Embarking from Houston, TX, to Medina, TX, this 256-mile journey is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Katy Freeway and State Highway 16 South, with an 81% highway share, making it an efficient trip. This route is well-suited as a single-day adventure, requiring no overnight stops. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it's an affordable option for a quick getaway. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your drive.
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 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
174.9 mi
3h 1m
Anderson Loop
24.1 mi
26m
State Highway 16 South
19.6 mi
23m
Bandera Road
10.8 mi
13m
FM 3240
7.2 mi
8m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.4 mi
9m
Ranch Road 2828
3.3 mi
3m
State Highway 16 North
2.2 mi
2m
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
~2,432 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Medina, 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 591Toward TX 1518: SchertzUse 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
24 mi·26 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward FM 1560: West Hausman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Loop 1604 West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto FM 1560
2.0 mi·3 min·FM 1560 North
15
Turn straight onto TX 16; FM 1560
11 mi·13 min·Bandera Road
16
Continue on TX 16
20 mi·23 min·State Highway 16 South
17
Turn right onto 13th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·13th Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto TX 173
0.4 mi·48 sec·State Highway 173 North
19
Turn left onto FM 3240
7.2 mi·8 min·FM 3240
20
At end of road, turn left onto RM 2828
3.3 mi·3 min·Ranch Road 2828
21
Turn right onto TX 16
2.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 16 North
22
Turn right onto Newcomer Lane
65 ft·2 sec·Newcomer Lane
23
Arrive at destination
Newcomer Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 44-minute duration, departing Houston in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours upon arrival in Medina. While this drive is manageable in one go, there is one designated stop opportunity, so plan a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Katy Freeway, as services might be more spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $39 makes it easy to budget for a full tank before you leave Houston.
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 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 13m 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 miles or 2h 13m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medina, 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 miles and 4h 44m.
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.
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 209.4 — 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.
4
175.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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.
6
209.4 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward FM 1560: West Hausman Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FM 1560: West Hausman Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.06 one way
$70.13 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$39.17
$78.33
premium
$4.23
$42.58
$85.17
diesel
$4.80
$48.34
$96.68
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: 89.6 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
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
Efficient EV
64
0
$22.40
$10.24
EV Truck/SUV
102.4
1
$35.84
$16.38
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
Evening
in Houston on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Medina, TX
Evening
in Medina on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Cloudy
SSE 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
4 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 44m 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 185.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway cruising, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 174.9 miles on the Katy Freeway early in your journey, allowing for steady progress. While the majority is highway, the transition to State Highway 16 South will likely offer a change in pace as you approach your destination. Expect a profile that prioritizes getting you there efficiently over winding scenic byways.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 17 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 Effort6/10
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 256 miles you will encounter 17 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 175.5 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,442 ft35 ft
Total Climb
1,523 ft
Total Descent
116 ft
Highest Point
1,442 ft
~256 mi in
Elevation Range
1,407 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 Medina, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 256 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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 31 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 Medina, 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 31 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 175.5 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Medina, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
