Traveling from Cleburne to Houston covers approximately 241.6 miles and takes roughly 3 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. Because this route relies on local roads like North Main Street, East 2nd Street, and FM 4 rather than major interstates, it functions best as a focused one-day trip. You should budget about $36 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Both your starting point in Cleburne and your destination in Houston sit within the Great Plains region, meaning you will experience consistent geographical terrain throughout the drive. This trek is manageable for a single driver, but be prepared for a turn-heavy experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard highway haul.
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
120.7 miles from Cleburne, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35W
48.9 mi
49m
East State Highway 6
46.6 mi
46m
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
Aggie Expressway
24.7 mi
27m
South State Highway 6
13.7 mi
14m
Tomball Parkway
12.6 mi
16m
East FM 4
11.7 mi
19m
North Freeway
7.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 48.9 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleburne, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 67 Bus
49 ft·8 sec·East Henderson Street
2
Turn left onto TX 171; TX 174; FM 4
0.5 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto FM 4
1.1 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 4
12 mi·19 min·East FM 4
5
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
0.6 mi·1 min·McDuff Avenue
6
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
0.7 mi·1 min·East Criner Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 35W
49 mi·49 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi·8 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 337Toward US 77 Business: Elm AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
12
Turn left onto US 77 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·North Loop Drive
13
Continue on Loop 484
2.7 mi·3 min·Marlin Highway
14
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
15
Continue on TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Memorial Street
16
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·East State Highway 6
17
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·North Main Street
18
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi·6 min·North State Highway 6
19
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Market Street
20
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi·14 min·South State Highway 6
21
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi·31 min·North Earl Rudder Freeway
22
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 6
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
24
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 6
25
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
26
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TBT
7.0 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on TX 249
13 mi·16 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TX 249
1.8 mi·3 min·West Mount Houston Road
31
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
32
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the ramp
453 ft·11 sec
Toward I 45 South
34
Merge onto I 45
7.4 mi·9 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 45
271 ft·3 sec·Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 48AToward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / straight lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Milam StreetUse the slight left lane.
38
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Milam Street
39
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft·13 sec·Prairie Street
40
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
41
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 46 minute journey, plan to leave early in the day to avoid the fatigue that can come with navigating local turns for extended periods. Since this route includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to rest your eyes and stretch before tackling the remainder of the drive. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before you depart Cleburne to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run. Given that this is a local road-heavy trip, rely on your navigation system consistently to handle the frequent turns along FM 4 and other local streets. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't hesitate to take an extra rest stop if the turn-heavy nature of the road starts to wear on you.
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 120.7 miles from Cleburne, TX, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.9 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 39m
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 Cleburne, 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 Cleburne, TX
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cleburne, 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 I 35W for about 48.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 15 and 240.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15 mi into trip|~25m in|I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
64 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 337
Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
5
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
7
240.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
7
240.6 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Milam Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Milam Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.49 one way
$72.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$39.94
$79.89
premium
$4.54
$43.12
$86.24
diesel
$5.61
$53.32
$106.64
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Tomball Tollway
(7 mi)$0.49
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)$0.25
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Cleburne, TX
Late night
in Cleburne on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 2:50AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:47AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM 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
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
4h 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 66.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than the monotony of a high-speed interstate grind. With 0% of the route categorized as highway driving, you will spend the entire 241.6 miles navigating through local corridors. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on North Main Street is 0 miles, you should expect constant adjustments and frequent turns. The road maintains a distinct local personality, shifting away from the typical fast-paced transit you might find on major national routes. Staying alert is essential, as the constant navigation required by this specific road network makes for a much more active driving experience.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.9 mi on I 35W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and East State Highway 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 241.5 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 15 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cleburne, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 515: Conroe along the way.
Cleburne is one of those fun close-minded towns named after a Confederate general in the Cross Timbers region. It was first a rendezvous point for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, mostly under Patrick Cleburne, then a watering hole on the Chisholm Trail, then a stop along multiple railroads. But today it's more or less a conservative suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a couple of museums and a reservoir known as Lake Cleburne.
Top landmarks
•Johnson County Courthouse — historic place in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas
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 4h 35m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.9 miles on I 35W. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball 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.
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 15 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Houston, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
