Traveling from Clarksville to Houston covers 300.9 miles and takes approximately 5 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Since the entire journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout your trip. This route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you can reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $45 for fuel to complete the trip. Because this drive relies on local roads like Clarksville Road and Paris Road rather than major interstates, it offers a more grounded, community-focused experience for your travel itinerary.
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
150.1 miles from Clarksville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 82 Bus; TX 37 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto TX 37
13 mi·19 min·Captain Henry Stout Bypass
3
Continue on TX 37
0.8 mi·1 min·Clarksville Road
4
Turn left onto US 271
0.3 mi·21 sec·Paris Road
5
Continue on US 271; FM 909
487 ft·6 sec·Halesboro Street
6
Continue on US 271
0.2 mi·13 sec·Broadway
7
Continue on US 271
0.9 mi·59 sec·Mount Pleasant Road
8
Continue on US 271
8.3 mi·9 min·US Highway 271 South
9
Continue on US 271
0.7 mi·49 sec·North First Street
10
Continue on US 271
12 mi·13 min·North US Highway 271
11
Continue on US 271
1.1 mi·1 min·North US Highway 271
12
Continue on US 271
2.5 mi·3 min·West Ferguson Road
13
Turn straight onto US 271
5.5 mi·6 min·Bill Ratliff Freeway
14
Continue on South US Highway 271
4.2 mi·4 min·South US Highway 271
15
Continue on US 271
23 mi·25 min·US 271
16
Turn straight onto TX 155
1.4 mi·1 min·TX 155
17
Turn left onto FM 2685
6.5 mi·7 min·FM 2685
18
At end of road, turn left onto FM 2685
4.1 mi·5 min·FM 2685
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi·2 min·West Upshur Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 271
0.3 mi·22 sec·North Main Street
21
Turn slight right onto US 271
1.6 mi·1 min·South Tyler Street
22
Turn left onto TX 135
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 135
23
Keep slight left at fork
48 ft·0 sec
24
Enter roundabout onto Houston Street
103 ft·1 sec·Houston Street
25
Continue on Houston Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Houston Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42
16 mi·19 min·South Henderson Boulevard
27
Continue on US 79; US 259
1.7 mi·2 min·Highway 79
28
Turn left onto US 259
16 mi·18 min·US Route 259
29
Continue on US 259
2.9 mi·3 min·North Railroad Avenue
30
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
31
Continue on US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
32
Take the exit
224 ft·6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
33
Continue on this road
420 ft·11 sec·this road
34
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
35
Turn left
104 ft·4 sec
36
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi·47 sec·North US Highway 59
37
Continue on US 59
6.4 mi·7 min·Northwest Stallings Drive
38
Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224
0.4 mi·25 sec·Stallings Drive
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
40
Turn straight
223 ft·6 sec
41
Merge onto US 59
1.3 mi·1 min·South Street
42
Continue on US 59
19 mi·22 min·South US Highway 59
43
Take the exit
396 ft·9 sec
Toward South First Street
44
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi·23 sec·South Medford Drive
45
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi·5 min·South First Street
46
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi·1 min·US 59
47
Continue on US 59
111 mi·2 hr 1 min·Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 132Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
49
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
50
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.5 mi·35 sec·East Freeway
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 769BToward San Jacinto Street, Main StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Turn straight onto Providence Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·Providence Street
53
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·North San Jacinto Street
54
Continue on Fannin Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Fannin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
55
Turn right onto Prairie Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Prairie Street
56
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
57
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 12-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and minimize traffic fatigue. With only one recommended stop planned, you have significant flexibility to pace your journey according to your own needs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 estimate assumes steady driving conditions on local roads. Since this route lacks long highway stretches, prioritize comfort and frequent hydration to stay sharp through the numerous turns. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to pre-map your navigation through the local bypasses and road segments to ensure you stay on track through the winding local sections.
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 150.1 miles from Clarksville, TX, or about 3h 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 66 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.1 miles or 3h 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 50m
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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TX
This is one driving day of about 300.2 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Clarksville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.8 and 298.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
100.8 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|Houston Street
Enter roundabout onto Houston Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
101.5 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
8
298 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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...
8
298.2 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
8
298.9 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
$45.36 one way
$90.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$49.65
$99.30
premium
$4.54
$53.60
$107.20
diesel
$5.61
$66.28
$132.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.1
1
$31.52
$14.41
Efficient EV
75.1
0
$26.27
$12.01
EV Truck/SUV
120.1
1
$42.03
$19.21
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 17, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, TX
Afternoon
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
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
5h 51m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features 0% highway share, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various turns. You won't find any long, uninterrupted highway stretches here, as the longest segment on the Captain Henry Stout Bypass is 0 miles. Instead, the journey focuses on local connectivity, which defines the personality of this 300.9-mile trip. Navigating these local passages offers a distinct change of pace compared to high-speed transit, making it a trip suited for those who prefer steady, attentive driving.
Only 44% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 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?
7/10
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 100.8 miles in near Houston Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 300.2 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 100.8 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 101.5 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 298 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 51m. Total distance: 300.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.8 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 101.5 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 298 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
