Drives Texas Houston, Galveston and the Gulf Coast
FM 390: La Bahia Road
FM 390 · Highway 105 → Gay Hill
The drive
FM 390 follows the route of the old La Bahia Road through the ranch country of Washington County. The drive starts at Highway 105 between Brenham and Washington and heads north past William Penn on a quiet two-lane, rolling over low hills between pastures and white fences.
The stop is Independence, a crossroads village at FM 50 with an outsized history. Baylor University was founded here in 1845 and stayed until 1886; the columns of its old campus still stand in Old Baylor Park, just west of the crossroads, and Sam Houston was baptized at the Baptist church here. From Independence, FM 390 turns west to Gay Hill, settled in 1839 and now a small rural community.
It's short and gentle, with no real curves. The reason to come is the countryside, and above all the bluebonnets, which are usually at their best around mid-April.
Along the way
- Highway 105
- Independence
- Gay Hill
Good to know
- Old Baylor Park, with the ruins and picnic tables, is free and has parking; it's on the west side of FM 50.
- The Texas Baptist Historical Museum at the Independence crossroads is free; the Independence Visitor Center's house tours charge admission.
- The Windmill Hill site across FM 50 has a reconstructed bell tower and a trail with 19 history signs, walkable or drivable.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TxDOT DriveTexas.
Questions about this drive
How long is the La Bahia Road drive on FM 390?
FM 390 from Highway 105 through Independence to Gay Hill is 17.4 miles and takes about 30 minutes without stops.
When is bluebonnet season on FM 390?
Bluebonnets along FM 390 east and west of Independence are usually at their best around mid-April, though the show varies with the year's rain.
What are the ruins at Independence, Texas?
The stone columns in Old Baylor Park, on FM 390 just west of the FM 50 crossroads, are what's left of the original Baylor University, which was in Independence from 1845 until 1886.
Is FM 390 twisty?
Not really. The La Bahia stretch of FM 390 is a gentle, rolling country road, driven for the ranch scenery and spring wildflowers rather than the curves.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
More drives near here
Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.