Trip from Houston, TX to Mesquite, 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 16m

Distance

241.2 mi

388 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 3m ★

6 AM

4h 16m

8 AM

4h 43m

10 AM

4h 25m

12 PM

4h 23m

3 PM

4h 27m

5 PM

4h 41m

8 PM

4h 8m

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

Mesquite, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston to Mesquite covers 241.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience consistent terrain throughout the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $36 to cover the distance. Navigating out of Houston requires starting on Franklin and Travis Streets before connecting to I-45 North for the bulk of your travel. Overall, this route is straightforward and efficient for those looking to reach Mesquite without unnecessary complications.

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

120.6 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Freeway	226.7 mi	3h 57m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	11.2 mi	11m
Military Parkway	0.9 mi	1m
West Davis Street	0.4 mi	1m
Travis Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Franklin Street	0.1 mi	<1m
Louisiana Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
South Galloway Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: North Freeway — 226.7 mi, about 3h 57m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925

Quietest

2 AM

~414 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Mesquite, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

474 ft · 19 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Franklin Street

Turn left onto Travis Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Travis Street

Take the ramp

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 45 North Express Lane

Merge onto I 45

227 mi · 3 hr 57 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 40 sec

Exit 276B Toward I 20 East: Shreveport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

6.1 mi · 6 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635

5.0 mi · 5 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 4 Toward TX 352: Scyene Road, Military Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto TX 352

0.9 mi · 1 min · Military Parkway

Continue on TX 352

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Davis Street

Turn left onto South Galloway Avenue

203 ft · 5 sec · South Galloway Avenue

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

South Galloway Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 16-minute drive, consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on local streets. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $36 budget in mind. Given the turn-heavy nature of the start, double-check your GPS directions before departing Franklin and Travis Streets. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your schedule. Stay alert during the early phases of the drive, as the technical local navigation requires more focus than the later portions of your trek to Mesquite.

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 120.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.7 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 53 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesquite, 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 241.2 miles and 4h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 226.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seven Points, TX

121 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

New Waverly, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seven Points, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.3 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

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 241.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Franklin Street

Turn right onto Franklin Street

Navigation decision point

228.2 mi into trip | ~4h in

Take the exit toward I 20 East: Shreveport

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 276B Toward I 20 East: Shreveport

234.7 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in | I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland

239.7 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in

Take the exit toward TX 352: Scyene Road, Military Parkway

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 4 Toward TX 352: Scyene Road, Military Parkway

241.2 mi into trip | ~4h 16m in | South Galloway Avenue

Turn left onto South Galloway Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.04 one way

$66.07 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$36.90	$73.80
premium	$4.23	$40.12	$80.24
diesel	$4.80	$45.54	$91.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.4	0	$25.33	$11.58
Efficient EV	60.3	0	$21.11	$9.65
EV Truck/SUV	96.5	1	$33.77	$15.44

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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

Afternoon in Houston on Sunday

Local time

1:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Mesquite, TX

Afternoon in Mesquite on Sunday

Local time

1:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM 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

1 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

4h 16m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate the initial urban segments before transitioning to the interstate. With a highway share of 0%, this route demands your full attention on local road navigation rather than long-distance highway cruising. Because the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving on Franklin Street is 0 miles, you will find yourself managing frequent turns early in your journey. The shift from city streets to the primary northward route defines the character of this 241.2-mile trip. You should be prepared for a driving experience that prioritizes local maneuvering over steady, high-speed interstate miles.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 226.7 mi on North Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 241.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 228.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.7 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

500 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

900 ft

Total Descent

436 ft

Highest Point

500 ft

~206.8 mi in

Elevation Range

465 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 Mesquite, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1878

Mesquite, also known as the Rodeo Capital of Texas, and prior hangout of outlaw train robber Sam Bass, is an eastern suburb of Dallas.

Top landmarks

• Stephen Decatur Lawrence Farmstead — historic place in Mesquite, Dallas County, Texas

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 16m. Total distance: 241.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 226.7 miles on North 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 Mesquite, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Mesquite, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Houston, TX to Mesquite, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Xcape Adventures

Children's Museum Houston

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

Mesquite, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 16m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Arriving in Mesquite, 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?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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