Origin
La Villa, TX
Night in La Villa on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Villa, TX to Houston, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 43m
Distance
328.4 mi
528 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 31m
★
6 AM
6h 43m
8 AM
7h 7m
10 AM
6h 51m
12 PM
6h 49m
3 PM
6h 53m
5 PM
7h 6m
8 PM
6h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Villa, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
La Villa, TX to Houston, TX is 328.4 miles and takes about 6h 43m via U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey. With 92% of the route on highways, you can expect a focused driving experience. This trip is designed as a single-day adventure, making it a convenient option for those looking to reach Houston efficiently from the southern tip of Texas.
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
164.2 miles from La Villa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 100.9 mi | 1h 52m |
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| County Road 79 | 4 mi | 15m |
| Mile 1 West Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Farm to Market Road 2629 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 100.9 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Villa, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on East 6th Street
67 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto FM 491
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Chapa Road
3
Continue on FM 491
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Mile 1 West Road
4
Turn straight onto FM 491
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 491
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 2629
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 2629
6
Continue on FM 2629
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Farm to Market Road 2629
7
Continue on FM 2629
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 2629
8
At end of road, turn left onto FM 506; FM 2629
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 506; FM 2629
9
Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 69E Frontage Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
11
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
76 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
13
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
14
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
16
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
17
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
18
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
19
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
20
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
22
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
23
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
24
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
26
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
27
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
28
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
29
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
30
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
32
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
33
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
34
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
35
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
37
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
39
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 43m estimated drive time, leaving La Villa in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight and arrive in Houston with time to spare. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan for a mid-trip break to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 100.9-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $50 fuel cost estimate should be sufficient for most vehicles on this 328.4-mile trip.
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 164.2 miles from La Villa, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.9 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 72 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.2 miles or 3h 30m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Villa, 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 La Villa, TX
This is one driving day of about 328.4 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from La Villa, 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 100.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.2 miles from La Villa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.9 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 326.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 491 / North Chapa Road
Turn right onto FM 491 / North Chapa Road
Navigation decision point
5
12.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Merge onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
325.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
7
326.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
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 Downtown, Louisiana Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.62 one way
$99.24 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $54.32 | $108.63 |
| premium | $4.54 | $58.63 | $117.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.51 | $145.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.5 | 1 | $34.48 | $15.76 |
| Efficient EV | 82.1 | 0 | $28.73 | $13.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.4 | 1 | $45.98 | $21.02 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Night in Houston on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
12 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
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.
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
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
~68 min detour
$25
near mile 56.6
Park Closure: Malaquite Campground and dump station closed for road work April 19-24
Park Closure: Dredging at Mansfield Channel; Mile 55-60 of South Beach Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive covers 92% on major roads, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.9 miles on U.S. Highway 77. While the initial part of the journey on U.S. Highway 77 might offer a slightly different feel, the route largely transitions to a consistent highway pace as you progress towards Houston via US Highway 59 South. Expect a predictable driving experience with minimal detours from main thoroughfares.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.9 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 491 / North Chapa Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 328.4 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 (FM 491 / North Chapa Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Villa, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sinton and Victoria.
Sinton
126.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
|
via US 77
Victoria
126.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
|
via US 77
About the Cities
Arriving 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 6h 43m. Total distance: 328.4 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 100.9 miles on U.S. Highway 77. 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 Houston, 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: near the start (FM 491 / North Chapa Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes — 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 Houston, TX before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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