Trip from Houston, TX to Leon Valley, 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

3h 43m

Distance

204.9 mi

330 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 30m ★

6 AM

3h 43m

8 AM

4h 8m

10 AM

3h 52m

12 PM

3h 49m

3 PM

3h 53m

5 PM

4h 7m

8 PM

3h 35m

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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Download GPX

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Leon Valley, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Houston, TX to Leon Valley, TX is 204.9 miles and takes about 3h 43m via Katy Freeway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward, mostly highway experience. You'll be on familiar interstate for the vast majority of the trip, making it a simple point-to-point connection. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is quite manageable. This route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and minimal navigation hassle.

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

102.4 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Katy Freeway	174.9 mi	3h 1m
I 10	12 mi	12m
Bandera Road	6.1 mi	10m
North Pan Am Expressway	5.2 mi	6m
Culebra Road	1.6 mi	2m
McDermott Freeway	1.3 mi	1m
Connally Loop	1 mi	1m
TX 130	0.3 mi	<1m

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

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 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 Leon Valley, 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

12 mi · 12 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

0.2 mi · 16 sec · 90th Infantry Division Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto TX 130

0.3 mi · 39 sec · TX 130

Exit 581 Toward I 410, TX 130 Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward I 410 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 410

1.0 mi · 1 min · Connally Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 31 Toward I 35 South: San Antonio, Binz-Engleman Road Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35 South: San Antonio Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

4.2 mi · 5 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 10, I 35, US 87: Upper Level, Houston, El Paso Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto McDermott Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · McDermott Freeway

Exit 156 Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 87

0.3 mi · 21 sec · McDermott Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

0.7 mi · 52 sec · McDermott Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 568B Toward Spur 421: Culebra Avenue, Bandera Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Spur 421

1.6 mi · 2 min · Culebra Road

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 421

5.9 mi · 9 min · Bandera Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on TX 16

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Bandera Road

Arrive at destination

TX 16

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 43m estimated drive time, leaving Houston in the morning allows ample time to reach Leon Valley before evening. With only 204.9 miles and a $30 fuel estimate, you won't need many stops, but it's wise to fuel up before departing Houston. The longest stretch of driving is over 170 miles, so consider a brief break around the halfway point if needed, though the route's efficiency means you can be flexible. Pay attention as you approach Leon Valley, as the transition from I 10 to Bandera Road involves navigating local traffic.

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 102.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 47m 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 45 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 102.4 miles or 1h 47m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leon Valley, 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 204.9 miles and 3h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 Caldwell County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lockhart, TX

102 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

Mission Bend, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eagle Lake, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.4 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

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 187.8 and 197 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

187.8 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | TX 130

Take the exit onto TX 130 toward I 410, TX 130

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 581 Toward I 410, TX 130

189.5 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South: San Antonio, Binz-Engleman Road

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

Use the left lane. Exit 31 Toward I 35 South: San Antonio, Binz-Engleman R...

194.7 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in | I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 10, I 35, US 87: Upper Level, Houston, El Paso

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 10, I 35, US 87: Upper Level, Houston,...

195.7 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | McDermott Freeway

Take the exit onto McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso

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 156 Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso

197 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward Spur 421: Culebra Avenue, Bandera

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 568B Toward Spur 421: Culebra Avenue, Bandera

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.06 one way

$56.13 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$31.35	$62.70
premium	$4.23	$34.08	$68.17
diesel	$4.80	$38.69	$77.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.5	0	$21.51	$9.84
Efficient EV	51.2	0	$17.93	$8.20
EV Truck/SUV	82	1	$28.69	$13.11

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Sunday

Local time

4:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Partly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:46PM CDT until July 19 at 9:01AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:45PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Destination

Leon Valley, TX

Afternoon in Leon Valley on Sunday

Local time

4:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:46PM CDT until July 19 at 9:01AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:45PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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

2 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 43m 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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 190.8

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Ninety-five percent of this 204.9-mile trip is highway, with a continuous stretch of 174.9 miles on the Katy Freeway and I 10. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically Bandera Road, for the final section as you approach Leon Valley. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the drive, with a noticeable change in pace and traffic density as you exit the interstate.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 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?

10/10

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 187.8 miles in near TX 130.

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 17 significant decision points across 204.9 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 187.8 miles (TX 130): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

826 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

846 ft

Total Descent

55 ft

Highest Point

826 ft

~204.9 mi in

Elevation Range

791 ft

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 Leon Valley, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1952

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 43m. Total distance: 204.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). 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 26 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 Leon Valley, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Leon Valley, 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 Leon Valley, 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

Road Ranger

Flying J Travel Center

Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area

Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Road Ranger

Roady's Truck Stops

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Jud's Travel Center

Amigos Country Corner

TA

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Super Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Katy Heritage Park

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

US Army Medical Department Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

Leon Valley, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 43m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Arriving in Leon Valley, 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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