, it seemed reasonable that Texas might have outgrown the use of its historic terminology and FM roads should be renamed.

Texans staunchly argued “farm to market” was a better fit for the state’s identity and the costs associated with signage were not justified. TxDOT acquiesced to the growing grassroots campaign and decided against re-

naming FMs, transitioning all urban roads back to their original FM designation. With more than 500,000 road signs on state-maintained roads — more than any other state — no doubt the TxDOT sign department breathed a collective sigh of relief.

FM STATS

 The longest Farm to Market Road  is FM 168 at 139.421 miles.

 The shortest Farm to Market Road  is FM 742 at 0.175 mile.

 The longest Ranch to Market Road  is RM 187 at 81.9 miles.

 The shortest Ranch to Market Road  is RM 3474, at 0.694 mile.

Years later, Texas continues to ponder the question: did the FM roads keep people on their farms or, instead, were they responsible for introducing farmers to the cities? Did farmers send their crops and then their children down the FM road? Is that how the Texas landscape changed, slowly replacing prairies with shopping centers?

The latter is true in at least one place. Next time you travel, take note of the highway sign one block from the Houston Galleria shopping mall. The eight-lane Westheimer Road, also known as FM 1093 may just be a part of some Texans’ daily commute, but to others, it’s the intersection of the old and the new Texas.

FM Country Road Etiquette 101

 Take a minute and wave to each other on the back roads.

 On two lane roads, move over if it’s safe to let another car pass you.

 When merging onto a highway, learn to look for trailers loaded with animals or hay that will not always be able to quickly move over.

 Keep your distance and remember livestock, horseback riders, tractors and other farm equipment have the right of way.

 Be aware of animals and creatures crossing the road.