Embarking on the 514.1-mile journey from Andrews to Houston is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 8 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time. Given the length of this trip, it is highly recommended to split the drive over two days to ensure you arrive safely and without extreme fatigue. You should budget approximately $76 for fuel to cover the distance across Texas. Your route will primarily utilize East Broadway Street, Highway 176, and the William B Crooker Memorial Highway. Because both the origin and destination sit within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition from the high plains of West Texas toward the coast. This is a serious long-distance drive that demands careful planning rather than a casual day trip.
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
256.9 miles from Andrews, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
137 mi
2h 25m
US 87
104.4 mi
1h 55m
TX 71
63.3 mi
1h 25m
West Highway 176
57.4 mi
1h 11m
State Highway 71
47.2 mi
50m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
47.1 mi
47m
US Highway 87 South
14.6 mi
14m
US 290
13.6 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andrews, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on this road
76 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto TX 115; TX 176
1.2 mi·2 min·East Broadway Street
3
Continue on TX 115; TX 176
57 mi·1 hr 11 min·West Highway 176
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
5
Merge onto US 87
47 mi·47 min·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
8
Continue on US 87
104 mi·1 hr 55 min·US 87
9
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
10
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi·50 min·State Highway 71
11
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 29; TX 71
12
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi·31 sec·Bessemer Avenue
13
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi·1 min·Ford Street
14
Turn left onto TX 71
63 mi·1 hr 25 min·TX 71
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 71 West
16
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·34 sec·this road
17
Merge onto US 290
0.7 mi·59 sec·West US Highway 290
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
19
Merge onto West US Highway 290
202 ft·2 sec·West US Highway 290
20
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi·15 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
23
Continue on TX 71
137 mi·2 hr 25 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
30
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
31
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
32
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To manage this 8-hour and 23-minute drive comfortably, planning two distinct stops is essential for maintaining your energy levels. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since the route covers such a large distance across Texas. Since you are looking at a $76 fuel budget, keep an eye on your gauge during the stretches on Highway 176 and the William B Crooker Memorial Highway, as fuel availability can vary in more remote sections. Splitting the trip into two days is the smartest way to tackle the 514.1 miles without feeling rushed. A solid tip for this specific route is to treat your two planned stops as firm milestones, helping you break the long duration into manageable legs rather than viewing the journey as a single, daunting 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 256.9 miles from Andrews, TX, or about 4h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 113 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.9 miles or 4h 47m 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 256.9 miles or 4h 47m
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 39m
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 Andrews, 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 Andrews, TX
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Andrews, 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 280.5 and 513.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
280.5 mi into trip|~5h 14m in|TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
345.8 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
5
359.5 mi into trip|~6h 59m in|71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...
6
498.8 mi into trip|~9h 27m 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
513.2 mi into trip|~9h 45m 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
$77.65 one way
$155.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg180 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$85.00
$169.99
premium
$4.54
$91.75
$183.51
diesel
$5.61
$113.46
$226.93
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
$78
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
154.2
1
$53.96
$24.67
Efficient EV
128.5
1
$44.97
$20.56
EV Truck/SUV
205.6
2
$71.95
$32.89
Gas CO2
180 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Andrews, TX
Night
in Andrews on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Night
in Houston on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:59PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 46m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 301.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a steady, long-distance experience as you navigate your way across the state. The route features a blend of local roads like East Broadway Street and regional highways, with a highway share of 0% suggesting a more varied driving experience than a simple interstate sprint. While you won't face the monotony of a singular, endless highway, the road requires your full attention throughout the 514.1-mile trek. You will find that the character of the pavement changes as you progress through the various segments of the journey. Be prepared for a varied pace, as this is not a high-speed interstate corridor, requiring you to stay focused through every turn and transition.
89% 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: 137 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 280.5 miles in near TX 71.
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 19 significant decision points across 513.9 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 280.5 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 345.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): 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 Andrews, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. 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 257 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 280.5 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 345.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.6 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.
