Matagorda County is located on the Texas Gulf Coast, mid-way between Galveston and Corpus Christi, Texas. The county spreads out over 1,114 square miles of coastal prairie and boasts more than 65 miles of coastline. Bay City, Texas, is the county seat and Palacios, Texas, is the only other incorporated city.
Conveniently located within driving distance of five major cities in the state, Matagorda County has access to multiple markets. Our community is connected to four state highways, 35, 60, 71, and 111, providing economical and efficient transportation options.
The communities of Blessing, Midfield, Markham, Wadsworth, Matagorda, Van Vleck, Sargent, and Pledger fill in the rural and coastal spaces. Matagorda County is bordered by Southern Brazoria County, Wharton County, Jackson County, and Calhoun County.
HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE
| City | Distance from Matagorda |
|---|---|
| Houston, Texas | 65 Miles |
| Corpus Christi, Texas | 112 Miles |
| Austin, Texas | 143 Miles |
| San Antonio, Texas | 155 Miles |
| Dallas, Texas | 275 Miles |
State Highway 60 (SH 60) is a north-south corridor connecting the cities of Wharton, Bay City, and Matagorda, Texas. It also connects Bay City with industrial employers to the south and southwest of the city. SH 60 connects Matagorda County to U.S. 59, 14 miles to the north in Wharton, and connects to Interstate 10, 52 miles to the north in Sealy.
State Highway 35 (SH 35) is the east/west thoroughfare connecting Matagorda County with the eastern cities of Angleton, Lake Jackson, and Freeport and western cities of Port Lavaca and Corpus Christi.
COMMERCIAL BARGE AND RECREATIONAL BOATING TRANSPORTATION
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW)
Shallow Draft Ports:
Port of Bay City, Texas – The Port of Bay City has a turning basin, a 5,000 square-foot warehouse, and a petroleum loading/unloading facility located just 10 miles up the Colorado River from the ICWW at Matagorda. There is a dredged channel about 200 feet wide with a 12-foot minimum depth from the ICWW to the Port. The Port of Bay City has land available for long-term lease and industrial development. Ideal for industries with substantial tonnage and a need for marine transportation, the port has a terminal in a turning basin with a modern concrete dock and a liquid cargo dock. The turning basin is about 700 feet long by 500 feet wide with an average depth of 12 feet. The Terminal facility dock is 200 feet long by 120 feet wide.
The Port Authority owns and operates the Matagorda Harbor located on the ICWW at Texas mile 440. With superb bay and offshore fishing locations, the harbor provides slips for approximately 222 pleasure boats, with limited bulkhead space available for transient boats. There are four paved boat ramps open to the public and 26 RV spaces available to boat slip patrons. There is also commercial dockage available for crew changes and the loading of supplies for commercial barge traffic.
Port of Palacios, Texas – The Port of Palacios is owned by Navigation District Number 1. The shallow draft port is connected to the ICWW and the Gulf by a dredged channel in Tres Palacios and Matagorda Bays. The port is home to over 300 commercial shrimping boats – one of the largest shrimping fleets on the Gulf Coast – and has three turning basins, a barge manufacturing facility, a boat repair facility, docks for commercial boats, covered and uncovered recreational boat slips, and shrimp processing facilities. Located midway between Galveston and Corpus Christi on the Texas Coast, it is one of the most productive coastal fisheries of the state.
The Navigation District has available parcels around the harbor for commercial, retail, industrial, and residential development. The Navigation District also owns a 100-acre business park for industrial, commercial, and office uses and a 640-acre waterfront tract for future development.
Deep Water Ports
| Port | Distance from Matagorda locks on ICWW |
|---|---|
| Port of Port Lavaca - Point Comfort | 33 miles by barge |
| Port of Freeport | 83 miles by barge |
| Port of Corpus Christi | 98 miles by barge |
| Port of Houston | 147 miles by barge |
RAIL TRANSPORTATION
Railroad service is available in Matagorda County from Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroad companies. The rail lines intersect in Bay City, Texas. Dual service and joint use lines are also available in some locations.
| Railroad Name | Piggyback | Switching |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington Northern/Santa Fe | Yes | Yes |
| Union Pacific/Southern Pacific | Yes | Yes |
LOCAL AIRPORTS
Bay City Regional Airport (BYY)
Bay City Regional Airport is a general and business aviation airport, which is operated, maintained, and preserved for the benefit of the community and airport users.
- Length: 5120’ x 75’
- Elevation: 45’
- Unicom: 122.80
- Lighted asphalt runway
- 100LL Self-service. Full-service available via towing.
- Self-service and full-service Jet-A available.
- Jet-A additive available off the truck through full service only.
- 24-hour service available.
- FAA certified instructors for fixed wing and rotorcraft
- AWOS weather system (979) 323-1801
- AWOS Frequency 118.10
- PAPI Landing device
- Left hand traffic
- Pilot lounge (24-hour access)
- T-hangars and Community hangar available long term and short term.
- Tie Down (Day, week, month)
- Rental planes
- Car, limo/luxury rentals available
- Taxi service available
Palacios Municipal Airport (PSX)
Palacios Municipal Airport covers an area of 1,538 acres at an elevation of 14 feet above mean sea level. It has three runways (one is lighted) with concrete surfaces:
- 8/26 is 5,001 by 150 feet (1,524 x 46 m)
- 13/31 is 5,001 by 150 feet (1,524 x 46 m)
- 18/36 is 5,001 by 75 feet (1,524 x 23 m)
Nearest Commercial Airports:
| Airport | City | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Regional Airport | Victoria, Texas | 60 miles |
| Hobby National Airport | Houston, Texas | 65 miles |
| Bush Intercontinental Airport | Houston, Texas | 75 miles |
| Corpus Christi Airport | Corpus Christi, Texas | 140 miles |
