Origin
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Northcrest, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
181.2 mi
292 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Northcrest, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Houston, TX to Northcrest, TX is 181.2 miles and takes about 3h 26m via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily travels through the Great Plains region within Texas. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on a major state highway, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
90.6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 50 mi | 53m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| Tomball Parkway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| North Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| Tomball Tollway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 105 | 5.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 50 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Northcrest, 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
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 57B
Toward TX 249
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Freeway Frontage Road
8
Turn left onto TX 249
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on TX 249
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Tomball Parkway
10
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
15
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
17
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 84, To TX 31: Mexia, Corsicana
26
Continue on FM 2418
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Air Base Road
27
Continue on FM 2418
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Air Base Road
28
Turn left onto East Craven Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Craven Avenue
29
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
30
Turn left onto FM 2417
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East Crest Drive
31
Turn left onto South Rita Street
273 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Rita Street
32
Arrive at destination
South Rita Street
Trip Plan
For this 181.2-mile trip taking just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour in Houston. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $27, you can easily complete this drive in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 50-mile stretch on TX 6, as services might be more spread out in certain sections.
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 90.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 40 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.6 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northcrest, 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 181.2 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 TX 6 for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 67.1 — 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
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Travis Street
Turn left onto Travis Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 45 / North Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward TX 249
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57B
Toward TX 249
5
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
TX 6
Merge onto TX 6
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.38 one way
$54.76 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.35 | $64.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.01 | $80.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)
$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.03 | $8.70 |
| Efficient EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.85 | $7.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Northcrest, TX
Morning in Northcrest on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
19 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 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 85% of this 181.2-mile drive, with the longest continuous stretch on TX 6 spanning 50 miles. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. This route is characterized by a consistent highway feel for the majority of the trip, with fewer exits and more open road compared to urban commutes.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and North State Highway 6. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 181.2 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 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
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 26m. Total distance: 181.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Northcrest, 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 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Northcrest, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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