1 route description 1.1 fredericksburg–johnson city 1.2 austin 1.3 houston route description fredericksburg–johnson city west of austin, u.s. 290 rather scenic route through texas hill country, passing through towns of fredericksburg , johnson city, , hence close historical sites connected fleet admiral chester w. nimitz, top commander during war in pacific (1941–45) , deceased president texas, lyndon baines johnson. east of austin, u.s. 290 divided highway passes through or near towns of giddings , brenham. austin in austin, u.s. 290 runs concurrently interstate 35 approximately 8 miles (13 km), including downtown austin area, entirety of w. ben white boulevard. @ various intervals, u.s. 290 intersects sh 71, rm 1826, mopac expressway, capital of texas highway, s lamar boulevard, s congress avenue, , along concurrent i-35 strip, sixth street, loop 111, , rm 2222, , u.s. 183, among other roads. houston in houston, u.s. 290 called northwest freeway. texas legislature officially desi...