Origin
Ore City, TX
Morning in Ore City on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ore City, 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
4h 26m
Distance
229.5 mi
369 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ore City, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Ore City to Houston is 229.5 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Diboll Relief Route and US 259, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a direct path south. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and moderate distance, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a leisurely start if you have flexibility.
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
114.8 miles from Ore City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 111 mi | 2h 1m |
| US 259 | 26.1 mi | 32m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| US Route 259 | 19.3 mi | 21m |
| TX 322 | 15.7 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 259 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Northwest Stallings Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| South First Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 111 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ore City, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 259
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 259
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Estes Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto TX 322
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gardiner Mitchell Parkway
4
Continue on TX 322
15 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 322
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on TX 322
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
TX 322
6
Turn left onto US 259
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kilgore Drive
7
Continue on US 79; US 259
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
8
Turn left onto US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
9
Continue on US 259
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Railroad Avenue
10
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
11
Continue on US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
12
Take the exit
224 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
13
Continue on this road
420 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
15
Turn left
104 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
North US Highway 59
17
Continue on US 59
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest Stallings Drive
18
Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Stallings Drive
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
20
Turn straight
223 ft
·
6 sec
21
Merge onto US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
22
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
23
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
24
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
25
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
26
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
27
Continue on US 59
111 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Freeway
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn straight onto Providence Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Providence Street
33
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North San Jacinto Street
34
Continue on Fannin Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Fannin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
35
Turn right onto Prairie Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Prairie Street
36
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
37
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 26m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic into Houston. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 229.5 miles, you can easily complete this in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $35, and it's wise to fill up before you hit longer stretches on surface roads. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from US 259 to surface roads as you approach Houston; this is where you'll encounter more local traffic and potential delays.
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 114.8 miles from Ore City, TX, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 38m
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 Ore City, 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 Ore City, TX
This is one driving day of about 229.5 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Ore City, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 111 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.8 miles from Ore City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 229.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
26.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
227.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
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 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Anto...
8
227.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
228.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward San Jacinto Street, Main 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.
Exit 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
5
229.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
Louisiana Street
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.68 one way
$69.36 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $37.96 | $75.92 |
| premium | $4.54 | $40.98 | $81.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.67 | $101.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.10 | $11.02 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.08 | $9.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.13 | $14.69 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 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
20 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
4h 26m 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 43% highway, meaning you'll experience periods of faster travel interspersed with more local road cruising. The longest stretch on a single road is 111 miles on the Diboll Relief Route, offering a significant period of uninterrupted driving. You'll transition from the highway to surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and more frequent intersections as you get closer to your destination. Expect a mixed driving environment with both open road segments and areas with more traffic.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111 mi on Diboll Relief Route.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.1 miles in near TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 229.5 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 26.1 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 227.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4h 26m. Total distance: 229.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111 miles on Diboll Relief Route. 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: at 26.1 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 227.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 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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