Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Eastland, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 11m
Distance
319.1 mi
514 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 59m
★
6 AM
6h 12m
8 AM
6h 37m
10 AM
6h 21m
12 PM
6h 18m
3 PM
6h 22m
5 PM
6h 36m
8 PM
6h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eastland, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Eastland, TX to Houston, TX is 319.1 miles and takes about 6h 11m via East State Highway 6, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward transit between two points in Texas. Given its manageable length and mostly highway profile, it's well-suited for a single day's travel. You'll spend most of your time on established roadways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
159.6 miles from Eastland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East State Highway 6 | 46.6 mi | 46m |
| East 2nd Street | 42.4 mi | 48m |
| North Earl Rudder Freeway | 30.1 mi | 31m |
| TX 6 | 28.5 mi | 33m |
| I 20 | 26 mi | 25m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.7 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 108 | 22.2 mi | 33m |
| South US Highway 281 | 17.4 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
East State Highway 6
— 46.6 mi, about 46m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~909 veh/hr typical · worst 1,389
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 98 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 Eastland, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on TX 112
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto Interstate 20
370 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate 20
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
4
Merge onto I 20
26 mi
·
25 min
·
I 20
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 370
Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
6
Turn straight onto TX 108
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Interstate 20
7
Turn right onto TX 108
22 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 108
8
Continue on TX 108
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Graham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 108
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Graham Avenue
10
Continue on TX 108
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Highway 108
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
17 mi
·
19 min
·
South US Highway 281
12
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
North 2nd Street
13
Continue on TX 6
42 mi
·
48 min
·
East 2nd Street
14
Continue on TX 6
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue C
15
Continue on TX 6
29 mi
·
33 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
17
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
18
Continue on TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Memorial Street
19
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
East State Highway 6
20
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
21
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North State Highway 6
22
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Market Street
23
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Highway 6
24
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi
·
31 min
·
North Earl Rudder Freeway
25
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 6
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
27
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 6
28
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
29
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on TBT
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on TX 249
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on TX 249
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Mount Houston Road
34
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
35
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Take the ramp
453 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 45 South
37
Merge onto I 45
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
41
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
42
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
43
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
44
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Eastland. This will help you avoid any potential midday congestion and ensure you arrive in Houston with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 46.6-mile stretch on East State Highway 6, as services might be less frequent. The $45 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices before you leave.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.6 miles from Eastland, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.6 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 70 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.6 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
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 Eastland, 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 Eastland, TX
This is one driving day of about 319.1 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Eastland, 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 East State Highway 6 for about 46.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.6 miles from Eastland, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Downtown Aquarium
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 websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteLakewood Crossing Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
Waugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteChildren's Museum Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
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 27.9 and 318.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 370
Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenvil...
5
252.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
5
310.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 59m in
|
I 45 / North Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
317.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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
318.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m 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
$48.86 one way
$97.71 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $53.92 | $107.84 |
| premium | $4.64 | $58.27 | $116.53 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $77.63 | $155.25 |
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
$49
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.51 | $15.32 |
| Efficient EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.92 | $12.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.6 | 1 | $44.67 | $20.42 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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
Eastland, TX
Afternoon in Eastland on Monday
Local time
4:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Monday
Local time
4:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
86°F
Troy, TX
160 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
11 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
6h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 132
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 77% highway, meaning you'll spend the bulk of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 46.6 miles on East State Highway 6. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface streets as you approach your destination, with East State Highway 6 serving as a primary artery for a significant portion of the trip. The prevalence of highway driving suggests a generally consistent speed with fewer stops for traffic signals for much of the journey.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.6 mi on East State Highway 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East State Highway 6 and East 2nd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 319.1 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 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,439 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
344 ft
Total Descent
1,748 ft
Highest Point
1,439 ft
Elevation Range
1,404 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 Eastland, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 108 South, Fm 919: Gordon, Stephenville and Spur 515: Conroe.
Sh 108 South
27.9 mi in
|
~29m
Fm 919: Gordon
27.9 mi in
|
~29m
Stephenville
27.9 mi in
|
~29m
Spur 515: Conroe
252.4 mi in
|
~4h 49m
About the Cities
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 6h 11m. Total distance: 319.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.6 miles on East State Highway 6. 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Houston, TX
More from Eastland, TX
More trips to Houston, TX
Explore more options from Eastland, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.