Trip from Colleyville, 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 48m

Distance

266.1 mi

428 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 35m ★

6 AM

4h 48m

8 AM

5h 15m

10 AM

4h 58m

12 PM

4h 55m

3 PM

4h 59m

5 PM

5h 14m

8 PM

4h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Colleyville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Colleyville to Houston covers 269.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes of road time. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra errands to run. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Both cities sit within the Texas Great Plains, keeping the regional landscape consistent throughout your transit. Since the route involves a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should prepare for a bit more active steering than a standard highway cruise. It is a practical, manageable connection between these two Texas hubs.

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

133 miles from Colleyville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway	237.2 mi	4h 9m
SH 114 TEXpress	6.5 mi	6m
West John W Carpenter Freeway	5.3 mi	5m
North Stemmons Freeway	4 mi	5m
Colleyville Boulevard	2.7 mi	4m
Mustang Drive	1.9 mi	3m
TX 121	1.8 mi	2m
SH 183 TEXpress	1.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806

Quietest

2 AM

~407 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Colleyville, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on this road

125 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto TX 26

2.7 mi · 4 min · Colleyville Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 26

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ira E Woods Avenue

Turn right onto Mustang Drive

1.9 mi · 3 min · Mustang Drive

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto State Highway 121

0.1 mi · 10 sec · State Highway 121

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward TX 114 East, TX 121 North Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto TX 121

1.8 mi · 2 min · TX 121

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 114

5.3 mi · 5 min · West John W Carpenter Freeway

Toward TX 114 East: Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114 TEXpress

6.5 mi · 6 min · SH 114 TEXpress

Toward TX 114 Express: SH 114 TEXpress East Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Merge onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 50 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Merge onto I 35E

3.9 mi · 4 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec

Exit 429B Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North Stemmons Freeway

Turn left onto Continental Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Continental Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto McKinney Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · McKinney Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 75 North

Merge onto Spur 366

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps 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

Since this 4-hour and 4-minute trek involves a turn-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue while navigating local intersections. Because there are no designated stops provided in the data, take the initiative to map out your own breaks every hour or so to keep your focus sharp. Given the $40 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before you leave Colleyville is a smart way to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station mid-trip. The flexibility of this shorter distance is your biggest advantage, so don't feel pressured to rush the drive. Most importantly, keep your GPS active at all times, as the lack of major highway mileage means you will be making frequent turns throughout the journey.

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 133 miles from Colleyville, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m

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 Colleyville, 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 Colleyville, TX

This is one driving day of about 266.1 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Colleyville, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

133 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seven Points, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133 miles from Colleyville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Conroe, Texas

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+19365223000

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 264.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | TX 114 / West John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 114 / West John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 114 East: Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward TX 114 East: Dallas, Dallas Fort Worth I...

13 mi into trip | ~18m in | TX 114 TEXpress / SH 114 TEXpress

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114 TEXpress / SH 114 TEXpress toward TX 114 Express: SH 114 TEXpress East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward TX 114 Express: SH 114 TEXpress East

25.6 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West

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 429B Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West

27 mi into trip | ~35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 45 South: Houston

264.8 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.45 one way

$72.89 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$40.71	$81.42
premium	$4.23	$44.26	$88.53
diesel	$4.80	$50.24	$100.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.8	0	$27.94	$12.77
Efficient EV	66.5	0	$23.28	$10.64
EV Truck/SUV	106.4	1	$37.25	$17.03

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 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

Colleyville, TX

Late night in Colleyville on Monday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Clear

S 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

100°F

Italy, TX

133 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than the monotony of a high-speed interstate grind. With a highway share of 0%, your focus will remain on navigating local roads that demand more engagement from the driver. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the route relies on a series of turns that require constant attention to your navigation. Transitioning through the Texas landscape, the road maintains a consistent pace that differs significantly from the typical fast-lane experience. Being behind the wheel here means staying alert and prepared for a more technical driving experience than you might find on major freeways.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 237.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and SH 114 TEXpress. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in near TX 114 / West John W Carpenter Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 266.1 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 7.6 miles (TX 114 / West John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (TX 114 TEXpress / SH 114 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

607 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

283 ft

Total Descent

855 ft

Highest Point

607 ft

Elevation Range

572 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 Colleyville, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.

Commerce Street West

25.6 mi in | ~32m

About the Cities

Starting in Colleyville, 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. === 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 48m. Total distance: 266.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Colleyville, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Candy Cane Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Carl Barton Jr Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colleyville, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 48m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Colleyville, TX

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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?

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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