Origin
Cresson, TX
Morning in Cresson on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cresson, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
265.7 mi
428 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cresson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Cresson, TX to Houston, TX is 265.7 miles and takes about 5 hours 2 minutes via I 35W and East State Highway 6, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you primarily on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. You'll start in the Great Plains region of Texas and remain in the same region for the entire drive. With a recommended one-day travel time and a fuel cost under $50, this is a manageable Texas drive.
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
132.9 miles from Cresson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 59.1 mi | 1h |
| 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 |
| State Highway 171 | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| Tomball Parkway | 12.6 mi | 16m |
| US 67 | 9.7 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 59.1 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cresson, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 377
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
East US Highway 377 Business
2
Turn left onto TX 171
13 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 171
3
Continue on TX 171
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Weatherford Highway
4
Turn sharp left onto TX 174
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 67 Truck North: Dallas
6
Merge onto US 67
9.7 mi
·
12 min
·
US 67
Toward US 67 North: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
406 ft
·
10 sec
8
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35W
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Interstate 35W
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 35W South
10
Merge onto I 35W
59 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 337
Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
14
Turn left onto US 77 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Loop Drive
15
Continue on Loop 484
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Marlin Highway
16
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
17
Continue on TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Memorial Street
18
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
East State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Market Street
22
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Highway 6
23
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi
·
31 min
·
North Earl Rudder Freeway
24
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 6
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
26
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 6
27
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
28
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TBT
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on TX 249
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on TX 249
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Mount Houston Road
33
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
34
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Take the ramp
453 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 45 South
36
Merge onto I 45
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
40
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
41
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
42
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
43
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive in Cresson, TX after breakfast is ideal to ensure you arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight. You'll only need one stop for fuel and rest, so plan that around the halfway point or when you feel ready. The longest continuous stretch without a major change is 59.1 miles on I 35W, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you hit that section. This is a drive that offers flexibility; you can easily complete it in a single day without feeling rushed.
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 132.9 miles from Cresson, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.9 miles or 2h 28m 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 1m
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 Cresson, 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 Cresson, TX
This is one driving day of about 265.7 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cresson, 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 59.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.9 miles from Cresson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
TX 174 / North Main Street
Turn sharp left onto TX 174 / North Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
18.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
US 67
Merge onto US 67 toward US 67 North: Dallas
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 67 North: Dallas
7
88.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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
7
264.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
264.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 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
$40.15 one way
$80.30 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $43.95 | $87.89 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.44 | $94.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.66 | $117.33 |
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 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 | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.75 |
| Efficient EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.25 | $10.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.3 | 1 | $37.20 | $17.00 |
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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
5h 2m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 88% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 59.1 miles on I 35W before transitioning to East State Highway 6 and North Earl Rudder Freeway. Expect a steady cruising experience for the majority of your travel time. The shift from interstate to state highway is where you'll notice the most change in the immediate surroundings.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.1 mi on I 35W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 17.6 miles in near TX 174 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 265.7 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 17.6 miles (TX 174 / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 18.6 miles (US 67): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Cresson, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 515: Conroe along the way.
Spur 515: Conroe
199 mi in
|
~3h 39m
About the Cities
Starting in Cresson, TX
Full guide →Founded 2001
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.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 265.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m 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 59.1 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 17.6 miles (TX 174 / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 18.6 miles (US 67): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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