Trip from Houston, TX to La Villa, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

327.3 mi

527 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 10m ★

6 AM

6h 23m

8 AM

6h 48m

10 AM

6h 31m

12 PM

6h 29m

3 PM

6h 33m

5 PM

6h 46m

8 PM

6h 15m

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

Best Time

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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

La Villa, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Houston, TX to La Villa, TX is 327.3 miles and takes about 6h 22m via U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. The route is designed for efficiency, with a high percentage of highway driving to cover the distance quickly. It’s a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

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

163.7 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
U.S. Highway 77	79.2 mi	1h 28m
US Highway 59	74.7 mi	1h 22m
Alamo Street	37.1 mi	43m
US Highway 77 South	33.2 mi	37m
Southwest Freeway	32.8 mi	37m
I 69E	31.3 mi	33m
US 59	15.8 mi	18m
FM 2629	4.9 mi	8m

Longest stretch: U.S. Highway 77 — 79.2 mi, about 1h 28m

Traffic on I-69

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~698 veh/hr typical · worst 1,031

Quietest

2 AM

~112 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.2×

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 La Villa, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

148 ft · 11 sec · Louisiana Street

Turn left onto Congress Street

298 ft · 14 sec · Congress Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto Smith Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · Smith Street

Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 69; US 59

33 mi · 37 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road

Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto US 59

9.2 mi · 10 min · US 59

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 59

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 2 min

Continue on US 59

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59

Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91

1.0 mi · 1 min · Spur 91

Merge onto US 77

33 mi · 37 min · US Highway 77 South

Turn straight onto US 77

37 mi · 43 min · Alamo Street

Take the exit onto US 77

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 77

Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E

2.5 mi · 2 min · I 37; US 77; I 69E

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77

31 mi · 33 min · I 69E; US 77

Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 77

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77

18 mi · 18 min · U.S. Highway 77

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 38 Toward Spur 413 West, FM 2629 East Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 69E Frontage Road

Turn right onto Spur 413; FM 2629

1.7 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

Continue on FM 506; FM 2629

0.4 mi · 47 sec · FM 506; FM 2629

Turn right onto FM 2629

4.9 mi · 8 min · FM 2629

Continue on FM 491

4.8 mi · 8 min · FM 491

Turn left onto East 6th Street

67 ft · 2 sec · East 6th Street

Arrive at destination

East 6th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6h 22m duration, leaving Houston in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight, especially since this is a one-day trip. The estimated fuel cost is $47, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a working card. With only one indicated stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest stretch on U.S. Highway 77. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town or exit could be a significant distance. Aim to arrive in La Villa with ample time before evening.

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 163.7 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.2 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 72 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 163.7 miles or 3h 10m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Villa, 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 327.3 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 79.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aransas Pass, TX

164 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

Bay City, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aransas Pass, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.7 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.1 mi from route

Brazos River Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12812752825

Visit website

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

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 315 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Congress Street

Turn left onto Congress Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

35.6 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...

204.5 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | I 69E; US 77

Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville

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 I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville

297.1 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in | I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

315 mi into trip | ~6h in

Take the exit toward Spur 413 West, FM 2629 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 38 Toward Spur 413 West, FM 2629 East

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.13 one way

$98.27 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$54.37	$108.73
premium	$4.57	$58.82	$117.65
diesel	$6.28	$80.87	$161.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98.2	1	$34.37	$15.71
Efficient EV	81.8	0	$28.64	$13.09
EV Truck/SUV	130.9	1	$45.82	$20.95

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Oct 22, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Thursday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Clear

E 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

La Villa, TX

Late night in La Villa on Thursday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

NE 1 to 8 mph 18% chance 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

7 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

6h 22m 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.

Padre Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour $25 near mile 270.9

Caution: Canine distemper is believed to be present in the park.

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 86% of the driving on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 79.2 miles on U.S. Highway 77 before transitioning to surface roads like Alamo Street near the end. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of your trip, with the potential for more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach your destination. The profile is largely highway, so plan for fewer exits and more continuous travel for most of the 6h 22m.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 79.2 mi on U.S. Highway 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Congress Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 327.3 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: near the start (Congress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

119 ft 30 ft

Total Climb

156 ft

Total Descent

135 ft

Highest Point

119 ft

~46.8 mi in

Elevation Range

89 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Houston, TX and La Villa, TX, road signs point toward Spur 10: Cottonwood and Brownsville.

Spur 10: Cottonwood

35.6 mi in | ~44m

Brownsville

204.5 mi in | ~3h 58m | via I 69E; US 77

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 La Villa, 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 6h 22m. Total distance: 327.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 79.2 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 13 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 La Villa, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Padre Island National Seashore. 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 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Villa, 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, 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 La Villa, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-69

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Victoria County Southbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Victoria County Northbound Rest Area

Kenedy County Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area

Brazos River Park

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Bates Allen Park

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

El Campo Lost Lagoon

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

La Villa, TX

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 22m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Padre Island National Seashore

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 La Villa, 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?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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