Origin
Haltom City, TX
Late night in Haltom City on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Haltom City, 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
4h 49m
Distance
264.3 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Haltom City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Haltom City to Houston is 264.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, transitioning from North Texas to the Gulf Coast area. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you prefer to get to your destination without an overnight stay.
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
132.2 miles from Haltom City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 198.8 mi | 3h 28m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Freeway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Belknap Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Riverside Drive | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Milam Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Riverside Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Haltom City, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Jane Lane
208 ft
·
12 sec
·
Jane Lane
2
Turn left onto Markum Drive
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Markum Drive
3
Turn right onto US 377; TX 183
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Belknap Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn left onto North Riverside Drive
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Riverside Drive
5
Continue on South Riverside Drive
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 287 South
8
Merge onto US 287
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34A
Toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 20; US 287
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi
·
56 min
·
US 287
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
13
Merge onto I 45; US 287
199 mi
·
3 hr 28 min
·
I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
18
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
19
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
20
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under 5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Haltom City in the morning means you'll arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight remaining. The fuel cost is estimated at $40, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. While the drive is manageable in one go, consider a brief stop around the halfway point for stretching. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the Houston metropolitan area, as congestion can increase significantly.
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 132.2 miles from Haltom City, TX, or about 2h 29m 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 29m 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 58m
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 Haltom City, 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 Haltom City, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Haltom City, 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
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.2 miles from Haltom City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.8 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 263.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 377; TX 183 / Belknap Street
Turn right onto US 377; TX 183 / Belknap Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
11.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 34A
Toward I 20 East, US 287 South: Waxahachie, Dal...
9
13 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
263.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m 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
263.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m 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
$39.94 one way
$79.87 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $43.71 | $87.43 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.19 | $94.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.35 | $116.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.75 | $12.69 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.7 | 1 | $37.00 | $16.92 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 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
23 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 49m 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 almost entirely highway, with 97% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 198.8 miles, on I 45. The bulk of your travel will be on this interstate. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach and travel through urban areas, particularly near Houston.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
8/10
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 0.2 miles in near US 377; TX 183 / Belknap Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 264.3 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 0.2 miles (US 377; TX 183 / Belknap Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Haltom City, TX
Full guide →Founded 1932
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 4h 49m. Total distance: 264.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m 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.
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 0.2 miles (US 377; TX 183 / Belknap Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 9.7 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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