If you are planning a trip from Aubrey to Houston, expect a journey covering 289.1 miles that typically takes about 4 hours and 39 minutes to complete. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best suited as a focused one-day trip. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, you will want to stay alert and prepared for constant navigation. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the technical nature of the roads means you should prioritize comfort and frequent checks of your route map.
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
143 miles from Aubrey, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
237.2 mi
4h 9m
Dallas North Tollway
29.6 mi
32m
US Highway 380 East
5.3 mi
8m
West University Drive
4.1 mi
6m
US 377
3.2 mi
4m
FM 424
1.5 mi
2m
North Pearl Street
0.4 mi
1m
Dallas Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aubrey, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on East Elm Street
49 ft·7 sec·East Elm Street
2
Turn left onto FM 428
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto FM 428
0.1 mi·13 sec·Spring Hill Road
4
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Chestnut Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 377
3.2 mi·4 min·US 377
6
Turn left onto FM 424
1.5 mi·2 min·FM 424
7
Turn left onto US 380
5.3 mi·8 min·US Highway 380 East
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 380
4.1 mi·6 min·West University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward DNT: Dallas North TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on University Drive
392 ft·7 sec·University Drive
11
Turn slight right
231 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway
0.4 mi·33 sec·Dallas Parkway
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward DNT Toll South
14
Merge onto DNT
30 mi·32 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
16
Continue on Harry Hines Boulevard
0.4 mi·53 sec·Harry Hines Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight left
370 ft·11 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Moody Street
327 ft·8 sec·Moody Street
19
Continue on North Pearl Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Pearl Street
20
Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
288 ft·5 sec·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 45 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi·3 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi·4 hr 5 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 45
271 ft·3 sec·Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 48AToward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Milam StreetUse the slight left lane.
27
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Milam Street
28
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft·13 sec·Prairie Street
29
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
30
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route without highway relief, plan to make at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to ensure you navigate the local road segments during daylight hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in local traffic. Because the entire route consists of local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits as you move through different municipalities. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't be afraid to pull over if the constant turning makes the 4-hour-and-39-minute duration feel more taxing than anticipated.
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 143 miles from Aubrey, TX, or about 2h 43m 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 63 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143 miles or 2h 43m 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 19m
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 Aubrey, 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 Aubrey, TX
This is one driving day of about 286.1 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Aubrey, 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.
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 14.9 and 285.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward DNT: Dallas North Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DNT: Dallas North Tollway
6
45.5 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
6
46.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
284.8 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
7
285.2 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
$43.23 one way
$86.46 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.32
$94.64
premium
$4.54
$51.08
$102.16
diesel
$5.61
$63.17
$126.33
Estimated Tolls: $2.37
Dallas North Tollway
(29.6 mi)$2.37
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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.05
$18.31
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 20, 2026
Origin
Aubrey, TX
Morning
in Aubrey on Tuesday
Local time
8:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning
in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
8:44 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
6 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 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstate travel; this route is defined by a turn-heavy profile that keeps you actively engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate primarily via South Main Street, Spring Hill Road, and Chestnut Street, with a highway share of 0%. Because there is no extended highway cruising, your longest uninterrupted stretch on South Main Street is 0 miles. The road’s personality is local and demanding, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific thoroughfares. Expect a driving experience that favors slow-paced, deliberate navigation over the passive cruising typically found on major Texas corridors.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 286.1 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 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles (Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Aubrey, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Dnt: Dallas North Tollway, Dnt Toll South and Downtown.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 286.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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.
Expect about $2.37 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North 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 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles (Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
