This 309.7-mile journey from Asherton, TX to Houston, TX is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on FM 190 and I-35, with a portion on Purple Heart Trail, experiencing a turn-heavy local drive rather than extensive highway cruising as the highway share is 0%. With a projected fuel cost of around $47, this drive is budget-friendly for a single day. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach Houston without needing an overnight stop. Both Asherton and Houston are situated within the Great Plains region, so you'll remain in familiar territory throughout your travels.
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
154.8 miles from Asherton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
151.1 mi
2h 34m
Purple Heart Trail
60.4 mi
1h
TX 85
32.2 mi
47m
90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi
23m
FM 190
11 mi
15m
Katy Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi
9m
Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 151.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,987 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,856
Quietest
2 AM
~378 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Asherton, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 190
0.5 mi·46 sec·Carter Street
2
Continue on FM 190; FM 1557
0.2 mi·19 sec·FM 190; FM 1557
3
Turn left onto FM 190
11 mi·14 min·FM 190
4
At end of road, turn right onto TX 85
32 mi·47 min·TX 85
5
Turn left onto I-35 Access Road East
0.1 mi·18 sec·I-35 Access Road East
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto I 35
60 mi·1 hr·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
8.4 mi·9 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 153Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del RioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: HoustonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi·23 min·90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 10; TX 130
151 mi·2 hr 34 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
20
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
21
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
22
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 4-hour and 55-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Aim to depart Asherton in the morning to make the most of your day in Houston. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition between FM 190 and I-35, and plan your refueling accordingly to stay within your estimated $47 fuel cost. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your navigation system is up-to-date to help you anticipate the frequent directional changes.
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 154.8 miles from Asherton, TX, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.1 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 68 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 3h 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 41m
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 Asherton, 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 Asherton, TX
This is one driving day of about 309.7 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Asherton, 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 10 for about 151.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 309 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.5 mi into trip|~15m in|TX 85
At end of road, turn right onto TX 85
Navigation decision point
8
112.8 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
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 153
Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87...
8
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Hous...
6
294.6 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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
309 mi into trip|~5h 40m 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
$42.42 one way
$84.84 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$47.38
$94.76
premium
$4.23
$51.52
$103.03
diesel
$4.80
$58.48
$116.95
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
$42
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.10
$12.39
EV Truck/SUV
123.9
1
$43.36
$19.82
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Asherton, TX
Afternoon
in Asherton on Monday
Local time
12:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 10 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 15 at 12:42PM CDT until July 15 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 15 at 12:16PM CDT until July 16 at 8:43PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon
in Houston on Monday
Local time
12:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 15 at 12:42PM CDT until July 15 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 15 at 12:16PM CDT until July 16 at 8:43PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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.
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
2 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
5h 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 117.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, characteristic of a local road experience, as this route has a 0% highway share. The absence of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means you'll be engaging with the road more frequently. The profile suggests a route that will keep you actively driving, with winding sections and varied road conditions as you make your way toward Houston. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a more involved local drive that requires your attention.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in near TX 85.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 309.7 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 11.5 miles (TX 85): Navigation decision point; at 112.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
791 ft35 ft
Total Climb
284 ft
Total Descent
789 ft
Highest Point
791 ft
~88.5 mi in
Elevation Range
756 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Asherton, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 309.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (TX 85): Navigation decision point; at 112.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
