Origin
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Wells Branch, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
160.1 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Wells Branch, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Houston to Wells Branch is 160.1 miles and takes about 3h 10m via US 290, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same region. Expect a predominantly highway experience that should feel straightforward for a single-day trip. With just one recommended stop, you can anticipate a relatively quick transit between these two Texas locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.1 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 290 | 74.8 mi | 1h 25m |
| Northwest Freeway | 46.2 mi | 53m |
| US Highway 290 | 19 mi | 21m |
| East Parmer Lane | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Katy Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| West Howard Lane | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| McCallen Pass | 1 mi | 1m |
| Wells Port Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 290
— 74.8 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Wells Branch, 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
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 763
Toward I 610
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward West 34th Street, Antoine Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 290
46 mi
·
53 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 290
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 290
12
Take the exit onto US 290
53 mi
·
59 min
·
US 290
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 290
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 290
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 290, FM 734: Parmer Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 290
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
East US Highway 290
16
Turn right onto FM 734
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
East Parmer Lane
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto McCallen Pass
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McCallen Pass
18
Turn left onto West Howard Lane
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Howard Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Thermal Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Thermal Drive
20
Turn right onto Wells Branch Parkway
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Wells Branch Parkway
21
Turn left onto Wells Port Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Wells Port Drive
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Alpha Collier Drive
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Alpha Collier Drive
23
Turn right onto Quiet Wood Drive
310 ft
·
13 sec
·
Quiet Wood Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Quiet Wood Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 10m duration, leaving Houston in the morning should allow ample time to reach Wells Branch before evening. You'll want to plan for about one stop, and since the longest stretch on US 290 is under 75 miles, you can be flexible with where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $24, and ensure you have enough to cover the 160.1 miles. The highway-heavy nature of this route means you won't need to worry about extensive time spent on slower, local roads.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.1 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.8 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells Branch, 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 160.1 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 290 for about 74.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.1 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 290 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 8.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 610
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 763
Toward I 610
7
6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
6.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
7.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
8
8.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 34th Street, Antoine Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 34th Street, Antoine Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.19 one way
$48.38 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.48 | $52.96 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.58 | $57.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.35 | $70.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.25 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Wells Branch, TX
Morning in Wells Branch on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Somerville, TX
80 mi in
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
3 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
3h 10m 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?
This trip is almost entirely on highways, with a 91% highway share. You'll be on US 290 for a significant portion, including a stretch of 74.8 miles. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination. Expect a lot of direct travel with minimal detours off the main thoroughfares.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.8 mi on US 290.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 290 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 160.1 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
Arriving in Wells Branch, 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 3h 10m. Total distance: 160.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.8 miles on US 290. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Wells Branch, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Wells Branch, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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