Houston, TX to Sundown, TX is 572.8 miles and takes about 10 hours 21 minutes via US 84, TX 71, and Katy Freeway, with a fuel budget near $87 and an overnight stay recommended. This long-distance drive traverses the Great Plains in both Texas regions. Given the 10-hour travel time, planning for an overnight stop is practical for a more relaxed journey. You'll be covering a significant distance across the state, so be prepared for a full day or two of driving.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
286.4 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
104.9 mi
1h 49m
TX 71
77.7 mi
1h 22m
Katy Freeway
74.1 mi
1h 20m
North US Highway 183
72.6 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
FM 1585
26.1 mi
26m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,971 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,284
Quietest
2 AM
~653 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 37 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 Sundown, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
3
Merge onto I 10; US 90
74 mi·1 hr 20 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi·33 sec·TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
5
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
10
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi·6 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
15 mi·16 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi·14 min·183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
14
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
15
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
18
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
19
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
21
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
22
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
23
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
24
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
25
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
26
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
27
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
28
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
29
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
30
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
32
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
33
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
34
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
35
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
36
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
37
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
39
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
40
Continue on US 84
3.3 mi·4 min·Slaton Road
41
Turn left onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
42
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
43
Merge onto Loop 289
5.6 mi·6 min·Loop 289
44
Take the exit onto Spur 327
0.6 mi·48 sec·Spur 327
Toward Spur 327: Brownfield
45
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 327
1.9 mi·2 min·Spur 327
Toward Spur 327: Brownfield
46
Turn straight onto Marsha Sharp Freeway
0.2 mi·21 sec·Marsha Sharp Freeway
47
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
48
Merge onto US 62; US 82
5.2 mi·5 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
49
Turn right onto FM 1585
26 mi·26 min·FM 1585
50
Turn left onto FM 303; FM 1585
3.3 mi·4 min·FM 303; FM 1585
51
Turn left onto FM 301
22 ft·0 sec·East Richardson Street
52
Arrive at destination
FM 301
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, this drive is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, plan your overnight lodging in advance. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 104.9-mile stretch on US 84, as services can be spread out in this region. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before setting out for this extensive Texas traverse.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 286.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 5h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 126 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 286.4 miles or 5h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 286.4 miles or 5h 13m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sundown, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Sundown, TX
Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Houston, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 84 for about 104.9 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 417.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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.
5
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|TX 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
6
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
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 US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
6
417.3 mi into trip|~7h 38m in|US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.96 one way
$173.91 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg200 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$95.84
$191.69
premium
$4.58
$103.28
$206.57
diesel
$5.35
$120.65
$241.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 200.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
171.8
2
$60.14
$27.49
Efficient EV
143.2
1
$50.12
$22.91
EV Truck/SUV
229.1
2
$80.19
$36.66
Gas CO2
200 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 29, 2026
Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon
in Houston on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
SW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 28 at 6:57PM CDT until May 28 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 6:50PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Sundown, TX
Afternoon
in Sundown on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 28 at 6:57PM CDT until May 28 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 6:50PM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 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
10h 21m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of it on major roads like US 84 and TX 71. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.9 miles on US 84, so plan your breaks accordingly. While the Katy Freeway near Houston offers a more urban feel, the majority of the drive settles into a consistent pace across Texas. Expect a straightforward, long-distance highway experience for most of the trip.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and TX 71. 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 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 32 significant decision points across 572.8 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 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,538 ft35 ft
Total Climb
3,577 ft
Total Descent
74 ft
Highest Point
3,538 ft
~572.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,503 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 Sundown, TX, road signs point toward Austin, 183 Toll North: Lampasas, Lubbock and Spur 327: Brownfield.
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
The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 286 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Sundown, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.4 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sundown, TX before the return drive.
