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Trip from Alpine, TX to Houston, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 40m

Distance

571.5 mi

920 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$86

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
9h 31m ★
6 AM
9h 40m
8 AM
9h 58m
10 AM
9h 46m
12 PM
9h 45m
3 PM
9h 47m
5 PM
9h 57m
8 PM
9h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States

Alpine, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Spanning 573.4 miles, this trek from Alpine to Houston is a significant journey across Texas that requires roughly 8 hours and 17 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the length, trying to complete this in a single day is exhausting, and we highly recommend splitting the trip over 2 days to maintain your energy. You will navigate using North 6th Street, West Holland Avenue, and Highway 90 to make your way toward the coast. Budgeting approximately $85 for fuel is a smart move before you head out, as costs can fluctuate along the way. While both cities sit within the Great Plains region, the landscape shifts significantly as you leave the high desert plains for the more humid, lower-elevation environment of Houston. Treat this as a multi-day commitment to ensure you arrive safely and without unnecessary fatigue.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

285.8 miles from Alpine, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor 247.3 mi 3h 52m
I 10 210.7 mi 3h 34m
South US Higway 67 25.4 mi 28m
Anderson Loop 25.4 mi 29m
US Highway 67 21.6 mi 24m
90th Infantry Division Highway 14.9 mi 15m
Katy Freeway 10.7 mi 13m
East US Highway 90 7.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor — 247.3 mi, about 3h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alpine, TX and Houston, TX.

1

Start on US 67; US 90

242 ft · 8 sec · West Avenue E
2

Turn left onto North 6th Street

338 ft · 20 sec · North 6th Street
3

Turn left onto US 67; US 90

0.7 mi · 52 sec · West Holland Avenue
4

Continue on US 67; US 90

7.6 mi · 8 min · East US Highway 90
5

Turn slight left onto US 67

22 mi · 24 min · US Highway 67
6

Continue on US 67

25 mi · 28 min · South US Higway 67
7

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Interstate 10 West
8

Take the ramp onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

247 mi · 3 hr 52 min · La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Toward I 10 East: Fort Stockton
9

Continue on I 10

54 mi · 54 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

5.4 mi · 5 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 556B Toward Frontage Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Interstate 10 West
13

Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West

0.4 mi · 43 sec · North Loop 1604 West
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 East
15

Merge onto Loop 1604

25 mi · 29 min · Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Interstate 10 East

0.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate 10 East
17

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
18

Merge onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

15 mi · 15 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 10; TX 130

151 mi · 2 hr 34 min · I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway Use the slight left lane.
21

Merge onto I 10 Toll

3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto I 10; US 90

11 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 769A Toward Downtown, Theatre District Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on Smith Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Smith Street
26

Turn left onto Preston Street

331 ft · 16 sec · Preston Street
27

Turn left onto Louisiana Street

179 ft · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
28

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 8-hour and 17-minute trek effectively, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and minimize the time spent driving in evening traffic. We suggest scheduling at least 2 stops along the way to stretch your legs and refresh your focus, especially since the route demands constant navigation rather than interstate cruising. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as spending $85 on gas suggests you will need to map out your refueling points carefully between the start and end of the trip. Since you are traveling across a large portion of the state, be prepared for shifting weather patterns that can impact your visibility and comfort. Our biggest tip for this specific drive is to double-check your route markers when transitioning between North 6th Street and Highway 90, as keeping your navigation clear is vital for such a long-distance haul.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 285.8 miles from Alpine, TX, or about 4h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.3 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 126 miles or 2h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 285.8 miles or 4h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 285.8 miles or 4h 39m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 34m

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 Alpine, 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.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alpine, TX

Aim for roughly 286 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Houston, TX

Aim for roughly 286 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Alpine, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor for about 247.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Live Oak, TX, TX

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Live Oak, TX

189 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

San Antonio, TX

377 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in San Antonio, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

286 mi · about 4.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 286 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Big Lake, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 285.8 miles from Alpine, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 247.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 286 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 571.5

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Midtown Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17135267577

Visit website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Maui Maui Kids Play Island

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 367.4

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+12102578118

Visit website

The Escape Game San Antonio

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 367.4

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17262273834

Visit website

Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 367.4

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12103026807

Visit website

Houston Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 571.5

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 357.1 and 570.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
357.1 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
362.5 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 556B Toward Frontage Road
6
363.5 mi into trip | ~5h 58m in | North Loop 1604 West

Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
556.5 mi into trip | ~9h 20m in

Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
8
570.9 mi into trip | ~9h 38m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Theatre District

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 769A Toward Downtown, Theatre District

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$86.36 one way

$172.71 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 200 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $94.52 $189.05
premium $4.54 $102.04 $204.08
diesel $5.61 $126.18 $252.36

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Katy Tollway (3.2 mi) $0.23

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

$86

Tolls

$0

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$217–$327

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 200 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 171.5 2 $60.01 $27.43
Efficient EV 142.9 1 $50.01 $22.86
EV Truck/SUV 228.6 2 $80.01 $36.58

Gas CO2

200 kg

EV CO2

67 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Alpine, TX

Night in Alpine on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Night in Houston on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

9h 40m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a grounded, steady experience behind the wheel, as this route features a 0% highway share, relying instead on local roads and highways like Highway 90. You will transition from the quiet, open stretches near Alpine onto the more populated corridors leading into the Houston area. Because you are avoiding major interstates, the driving pace feels more deliberate and less like a monotonous highway grind. Staying alert is essential, as the lack of high-speed divided lanes means you will be managing varying traffic patterns and road conditions throughout the 573.4-mile journey. It is a true long-distance drive that demands your full attention as the character of the road evolves from rural, wide-open spaces to the denser, more complex transit networks approaching your destination.

44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247.3 mi on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

At 9h 40m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 357.1 miles in near I 10; US 87.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 571.5 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 357.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 362.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 363.5 miles (North Loop 1604 West): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,477 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

151 ft

Total Descent

4,593 ft

Highest Point

4,477 ft

Elevation Range

4,442 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Alpine, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604 East, Austin and Waco.

Loop 1604 East

363.9 mi in | ~5h 59m

Austin

405.4 mi in | ~6h 46m | via I 10; TX 130

Waco

405.4 mi in | ~6h 46m | via I 10; TX 130

About the Cities

Starting in Alpine, TX

Full guide →

Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.

Arriving in Houston, TX

Full guide →

“Space City” · Founded 1836

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 247.3 miles on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 286 miles on day one.

Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy 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 357.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 362.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 363.5 miles (North Loop 1604 West): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.3 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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