Trip from Pottsboro, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

314.7 mi

506 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 23m ★

6 AM

5h 36m

8 AM

6h 3m

10 AM

5h 46m

12 PM

5h 43m

3 PM

5h 47m

5 PM

6h 2m

8 PM

5h 28m

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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Pottsboro, TX

kingsley li

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Pottsboro to Houston covers 313.3 miles of Texas landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 55 minutes of active drive time. Because this route relies on local roads like South Main Street, Franklin Avenue, and FM 120 rather than major interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day push. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the journey. While both locations are situated within the Great Plains, the drive is a turn-heavy local experience that requires more attention than a standard highway transit. It is a straightforward trip that fits into one day, provided you are prepared for a steady pace through Texas terrain.

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

157.3 miles from Pottsboro, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway	237.6 mi	4h 9m
North Central Expressway	44.9 mi	48m
Katy Memorial Expressway	15.2 mi	15m
North Collins Freeway	10.1 mi	10m
East FM 120	4.5 mi	6m
Milam Street	0.4 mi	1m
Ansley Boulevard	0.4 mi	<1m
Franklin Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 237.6 mi, about 4h 9m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806

Quietest

2 AM

~407 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 Pottsboro, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on Grayson Street

153 ft · 8 sec · Grayson Street

Turn right onto South Main Street

266 ft · 17 sec · South Main Street

Turn left onto FM 996

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Franklin Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto FM 120

4.5 mi · 6 min · East FM 120

Turn right onto Ansley Boulevard

0.4 mi · 58 sec · Ansley Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto South Highway 75

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South Highway 75

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto US 75

15 mi · 15 min · Katy Memorial Expressway

Continue on US 75

10 mi · 10 min · North Collins Freeway

Continue on US 75

45 mi · 48 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

3.4 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

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

Planning a departure early in the day is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy local roads while visibility remains high. Since the trip takes nearly five hours, you should factor in at least one planned stop to stretch and reset during the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimate is based on the specific distance and road type, and local roads may lead to varying consumption rates. Because you are navigating local infrastructure rather than major highways, remain patient with traffic patterns and intersection turns along South Main Street and Franklin Avenue. This flexibility allows you to manage your own pace, ensuring you reach Houston comfortably without rushing the technical sections of the route.

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 157.3 miles from Pottsboro, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.6 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 35m

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 Pottsboro, 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 Pottsboro, TX

This is one driving day of about 314.7 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Pottsboro, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.6 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

157 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

Dallas, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.3 miles from Pottsboro, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 313.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Main Street

Turn right onto South Main Street

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | FM 996 / Franklin Avenue

Turn left onto FM 996 / Franklin Avenue

Navigation decision point

79.2 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

313.4 mi into trip | ~5h 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

313.8 mi into trip | ~5h 34m 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

$43.10 one way

$86.21 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$48.15	$96.29
premium	$4.23	$52.35	$104.69
diesel	$4.80	$59.42	$118.84

Estimated Tolls: $3.59

Central Expressway (44.9 mi) $3.59

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

$43

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.4	1	$33.04	$15.11
Efficient EV	78.7	0	$27.54	$12.59
EV Truck/SUV	125.9	1	$44.06	$20.14

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Pottsboro, TX

Afternoon in Pottsboro on Sunday

Local time

4:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Partly Sunny

SSW 10 to 15 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:33PM CDT until July 17 at 3:30PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Sunday

Local time

4:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 to 10 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:33PM CDT until July 17 at 3:30PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

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

5h 36m 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 hands-on driving experience as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will not encounter any traditional highway stretches, as the highway share is 0%, meaning your focus will remain on navigating local roads and secondary connectors. This creates a distinct personality for the trip, moving away from high-speed cruising toward a more engaged, winding pace. Since the route consists entirely of local roads, you should prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed and direction throughout the 313.3-mile journey. It is a drive that demands your full engagement from start to finish.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 237.6 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Central Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 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 314.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (FM 996 / Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 79.2 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

797 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

270 ft

Total Descent

1,000 ft

Highest Point

797 ft

~22.5 mi in

Elevation Range

762 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Pottsboro, 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 5h 36m. Total distance: 314.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 237.6 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.59 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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.

Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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, 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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Explore more options from Pottsboro, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

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Trip from Pottsboro, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

QuikTrip

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Minuteman Press

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

SoPac Trail Rest Area

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Dennis Johnston Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Children's Museum Houston

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pottsboro, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 36m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Pottsboro, TX

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

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 Pottsboro, TX

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