Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Premont, 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
5h 13m
Distance
264.5 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 0m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 23m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Premont, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Premont to Houston is 264.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via US Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With 86% of the trip on highways, it's primarily a cruising experience. You'll want to plan for a single day to cover the distance comfortably, keeping your fuel costs in mind. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
132.2 miles from Premont, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| East Main Street | 26.2 mi | 30m |
| US 281 BUS | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| US 281 Business | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59 South
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Premont, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on West Main Street
86 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 281 BUS
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 281 BUS
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
4
Continue on US 281 Business
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281 Business
5
Turn right onto FM 1352
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Cecilia Street
6
Turn left onto FM 665
345 ft
·
7 sec
·
Old Kingsville Road
7
Turn slight right onto FM 665
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cameron Street
8
Turn right onto TX 44; TX 359
452 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Front Street
9
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
26 mi
·
30 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto TX 44
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 44
11
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North US Highway 77
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward County Road 44
13
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
14
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
16
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
17
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
18
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
20
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
22
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
23
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
24
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
25
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
27
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated duration, leaving Premont in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight. The 264.5-mile drive is manageable in one day, but you can still take advantage of the relatively short travel time to make an unscheduled stop if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 88.6-mile stretch on US Highway 59 South where services might be less frequent. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, you should have a good idea of your budget for gas on this Texas crossing.
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 132.2 miles from Premont, TX, or about 2h 36m 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 36m 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 10m
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 Premont, 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 Premont, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Premont, 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
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.2 miles from Premont, 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
Love's Travel Stop
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
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.2 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 websiteFort Bend Children's Discovery Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18327422800
Visit websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 54.4 and 262.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
North US Highway 77
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
62.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward Sinton, Victoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Sinton, Victoria
5
229.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
261.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m 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
262.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m 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
$36.23 one way
$72.46 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $40.47 | $80.93 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.00 | $87.99 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.94 | $99.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.77 | $12.70 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.14 | $10.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.8 | 1 | $37.03 | $16.93 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Premont, TX
Evening in Premont on Monday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Monday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
95°F
Victoria, TX
132 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
1 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 13m 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?
You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 86% of the 264.5 miles on high-speed roads like US Highway 59 South. The longest continuous stretch on these roads is 88.6 miles, meaning you'll have long periods of cruising. Expect a more rural feel initially, transitioning to busier conditions as you approach Houston. The highway portion ends, leading into surface streets for the final approach.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and US 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 54.4 miles in near North US Highway 77.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 264.5 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 54.4 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.1 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
179 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
135 ft
Total Descent
261 ft
Highest Point
179 ft
~18.9 mi in
Elevation Range
144 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Premont, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward County Road 44, Sinton and Victoria.
County Road 44
55.3 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Sinton
62.5 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via US 77
Victoria
62.5 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via US 77
About the Cities
Starting in Premont, 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 13m. Total distance: 264.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.4 miles (North US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.1 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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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