Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Houston, TX to Midway North, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 37m
Distance
347.7 mi
560 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 26m
★
6 AM
6h 38m
8 AM
7h 2m
10 AM
6h 46m
12 PM
6h 44m
3 PM
6h 47m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Midway North, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Houston to Midway North is 347.7 miles and takes about 6h 37m via U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. Mostly highway driving means you'll cover ground efficiently, making it a solid choice for a single-day transit. Plan for about 87% of your travel to be on major roadways, so expect a straightforward commute. This route is a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
173.8 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 90.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| 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 |
| I 2 | 18.5 mi | 19m |
| US 59 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 90.7 mi, about 1h 39m
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 Midway North, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
148 ft
·
11 sec
·
Louisiana Street
2
Turn left onto Congress Street
298 ft
·
14 sec
·
Congress Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto Smith Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Smith Street
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
6
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
7
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
8
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
10
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
12
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
13
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
15
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
16
Turn straight onto US 77
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Alamo Street
17
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
29 mi
·
30 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26B
Toward I 2 West, US 83: McAllen
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 2; US 83
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 155B
Toward Victoria Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto West Expressway 83
485 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Expressway 83
27
Turn right onto 6½W
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Mile 6½ West Road
28
Turn left onto Nogales Street
293 ft
·
18 sec
·
Nogales Street
29
Turn left onto Kalhua Street
519 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kalhua Street
30
Arrive at destination
Orizaba Street
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize fatigue, aim to depart from Houston early in the morning. With a total drive time of under 7 hours, this route is comfortably manageable in a single day, but you can easily add a stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 90.7-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. The fuel cost is estimated at $53, so budget accordingly. Your primary route will involve U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59, so familiarize yourself with these roads before you go.
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 173.8 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.7 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 76 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.8 miles or 3h 22m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midway North, 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 347.7 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 90.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.8 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 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 websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteBrazos River Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteZlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 346 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Congress Street
Turn left onto Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
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...
7
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
8
326.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 2 West, US 83: McAllen
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 26B
Toward I 2 West, US 83: McAllen
7
346 mi into trip
|
~6h 33m in
Take the exit toward Victoria Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 155B
Toward Victoria Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.24 one way
$106.47 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $58.75 | $117.51 |
| premium | $4.64 | $63.49 | $126.98 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $84.58 | $169.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.51 | $16.69 |
| Efficient EV | 86.9 | 0 | $30.42 | $13.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.1 | 1 | $48.68 | $22.25 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Origin
Houston, TX
Night in Houston on Monday
Local time
10:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Midway North, TX
Night in Midway North on Monday
Local time
10:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 6 mph
2% 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
5 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 37m 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.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 323.7
View on nps.gov
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
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 263.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 87% of your time on highways, covering significant distances efficiently. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 90.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, like Alamo Street, as you approach your destination. The prevalence of highway driving suggests a generally smooth experience with fewer immediate turns, though you might notice denser exit activity as you get closer to towns.
87% 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: 90.7 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 20 significant decision points across 347.7 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
105 ft
32 ft
Total Climb
167 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
105 ft
~74.5 mi in
Elevation Range
73 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Midway North, 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 Midway North, 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 37m. Total distance: 347.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Midway North, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midway North, 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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