Traveling from Albany to Houston covers 357 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 58 minutes of drive time. This route primarily utilizes Highway 6 South, Conrad Hilton Boulevard, and Highway 183 to navigate across Texas. You should plan on a fuel budget of approximately $53 to complete the journey. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day drive, though you should prepare for a full day behind the wheel. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you travel southeast. It is a straightforward trek, but knowing the route requirements ahead of time will help you stay on schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.8 miles from Albany, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East State Highway 6
46.6 mi
46m
East 2nd Street
42.4 mi
48m
I 20
37.2 mi
37m
State Highway 6 South
33.2 mi
49m
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
TX 6
28.5 mi
33m
Aggie Expressway
24.7 mi
27m
State Highway 108
22.2 mi
33m
Longest stretch:
East State Highway 6
— 46.6 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on TX 6
0.2 mi·22 sec·South 2nd Street
2
Continue on TX 6
33 mi·49 min·State Highway 6 South
3
Continue on TX 6
1.4 mi·2 min·Conrad Hilton Boulevard
4
Continue on US 183
392 ft·9 sec·US Highway 183
5
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi·18 sec·East Interstate 20
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
7
Merge onto I 20
37 mi·37 min·I 20
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 370Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
9
Turn straight onto TX 108
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Interstate 20
10
Turn right onto TX 108
22 mi·33 min·State Highway 108
11
Continue on TX 108
1.7 mi·3 min·North Graham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 108
0.6 mi·1 min·South Graham Avenue
13
Continue on TX 108
0.8 mi·1 min·South State Highway 108
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
17 mi·19 min·South US Highway 281
15
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.6 mi·40 sec·North 2nd Street
16
Continue on TX 6
42 mi·48 min·East 2nd Street
17
Continue on TX 6
3.3 mi·5 min·Avenue C
18
Continue on TX 6
29 mi·33 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
20
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·East State Highway 6
23
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·North Main Street
24
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi·6 min·North State Highway 6
25
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Market Street
26
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi·14 min·South State Highway 6
27
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi·31 min·North Earl Rudder Freeway
28
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 6
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
30
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 6
31
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
32
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on TBT
7.0 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on TX 249
13 mi·16 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on TX 249
1.8 mi·3 min·West Mount Houston Road
37
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
38
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Take the ramp
453 ft·11 sec
Toward I 45 South
40
Merge onto I 45
7.4 mi·9 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 45
271 ft·3 sec·Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 48AToward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / straight lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Milam StreetUse the slight left lane.
44
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Milam Street
45
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft·13 sec·Prairie Street
46
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
47
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach Houston before evening traffic intensifies. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your drive comfortably throughout the day. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the local segments to ensure you stay within your $53 budget, as local roads can sometimes be less convenient for quick refueling than major interstates. Since the route is entirely comprised of local roads, avoid rushing through the turns and prioritize steady, consistent speeds. Given the length of the drive, packing a cooler with drinks and snacks will help you stay refreshed without needing to make extra, unplanned stops along the way.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.8 miles from Albany, TX, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.8 miles or 3h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, TX
This is one driving day of about 363.6 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albany, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East State Highway 6 for about 46.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.4 and 362.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
72.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 370
Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenvil...
5
296.9 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the exit toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
5
354.9 mi into trip|~6h 59m in|I 45 / North Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
362.3 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
7
362.7 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Milam Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Milam Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.94 one way
$109.88 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$60.14
$120.27
premium
$4.54
$64.92
$129.84
diesel
$5.61
$80.28
$160.56
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Tomball Tollway
(7 mi)$0.49
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.1
1
$38.18
$17.45
Efficient EV
90.9
1
$31.82
$14.54
EV Truck/SUV
145.4
1
$50.90
$23.27
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Albany, TX
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 175.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, as this route features zero percent highway travel. Because you are navigating local roads, there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch; your focus will be consistently required by the winding nature of the path. The journey shifts across various surface streets and local highways, making it a more engaged experience than a typical highway cruise. You will need to stay alert to your surroundings as you transition through the various segments of Highway 6 and Highway 183. This is an active driving experience where the road surface and turns keep you attentive for the duration of the trip.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.6 mi on East State Highway 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East State Highway 6 and East 2nd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 363.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.9 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 108 South, Fm 919: Gordon, Stephenville and Spur 515: Conroe.
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
Top landmarks
•Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
•Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
•Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 363.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.6 miles on East State Highway 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Houston, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.9 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houston, TX before the return drive.
