Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Houston, TX to Hollywood Park, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
200.4 mi
323 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Hollywood Park, TX
Paul Deetman
Trip Overview
Houston, TX to Hollywood Park, TX is 200.4 miles and takes about 3h 38m via Katy Freeway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it an efficient way to cover the 200 miles. Plan for approximately $29 in fuel costs, which is quite reasonable for this distance. It's a route that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
100.2 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 174.9 mi | 3h 1m |
| Anderson Loop | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 1518 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Gordon A Blake Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 10 | 1.9 mi | 1m |
| North Loop 1604 East | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Sterling Browning Road | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| Louisiana Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 174.9 mi, about 3h 1m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,439 veh/hr typical · worst 3,368
Quietest
2 AM
~350 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Hollywood Park, 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
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
7
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
8
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Gordon A Blake Highway
9
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
10
Take the ramp
265 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
11
Merge onto Loop 1604
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Stone Oak Parkway, Voigt Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 East
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Loop 1604 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn slight left
492 ft
·
21 sec
15
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 East
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Loop 1604 East
16
Turn right onto Sterling Browning Road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Sterling Browning Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto Rua de Matta
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Rua de Matta
18
Arrive at destination
Rua de Matta
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Houston in the morning will comfortably get you to Hollywood Park well before evening. With just one stop recommended, you have flexibility in planning your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 174.9-mile stretch on the Katy Freeway, as services can be spaced out. The estimated $29 fuel cost is a good budget to work with, but it's always wise to confirm prices along your route. Since this is a single-day drive, you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 100.2 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 44m 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 44 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.2 miles or 1h 44m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood Park, 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 200.4 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.2 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Amigos Country Corner
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Super Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 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 websiteGet Out of My Escape Room
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Hill Country Village, Texas
Hours: Closed
+12104753174
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 websiteKaty Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
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 websiteMaui Maui Kids Play Island
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+12102578118
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 200.4 — 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.
7
177.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
5
185.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
198.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward Stone Oak Parkway, Voigt Drive
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 Stone Oak Parkway, Voigt Drive
5
200.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
Rua de Matta
At end of road, turn right onto Rua de Matta
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.08 one way
$60.17 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $33.29 | $66.57 |
| premium | $4.57 | $36.02 | $72.03 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $49.52 | $99.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.06 | $12.83 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Saturday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Hollywood Park, TX
Evening in Hollywood Park on Saturday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
60°F
Smithville, TX
100 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
1 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 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 186.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter 88% highway driving for the majority of this 200.4-mile trip. The Katy Freeway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 174.9 miles, so expect a lot of consistent cruising. Towards the end, you'll transition off the highway onto roads like Anderson Loop and Farm-to-Market Road 1518. This means you'll notice a shift from high-speed travel to more local road conditions as you approach Hollywood Park.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and Anderson Loop. You will hit about 13 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 200.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
966 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
1,035 ft
Total Descent
104 ft
Highest Point
966 ft
~200.4 mi in
Elevation Range
931 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.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Hollywood Park, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Loop 1604 North
185.3 mi in
|
~3h 19m
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 Hollywood Park, 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 38m. Total distance: 200.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Hollywood Park, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hollywood Park, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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