Trip from Glenn Heights, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 13m

Distance

233.4 mi

376 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 0m ★

6 AM

4h 13m

8 AM

4h 40m

10 AM

4h 22m

12 PM

4h 20m

3 PM

4h 24m

5 PM

4h 38m

8 PM

4h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Glenn Heights, TX

Alfo Medeiros

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Glenn Heights to Houston covers approximately 236.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes. Because this is a relatively straightforward distance, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $35 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Your route will take you through local thoroughfares like Ovilla Road and Plaza Drive before connecting to Interstate 35E. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, the drive is manageable for most drivers looking for a direct path to the coast.

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

116.7 miles from Glenn Heights, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	198.8 mi	3h 28m
US 287	21 mi	23m
I 35E	6.8 mi	7m
Ovilla Road	1.9 mi	3m
South Hampton Road	1.2 mi	2m
North Interstate 35E	0.5 mi	<1m
Milam Street	0.4 mi	1m
West US Highway 287 Bypass	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 45 — 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925

Quietest

2 AM

~414 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Glenn Heights, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on South Hampton Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Hampton Road

At end of road, turn left onto FM 664

1.9 mi · 3 min · Ovilla Road

Turn right onto Plaza Drive

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Plaza Drive

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E

0.1 mi · 12 sec · North Interstate 35E

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

6.8 mi · 7 min · I 35E

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 403 Toward US 287: Corsicana, Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on North Interstate 35E

0.4 mi · 40 sec · North Interstate 35E

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 34 sec

Turn straight onto West US Highway 287 Bypass

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West US Highway 287 Bypass

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 287 South

Merge onto US 287

21 mi · 23 min · US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 45 South: Corsicana

Merge onto I 45; US 287

199 mi · 3 hr 28 min · I 45; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

271 ft · 3 sec · Gulf Freeway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 10 East: Beaumont Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Milam Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Milam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Milam Street

Turn right onto Prairie Street

328 ft · 13 sec · Prairie Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Street

516 ft · 16 sec · Louisiana Street

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is essential for this 236.4-mile trip, as traffic patterns can significantly impact your 3-hour and 39-minute travel time. Since the route involves only one planned stop, ensure you have your supplies and fuel needs sorted before you head out to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, stay alert and keep your GPS updated to navigate the local transitions smoothly. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use your single stop as an opportunity to stretch your legs and reset for the remainder of the drive. The flexibility of this shorter route allows you to depart at your convenience, but try to avoid peak local rush hours to keep your transit time as efficient as possible.

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 116.7 miles from Glenn Heights, TX, or about 2h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 51 miles or 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 116.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 27m

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 Glenn Heights, 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 Glenn Heights, TX

This is one driving day of about 233.4 miles and 4h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Glenn Heights, 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 45 for about 198.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seven Points, TX

117 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.

Popular next leg

Seven Points, TX to Houston, TX

217.3 mi · 4h

Pacing Suggestions

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buffalo, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.7 miles from Glenn Heights, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 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 website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 232.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.2 mi into trip | ~6m in | North Interstate 35E

At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward I 35E South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 35E South

10.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward US 287: Corsicana, Fort Worth

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 403 Toward US 287: Corsicana, Fort Worth

232.1 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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

232.5 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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

$31.97 one way

$63.94 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$35.71	$71.42
premium	$4.23	$38.82	$77.65
diesel	$4.80	$44.07	$88.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70	0	$24.51	$11.20
Efficient EV	58.4	0	$20.42	$9.34
EV Truck/SUV	93.4	1	$32.68	$14.94

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Glenn Heights, TX

Late night in Glenn Heights on Monday

Local time

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 to 15 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM 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

1 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

4h 13m 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 that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the route categorized as highway, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than maintaining high speeds on long, uninterrupted stretches. The longest stretch of the drive is 0 miles on Ovilla Road, highlighting the technical, stop-and-start nature of this path. This transition from local streets to broader thoroughfares creates a driving environment that feels more connected to the surrounding landscape. You will find that the road surface and traffic flow change frequently as you move away from Glenn Heights.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 198.8 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near North Interstate 35E.

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 14 significant decision points across 233.4 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 3.2 miles (North Interstate 35E): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 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

672 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

425 ft

Total Descent

1,062 ft

Highest Point

672 ft

Elevation Range

637 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Glenn Heights, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1969

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 4h 13m. Total distance: 233.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 45. 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 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 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, 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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Explore more options from Glenn Heights, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

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Trip from Glenn Heights, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Children's Museum Houston

Houston Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Glenn Heights, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 13m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Glenn Heights, TX

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Houston, TX

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