Origin
Florence, TX
Morning in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, 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
3h 39m
Distance
189.7 mi
305 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Florence, TX to Houston, TX is 189.7 miles and takes about 3h 39m via US Highway 290 West, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive. With 79% of the route on highways, you'll experience a good balance of efficient travel and local road cruising. This is a very manageable one-day trip, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.9 miles from Florence, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 290 West | 64.8 mi | 1h 14m |
| East US Highway 290 | 42.1 mi | 49m |
| West Austin Street | 32.9 mi | 36m |
| TX 130 Toll | 25.2 mi | 24m |
| TX 195 | 13 mi | 14m |
| Katy Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Hempstead Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| East Parmer Lane | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 290 West
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 487
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward TX 195 South
3
Merge onto TX 195
13 mi
·
14 min
·
TX 195
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
5
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Interstate 35
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
Continue on TX 130 Toll
25 mi
·
24 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 437A
Toward US 290, FM 734: Austin, Houston, Parmer Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 436
Toward FM 734: Parmer Lane
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto FM 734
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Parmer Lane
11
Turn left onto US 290
42 mi
·
49 min
·
East US Highway 290
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 290
33 mi
·
36 min
·
West Austin Street
13
Take the exit onto US 290
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 290
Toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
14
Merge onto US 290; TX 36
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 290 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Turn right onto Mangum Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mangum Road
18
Continue on Hempstead Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Washington Avenue
20
Continue on Westcott Street
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
Westcott Street
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
22
Merge onto I 10; US 90
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
25
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
26
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
27
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a 3h 39m drive, leaving Florence, TX in the morning will get you to Houston well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $29, you have a lot of flexibility. You can easily make this a single-day trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 64.8 miles on US Highway 290 West, as services can be spread out between towns.
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 94.9 miles from Florence, TX, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 42 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
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 Florence, 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 Florence, TX
This is one driving day of about 189.7 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Florence, 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 US Highway 290 West for about 64.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Florence, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 290 West if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.8 miles.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 189.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
TX 195
Merge onto TX 195
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
39.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward US 290, FM 734: Austin, Houston, Parmer Lane
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.
Exit 437A
Toward US 290, FM 734: Austin, Houston, Parmer...
9
39.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FM 734: Parmer Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 436
Toward FM 734: Parmer Lane
7
181 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
8
189.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Theatre District
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.
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.66 one way
$57.33 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $31.38 | $62.75 |
| premium | $4.54 | $33.87 | $67.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
6:43 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
1 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
3h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend most of your time on highways, with 79% of the 189.7 miles utilizing them. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 64.8 miles along US Highway 290 West. You'll transition from highway speeds to surface streets as you approach your destination. The route involves frequent exits and entrances as you navigate through various towns and interchanges.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on US Highway 290 West.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 290 West and East US Highway 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near TX 195.
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 189.7 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 0.8 miles (TX 195): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Florence, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Fm 734: Austin and Bellville.
Fm 734: Austin
39.5 mi in
|
~41m
Bellville
115.9 mi in
|
~2h 9m
|
via US 290
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 3h 39m. Total distance: 189.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on US Highway 290 West. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.8 miles (TX 195): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Houston, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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