Trip from Palo Pinto County, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 59m

Distance

323.2 mi

520 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 47m ★

6 AM

6h 0m

8 AM

6h 26m

10 AM

6h 9m

12 PM

6h 6m

3 PM

6h 10m

5 PM

6h 25m

8 PM

5h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Palo Pinto County, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

This 323.2-mile journey from Palo Pinto County, TX, to Houston, TX, is a straightforward drive that can be completed in about 5 hours and 59 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 45 and US 287, with a segment on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, this route is 84% highway, making it an efficient option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $49, it's an economical choice for reaching your destination. The drive offers a highway-focused experience, connecting two points within the Great Plains region of Texas. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.

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

161.6 miles from Palo Pinto County, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	198.8 mi	3h 28m
US 287	50.7 mi	56m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
I 20	15.5 mi	16m
Mineral Wells Highway	12.9 mi	15m
Palo Pinto Highway	8.1 mi	12m
Highway 180 East	2.9 mi	4m
Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway	2.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 45 — 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palo Pinto County, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on this road

1.1 mi · 4 min · this road

At end of road, turn right onto US 180

0.7 mi · 55 sec · US Highway 180

Continue on US 180

1.1 mi · 1 min · Cedar Street

Continue on US 180; BH

8.1 mi · 12 min · Palo Pinto Highway

Continue on US 180; BH

2.0 mi · 3 min · US Highway 180 West

Continue on US 180; BH

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest 1st Street

Continue on US 180; BH

1.2 mi · 1 min · Southeast 1st Street

Continue on US 180

2.9 mi · 4 min · Highway 180 East

Continue on US 180

13 mi · 15 min · Mineral Wells Highway

Turn right onto Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway

2.4 mi · 3 min · Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway

Turn left onto West Interstate 20

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Interstate 20

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 20 East

Merge onto I 20

15 mi · 16 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20

23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

51 mi · 56 min · US 287

Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 45 South: Corsicana

Merge onto I 45; US 287

199 mi · 3 hr 28 min · I 45; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

271 ft · 3 sec · Gulf Freeway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 10 East: Beaumont Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Milam Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Milam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Milam Street

Turn right onto Prairie Street

328 ft · 13 sec · Prairie Street

Turn right onto Louisiana Street

516 ft · 16 sec · Louisiana Street

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 59-minute drive, departing early in the morning will allow you to arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight left. With a total distance of 323.2 miles, it’s entirely manageable as a single-day trip, but factor in one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost is around $49, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Palo Pinto County. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic congestion as you approach the Houston metropolitan area, especially if traveling during peak hours.

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 161.6 miles from Palo Pinto County, TX, or about 3h 8m 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 71 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 161.6 miles or 3h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 57m

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 Palo Pinto County, 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 Palo Pinto County, TX

This is one driving day of about 323.2 miles and 5h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Palo Pinto County, 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.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

162 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.

Popular next leg

Waxahachie, TX to Houston, TX

219.2 mi · 3h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Worth, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.6 miles from Palo Pinto County, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

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 website

Cidercade 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 website

Children'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 website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17139266368

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.7 and 322.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

33.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

49.2 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

71.8 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

321.9 mi into trip | ~5h 56m 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

322.3 mi into trip | ~5h 57m 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

$48.84 one way

$97.67 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$53.46	$106.91
premium	$4.54	$57.71	$115.41
diesel	$5.61	$71.36	$142.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97	1	$33.94	$15.51
Efficient EV	80.8	0	$28.28	$12.93
EV Truck/SUV	129.3	1	$45.25	$20.68

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Palo Pinto County, TX

Morning in Palo Pinto County on Tuesday

Local time

11:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Morning in Houston on Tuesday

Local time

11:46 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

5h 59m 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?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 84% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll encounter long stretches of efficient travel, including an uninterrupted segment of 198.8 miles primarily on I 45. While the route is designed for speed and directness, keep an eye out for transitions between US 287 and I 45. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground efficiently, with the landscape being consistent with the Great Plains.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.7 miles in near I 20.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 323.2 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 33.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Palo Pinto County, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Waxahachie.

Shreveport

49.2 mi in | ~1h 5m | via I 20

Waxahachie

71.8 mi in | ~1h 30m | via US 287

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 5h 59m. Total distance: 323.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 59m 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 198.8 miles on I 45. 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Palo Pinto County, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

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Trip from Palo Pinto County, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium

Cidercade Houston

Children's Museum Houston

Union Station

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Dennis Johnston Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Houston Zoo

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Palo Pinto County, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 59m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Houston, TX

More from Palo Pinto County, TX

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