Trip from Houston, TX to Olney, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 53m

Distance

370 mi

595 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 42m ★

6 AM

6h 53m

8 AM

7h 17m

10 AM

7h 1m

12 PM

6h 59m

3 PM

7h 3m

5 PM

7h 15m

8 PM

6h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

city in Young County, Texas, United States

Olney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Houston to Olney is 370 miles and takes about 6h 53m via North Freeway and TX 114, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the edge of the Great Plains in Houston to the heart of the Great Plains in Olney, staying within Texas the entire time. Given its predominantly highway nature, expect a relatively straightforward trip where you can cover a lot of ground efficiently. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss and want to arrive at your destination the same day.

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

185 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Freeway	236.9 mi	4h 8m
Northwest Parkway	47.7 mi	55m
TX 114	30.9 mi	46m
SH 183 TEXpress	16.5 mi	16m
Jacksboro Highway	9.1 mi	9m
I 820 TEXpress	6.9 mi	6m
Jim Wright Freeway	5.7 mi	6m
North Stemmons Freeway	4.1 mi	5m

Longest stretch: North Freeway — 236.9 mi, about 4h 8m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,160 veh/hr typical · worst 3,825

Quietest

2 AM

~396 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 100 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 Olney, 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

237 mi · 4 hr 8 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Spur 366

0.9 mi · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

15 mi · 14 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop

Continue on I 820

5.7 mi · 6 min · Jim Wright Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Exit 10A Toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight left onto Northwest Loop 820

337 ft · 7 sec · Northwest Loop 820

Turn right onto TX 199

1.3 mi · 2 min · Lake Worth Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Take the exit onto TX 199

9.1 mi · 9 min · Jacksboro Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 199

48 mi · 55 min · Northwest Parkway

Continue on US 281; TX 114

3.0 mi · 3 min · US 281; TX 114

Take the exit onto TX 114

31 mi · 46 min · TX 114

Arrive at destination

TX 114

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 370-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Houston to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip with a total duration of under 7 hours, you can comfortably complete it without needing an overnight stop. Plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break, especially given the longest stretch without exits can be quite long. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spread out once you're further into North Texas. Filling up before leaving the Houston area is a good strategy.

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 185 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 16m 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 81 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 185 miles or 3h 16m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olney, 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 370 miles and 6h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seagoville, TX

185 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

Johnson, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Glenn Heights, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 185 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

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 238.4 and 277.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

244.3 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

277.3 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in

Take the exit toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street

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 10A Toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street

277.7 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.54 one way

$111.09 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$61.46	$122.92
premium	$4.57	$66.50	$133.00
diesel	$6.28	$91.42	$182.84

Estimated Tolls: $5.73

Northwest Parkway (47.7 mi) $5.73

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

$56

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	111	1	$38.85	$17.76
Efficient EV	92.5	1	$32.38	$14.80
EV Truck/SUV	148	1	$51.80	$23.68

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Thursday

Local time

6:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 0 to 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Olney, TX

Evening in Olney on Thursday

Local time

6:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 mph 0% 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

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

6h 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 236.9 miles, likely on the North Freeway, before you transition to more rural cruising. You'll notice the landscape gradually shift as you move north, transitioning from urban sprawl to more open, agricultural areas typical of the Great Plains. Expect fewer exits and more sustained driving once you're out of the Houston metro area.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

27 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?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Northwest Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 238.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 370 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 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; at 244.3 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,233 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

1,260 ft

Total Descent

112 ft

Highest Point

1,233 ft

~343.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,198 ft

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 Olney, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.

Waco

238.4 mi in | ~4h 12m

Denton

238.4 mi in | ~4h 12m

Dfw Airport

244.3 mi in | ~4h 20m | via TX 183

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 Olney, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1909

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 53m. Total distance: 370 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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.

Expect about $5.73 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Parkway. 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.

Yes — we found about 29 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 Olney, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Olney, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Houston, TX to Olney, 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

Rest Area Lilly Roadside Park

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

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

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Service Plaza

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

Downtown Aquarium

City Park

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Houston, TX

Olney, TX

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 53m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Arriving in Olney, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

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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