Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Nash, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
221.3 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nash, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Nash, TX to Houston, TX is 221.3 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily uses I 45, a major highway, so expect a fairly direct and efficient drive. You'll be traveling within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region towards a more populated area. Given the relatively short duration, it's a convenient option for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach Houston with plenty of time to spare.
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
110.6 miles from Nash, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 198.8 mi | 3h 28m |
| West State Highway 34 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| FM 55 | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Congressman Joe Barton Parkway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Southwest State Highway 34 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Milam Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Sycamore Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925
Quietest
2 AM
~414 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nash, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 55
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 55
2
At end of road, turn left onto TX 34; FM 55
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
3
Turn straight onto TX 34
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest State Highway 34
4
Continue on TX 34
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
West State Highway 34
5
Continue on TX 34
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Sycamore Street
6
Continue on TX 34
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West State Highway 34
7
Turn right onto US Highway 287
359 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 287
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 287 South
9
Merge onto US 287
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Congressman Joe Barton Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
11
Merge onto I 45; US 287
199 mi
·
3 hr 28 min
·
I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
15
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
16
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
17
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
18
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Nash, TX in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Houston. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $33, you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it into multiple days. The longest stretch on I 45 is nearly 200 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained highway driving before you depart. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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 110.6 miles from Nash, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
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 Nash, 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 Nash, TX
This is one driving day of about 221.3 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Nash, 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 I 45 for about 198.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.6 miles from Nash, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.8 miles.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Downtown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteChildren's Museum Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 220.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
TX 34; FM 55 / West Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto TX 34; FM 55 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Corsicana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
5
21.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 45; US 287
Merge onto I 45; US 287
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
220 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
220.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.62 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.86 | $67.71 |
| premium | $4.23 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.79 | $83.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.98 | $14.16 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Nash, TX
Late night in Nash on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:33PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:33PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
75°F
Fairfield, TX
111 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
2 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 198.8 miles on I 45, so be prepared for extended highway cruising. Surface roads only come into play for the final miles. The high highway percentage means you'll likely notice frequent exits and merges as you travel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.8 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and West State Highway 34. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near TX 34; FM 55 / West Main Street.
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 221.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 5.1 miles (TX 34; FM 55 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.2 miles (I 45; US 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
522 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
289 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
522 ft
Elevation Range
487 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Nash, TX
Full guide →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. === Welcome World Cup fans === Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).
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 4h 3m. Total distance: 221.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.8 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (TX 34; FM 55 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.2 miles (I 45; US 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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