Origin
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Barton Creek, 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 12m
Distance
172.5 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Barton Creek, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Houston to Barton Creek is 172.5 miles and takes about 3h 12m via TX 71, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the Great Plains, with the majority of your travel on highways. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is a straightforward trip that can be completed comfortably in a single day. You'll primarily be on the Katy Freeway and TX 71, making for a mostly highway experience.
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
86.3 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Katy Freeway | 74.1 mi | 1h 20m |
| East Ben White Boulevard | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| South Capital of Texas Highway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Barton Creek Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bee Caves Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
TX 71
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Barton Creek, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
3
Merge onto I 10; US 90
74 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
5
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 71
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
East Ben White Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 360
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
South Capital of Texas Highway
Toward Loop 360, Capital of Texas Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Bee Caves Road
11
Turn left onto RM 2244
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto Barton Creek Boulevard
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Barton Creek Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Navidad Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Navidad Drive
14
Turn right onto Mendocino Drive
183 ft
·
8 sec
·
Mendocino Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Mendocino Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic leaving Houston. You'll only need one stop to break up the 172.5 miles, so plan it strategically along TX 71. Fuel costs are estimated at $26, so ensure you have enough gas before you leave, especially for that 77.7-mile stretch. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration as needed.
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 86.3 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 38 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barton Creek, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Houston, 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 Houston, TX
This is one driving day of about 172.5 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Houston, 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 TX 71 for about 77.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 169.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
74.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
TX 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
6
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
163.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
Loop 360 / South Capital of Texas Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 360 / South Capital of Texas Highway toward Loop 360, Capital of Texas Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Loop 360, Capital of Texas Highway
5
169.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
Barton Creek Boulevard
Turn left onto Barton Creek Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.07 one way
$52.13 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| premium | $4.54 | $30.80 | $61.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.09 | $76.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.11 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.15 | $11.04 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Barton Creek, TX
Morning in Barton Creek on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Colorado, TX
86 mi in
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
17 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 12m 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?
With 90% of this route on highways, expect sustained driving for long stretches. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 77.7 miles on TX 71. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination. You'll notice frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate the urban and suburban areas around Houston before transitioning to more open highway cruising.
90% 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: 77.7 mi on TX 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.
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 172.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): 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 Houston, TX and Barton Creek, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Loop 360 and Capital Of Texas Highway.
Austin
74.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via TX 71
Loop 360
163.9 mi in
|
~2h 57m
|
via Loop 360
Capital Of Texas Highway
163.9 mi in
|
~2h 57m
|
via Loop 360
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Barton Creek, TX
Full guide →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 12m. Total distance: 172.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.7 miles on TX 71. 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 Barton Creek, 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 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Barton Creek, 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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