Trip from Big Sandy, TX to Houston, TX

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

223 mi

359 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 5m ★

6 AM

4h 18m

8 AM

4h 44m

10 AM

4h 27m

12 PM

4h 24m

3 PM

4h 28m

5 PM

4h 43m

8 PM

4h 10m

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

Best Time

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

human settlement in Upshur County, Texas, United States of America

Big Sandy, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Big Sandy to Houston covers 222.1 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, it is best planned as a single-day trip. You should budget about $33 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Navigating through the Great Plains, you will primarily utilize local roads like East Broadway Street, North Main Street, and South Tyler Street. This trip is straightforward enough to handle in one go, but the nature of the local roads means you should stay alert for frequent turns. It is a practical route for those who prefer local scenery over monotonous highway travel.

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

111.5 miles from Big Sandy, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Diboll Relief Route	111 mi	2h 1m
South US Highway 59	19.4 mi	22m
US Route 259	19.3 mi	21m
South Henderson Boulevard	16.3 mi	19m
State Highway 135	11.3 mi	13m
US Highway 259	11.2 mi	12m
East Broadway Street	10.2 mi	13m
Northwest Stallings Drive	6.4 mi	7m

Longest stretch: Diboll Relief Route — 111 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Sandy, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on TX 155

86 ft · 8 sec · North Tyler Street

Turn left onto US 80

10 mi · 13 min · East Broadway Street

Turn right onto US 271

0.3 mi · 22 sec · North Main Street

Turn slight right onto US 271

1.6 mi · 1 min · South Tyler Street

Turn left onto TX 135

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 135

Keep slight left at fork

48 ft · 0 sec

Enter roundabout onto Houston Street

103 ft · 1 sec · Houston Street

Continue on Houston Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Houston Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42

16 mi · 19 min · South Henderson Boulevard

Continue on US 79; US 259

1.7 mi · 2 min · Highway 79

Turn left onto US 259

16 mi · 18 min · US Route 259

Continue on US 259

2.9 mi · 3 min · North Railroad Avenue

Continue on US 259

3.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 259

Continue on US 259

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 259

Take the exit

224 ft · 6 sec

Toward US 59 South: Lufkin

Continue on this road

420 ft · 11 sec · this road

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · this road

Turn left

104 ft · 4 sec

Turn right onto US 59

0.7 mi · 47 sec · North US Highway 59

Continue on US 59

6.4 mi · 7 min · Northwest Stallings Drive

Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224

0.4 mi · 25 sec · Stallings Drive

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Turn straight

223 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto US 59

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Street

Continue on US 59

19 mi · 22 min · South US Highway 59

Take the exit

396 ft · 9 sec

Toward South First Street

Turn straight onto South Medford Drive

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Medford Drive

Turn left onto US 59 Bus

4.1 mi · 5 min · South First Street

Continue on US 59

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 59

Continue on US 59

111 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Diboll Relief Route

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 132 Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

0.5 mi · 35 sec · East Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Exit 769B Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Providence Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Providence Street

Continue on North San Jacinto Street

0.3 mi · 31 sec · North San Jacinto Street

Continue on Fannin Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Fannin Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Prairie Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Prairie Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Street

516 ft · 16 sec · Louisiana Street

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can clearly see the frequent turns and navigate local intersections safely. Planning for at least one stop is essential to keep your energy up over the nearly four-hour drive. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling schedule, as local roads may offer different gas station access than major highways. Because you are not restricted to interstate exits, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break. My best tip for this route is to map out your turns on East Broadway, North Main, and South Tyler streets in advance, as the lack of highway signage makes local navigation more involved.

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 111.5 miles from Big Sandy, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 49 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.5 miles or 2h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 31m

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 Big Sandy, 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 Big Sandy, TX

This is one driving day of about 223 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Big Sandy, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 111 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lufkin, TX

112 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

Kilgore, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lufkin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.5 miles from Big Sandy, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Nacogdoches, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19365604443

Visit website

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 23.5 and 221.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

23.5 mi into trip | ~28m in | Houston Street

Enter roundabout onto Houston Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

24.3 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard

Navigation decision point

220.8 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 132 Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Anto...

221 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

221.7 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Take the exit toward San Jacinto Street, Main 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. Exit 769B Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.54 one way

$61.09 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$34.12	$68.23
premium	$4.23	$37.09	$74.19
diesel	$4.80	$42.11	$84.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	66.9	0	$23.42	$10.70
Efficient EV	55.8	0	$19.51	$8.92
EV Truck/SUV	89.2	1	$31.22	$14.27

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Big Sandy, TX

Late night in Big Sandy on Monday

Local time

3:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Partly Sunny

SW 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

3:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

1 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

4h 17m 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?

Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route consists of 0% highway driving. You will spend the entire 222.1 miles navigating local roads, which gives the journey a distinct turn-heavy personality. Because you are not cruising on high-speed thoroughfares, your pace will be dictated by the local infrastructure rather than open-road cruising. The character of the drive remains consistent throughout, requiring your full attention as you transition between local streets. This is a hands-on driving experience where the road demands constant engagement from the driver.

Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

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

Longest single stretch: 111 mi on Diboll Relief Route.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in near Houston Street.

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 19 significant decision points across 223 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 23.5 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 24.3 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 220.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

506 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

365 ft

Total Descent

690 ft

Highest Point

506 ft

~63.7 mi in

Elevation Range

471 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Big Sandy, 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 4h 17m. Total distance: 223 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111 miles on Diboll Relief Route. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Houston, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Big Sandy, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Big Sandy, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Picnic Area

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Polk County Northbound Rest Area

Polk County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

TA

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Pecan Acres Park

Durst Taylor Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Big Sandy, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 17m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Big Sandy, 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

More from Big Sandy, TX

More trips to Houston, TX