Trip from Houston, TX to Kerrville, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 37m

Distance

256.7 mi

413 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 24m ★

6 AM

4h 37m

8 AM

5h 4m

10 AM

4h 47m

12 PM

4h 44m

3 PM

4h 48m

5 PM

5h 3m

8 PM

4h 29m

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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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Kerrville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Houston to Kerrville, expect to cover 256.7 miles over approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trek that is easily manageable in a single day. You should budget about $38 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is under five hours, most travelers will find it comfortable to complete without an overnight stop, though you will want to account for at least one planned break along the way. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between these two Texas hubs.

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

128.4 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Katy Freeway	174.9 mi	3h 1m
I 10	49.4 mi	50m
Anderson Loop	20.4 mi	22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518	5.4 mi	9m
Sidney Baker Street	2.3 mi	5m
Gordon A Blake Highway	2 mi	3m
Interstate 10 West	0.3 mi	<1m
North Loop 1604 West	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Katy Freeway — 174.9 mi, about 3h 1m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~2,432 veh/hr typical · worst 3,335

Quietest

2 AM

~346 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Kerrville, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Merge onto I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

46 mi · 47 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 508 Toward TX 16: Kerrville

Turn left onto TX 16

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fredericksburg Road

Continue on TX 16

2.3 mi · 5 min · Sidney Baker Street

Turn left onto TX 27

69 ft · 1 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

TX 27

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 256.7-mile drive, try to depart Houston early to avoid peak traffic congestion on the way out. Since this is a turn-heavy route, pacing your trip with at least one scheduled stop is essential to stay refreshed and focused on the winding sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to set your own pace, so do not feel rushed to complete the duration in one go. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the TX 1518 portion of the route before you leave, as the local road transitions can be more complex than standard interstate navigation.

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 128.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 14m 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 56 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 128.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 256.7 miles and 4h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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.

city in Bexar and Guadalupe counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cibolo, TX

128 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

Katy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brownsboro, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128.4 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+12102578118

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 207.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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

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.

205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

207.7 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.16 one way

$70.32 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$39.27	$78.55
premium	$4.23	$42.70	$85.40
diesel	$4.80	$48.47	$96.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77	0	$26.95	$12.32
Efficient EV	64.2	0	$22.46	$10.27
EV Truck/SUV	102.7	1	$35.94	$16.43

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Sunday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Kerrville, TX

Late night in Kerrville on Sunday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Cloudy

S 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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

5 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

4h 37m 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.

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 185.9

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 239

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While you will utilize the Katy Freeway and I-10 West to navigate out of the city, the journey shifts into a more technical experience as you progress toward your destination. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that demands more attention than a standard high-speed corridor. Because there is no significant longest stretch on I-10 West, you will find yourself navigating a variety of local roads, particularly when transitioning onto TX 1518. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the winding nature of these roads provides a distinct contrast to typical open-highway driving.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.

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 17 significant decision points across 256.7 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 0.6 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

1,639 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

1,951 ft

Total Descent

347 ft

Highest Point

1,639 ft

~256.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,604 ft

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 Kerrville, 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. === 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 Kerrville, TX

Full guide →

Kerrville is a city of 24,000 people (2020) in the Texas Hill Country. It is known for its parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs through the city.

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 37m. Total distance: 256.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 37m 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 38 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 Kerrville, 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Kerrville, 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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Trip from Houston, TX to Kerrville, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Kerr County Westbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Flying J Travel Center

Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area

Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Buc-ee's

Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Roady's Truck Stops

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Jud's Travel Center

Amigos Country Corner

Love's Travel Stop

Picnic Area

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Super Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Cascade Caverns

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Maui Maui Kids Play Island

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

Kerrville, TX

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 37m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Arriving in Kerrville, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?