Traveling from Houston to Lindsay covers 313.3 miles of Texas terrain, typically requiring 5 hours and 36 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region, you will experience consistent landscape characteristics throughout the trip. Budgeting approximately $47 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. While the route is technically manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy local nature of the drive makes it feel longer than a standard interstate trek. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the navigation, as the transition from urban streets to rural Texas roads demands your full focus.
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
156.7 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
236.9 mi
4h 8m
North Stemmons Freeway
39.3 mi
44m
I 35
28.7 mi
29m
J M Lindsay Boulevard
3.6 mi
4m
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
0.9 mi
1m
North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
1m
Hickory Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 236.9 mi, about 4h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Lindsay, 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
237 mi·4 hr 8 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 286AToward Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on Spur 366
0.9 mi·1 min·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35E
4.1 mi·5 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
35 mi·39 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
29 mi·29 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 498Toward US 82: Wichita Falls, ShermanUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.7 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
14
Turn left onto US 82
175 ft·7 sec·Summitt Avenue
15
Continue on US 82
3.6 mi·4 min·J M Lindsay Boulevard
16
Turn left onto FM 1199; FM 3108
0.3 mi·44 sec·Hickory Drive
17
Turn right onto FM 1199
336 ft·9 sec·6th Street
18
Continue on FM 1199
380 ft·10 sec·Walnut Street
19
Continue on FM 1199
0.2 mi·34 sec·Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
FM 1199
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 313.3-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the worst of the urban congestion near your starting point in Houston. With a travel time of over five and a half hours, planning for at least one significant break will help you manage the fatigue caused by the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. Keep your $47 fuel budget in mind when selecting gas stations, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than major interstates. Since you are navigating local streets, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave to handle the frequent turns required to reach Lindsay. Staying flexible with your timing allows you to navigate these local segments without the added stress of heavy 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 156.7 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.9 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 69 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.7 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lindsay, 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 313.3 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 236.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 308.2 — 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
8
238.4 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward Waco, Denton
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 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
6
239.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
7
244.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway toward I 35E North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
8
308.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 82: Wichita Falls, Sherman
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 498
Toward US 82: Wichita Falls, Sherman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.34 one way
$94.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$51.82
$103.64
premium
$4.54
$55.94
$111.88
diesel
$5.61
$69.17
$138.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94
1
$32.90
$15.04
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
EV Truck/SUV
125.3
1
$43.86
$20.05
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Houston, TX
Night
in Houston on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued April 18 at 12:07AM CDT until April 18 at 2:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 12:00AM CDT until April 18 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Lindsay, TX
Night
in Lindsay on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
13 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
5h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You should prepare for a navigation-intensive experience rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will start by navigating Franklin and Travis Streets before transitioning onto I-45 North to gain distance. Beyond the initial interstate segment, the drive shifts into a turn-heavy local profile that requires constant attention to your surroundings. Expect a hands-on driving experience where your focus remains on local road transitions rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of asphalt. This constant change in direction keeps you engaged, but it also means you should anticipate a slower pace compared to major freeway travel.
98% 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: 236.9 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and North Stemmons Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 313.3 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: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Lindsay, TX, road signs point toward Waco and Denton.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.9 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.
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 Lindsay, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lindsay, TX before the return drive.
