Origin
Caldwell, TX
Morning in Caldwell on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caldwell, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
106.5 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Caldwell to Houston is 106.5 miles and takes about 2h 18m via TX 36 and Katy Freeway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region towards the same region, mostly on highways. You'll find it's a straightforward drive, ideal for a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. The majority of the trip is on well-maintained roads, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.2 miles from Caldwell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 36 | 78.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| State Highway 36 South | 18.4 mi | 27m |
| Katy Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Hempstead Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Mangum Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Northwest Freeway Frontage Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Green Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
TX 36
— 78.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on South Echols Street
68 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Echols Street
2
Turn right onto West Buck Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Buck Street
3
Turn right onto TX 36
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Green Street
4
Continue on TX 36
18 mi
·
27 min
·
State Highway 36 South
5
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 36
79 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
TX 36
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Turn right onto Mangum Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mangum Road
9
Continue on Hempstead Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Washington Avenue
11
Continue on Westcott Street
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
Westcott Street
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
13
Merge onto I 10; US 90
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
16
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
17
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
18
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 18 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Caldwell in the morning allows you to arrive in Houston with plenty of the day left for activities. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's a budget-friendly trip. The longest stretch without a major change is 78.7 miles on TX 36, so plan any brief stops for stretching or snacks before or after this segment. Keep an eye on traffic as you near Houston, especially if traveling during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Caldwell, TX, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.7 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.2 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
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 Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, TX
This is one driving day of about 106.5 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Caldwell, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on TX 36 for about 78.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.2 miles from Caldwell, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 36 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 106.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
TX 36
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 36
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
97.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
5
101.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
5
106.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
Preston Street
Turn left onto Preston Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.09 one way
$32.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $17.61 | $35.23 |
| premium | $4.54 | $19.01 | $38.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.51 | $47.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.18 | $5.11 |
| Efficient EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.32 | $4.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.91 | $6.82 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Waller, TX
53 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
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
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on highways for about 95% of this 106.5-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on TX 36 measures 78.7 miles, offering a solid period of cruising. You'll transition from TX 36 to the Katy Freeway as you approach Houston, so be prepared for an increase in exit density and merging traffic. The profile is mostly highway, indicating a consistent driving experience for most of the trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.7 mi on TX 36.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 36 and State Highway 36 South. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near TX 36.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 106.5 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles (TX 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Caldwell, 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.
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 2h 18m. Total distance: 106.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.7 miles on TX 36. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.1 miles (TX 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Houston, TX before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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