Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Brownsville, TX to La Porte, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 30m
Distance
375.6 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 21m
★
6 AM
7h 31m
8 AM
7h 51m
10 AM
7h 38m
12 PM
7h 36m
3 PM
7h 39m
5 PM
7h 50m
8 PM
7h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
La Porte, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brownsville, TX to La Porte, TX is 375.6 miles and takes about 7h 30m via U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the southern tip of the state northward through the Great Plains region. Given its mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward trip for a single day. Plan for a steady pace as you cover this distance.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.8 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 126.7 mi | 2h 20m |
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| South Sam Houston Tollway West | 21 mi | 24m |
| Southwest Freeway | 20.1 mi | 22m |
| North Expressway | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Fairmont Parkway | 8.2 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Brownsville, TX and La Porte, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Washington Street
2
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Street
3
Turn left onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
11 mi
·
12 min
·
North Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
102 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
9
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
11
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
13
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
14
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
15
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
17
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
18
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
21
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
22
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
23
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
24
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
25
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
27
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
28
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
29
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
30
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
32
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto BW 8
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South Sam Houston Parkway West
36
Continue on SHT
21 mi
·
24 min
·
South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on BW 8
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on SHT
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Fairmont Parkway, Vista Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Turn straight onto BW 8
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Sam Houston Parkway South
41
Turn right onto Fairmont Parkway
8.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Fairmont Parkway
Use the straight lane.
42
Turn left onto TX 146 Business
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
43
Continue on North Broadway Street
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Broadway Street
44
Arrive at destination
North Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7.5-hour estimated drive time, leaving Brownsville in the morning is recommended to ensure you reach La Porte with daylight to spare. You'll have a couple of opportunities for stops along the way, with the longest stretch between services being 126.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $56. This trip is easily doable in one day, so you can be flexible with your timing.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.8 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 83 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.8 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Porte, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brownsville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brownsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 375.6 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Brownsville, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.8 miles from Brownsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 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
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Washington Plaza
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19565422064
Visit websiteStillman House Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19565415560
Visit websiteGladys Porter Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19565467187
Visit websiteSouthern Pacific Linear Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19565422064
Visit websiteChildren's Museum of Brownsville
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19565489300
Visit websiteLincoln Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19569974875
Visit websiteDinosaur Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Wharton, Texas
+19795322491
Visit websiteThe Black Cowboy Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Rosenberg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18324516202
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 365.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
339 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
6
339.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
365.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m in
Take the exit toward Fairmont Parkway, Vista Road
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 Fairmont Parkway, Vista Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.45 one way
$102.89 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.46 | $114.93 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.48 | $124.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.92 | $141.84 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.88
Sam Houston Tollway
(23.5 mi)
$1.88
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
$51
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.4 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 | 112.7 | 1 | $39.44 | $18.03 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.2 | 1 | $52.58 | $24.04 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Brownsville, TX
Afternoon in Brownsville on Monday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 9 to 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
La Porte, TX
Afternoon in La Porte on Monday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 13
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 90.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the 375.6 miles on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a high volume of exits and merges for a significant portion of the drive.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 375.6 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 339 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
113 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
160 ft
Total Descent
177 ft
Highest Point
113 ft
~295.1 mi in
Elevation Range
94 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 Brownsville, TX and La Porte, TX, road signs point toward Sinton, Victoria and Sam Houston Tollway.
Sinton
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via US 77
Victoria
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via US 77
Sam Houston Tollway
339 mi in
|
~6h 43m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Su-Th 05:30-21:30; Fr,Sa 05:30-23:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteLotus Café
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Visit websiteWynn Network Plus
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; PH closed
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit website956 Coffee Co.
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteLupe Tortilla
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteChick-fil-A
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-22:00; Su off
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: "The sign says Open - WHEN FRESH BREAD I...
Visit websiteChipotle
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: 10:45-23:00
Visit websiteThe Roof
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sugar Land, TX
Cuisine: chicken;italian;seafood;steak_house
Hours: We-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-24:00; Su...
Visit websiteWingstop
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Cuisine: wings
Welcome to Texas Sign
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Welder Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Mutual Public Square
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Heroico Colegio Militar
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Observation Deck
Viewpoint
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Stillman House Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Brownsville, TX
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Visit websiteBrownsville Heritage Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Brownsville, TX
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Visit websiteManautou Building
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Public Market and Town Hall
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Juan H. Fernandez Store
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
San Roman Building
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cameron Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
señor de lona
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Texana Inn Edna
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Value Place
Motel
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Edna Star Motel & Laundry
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Brownsville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1849
Located at the southernmost tip of Texas, Brownsville is a popular location for Mexican and American beach tourists. It is part of the Rio Grande Valley, a four-county region known for its abundance in citrus fruit production and Winter Texan population. The city features a combination of different climate regimes: Gulf Coast plains and the Great Plains. There is a lot to do in this city: historical museums, art galleries, beaches, birding locations and natural wildlife refuges. As Brownsville is a border town, its culture is predominantly Hispanic.
Top landmarks
- • USS Cabot — 1943 Independence-class aircraft carrier
- • Fort Brown — Texas, a former US Amy post
- • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — historic site in Brownsville (vicinity), Cameron County, Texas
Arriving in La Porte, TX
Full guide →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 7h 30m. Total distance: 375.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.88 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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 19 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 La Porte, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 339 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Porte, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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