Traveling from Houston to Port Arthur covers 89.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, leaving you no need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably across the Great Plains region. Since the entire journey remains within Texas, you will find the transition between these two coastal-adjacent cities to be familiar and consistent. Expect a practical, no-frills drive that prioritizes direct navigation over high-speed highway cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Freeway
58.5 mi
1h 8m
TX 73
27.3 mi
29m
Savannah Avenue
2 mi
3m
San Jacinto Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Franklin Street
0.3 mi
1m
Louisiana Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
17th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Rothwell Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East Freeway
— 58.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Port Arthur, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft·19 sec·Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·San Jacinto Street
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
348 ft·7 sec·Rothwell Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
6
Merge onto I 10; US 90
5.2 mi·6 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
13 mi·16 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
40 mi·46 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto TX 73
0.4 mi·27 sec·TX 73
Exit 828Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 73
25 mi·25 min·TX 73
11
Take the exit onto TX 73
2.4 mi·2 min·TX 73
Toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, GrovesUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Spur 215
13
Keep slight right at fork
197 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 215
14
Turn straight onto Spur 215
2.0 mi·3 min·Savannah Avenue
15
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft·15 sec·17th Street
16
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft·4 sec·Augusta Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can easily navigate the local street segments. Since there are no designated stops scheduled for this 1 hour and 44-minute drive, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Houston to stay within your $13 estimate. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of highway miles means you can easily pull over if you need a break from the constant turning. Pay close attention to your GPS while moving between Franklin, San Jacinto, and Rothwell Streets, as the lack of a long, uninterrupted road segment makes keeping track of your turns essential.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Houston, TX
This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Houston, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East Freeway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 87 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in|I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
19.6 mi into trip|~25m in|I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, Groves
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, Groves
6
87 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 215
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 215
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.46 one way
$26.93 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$14.74
$29.47
premium
$4.54
$15.91
$31.82
diesel
$5.61
$19.67
$39.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.36
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 2:50AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:47AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Late night
in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
2:49 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
6 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
1h 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than settling into a monotonous interstate rhythm. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, as the route relies entirely on local navigation via Franklin Street, San Jacinto Street, and Rothwell Street. Because the longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on Franklin Street, you should be prepared for frequent turns and constant maneuvering through local thoroughfares. This is not a route designed for cruise control, so stay alert as the road character shifts through these specific city streets.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and TX 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in near I 10 / East Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (TX 73): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Groves along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 89.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 miles on East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Port Arthur, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (TX 73): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Arthur, TX before heading back.
