Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Katy, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
257.8 mi
415 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Katy, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Dallas to Katy covers approximately 257.8 miles, typically requiring 4 hours and 33 minutes of drive time. Since the entire journey remains within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent geographic backdrop throughout your trip. This route is manageable as a single-day excursion, though you should budget about $38 for fuel to make the trek. Navigating through urban segments involves McKinney Avenue, US 75 North, and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. While it functions well as a direct day trip, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the 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
128.9 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 213.8 mi | 3h 40m |
| North Grand Parkway West | 37.8 mi | 41m |
| Highway Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| Katy Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| US 90 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| McKinney Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 213.8 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Dallas, TX and Katy, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lamar Street
2
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
McKinney Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
211 mi
·
3 hr 37 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
10
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi
·
41 min
·
North Grand Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
Katy Freeway
14
Take the exit onto US 90
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 90
Exit 741
Toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Boulevard
16
Arrive at destination
US 90
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic congestion, which can significantly impact your 4 hour and 33 minute travel time. Since the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, keep your navigation tools handy to manage the frequent maneuvers required on McKinney Avenue and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Budgeting for your $38 fuel cost beforehand allows for a stress-free experience, and you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since this is a relatively short trip, do not hesitate to pull over if you encounter unexpected delays or simply need a break from the local road navigation.
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 128.9 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.8 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 57 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 14m 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 Katy, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.8 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Dallas, 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 213.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.9 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Katy Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteGeronimo Adventure Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 12–6 pm
+18303655867
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteZube Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12813538100
Visit websiteHouston Area Live Steamers
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 256.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m 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
215.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
7
254.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Anton...
7
254.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
7
256.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
|
US 90
Take the exit onto US 90 toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 741
Toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.31 one way
$70.62 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.44 | $78.88 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.88 | $85.76 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.68 | $97.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.07 | $12.37 |
| Efficient EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.56 | $10.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.09 | $16.50 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night in Dallas on Monday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Katy, TX
Late night in Katy on Monday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
97°F
Buffalo, TX
129 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 33m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate haul, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating through local thoroughfares and city-adjacent roads, which keeps the experience engaging but requires more focus than a cruise-controlled highway trip. Because the route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, you should prepare for frequent adjustments and varied traffic patterns. The personality of this drive is distinctly urban and local, demanding your full attention as you transition from the Dallas area toward Katy.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.8 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Grand Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 257.8 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.3 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
506 ft
138 ft
Total Climb
234 ft
Total Descent
525 ft
Highest Point
506 ft
~36.8 mi in
Elevation Range
368 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Dallas, TX
Full guide →“Big D” · Founded 1841
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city. As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Top landmarks
- • Dallas Museum of Art — art museum in Dallas, Texas
- • Texas School Book Depository — building in Dallas, Texas, United States
- • George W. Bush Presidential Center — Presidential library and museum for U.S. President George W. Bush, located in Da...
Arriving in Katy, TX
Full guide →Founded 1945
Katy is a town in Southeastern Texas, just west of Houston, with rich history and a little bit of small town charm. It used to be a railroad town along the Missouri–Kansas–Texas railroad. In the 1960s, Houston started growing, eventually making Katy part of its surrounding area. Katy is a place to see for its heritage and historical sights, as well as other attractions to visit, with many being more popular than historical locations.
Top landmarks
- • B. Ray and Charlotte Woods House — building in Katy, Fort Bend 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 33m. Total distance: 257.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.8 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Katy, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Katy, 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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