Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Elsa, TX to Houston, 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
6h 45m
Distance
348.1 mi
560 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 34m
★
6 AM
6h 46m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 54m
12 PM
6h 52m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elsa, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Elsa to Houston covers 332.3 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 13 minutes of drive time. Because this is a manageable distance for most drivers, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $49 for fuel to complete the journey. Both the starting point in Elsa and your final destination in Houston are located within the Great Plains region of Texas. This route is straightforward, providing a direct path across the state without the need for intermediate stops if you prefer to keep moving. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, this drive offers a practical way to connect these two Texas locales.
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
174 miles from Elsa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 96.7 mi | 1h 44m |
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| East Main Street | 26.2 mi | 30m |
| Edinburg Avenue | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Elsa, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on TX 107
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Edinburg Avenue
2
Turn right onto FM 2128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Road
3
Continue on FM 2128
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Schunior Street
4
Continue on FM 2128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Street
5
Continue on FM 2128
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Road
6
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
181 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Expressway 281
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
8
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
25 mi
·
28 min
·
I 69C; US 281
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
11
Continue on US 281 Business
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281 Business
12
Turn right onto FM 1352
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Cecilia Street
13
Turn left onto FM 665
345 ft
·
7 sec
·
Old Kingsville Road
14
Turn slight right onto FM 665
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cameron Street
15
Turn right onto TX 44; TX 359
452 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Front Street
16
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
26 mi
·
30 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto TX 44
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 44
18
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North US Highway 77
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward County Road 44
20
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
21
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
23
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
24
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
25
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
26
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
27
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
29
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
30
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
31
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
32
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
34
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
36
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 13 minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops included in the route plan, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready to go before you head out, keeping that $49 fuel budget in mind. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for a trip of this length, as it allows you to adjust based on real-time road conditions. Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, keep your eyes on the navigation frequently to stay on track. Focusing on steady pacing will help you reach Houston without unnecessary fatigue.
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 174 miles from Elsa, TX, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 77 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174 miles or 3h 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 5h 29m
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 Elsa, 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 Elsa, TX
This is one driving day of about 348.1 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Elsa, 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 69C for about 96.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174 miles from Elsa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.7 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.
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.2 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 websiteBrazos River Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
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 websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Barbara 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 websiteZlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 346.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 69C North, US 281 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
5
9.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 69C; US 281
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
137.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
North US Highway 77
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
345.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
7
346.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
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 Downtown, Louisiana Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.68 one way
$95.36 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.26 | $106.51 |
| premium | $4.23 | $57.90 | $115.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.73 | $131.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.55 | $16.71 |
| Efficient EV | 87 | 0 | $30.46 | $13.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.2 | 1 | $48.73 | $22.28 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Elsa, TX
Late night in Elsa on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
6h 45m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this path. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads that require more focus and active steering. The route lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, so you should prepare for a more engaging, hands-on experience behind the wheel. As you transition between Elsa and Houston, the road character remains consistent with local traffic patterns. You will find that the lack of high-speed highway segments makes this a trip defined by constant movement rather than cruise-controlled stretches.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and US Highway 59 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 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 23 significant decision points across 348.1 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 9.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.9 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
162 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
189 ft
Total Descent
220 ft
Highest Point
162 ft
~99.4 mi in
Elevation Range
127 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 Elsa, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward County Road 44, Sinton and Victoria.
County Road 44
138.9 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Sinton
146.1 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via US 77
Victoria
146.1 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via US 77
About the Cities
Starting in Elsa, TX
Full guide →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. === Welcome World Cup fans === Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).
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 45m. Total distance: 348.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.9 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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