Chet Garner Partners with Adopt-a-Highway to Promote Litter-free Highways

Texas is the fourth most visited state in the nation, drawing millions with its legendary barbecue, rich history and countless family-friendly attractions. Whether exploring landmarks, savoring local flavors or enjoying vibrant festivals, there’s always something exciting to do. It’s no wonder Texas roadways buzz with activity, with an impressive 772.7 million vehicle miles traveled daily, adding up to 282.2 billion miles annually.

With that much travel and more than 313,000 miles of roadways running through the state, it’s easy for litter to be a common issue. To tackle the issue of roadside litter, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) launched the Adopt-a-Highway program, a vital companion to the well-known Don’t mess with Texas® anti-litter campaign. Don’t mess with Texas has grown beyond just a slogan – it stands for pride in keeping our state clean and serves as a strong reminder not to litter. The Adopt-a-Highway program builds on this commitment, encouraging personal responsibility and community action.

The Adopt-a-Highway program originated in Texas in 1985 and has since evolved into a nationally and internationally recognized program for removing litter from our roadways. Over the years, it has saved taxpayer dollars while helping to keep our roadways litter-free and well-maintained. Today, approximately 3,300 groups across the state participate in the program covering 6,600 miles, and we honor the thousands of individuals who volunteer their time and effort to make a positive impact and help keep Texas litter free. 

Through Adopt-a-Highway, individuals, groups and businesses are empowered to directly contribute to their communities by keeping Texas roadways clean and beautiful. Volunteers commit to adopting and maintaining a two-mile stretch of highway, where they work to remove litter and ensure the area remains free of trash. Whether it’s a local business, a school group or a family, each volunteer plays a vital role in safeguarding the scenic Texas landscapes we all cherish. By doing so, volunteers not only protect the environment but also demonstrate their pride in Texas, taking a hands-on approach to keeping the state litter-free. In exchange, TxDOT provides volunteers with roadway recognition signs in addition to safety vests and trash bags at no-cost.

Chet Garner joins the mission to keep our roads clean

Chet Garner, a beloved local celebrity and proud Texan born and raised in Comanche, is the host of the popular travel show “The Daytripper.” Through his show, he explores destinations across Texas to uncover unique stories and showcase our state’s rich culture. The show focuses on adventure, curiosity and a deep appreciation for Texas’ diversity and heritage.

Chet’s partnership with Adopt-a-Highway introduces an exciting partnership in the campaign’s history. The program launched a series in collaboration with Chet Garner that provides someone considering adopting a stretch of highway through the steps from beginning to end, including what not to do while out on the road when you become an adopter or volunteer.

Through this partnership, Chet and his team have taken their commitment to a cleaner Texas a step further by adopting their own two-mile stretch of highway. Their adopted stretch of highway, located in Georgetown on FM 971, is a prime location for litter on the roads. By participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program, they actively work to keep this section of road litter-free and help to educate about what the act of keeping your two-mile stretch litter-free entails. Chet understands that even a single piece of trash diminishes Texas’ unique beauty and poses a serious threat to our wildlife and ecosystems, making him a fitting champion for the campaign. This personal investment in preserving Texas’ natural beauty shows that everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small their actions.

Keep Texas roads litter-free

Building on Chet’s passion for keeping Texas clean and by participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program just like Chet and his team, you can directly help reduce litter on highways and protect Texas’ iconic landscapes for future generations. Every effort counts. Together, we can make a significant difference in keeping Texas pristine and litter-free.

Get involved today.