Origin
Moody, TX
Morning in Moody on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Moody, TX to Houston, 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 36m
Distance
179.7 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 24m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Moody, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Moody, TX to Houston, TX is 179.7 miles and takes about 3h 36m via North Earl Rudder Freeway, Aggie Expressway, and State Highway 6 South, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you through the Great Plains region of Texas, transitioning from more open country to the outskirts of a major metropolitan area. With 84% of the route on highways, expect a generally efficient trip. This is a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points.
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
89.9 miles from Moody, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Earl Rudder Freeway | 30.1 mi | 31m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.7 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 6 South | 23.5 mi | 23m |
| TX 7 | 16 mi | 21m |
| South State Highway 6 | 13.7 mi | 14m |
| Tomball Parkway | 12.6 mi | 16m |
| North Freeway | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| Tomball Tollway | 7 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
North Earl Rudder Freeway
— 30.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moody, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on TX 317
70 ft
·
3 sec
·
Avenue D
2
Turn right onto FM 107
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
8th Street
3
Continue on FM 107
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 107
4
Continue on TX 7
11 mi
·
14 min
·
TX 7
5
Turn left onto County Road 493
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 493
6
Turn left onto TX 7
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 7
7
At end of road, turn left onto TX 7
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 7
8
Turn right onto TX 6 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Williams Street
9
Turn straight onto TX 6 Business
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Business Highway 6
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
11
Merge onto TX 6
24 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 6 South
12
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
13
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North State Highway 6
14
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Market Street
15
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Highway 6
16
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi
·
31 min
·
North Earl Rudder Freeway
17
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 6
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
19
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 6
20
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
21
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on TBT
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 249
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 249
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Mount Houston Road
26
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
27
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the ramp
453 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 45 South
29
Merge onto I 45
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
33
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
34
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
35
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
36
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 36m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential Houston traffic. You'll only need one stop for the entire 179.7 miles, so plan it strategically. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so ensure you have enough fuel before departing Moody, TX, as the longest stretch without services could be around 30 miles. This route is easily manageable in one day, offering flexibility for when you depart and how long you linger at your single planned stop.
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 89.9 miles from Moody, TX, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 40 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
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 Moody, 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 Moody, TX
This is one driving day of about 179.7 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Moody, 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 North Earl Rudder Freeway for about 30.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.9 miles from Moody, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 113 and 179.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
113 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
5
171 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m 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
178.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
7
178.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Milam Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Milam Street
5
179.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
|
Louisiana Street
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.15 one way
$54.31 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.72 | $59.44 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.08 | $64.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.68 | $79.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Tomball Tollway
(7 mi)
$0.49
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
$27
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
| Efficient EV | 44.9 | 0 | $15.72 | $7.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.16 | $11.50 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
4 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 36m 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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 84% of the 179.7 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 30.1 miles along North Earl Rudder Freeway. Expect a change in driving environment as you move from highway cruising to surface streets closer to Houston. The transition from highway to surface roads will begin around mile 145.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.1 mi on North Earl Rudder Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Earl Rudder Freeway and Aggie Expressway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 113 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 179.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Moody, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 515: Conroe along the way.
Spur 515: Conroe
113 mi in
|
~2h 13m
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 3h 36m. Total distance: 179.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.1 miles on North Earl Rudder Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 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.
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: at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Houston, 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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