Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Katy, 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
4h 47m
Distance
267.8 mi
431 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
37 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 34m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 57m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Katy, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Grand Prairie, TX to Katy, TX is 267.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Texas and the Great Plains region, offering a mostly highway experience. Given its relatively short duration, it's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stop. Plan for a practical drive focused on 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
133.9 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 203.7 mi | 3h 29m |
| North Grand Parkway West | 37.8 mi | 41m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Highway Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| Katy Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| US 90 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 203.7 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Katy, 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
204 mi
·
3 hr 29 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
11
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi
·
41 min
·
North Grand Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
Katy Freeway
15
Take the exit onto US 90
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 90
Exit 741
Toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto US 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
US 90
Trip Plan
Leaving Grand Prairie in the morning, around 9 AM, should allow you to arrive in Katy by mid-afternoon, well before evening traffic builds. With a drive of just under 5 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $42, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You'll encounter only one planned stop, so consider that your primary break point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 203.7-mile segment on Julius Schepps Freeway, as services might be less frequent than you'd expect on a shorter drive.
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 133.9 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.7 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 23m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Katy, 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 267.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 203.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.9 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 203.7 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.
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
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
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
Buc-ee's
1.5 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteKaty Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
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 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 websiteGeronimo Adventure Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 12–6 pm
+18303655867
Visit websiteZube Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12813538100
Visit websiteHouston Area Live Steamers
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 21.2 and 266.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
225.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
7
264.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
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 I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Anton...
7
264.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
7
266.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
US 90
Take the exit onto US 90 toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 741
Toward US 90 West: Katy Mills Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.68 one way
$73.36 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $40.97 | $81.94 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.55 | $89.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.57 | $101.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
37 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
Blink Network: 2
MERCEDES_BENZ: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 2
WALMART: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
HYPERFUEL: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
CIRCLE_K: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.12 | $12.85 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.43 | $10.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.49 | $17.14 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Monday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Clear
SSW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Katy, TX
Late night in Katy on Monday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
4 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 47m 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 route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend nearly all 4 hours and 47 minutes on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway covers 203.7 miles. Expect consistent highway cruising with minimal transitions to surface streets. The high highway percentage suggests a drive with many exits and limited opportunities for scenic detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.7 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Grand Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 267.8 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 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.3 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
538 ft
138 ft
Total Climb
234 ft
Total Descent
615 ft
Highest Point
538 ft
~19.1 mi in
Elevation Range
400 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Brass Bean Café
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Grand Prairie, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:30; Sa 09:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Huntsville, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteChurch's Chicken
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
Buffalo, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Grand Prairie, TX
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-02:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-03:00; Su...
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Grand Prairie, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 05:00-23:00
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Buffalo, TX
Cuisine: tex-mex
Visit websiteJoy Luck
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Grand Prairie, TX
Cuisine: chinese
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00
Buffalo Wild Wings
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Cuisine: wings
Colgate Street Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pritchett Field
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
1907 Tomball's Caboose
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Cottonwood Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Model Railroads Exhibition
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Log House 18557
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Katy, TX
Hours: Th-Su 11:00-17:00
Visit websiteTri-County Marker
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas
Museum
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Huntsville, TX
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
Visit websiteDoctor H.V. Copeland Home
House
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Colonel Robert Simonton Gould
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Gibbs-Powell House Museum
Museum
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
TX
Visit websiteValue Place
Motel
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
La Quinta Inn
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Katy, TX
Full guide →Founded 1945
Katy is a town in Southeastern Texas, just west of Houston, with rich history and a little bit of small town charm. It used to be a railroad town along the Missouri–Kansas–Texas railroad. In the 1960s, Houston started growing, eventually making Katy part of its surrounding area. Katy is a place to see for its heritage and historical sights, as well as other attractions to visit, with many being more popular than historical locations.
Top landmarks
- • B. Ray and Charlotte Woods House — building in Katy, Fort Bend 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 47m. Total distance: 267.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.7 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Katy, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Katy, 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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