Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Benavides, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 11, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
263.2 mi
424 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benavides, TX
Pixabay
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Benavides to Houston is 263 miles and takes about 5 hours 14 minutes via US Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Texas, crossing the Great Plains region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip designed for a single day of travel. Expect a relatively uncomplicated route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
131.6 miles from Benavides, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| East Main Street | 41.5 mi | 52m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| East Gravis Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| US 59 Northbound Frontage Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59 South
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~698 veh/hr typical · worst 1,031
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Benavides, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on TX 359; FM 2295
15 mi
·
22 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 359
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
3
Turn right onto TX 44; TX 359
11 mi
·
12 min
·
East Gravis Avenue
4
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
26 mi
·
30 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit onto TX 44
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 44
6
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North US Highway 77
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward County Road 44
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
9
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
11
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
12
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
13
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
15
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
17
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
18
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
19
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
20
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
22
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
24
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Benavides in the morning should give you ample time to reach Houston before evening. With a drive time of just over 5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. The longest stretch without a major town is 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility for brief stops along the way if needed.
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 131.6 miles from Benavides, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 11m
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 Benavides, 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 Benavides, TX
This is one driving day of about 263.2 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Benavides, 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 US Highway 59 South for about 88.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.6 miles from Benavides, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.6 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.2 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 websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteCidercade 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 websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18327422800
Visit websiteZlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 53.1 and 261.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
North US Highway 77
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
61.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward Sinton, Victoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Sinton, Victoria
5
227.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
|
I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
260.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
7
261.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
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.
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.27 one way
$82.55 round trip
$3.98/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $45.40 | $90.79 |
| premium | $4.72 | $48.94 | $97.88 |
| diesel | $6.20 | $64.24 | $128.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79 | 0 | $27.64 | $12.63 |
| Efficient EV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.03 | $10.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.3 | 1 | $36.85 | $16.84 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Benavides, TX
Morning in Benavides on Sunday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
E 0 to 13 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 9 at 11:56PM CDT until October 11 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 9 at 11:19PM CDT until October 10 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Sunday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Clear
N 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 9 at 11:56PM CDT until October 11 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 9 at 11:19PM CDT until October 10 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
66°F
Victoria, TX
132 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
23 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 14m 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 mostly highway, with 77% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 88.6 miles, found on US Highway 59 South. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface streets as you approach Houston. Expect a noticeable increase in traffic density and more frequent exits as you get closer to the city.
77% 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: 88.6 mi on US Highway 59 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and East Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.1 miles in near North US Highway 77.
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 14 significant decision points across 263.2 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 53.1 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.2 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
374 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
130 ft
Total Descent
469 ft
Highest Point
374 ft
Elevation Range
339 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benavides, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward County Road 44, Sinton and Victoria.
County Road 44
54.1 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Sinton
61.2 mi in
|
~1h 16m
|
via US 77
Victoria
61.2 mi in
|
~1h 16m
|
via US 77
About the Cities
Starting in Benavides, TX
Full guide →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 5h 14m. Total distance: 263.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.1 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.2 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 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.
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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