Trip from Houston, TX to Ozona, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 47m

Distance

397.2 mi

639 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 36m ★

6 AM

6h 48m

8 AM

7h 11m

10 AM

6h 56m

12 PM

6h 54m

3 PM

6h 57m

5 PM

7h 10m

8 PM

6h 41m

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

census designated place and county seat of Crockett County, Texas, United States

Ozona, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Houston to Ozona is 397.2 miles and takes about 6 hours 47 minutes via I 10, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a mostly highway profile for this trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive time, it’s a feasible trip without needing an overnight stay, provided you start with enough daylight.

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

198.6 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	191.8 mi	3h 4m
Katy Freeway	174.9 mi	3h 1m
Anderson Loop	20.4 mi	22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518	5.4 mi	9m
Gordon A Blake Highway	2 mi	3m
Avenue E	0.3 mi	<1m
Interstate 10 West	0.3 mi	<1m
14th Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 191.8 mi, about 3h 4m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,584 veh/hr typical · worst 2,261

Quietest

2 AM

~235 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Ozona, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Merge onto I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

189 mi · 3 hr 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 365 Toward SH 163: Sterling City, Comstock

Continue on 14th Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · 14th Street

Turn right onto TX 163

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Avenue E

Turn right onto Loop 466

264 ft · 7 sec · 11th Street

Turn right onto Avenue D

10 ft · 0 sec · Avenue D

Arrive at destination

Avenue D

Trip Plan

For this 6 hour 47 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Houston to maximize daylight, especially since it's designed as a one-day trip. While the drive is manageable in a single day, planning for one stop along the way can help break up the 397.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $60, and services can be spaced out on I 10. The longest stretch without a major change in highway is nearly 192 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods behind the wheel before you set out.

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 198.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.8 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 87 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 198.6 miles or 3h 33m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ozona, 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 397.2 miles and 6h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 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 I 10 for about 191.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census designated place in Bexar County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Timberwood Park, TX

199 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

Waller, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Timberwood Park, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 198.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.2 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

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hill Country Village, Texas

Hours: Closed

+12104753174

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 396.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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

205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

207.7 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

396.4 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in

Take the exit toward SH 163: Sterling City, Comstock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 365 Toward SH 163: Sterling City, Comstock

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.30 one way

$120.60 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 139 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$66.46	$132.92
premium	$4.58	$71.62	$143.24
diesel	$5.35	$83.66	$167.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	119.2	1	$41.71	$19.07
Efficient EV	99.3	1	$34.76	$15.89
EV Truck/SUV	158.9	1	$55.61	$25.42

Gas CO2

139 kg

EV CO2

46 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 May 25, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Wednesday

Local time

4:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

E 5 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 2:45PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 1:32PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Destination

Ozona, TX

Afternoon in Ozona on Wednesday

Local time

4:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Sunny

SE 10 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 2:45PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 1:32PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

6h 47m 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.

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 ~44 min detour Free near mile 178.1

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 232.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of the drive on major roadways like I 10 and the Katy Freeway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 191.8 miles on I 10, indicating long stretches of uninterrupted cruising. The Anderson Loop also contributes to the highway portion. Surface roads will likely appear towards the end of your drive as you approach Ozona, marking a shift from high-speed travel to local access.

92% 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: 191.8 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 397.2 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 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,351 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

2,756 ft

Total Descent

441 ft

Highest Point

2,351 ft

~397.2 mi in

Elevation Range

2,315 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 Ozona, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

185.3 mi in | ~3h 19m

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 Ozona, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1891

Ozona, "The Biggest Little Town in the World," is an unincorporated town in Texas, about an hour south-west of San Angelo. It is the county seat (in fact, sole town) of Crockett County.

Top landmarks

• Crockett County Courthouse — historic place in Ozona, Crockett 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 6h 47m. Total distance: 397.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 191.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 50 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 Ozona, 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 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ozona, 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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