Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Seabrook, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
271.5 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Seabrook, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Dallas to Seabrook, expect a journey spanning 271.5 miles that typically takes about 4 hours and 53 minutes behind the wheel. Given the duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the drive. Navigating through the Great Plains, you will transition from the heart of Dallas toward the coast. While the trip is straightforward, the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention throughout the day.
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
135.7 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 213.3 mi | 3h 40m |
| HTR | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| North Loop East | 10.5 mi | 13m |
| La Porte Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| TX 146 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Pasadena Freeway | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| McKinney Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 213.3 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 Seabrook, 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
210 mi
·
3 hr 36 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 East
10
Merge onto I 610
11 mi
·
13 min
·
North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 225
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 225
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 225
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 146 South: La Porte
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto TX 146
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
TX 146
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
18
Turn straight onto TX 146
104 ft
·
5 sec
·
Bayport Boulevard
19
Turn left onto NASA 1
280 ft
·
14 sec
·
East NASA Parkway
20
Turn left onto Anders Avenue
120 ft
·
10 sec
·
Anders Avenue
21
Turn left
109 ft
·
8 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 53-minute trek, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid heavy traffic congestion on the local roads. Since the route involves a single planned stop, use that break to stretch and refuel your vehicle, keeping your $40 budget in mind. Because this is a turn-heavy route without significant highway stretches, keep your GPS accessible at all times to navigate the local intersections effectively. Since you are not locked into a long-distance highway grind, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Prioritize a well-rested start, as the lack of long, straight stretches means you will be actively steering for the duration of the trip.
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 135.7 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.3 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 60 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seabrook, 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 271.5 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 213.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.7 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 213.3 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Bounce N Play Seabrook
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Seabrook, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13466338320
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 websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteSpace Center Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12812442100
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 262.5 — 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
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
214.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
8
247.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
7
262.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 146 South: La Porte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 146 South: La Porte
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.19 one way
$74.37 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.54 | $83.07 |
| premium | $4.23 | $45.16 | $90.32 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $51.26 | $102.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.51 | $13.03 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.76 | $10.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.01 | $17.38 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening in Dallas on Monday
Local time
7:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
101°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Seabrook, TX
Evening in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
7:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
96°F
Madisonville, TX
136 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m 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 defined by its turn-heavy, local personality rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating through city infrastructure, starting with McKinney Avenue, US 75 North, and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience compared to a standard highway haul. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on McKinney Avenue, emphasizing the constant turns and adjustments you will make. Expect the road to demand steady focus as you make your way toward Seabrook.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.3 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 HTR. 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 17 significant decision points across 271.5 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.7 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
488 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
371 ft
Total Descent
790 ft
Highest Point
488 ft
~38.8 mi in
Elevation Range
478 ft
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.
Between Dallas, TX and Seabrook, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South and La Porte.
Hardy Toll Road South
214.7 mi in
|
~3h 42m
|
via HTR
La Porte
247.9 mi in
|
~4h 23m
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 Seabrook, TX
Full guide →Founded 1961
North Barrier Coast is on the Gulf Coast of 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 53m. Total distance: 271.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.3 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Seabrook, 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 33 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 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.7 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Seabrook, 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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