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Trip from Houston, TX to Washington, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

76.3 mi

123 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

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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Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

ghost town in Washington County, Texas, United States

Washington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to head out from Houston to Washington, TX, you are in for a manageable 76.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip works perfectly as a quick day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway. The route keeps you entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape from start to finish. Since there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or take your time depending on your schedule. It is an honest, straightforward drive that serves as a simple transition between the two locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.1 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Aggie Expressway 24.8 mi 27m
Tomball Parkway 12.3 mi 15m
State Highway 105 10.1 mi 12m
North Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
Tomball Tollway 7.3 mi 8m
MCTRA 249 Tollway 3.6 mi 4m
West Mount Houston Road 2.9 mi 4m
East Washington Avenue 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Aggie Expressway — 24.8 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Washington, TX.

1

Start on Louisiana Street

474 ft · 19 sec · Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Franklin Street
3

Turn left onto Travis Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Travis Street
4

Take the ramp

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 45 North Express Lane
5

Merge onto I 45

8.3 mi · 10 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 57B Toward TX 249 Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 39 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
8

Turn left onto TX 249

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9

Continue on TX 249

3.8 mi · 6 min · Tomball Parkway
10

Continue on TX 249

8.4 mi · 9 min · Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on TBT

7.3 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on TX 249 Toll

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on TX 105

5.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105
15

Continue on Spur 515

0.8 mi · 1 min · Spur 515
16

At end of road, turn right onto TX 6 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · South La Salle Street
17

Turn left onto TX 105

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Washington Avenue
18

Continue on TX 105

4.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 105
19

Turn left onto FM 1155

1.4 mi · 3 min · FM 1155 East
20

Turn left

245 ft · 17 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours, as the reliance on city streets like Franklin and Travis can lead to congestion. Since the drive is only 76.3 miles, you have the luxury of flexibility, allowing you to leave whenever suits your personal timeline. You won't need to worry about planning for multiple rest stops given the short duration, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is ready for the $11 fuel expense before pulling away. One specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your navigation apps while navigating the local streets in Houston, as the turn-heavy nature of the initial segment makes it easy to miss a required turn. Enjoy the simplicity of this short drive by keeping your itinerary loose and your schedule open.

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 38.1 miles from Houston, TX, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.8 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 17 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.1 miles or 49m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 76.3 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Houston, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Aggie Expressway for about 24.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Tomball, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tomball, TX

38 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

Jersey Village, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pinehurst, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Best meal stop

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

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

Cidercade 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 website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Barbara 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 website

Lakewood Crossing Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

Midtown 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 website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Houston Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17139266368

Visit website

Jumping World

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17139967811

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 10.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Franklin Street

Turn right onto Franklin Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Travis Street

Turn left onto Travis Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 45 / North Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward TX 249

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 57B Toward TX 249
4
10.3 mi into trip | ~14m in | TX 249 / West Mount Houston Road

Turn left onto TX 249 / West Mount Houston Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.08 one way

$22.17 round trip

$3.69/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $12.21 $24.43
premium $4.41 $13.26 $26.51
diesel $5.61 $16.85 $33.69

Estimated Tolls: $0.76

Tomball Tollway (7.3 mi) $0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway (3.6 mi) $0.25

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.9 0 $8.01 $3.66
Efficient EV 19.1 0 $6.68 $3.05
EV Truck/SUV 30.5 0 $10.68 $4.88

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Tuesday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington, TX

Afternoon in Washington on Tuesday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

15 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 37m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route relies on city streets like Franklin and Travis to get you started before connecting to I-45 North. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a standard freeway trek. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Franklin Street, which highlights the frequent turns you will navigate as you depart the city. This lack of long highway segments means the character of the road changes frequently as you transition from local urban streets to the open road. Keep your focus sharp, as the technical nature of the path requires constant attention to navigation through the various intersections.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.8 mi on Aggie Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Aggie Expressway and Tomball Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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

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 1h 37m. Total distance: 76.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 24.8 miles on Aggie Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.76 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Washington, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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