Origin
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Cresson, 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
5h 1m
Distance
265.1 mi
427 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Cresson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Houston to Cresson is 265 miles and takes about 5 hours via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the Great Plains, remaining entirely within the state. For the most part, you'll be on highway stretches, making it a fairly straightforward trip. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this option covers the distance efficiently, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
132.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 50 mi | 53m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| I 35W | 26.1 mi | 26m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| North State Highway 171 | 12.9 mi | 18m |
| Tomball Parkway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| West US Highway 67 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 50 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Cresson, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft
·
19 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto Travis Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Travis Street
4
Take the ramp
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 45 North Express Lane
5
Merge onto I 45
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 57B
Toward TX 249
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Freeway Frontage Road
8
Turn left onto TX 249
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on TX 249
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Tomball Parkway
10
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
15
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
17
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 26A
Toward US 67: Cleburne, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on South Interstate 35W
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Interstate 35W
31
Turn left onto US 67
9.9 mi
·
12 min
·
West US Highway 67
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 174 North: Burleson
33
Turn right onto TX 174
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Main Street
34
Turn left onto West Industrial Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Industrial Boulevard
35
Turn right onto TX 171
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Weatherford Highway
36
Continue on TX 171
13 mi
·
18 min
·
North State Highway 171
37
Turn right onto US 377
31 ft
·
0 sec
·
East US Highway 377 Business
38
Arrive at destination
US 377
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Houston in the morning makes sense for a same-day arrival in Cresson. You'll likely only need one stop for fuel and a break, which you can plan around the 50-mile stretch on TX 6. The estimated fuel cost of $40 is helpful for budgeting, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on traffic or your personal schedule. Keep an eye out as you approach Cresson, as the highway may give way to more local roads.
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 132.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cresson, 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 265.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 6 for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 132.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 236.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Travis Street
Turn left onto Travis Street
Navigation decision point
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward TX 249
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57B
Toward TX 249
7
210.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
8
236.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 67: Cleburne, Dallas
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.
Exit 26A
Toward US 67: Cleburne, Dallas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.06 one way
$80.11 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $43.85 | $87.69 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.33 | $94.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.53 | $117.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)
$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.84 | $12.72 |
| Efficient EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.20 | $10.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106 | 1 | $37.11 | $16.97 |
Gas CO2
93 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.
Destination
Cresson, TX
Morning in Cresson on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
3 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
5h 1m 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 trip is primarily highway driving, with 77% of the route on roads like TX 6 and North State Highway 6. You can expect a long stretch of 50 miles on TX 6 without needing to divert. As you get closer to Cresson, expect the highway feel to gradually transition to more local roads. The profile is mostly highway, so anticipate a relatively consistent driving experience with fewer complex intersections compared to a purely urban route.
77% 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: 50 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and North State Highway 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin 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 22 significant decision points across 265.1 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 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Cresson, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
236.9 mi in
|
~4h 20m
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 Cresson, TX
Full guide →Founded 2001
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 5h 1m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Cresson, 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 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cresson, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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