Trip from Archer City, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 52m

Distance

366.8 mi

590 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 41m ★

6 AM

6h 53m

8 AM

7h 16m

10 AM

7h 1m

12 PM

6h 59m

3 PM

7h 2m

5 PM

7h 15m

8 PM

6h 46m

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

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Archer County, Texas< United States

Archer City, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Archer City to Houston covers 377.5 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 55 minutes of drive time. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day journey. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the trip. Since both ends of the journey are located within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the drive. While it is certainly feasible to complete in one day, be prepared for a long stretch behind the wheel, as the route requires active navigation through various local corridors.

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

183.4 miles from Archer City, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	198.8 mi	3h 28m
US 287	50.7 mi	56m
US 281	40.9 mi	47m
State Highway 199	36.1 mi	41m
Jacksboro Highway	13.5 mi	17m
State Highway 25 East	10.3 mi	15m
US 287 Bus	8.4 mi	10m
Lake Worth Boulevard	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 45 — 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925

Quietest

2 AM

~414 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on TX 25

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Continue on TX 25

10 mi · 15 min · State Highway 25 East

Turn right onto US 281

41 mi · 47 min · US 281

Continue on TX 199

36 mi · 41 min · State Highway 199

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 199

9.0 mi · 9 min · Jacksboro Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 199

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Worth Boulevard

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on TX 199

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lake Worth Boulevard

Continue on TX 199

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Lake Worth Boulevard

Continue on TX 199

4.5 mi · 7 min · Jacksboro Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 199

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Henderson Street

Enter roundabout onto TX 199

113 ft · 1 sec · North Henderson Street

Continue on TX 199

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Henderson Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto West 5th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street

Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus

8.4 mi · 10 min · US 287 Bus

Toward I 35W North, I 30 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 34A Toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dallas Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 20; US 287

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

51 mi · 56 min · US 287

Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 45 South: Corsicana

Merge onto I 45; US 287

199 mi · 3 hr 28 min · I 45; US 287

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

To manage the 377.5-mile distance effectively, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, staying alert is essential, so consider departing early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the later stages of your trip. Since this journey involves local roads, keep a close eye on your fuel levels and fill up before hitting the more rural segments to stay within your $56 budget. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your pace as you navigate the transition between Archer City and Houston. Prioritize steady driving and frequent check-ins on your navigation, as the lack of long highway stretches makes missed turns more time-consuming to correct.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 183.4 miles from Archer City, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 81 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 183.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 48m

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 Archer City, 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 Archer City, TX

This is one driving day of about 366.8 miles and 6h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Archer City, 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 I 45 for about 198.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Texas, USA; suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mansfield, TX

183 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Azle, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 183.4 miles from Archer City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 mi from route

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

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 105.6 and 366 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

105.6 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | US 287 Bus

Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus toward I 35W North, I 30 East

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W North, I 30 East

114 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dallas

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 34A Toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dal...

115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

365.6 mi into trip | ~6h 49m 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

366 mi into trip | ~6h 50m 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

$50.24 one way

$100.48 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$56.12	$112.24
premium	$4.23	$61.01	$122.03
diesel	$4.80	$69.26	$138.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 128.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	110	1	$38.51	$17.61
Efficient EV	91.7	1	$32.10	$14.67
EV Truck/SUV	146.7	1	$51.35	$23.48

Gas CO2

128 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Archer City, TX

Late night in Archer City on Monday

Local time

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 mph 40% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

101°F

Mansfield, TX

183 mi in

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

8 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

6h 52m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip features a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged far more than a standard interstate cruise. You will primarily navigate via Highway 25 East, Highway 199, and Jacksboro Highway, with a highway share of 0%. Because there is no extended highway driving, the longest stretch is 0 miles on Highway 25 East, meaning you will be managing frequent transitions and turns. The route feels like a true local drive, prioritizing regional connectivity over high-speed transit. Expect a hands-on experience where the pacing is dictated by the character of the local roads rather than the predictability of a major freeway.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 198.8 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 105.6 miles in near US 287 Bus.

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 14 significant decision points across 366.8 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 105.6 miles (US 287 Bus): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,253 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

204 ft

Total Descent

1,235 ft

Highest Point

1,253 ft

~52.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,218 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Archer City, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Dallas and Waxahachie.

Dallas

114 mi in | ~2h 20m

Waxahachie

115.5 mi in | ~2h 23m | via US 287

About the Cities

Starting in Archer City, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Archer County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in Archer City, Archer County, Texas

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. === Welcome World Cup fans === Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).

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 6h 52m. Total distance: 366.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Archer City, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

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Trip from Archer City, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Rest Area Lilly Roadside Park

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

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

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

Fort Worth Herd

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Archer City, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 52m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Archer City, TX

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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