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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colleyville, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on this road
125 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto TX 26
2.7 mi·4 min·Colleyville Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on TX 26
0.7 mi·1 min·Ira E Woods Avenue
4
Turn right onto Mustang Drive
1.9 mi·3 min·Mustang Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto State Highway 121
0.1 mi·10 sec·State Highway 121
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward TX 114 East, TX 121 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto TX 121
1.8 mi·2 min·TX 121
8
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 AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114 TEXpress
6.5 mi·6 min·SH 114 TEXpress
Toward TX 114 Express: SH 114 TEXpress EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi·1 min·SH 183 TEXpress
11
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi·50 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
12
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 429BToward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street WestUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
15
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·McKinney Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 75 North
18
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi·37 sec·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 45 South: HoustonUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi·3 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi·4 hr 5 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 45
271 ft·3 sec·Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 48AToward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Milam StreetUse the slight left lane.
25
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Milam Street
26
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft·13 sec·Prairie Street
27
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
28
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.
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.
8
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...
7
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
8
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
7
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
7
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
$40.21 one way
$80.42 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.01
$88.02
premium
$4.54
$47.51
$95.02
diesel
$5.61
$58.75
$117.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
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, 2026-04-13.
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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Colleyville, TX
Late night
in Colleyville on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 6:30AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 6:28AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
More Details
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 Effort9/10
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.
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.
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 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 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
