Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Portland, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
200.2 mi
322 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 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Portland, TX to Houston, TX is 200.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m via US Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a familiar landscape for much of the drive. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical choice for getting between these two Texas cities efficiently.
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
100.1 miles from Portland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
| US 59 Northbound Frontage Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| South Alamo Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Louisiana Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59 South
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portland, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Toward Wildcat Drive
2
Turn straight onto US Highway 181
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge onto US 181; TX 35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 181; TX 35
5
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 35
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
7
Turn straight onto State Highway 35
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 35
8
Turn left onto FM 136
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
9
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
10
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 774
11
Turn right onto US 77
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Alamo Street
12
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
14
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
16
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
17
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
18
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
19
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
21
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
23
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For this 200.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet, allowing you to arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight. The 3h 59m estimated duration means you can comfortably complete this in one day without needing an overnight stop. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, it’s wise to top off your tank before you leave Portland, TX, as services can become less frequent on certain highway stretches. Pay attention to exit numbers as you get closer to Houston; they become more critical for navigating the urban environment.
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 100.1 miles from Portland, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 1h 58m 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 14m
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 Portland, 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 Portland, TX
This is one driving day of about 200.2 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Portland, 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 US Highway 59 South for about 88.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.1 miles from Portland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.6 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
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 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 websiteFriendship Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19795415000
Visit websiteDinosaur Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Wharton, Texas
+19795322491
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 198.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
TX 35
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
32.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
FM 774
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
Navigation decision point
5
164.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
197.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
7
198.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Louisiana 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.
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.42 one way
$54.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $30.63 | $61.26 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $37.80 | $75.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.02 | $9.61 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.52 | $8.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.1 | 1 | $28.03 | $12.81 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Origin
Portland, TX
Late night in Portland on Monday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 12 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:10PM MDT until July 18 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Monday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:10PM MDT until July 18 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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
5 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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 86% of this 200.2-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 88.6 miles, primarily on US Highway 59 South. Expect a largely highway experience, which means you'll encounter a fair number of exits and merges as you approach and pass through populated areas. The remaining 14% will be on surface roads, likely leading into and out of your starting and ending points.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.6 mi on US Highway 59 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and United States Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near TX 35.
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 200.2 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 2.7 miles (TX 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.4 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point; at 164.7 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
107 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
104 ft
Total Descent
98 ft
Highest Point
107 ft
~143 mi in
Elevation Range
88 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Portland, 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 3h 59m. Total distance: 200.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (TX 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.4 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point; at 164.7 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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