Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Houston, TX to Penitas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 57m
Distance
362.7 mi
584 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 46m
★
6 AM
6h 57m
8 AM
7h 20m
10 AM
7h 5m
12 PM
7h 3m
3 PM
7h 6m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Penitas, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Houston, TX to Penitas, TX is 362.7 miles and takes about 6h 57m via US Highway 59, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the edge of the Great Plains into a region also characterized by similar terrain. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is a practical option for getting between these two Texas locations efficiently.
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
181.4 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Alamo Street | 37.1 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.8 mi | 37m |
| I 69E | 28.6 mi | 31m |
| I 69C | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| East King Avenue | 16.2 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 22m
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 Penitas, 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
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward TX 141
22
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South US Highway 77 Bypass
23
Turn right onto TX 141
16 mi
·
20 min
·
East King Avenue
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
25
Merge onto US 281
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 281
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 69C; US 281
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Falfurrias Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 281 South, TX 495: Pharr
30
Merge onto I 2; US 83
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 83 West: Frontage Road
32
Turn straight onto West Expressway 83
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Expressway 83
33
Keep slight left at fork onto East Expressway 83
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Expressway 83
34
Turn left onto FM 1427
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Penitas Street
35
Turn left
192 ft
·
14 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 57m drive, consider an early morning departure from Houston to avoid potential traffic. Since the route is recommended for a single day, you have flexibility with stops, but planning one break around the halfway point is wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 74.7-mile stretch on US Highway 59, as services might be more spread out in that section. The estimated fuel cost of $52 should help you budget accordingly for gas across the 362.7 miles.
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 181.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.4 miles or 3h 31m 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 Penitas, 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 362.7 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 US Highway 59 for about 74.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.4 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.7 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.
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 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 websiteMuseum of South Texas History
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19563836911
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 websiteEdinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+19563819922
Visit websiteBarbara 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 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 websiteBrazos River Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 326.2 — 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
6
270.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
|
I 69C; US 281 / Falfurrias Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281 / Falfurrias Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
326.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
|
I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.45 one way
$108.90 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $60.25 | $120.49 |
| premium | $4.57 | $65.19 | $130.37 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $89.62 | $179.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.08 | $17.41 |
| Efficient EV | 90.7 | 1 | $31.74 | $14.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.1 | 1 | $50.78 | $23.21 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Thursday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Penitas, TX
Evening in Penitas on Thursday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Clear
N 3 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
4 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 57m 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 primarily a highway cruise, with 83% of the 362.7 miles on major roads like US Highway 59. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 74.7 miles, offering a chance for steady driving. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, specifically Falfurrias Expressway and Alamo Street, as you approach Penitas. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal changes in road type for the majority of the trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.7 mi on US Highway 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 and Falfurrias Expressway. 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 26 significant decision points across 362.7 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
93 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
99 ft
Total Descent
53 ft
Highest Point
93 ft
~51.8 mi in
Elevation Range
58 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 Penitas, 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 Penitas, 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 57m. Total distance: 362.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.7 miles on US Highway 59. 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 Penitas, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penitas, 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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