Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Houston, TX to Citrus City, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 48m
Distance
351.3 mi
565 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 37m
★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 12m
10 AM
6h 57m
12 PM
6h 54m
3 PM
6h 58m
5 PM
7h 11m
8 PM
6h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Citrus City, TX
Aimbere Elorza
Trip Overview
Houston, TX to Citrus City, TX is 351.3 miles and takes about 6h 48m via US Highway 59, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, which generally means straightforward driving. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, making it a practical choice if you need to get 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
175.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Alamo Street | 37.1 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.8 mi | 37m |
| I 69E | 28.6 mi | 31m |
| I 69C | 16.7 mi | 18m |
| East King Avenue | 16.2 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Houston, TX and Citrus City, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
148 ft
·
11 sec
·
Louisiana Street
2
Turn left onto Congress Street
298 ft
·
14 sec
·
Congress Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto Smith Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Smith Street
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
6
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
7
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
8
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
10
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
12
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
13
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
15
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
16
Turn straight onto US 77
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Alamo Street
17
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward TX 141
22
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South US Highway 77 Bypass
23
Turn right onto TX 141
16 mi
·
20 min
·
East King Avenue
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
25
Merge onto US 281
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 281
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 69C; US 281
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Falfurrias Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 10
Toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
Use the slight right lane.
30
Continue on North Expressway 281
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Expressway 281
31
Continue on US 281 Business
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 281 Business
32
Turn right onto US 281 Business; TX 107
377 ft
·
13 sec
·
West McIntyre Street
33
Turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107
360 ft
·
10 sec
·
North 10th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto TX 107
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
West University Drive
35
Continue on 7 Mile Line
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
7 Mile Line
36
Continue on FM 2221
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 2221
37
Turn left onto R Street
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
R Street
38
Arrive at destination
R Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 48m estimated drive time, leaving Houston in the morning should allow you to reach Citrus City with plenty of daylight remaining. The route includes only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 74.7-mile stretch on US Highway 59, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The fuel cost is estimated at $55, so budget for that. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an earlier start is always recommended for longer drives.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 77 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.6 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citrus City, 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 351.3 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 US Highway 59 for about 74.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 175.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.7 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.
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
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
Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Downtown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteBrazos River Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Zlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 337.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Congress Street
Turn left onto Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
35.6 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
7
204.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
7
333.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
7
337.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 27m in
|
US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue
Turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.12 one way
$96.23 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.75 | $107.49 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.43 | $116.87 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $66.33 | $132.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.89 | $16.86 |
| Efficient EV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.74 | $14.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.5 | 1 | $49.18 | $22.48 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Citrus City, TX
Evening in Citrus City on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 79% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for most of the 351.3 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 74.7 miles on US Highway 59. You can expect to transition from highway driving to surface streets, indicated by Alamo Street, as you approach your destination. The shift from highway to local roads will likely involve more frequent intersections and a lower speed limit.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.7 mi on US Highway 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 and Falfurrias Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Congress Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 351.3 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: near the start (Congress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
218 ft
14 ft
Total Climb
369 ft
Total Descent
187 ft
Highest Point
218 ft
~351.3 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
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 Citrus City, TX, road signs point toward Spur 10: Cottonwood and Brownsville.
Spur 10: Cottonwood
35.6 mi in
|
~44m
Brownsville
204.5 mi in
|
~3h 58m
|
via I 69E; US 77
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. === 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
Arriving in Citrus City, 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 6h 48m. Total distance: 351.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.7 miles on US Highway 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Citrus City, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Congress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Citrus City, TX before the return drive.
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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