Spanning 513.2 miles, the journey from Memphis, Texas, down to Houston is a significant undertaking that typically takes about 7 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, be prepared for a long stint on the road that will require your full attention. You should budget approximately $76 for fuel to cover the distance, so it is wise to plan your fill-ups in advance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent as you transition from the northern plains toward the coast. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break it up, having a clear plan for your two planned stops will make the transition much smoother.
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
258.5 miles from Memphis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
237.2 mi
4h 9m
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
SH 183 TEXpress
15 mi
14m
I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
5m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
US 81
4.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Boykin Drive
2
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
3
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
4
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
5
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
6
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
7
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
11
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
22
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi·5 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·SH 183 TEXpress
26
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi·50 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
27
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 429BToward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street WestUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
30
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·McKinney Avenue
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 75 North
33
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi·37 sec·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 45 South: HoustonUse the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi·3 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi·4 hr 5 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 45
271 ft·3 sec·Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 48AToward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / straight lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Milam StreetUse the slight left lane.
40
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Milam Street
41
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft·13 sec·Prairie Street
42
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft·16 sec·Louisiana Street
43
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 8-hour drive effectively, aim to depart as early as possible in the morning to avoid hitting peak traffic as you approach your destination. Since you have two planned stops, use them strategically to stretch your legs and refresh your focus rather than just refueling. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $76 budget is an estimate and prices can fluctuate significantly between rural stops and urban centers. Because this is a long-distance drive, consider keeping your most essential supplies in the passenger seat for easy access while you are on the move. A smart way to manage the fatigue of a 513.2-mile trip is to alternate drivers if possible, or schedule your longest break exactly halfway through to maintain your energy levels.
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 258.5 miles from Memphis, TX, or about 4h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 114 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 258.5 miles or 4h 36m 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 258.5 miles or 4h 36m
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 8h 7m
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 Memphis, 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 Memphis, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Memphis, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 245 and 515.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
245 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
245.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
276.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
7
277.9 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
515.7 mi into trip|~9h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$78.12 one way
$156.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg181 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$85.51
$171.02
premium
$4.54
$92.31
$184.61
diesel
$5.61
$114.15
$228.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 180.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
155.1
1
$54.29
$24.82
Efficient EV
129.3
1
$45.24
$20.68
EV Truck/SUV
206.8
2
$72.38
$33.09
Gas CO2
181 kg
EV CO2
60 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TX
Late night
in Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 10 mph30% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Mesquite, TX
341 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.
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
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
9h 12m 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?
You will primarily navigate via Highway 287, supplemented by shorter segments on Burnett Street and Avenue F Northwest as you maneuver through local transitions. This route consists entirely of surface roads and highways rather than major interstates, which means you should expect a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous sprint. Because the highway share is 0 percent, your pace will fluctuate based on local traffic and changing road conditions. Behind the wheel, you will notice the character of the road shifting as you move from the open expanses of the Great Plains toward the busier environment of Houston. Staying alert is essential, as the lack of interstate infrastructure means you will be dealing with direct road access throughout the 513.2-mile journey.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Central East Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 245 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 517 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 245 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Memphis, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.
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 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. 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 259 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 45 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 45 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 245 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.4 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.
