Trip from Redwood, TX to Houston, TX

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

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

164.6 mi

265 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 51m ★

6 AM

3h 2m

8 AM

3h 25m

10 AM

3h 10m

12 PM

3h 8m

3 PM

3h 11m

5 PM

3h 24m

8 PM

2h 55m

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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Redwood, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

This 164.6-mile drive from Redwood to Houston, Texas, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated travel time of just over 3 hours. Designed for efficiency, the route is 93% highway, making it a focused driving experience. Budget approximately $25 for fuel, considering you'll be covering a significant distance. The journey remains within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for the entire drive. This route is ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination without extended stops, allowing you to maximize your time in Houston.

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

82.3 miles from Redwood, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	121.8 mi	2h 4m
TX 80	16.6 mi	20m
Katy Freeway	10.7 mi	13m
East Pierce Street	4 mi	5m
Katy Tollway	3.2 mi	4m
FM 621	2.7 mi	3m
Farm-to-Market Road 1979	2.4 mi	3m
FM 1978	1.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 121.8 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Redwood, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on FM 1978

1.4 mi · 1 min · FM 1978

At end of road, turn right onto FM 621

2.7 mi · 3 min · FM 621

Continue on FM 1979

1.9 mi · 2 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1979

Continue on FM 1979

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Main Street

Turn straight onto FM 1979

0.5 mi · 1 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1979

At end of road, turn right onto TX 80

17 mi · 20 min · TX 80

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto North Laurel Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Laurel Avenue

Turn left onto US 90

4.0 mi · 5 min · East Pierce Street

Turn left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Interstate 10 Frontage Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 10 East

Merge onto I 10

122 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10 Toll

3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

11 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 769A Toward Downtown, Theatre District Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Smith Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Smith Street

Turn left onto Preston Street

331 ft · 16 sec · Preston Street

Turn left onto Louisiana Street

179 ft · 5 sec · Louisiana Street

Arrive at destination

Louisiana Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, departing Redwood in the morning allows ample time to reach Houston by afternoon, avoiding the need for an overnight stay. Plan for just one stop to break up the 164.6 miles, perhaps around the halfway mark for a quick rest. The longest stretch of 121.8 miles on I-10 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $25, it's a budget-friendly trip, so keeping your tank topped off should be straightforward.

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 82.3 miles from Redwood, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.8 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 36 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.3 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 27m

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 Redwood, 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 Redwood, TX

This is one driving day of about 164.6 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Redwood, 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 10 for about 121.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Colorado County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, TX

82 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

Columbus, TX to Houston, TX

72.9 mi · 1h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Waelder, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Redwood, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 164.6

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

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 164.6

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.6

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 164.6

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 164.6

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 163.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | FM 621

At end of road, turn right onto FM 621

Navigation decision point

6.6 mi into trip | ~9m in | TX 80

At end of road, turn right onto TX 80

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

27.4 mi into trip | ~36m in | Interstate 10 Frontage Road

Turn left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

149.5 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

163.9 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Theatre District

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 769A Toward Downtown, Theatre District

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.87 one way

$49.74 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$27.22	$54.45
premium	$4.54	$29.39	$58.78
diesel	$5.61	$36.34	$72.68

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Katy Tollway (3.2 mi) $0.23

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

$25

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49.4	$17.28	$7.90
Efficient EV	41.2	$14.40	$6.58
EV Truck/SUV	65.8	$23.04	$10.53

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Redwood, TX

Late night in Redwood on Sunday

Local time

2:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Sunday

Local time

2:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Columbus, TX

82 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

16 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

3h 2m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip. With 93% of the route on major highways like I-10 and the Katy Freeway, you'll experience mostly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 121.8 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent road conditions. While primarily interstate, the integration of TX 80 provides a slight variation before rejoining the freeway system. This profile suggests a practical, no-frills approach to getting from point A to point B.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 121.8 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 80. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near FM 621.

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 164.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.4 miles (FM 621): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (TX 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (Interstate 10 Frontage Road): 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 3h 2m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 121.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy Tollway. 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 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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Explore more options from Redwood, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Redwood, 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

Nearby Places

Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium

Cidercade Houston

Children's Museum Houston

Union Station

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy

Houston Zoo

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Redwood, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

16 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 2m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

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

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