Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
250 mi
402 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
36 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Grand Prairie to Houston, expect a journey covering 253.4 miles that typically takes about 3 hours and 47 minutes. This route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to complete the drive. Navigating through the Great Plains, you will primarily utilize Northeast 5th Street, East Main Street, and South Belt Line Road rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with local navigation, providing a direct transition between these two Texas hubs.
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
125 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 227.2 mi | 3h 57m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Milam Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Louisiana Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Prairie Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Gulf Freeway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 227.2 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 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 Grand Prairie, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
189 ft
·
14 sec
·
Northeast 5th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 180
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South Belt Line Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 20 East
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 45
227 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
13
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
14
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
15
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 47-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. You should account for at least one stop during the drive to break up the turn-heavy nature of the route. Given the $38 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your levels before heading out, as local roads may offer fewer convenient fueling opportunities than a major highway. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Northeast 5th Street and East Main Street, as the lack of highway segments makes following signage essential. Take advantage of the single-day timeframe to arrive in Houston refreshed and ready for your visit.
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 125 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227.2 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 16m 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 40m
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 Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, TX
This is one driving day of about 250 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Grand Prairie, 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 227.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125 miles from Grand Prairie, 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 227.2 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
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 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 websiteRipley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
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 websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
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 websiteWaugh 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 249.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 5th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
Navigation decision point
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East
7
21.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
248.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
249.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
$34.24 one way
$68.48 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $38.25 | $76.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $41.58 | $83.17 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.20 | $94.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
36 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Ennis, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Ennis, TX
Tesla
24 DCFC
Madisonville, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Madisonville, TX
Tesla
24 DCFC
Fairfield, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Fairfield, TX
Tesla
15 DCFC
Centerville, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Centerville, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Arlington, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Arlington, TX
Tesla
10 DCFC
Grand Prairie, TX Rechargery Relay - N Hwy 360
Grand Prairie, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Grand Prairie, TX Rechargery Relay - S Carrier Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Bucees Ennis MB.HPC
Ennis, TX
MERCEDES_BENZ
10 DCFC
Tesla: 8
Electrify America: 6
eVgo Network: 6
IONNA: 3
Non-Networked: 3
MERCEDES_BENZ: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 2
WALMART: 1
Blink Network: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
HYPERFUEL: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
CIRCLE_K: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75 | 0 | $26.25 | $12.00 |
| Efficient EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.88 | $10.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100 | 1 | $35.00 | $16.00 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Origin
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM 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
18 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 29m 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 journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a distinct departure from standard interstate travel. Because the highway share is 0%, your attention will be consistently required on local roads rather than high-speed cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Northeast 5th Street, emphasizing the frequent turns you will encounter throughout the 253.4-mile path. You can expect a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and navigation transitions demand your full focus. It is an ideal route for drivers who prefer local thoroughfares over the monotonous pace of heavy highway traffic.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 227.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
579 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
313 ft
Total Descent
797 ft
Highest Point
579 ft
~17.9 mi in
Elevation Range
544 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
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 29m. Total distance: 250 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m 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 227.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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