Origin
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Del Rio, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
347.9 mi
560 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 9m
★
6 AM
6h 21m
8 AM
6h 46m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 31m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Del Rio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Houston, TX to Del Rio, TX is 347.9 miles and takes about 6h 21m via Katy Freeway and US Highway 90 West, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a predominantly highway experience. This route is a practical option for getting from Houston to Del Rio 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
174 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 174.9 mi | 3h 1m |
| West US Highway 90 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| US Highway 90 West | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| East Military Highway | 24.6 mi | 28m |
| Cleto Rodriguez Freeway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| US Highway 90 East | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 174.9 mi, about 3h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Del Rio, 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
175 mi
·
3 hr 1 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10; US 90
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 90
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
West US Highway 90
9
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
19th Street
10
Continue on US 90
38 mi
·
43 min
·
US Highway 90 West
11
Continue on US 90
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on US 90
37 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 90
13
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
East Military Highway
14
Continue on US 90
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 90 East
15
Continue on US 90
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Gibbs Street
16
Turn left onto Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Spur 297
17
Turn left onto US 277 Spur
377 ft
·
30 sec
·
East Garfield Street
18
Turn left onto Spur 297
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Spur 297
19
Arrive at destination
Spur 297
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 21m duration, starting your drive from Houston early in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. The route has only one designated stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch without a break is nearly 175 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Del Rio, as services can become more spread out in the western parts of Texas. This is a manageable one-day trip, offering flexibility for spontaneous stops if desired.
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 174 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.9 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174 miles or 3h 1m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Del Rio, 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 347.9 miles and 6h 21m.
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 Katy Freeway for about 174.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 174 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Katy Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.9 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 347.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
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.
6
175.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
187.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
347.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
|
Spur 297
Turn left onto Spur 297
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.57 one way
$105.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $57.54 | $115.08 |
| premium | $4.54 | $62.12 | $124.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.81 | $153.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.53 | $16.70 |
| Efficient EV | 87 | 0 | $30.44 | $13.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.2 | 1 | $48.71 | $22.27 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Del Rio, TX
Late night in Del Rio on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 192
View on nps.gov
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 347.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey utilizing major roadways like the Katy Freeway and US Highway 90 West. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 174.9 miles on the Katy Freeway, indicating a significant portion of the drive will be on this high-speed road. Expect the character of the drive to be consistent, largely maintaining a highway pace as you head west.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.9 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and West US Highway 90. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 347.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.5 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
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 21m. Total distance: 347.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.9 miles on Katy Freeway. 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Del Rio, 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.5 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Del Rio, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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