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Trip from Houston, TX to Duncanville, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 16m

Distance

240.4 mi

387 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 4m ★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Downtown Duncanville, TX, TX

Duncanville, TX

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

Houston, TX to Duncanville, TX is 240.4 miles and takes about 4h 16m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region of Houston to the Great Plains region near Duncanville. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, perfect for a single day of driving. With a high highway share of 98%, you'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you prioritize speed and simplicity for your travel between these two Texas cities.

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

120.2 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Freeway 226.6 mi 3h 56m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 10.1 mi 10m
North Main Street 1 mi 2m
Travis Street 0.2 mi <1m
Thrush Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Franklin Street 0.1 mi <1m
Louisiana Street <0.1 mi <1m
East Center Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Freeway — 226.6 mi, about 3h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Duncanville, 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

227 mi · 3 hr 56 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 276A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 10 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 462 Toward North Main, Duncanville Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto Thrush Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Thrush Avenue
10

Turn left onto North Main Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
11

Turn left onto East Center Street

21 ft · 5 sec · East Center Street
12

Turn left

26 ft · 1 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 16m estimated duration, leaving Houston in the morning allows ample time to reach Duncanville before evening. Since this is a single-day trip with a high highway share, you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 240.4 miles, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch of 226.6 miles means you might not need frequent breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $36; ensuring you have enough gas before entering longer stretches on North Freeway is a practical consideration for this route.

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 120.2 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.6 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 53 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 120.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Duncanville, 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 240.4 miles and 4h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 North Freeway for about 226.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Corsicana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corsicana, TX

120 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

Willis, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.2 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.6 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.

Best meal stop

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

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 website

Cidercade 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 website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Barbara 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 website

Midtown 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 website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Houston Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

Carl Barton Jr Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Conroe, Texas

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+19365223000

Visit website

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17139266368

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 239 — 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

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 45 / North Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
228 mi into trip | ~4h in

Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 276A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8
239 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Take the exit toward North Main, Duncanville Road

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 462 Toward North Main, Duncanville Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.33 one way

$72.65 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $39.76 $79.52
premium $4.54 $42.92 $85.84
diesel $5.61 $53.08 $106.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.1 0 $25.24 $11.54
Efficient EV 60.1 0 $21.04 $9.62
EV Truck/SUV 96.2 1 $33.66 $15.39

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Destination

Duncanville, TX

Late night in Duncanville on Tuesday

Local time

4:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

9 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 16m 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 drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a 98% highway share meaning you’ll be on major roads for nearly the entire 240.4-mile trip. You can expect long stretches of consistent travel, including a continuous 226.6 miles primarily on North Freeway. This highway-centric profile suggests a driving experience characterized by steady speeds and minimal interaction with local traffic. The route predominantly utilizes major freeways, offering a predictable and efficient path north. Prepare for a journey where the focus is on covering ground quickly rather than experiencing varied road types.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.6 mi on North Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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

Arriving in Duncanville, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1880

Duncanville is a southern suburb of Dallas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas. Duncanville's population was 39,000 in 2019. The city is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Lancaster.

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 16m. Total distance: 240.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 226.6 miles on North 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Duncanville, 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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