This 351.4-mile drive from Houston, TX to Scissors, TX is a solid one-day adventure, estimated to take about 6 hours and 43 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 86% of the journey on the faster roads, making it a highway-focused trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, it's an affordable option for a solo road trip or a quick getaway. The route stays within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent scenery. This drive is definitely manageable in a single day, but you could also break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
175.7 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Highway 77
90.7 mi
1h 39m
US Highway 59
74.7 mi
1h 22m
Alamo Street
37.1 mi
43m
US Highway 77 South
33.2 mi
37m
Southwest Freeway
32.8 mi
37m
I 69E
31.3 mi
33m
I 2
19.8 mi
21m
US 59
15.8 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 90.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical
· worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Scissors, 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 94Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, BrownsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·U.S. Highway 77
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
29 mi·30 min·U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 26BToward I 2 West, US 83: McAllenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 2; US 83
20 mi·21 min·I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 155AToward FM 493: Salinas BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto West Expressway 83
0.5 mi·1 min·West Expressway 83
27
Turn left onto FM 493
2.8 mi·5 min·Salinas Boulevard
28
Turn right onto Lott Road
0.2 mi·57 sec·Lott Road
29
Turn left onto Grande Street
362 ft·17 sec·Grande Street
30
Turn right onto Cortez Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Cortez Street
31
Arrive at destination
Cortez Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 43 minute duration, starting early from Houston is recommended to maximize daylight and arrive in Scissors with ample time. This route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before the 90.7-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77. With a fuel cost estimated at $53, monitoring your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, is a good idea. Since it's designed as a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 175.7 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.7 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 77 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.7 miles or 3h 24m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scissors, 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 351.4 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 90.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 347.4 — 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
8
326.5 mi into trip|~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 2 West, US 83: McAllen
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 26B
Toward I 2 West, US 83: McAllen
7
347.4 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward FM 493: Salinas Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 155A
Toward FM 493: Salinas Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.13 one way
$96.26 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$53.76
$107.52
premium
$4.23
$58.45
$116.90
diesel
$4.80
$66.35
$132.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.90
$16.87
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.75
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.20
$22.49
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Scissors, TX
Late night
in Scissors on Sunday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
1 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 43m 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.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 327.1
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 266.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with the majority of your travel on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. About 86% of this drive is on highways, indicating a focus on efficiency and speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 90.7 miles along U.S. Highway 77. While primarily highway, you will transition to local roads like Alamo Street as you approach your destination. This means you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more local road driving as you get closer to Scissors.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.7 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. 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 Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 351.4 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
108 ft13 ft
Total Climb
195 ft
Total Descent
153 ft
Highest Point
108 ft
~75.3 mi in
Elevation Range
96 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 Scissors, TX, road signs point toward Spur 10: Cottonwood and Brownsville.
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.
=== Welcome World Cup fans ===
Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston
The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride
The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).
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 6h 43m. Total distance: 351.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Scissors, 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 19 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.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scissors, TX before the return drive.
