Trip from Cleburne, TX to Houston, TX

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

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

241.5 mi

389 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 22m ★

6 AM

4h 35m

8 AM

5h 2m

10 AM

4h 45m

12 PM

4h 42m

3 PM

4h 46m

5 PM

5h 1m

8 PM

4h 27m

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

Best Time

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Cleburne, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

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

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~2,710 veh/hr typical · worst 3,817

Quietest

2 AM

~466 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 43 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 Cleburne, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on US 67 Bus

49 ft · 8 sec · East Henderson Street

Turn left onto TX 171; TX 174; FM 4

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Turn left onto FM 4

1.1 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 4

12 mi · 19 min · East FM 4

Continue on FM 4; FM 916

0.6 mi · 1 min · McDuff Avenue

Continue on FM 4; FM 916

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Criner Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 35W

49 mi · 49 min · I 35W

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

0.1 mi · 8 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn left onto US 77 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Loop Drive

Continue on Loop 484

2.7 mi · 3 min · Marlin Highway

Continue on TX 6

9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Memorial Street

Continue on TX 6

37 mi · 37 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Continue on TX 6

6.2 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on US 79; TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Market Street

Continue on US 190; TX 6

14 mi · 14 min · South State Highway 6

Continue on US 190; TX 6

30 mi · 31 min · North Earl Rudder Freeway

Continue on TX 6

3.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe

Turn straight onto TX 105

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Highway 6

Turn left onto TX 105

5.9 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105

Turn straight onto TX 249

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TBT

7.0 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 249

13 mi · 16 min · Tomball Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 249

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Mount Houston Road

Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive

1.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Drive

Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

453 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 45 South

Merge onto I 45

7.4 mi · 9 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

271 ft · 3 sec · Gulf Freeway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 10 East: Beaumont Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Milam Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Milam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Milam Street

Turn right onto Prairie Street

328 ft · 13 sec · Prairie Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Street

516 ft · 16 sec · Louisiana Street

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Somerville, TX

121 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

Troy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Groesbeck, TX

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

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

$33.08 one way

$66.16 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$36.95	$73.90
premium	$4.23	$40.17	$80.34
diesel	$4.80	$45.60	$91.20

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

$33

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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, 2026-07-13.

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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Cleburne, TX

Evening in Cleburne on Monday

Local time

6:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 to 15 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Monday

Local time

6:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

96°F

Somerville, TX

121 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

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

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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 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 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

767 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

247 ft

Total Descent

979 ft

Highest Point

767 ft

Elevation Range

732 ft

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.

Spur 515: Conroe

174.8 mi in | ~3h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in Cleburne, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1867

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

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 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.

Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

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

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Trip from Cleburne, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Children's Museum Houston

Houston Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cleburne, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

Very similar conditions

4h 35m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Cleburne, TX

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

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?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Houston, TX

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