Trip from Alvord, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

315.4 mi

508 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 26m ★

6 AM

5h 39m

8 AM

6h 6m

10 AM

5h 49m

12 PM

5h 46m

3 PM

5h 50m

5 PM

6h 5m

8 PM

5h 31m

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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Alvord, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Alvord, TX to Houston, TX is 315.4 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Julius Schepps Freeway, North US Highway 287, and SH 183 TEXpress, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive predominantly stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward, mostly highway experience. You'll find that most of the route is on well-maintained highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two Texas locations. Plan for this to be a single-day trip, as the estimated drive time allows for a comfortable pace.

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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

157.7 miles from Alvord, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway	237.2 mi	4h 9m
North US Highway 287	39.6 mi	44m
SH 183 TEXpress	15 mi	14m
I 820 TEXpress	5.5 mi	5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress	4.4 mi	4m
North Stemmons Freeway	4 mi	5m
North Freeway	2.3 mi	2m
East Franklin Street	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on FM 1566; FM 1655

84 ft · 7 sec · North Wickham Street

Turn left onto US 81 Bus; US 287 Bus

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Franklin Street

At end of road, turn left onto East Bypass 287

0.1 mi · 12 sec · East Bypass 287

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · this road

Continue on US 81; US 287

40 mi · 44 min · North US Highway 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W; US 287

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 24 sec

Exit 57 Toward I 820 Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward I 820 East Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 7 sec

Toward I 820 Express East Toll

Merge onto I 820 TEXpress

5.5 mi · 5 min · I 820 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

4.4 mi · 4 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

12 mi · 11 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Toward TX 183 Express East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

3.3 mi · 3 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Merge onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 50 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Merge onto I 35E

3.9 mi · 4 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec

Exit 429B Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North Stemmons Freeway

Turn left onto Continental Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Continental Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto McKinney Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · McKinney Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 75 North

Merge onto Spur 366

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

271 ft · 3 sec · Gulf Freeway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 10 East: Beaumont Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Milam Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Milam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Milam Street

Turn right onto Prairie Street

328 ft · 13 sec · Prairie Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Street

516 ft · 16 sec · Louisiana Street

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 39m estimated drive time, departing from Alvord in the morning should allow you to reach Houston with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in where you choose to take a break, but consider stretching your legs around the halfway point to stay fresh. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $48; it's always wise to top off before entering more urban areas. Since this is a one-day drive, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations, but be prepared for potential traffic as you get closer to Houston.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 157.7 miles from Alvord, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.7 miles or 2h 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 37m

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 Alvord, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alvord, TX

This is one driving day of about 315.4 miles and 5h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Alvord, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

158 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Waxahachie, TX to Houston, TX

219.2 mi · 3h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Dallas, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.7 miles from Alvord, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

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

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

2.4 mi from route

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm

+18173364373

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 43.5 and 314.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

43.5 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward I 820

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 57 Toward I 820

43.9 mi into trip | ~50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 820 East

74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 429B Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West

76.4 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 45 South: Houston

314.2 mi into trip | ~5h 36m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.66 one way

$95.32 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$52.17	$104.33
premium	$4.54	$56.31	$112.63
diesel	$5.61	$69.64	$139.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.6	1	$33.12	$15.14
Efficient EV	78.9	0	$27.60	$12.62
EV Truck/SUV	126.2	1	$44.16	$20.19

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 20, 2026

Origin

Alvord, TX

Morning in Alvord on Tuesday

Local time

7:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Morning in Houston on Tuesday

Local time

7:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°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

24 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

5h 39m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 315.4 miles covered on major roadways. You'll spend the longest continuous stretch, 237.2 miles, on the Julius Schepps Freeway. The transition to surface streets will likely occur towards the end of your drive, near Houston. Expect a consistent, high-speed cruising experience for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel, with minimal need to navigate local roads until the final approach.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 237.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 315.4 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 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Alvord, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.

Commerce Street West

74.9 mi in | ~1h 23m

About the Cities

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 315.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Alvord, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium

Cidercade Houston

Children's Museum Houston

Wise County Northbound

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

Service Plaza

Union Station

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Dennis Johnston Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Houston Zoo

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Fort Worth Herd

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alvord, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 39m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Houston, TX

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