Spanning 537.4 miles across Texas, this journey from Seminole to Houston is a significant undertaking that typically takes around 8 hours and 57 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, it is best approached as a two-day trip rather than a single-day grind, allowing you to manage fatigue effectively. Budgeting roughly $80 for fuel is a smart baseline for your travel costs. You will transition from the open landscapes of the Great Plains into the heart of Texas, navigating local roads like Seminole Road, North 4th Street, and North Lynn Avenue along the way. While the distance is substantial, taking the time to split the drive ensures a safer and more comfortable experience as you head toward the coast.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
270.5 miles from Seminole, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
137 mi
2h 25m
US 87
104.4 mi
1h 55m
TX 71
63.3 mi
1h 25m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
52.1 mi
52m
State Highway 71
47.2 mi
50m
East Avenue A
38.7 mi
43m
North US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
South US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seminole, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 180
39 mi·43 min·East Avenue A
2
Continue on US 180
1.6 mi·1 min·Seminole Road
3
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi·55 sec·North 4th Street
4
Turn right onto US 87; US 180
1.2 mi·1 min·North Lynn Avenue
5
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
6
Continue on US 87; US 180
18 mi·18 min·South US Highway 87
7
Continue on US 87
1.4 mi·1 min·William Crooker Highway
8
Continue on US 87
18 mi·18 min·North US Highway 87
9
Continue on US 87
52 mi·52 min·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
11
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
12
Continue on US 87
104 mi·1 hr 55 min·US 87
13
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
14
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi·50 min·State Highway 71
15
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 29; TX 71
16
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi·31 sec·Bessemer Avenue
17
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi·1 min·Ford Street
18
Turn left onto TX 71
63 mi·1 hr 25 min·TX 71
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 71 West
20
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·34 sec·this road
21
Merge onto US 290
0.7 mi·59 sec·West US Highway 290
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
23
Merge onto West US Highway 290
202 ft·2 sec·West US Highway 290
24
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi·15 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
27
Continue on TX 71
137 mi·2 hr 25 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
29
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
34
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
35
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
36
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 537.4-mile trek successfully, I recommend planning for two full days on the road to keep your energy levels steady. Since you have two planned stops, use them strategically to stretch your legs and refresh your focus before resuming the drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid the buildup of traffic as you approach your destination in Houston. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you are navigating non-highway routes where service stations may be spaced differently than on major interstates. Given the $80 fuel estimate, topping off your tank at the start of each day will provide peace of mind as you traverse the long stretches between Seminole and your final stop.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 270.5 miles from Seminole, TX, or about 4h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 119 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 270.5 miles or 4h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 270.5 miles or 4h 50m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 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 Seminole, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seminole, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Seminole, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 307.7 and 540.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
307.7 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
372.9 mi into trip|~7h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
5
386.7 mi into trip|~7h 16m in|71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...
6
526 mi into trip|~9h 44m 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
8
540.4 mi into trip|~10h 2m 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
$81.76 one way
$163.52 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg189 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$89.49
$178.99
premium
$4.54
$96.61
$193.22
diesel
$5.61
$119.47
$238.94
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
$82
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 189.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
162.3
2
$56.82
$25.97
Efficient EV
135.3
1
$47.35
$21.64
EV Truck/SUV
216.4
2
$75.75
$34.63
Gas CO2
189 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Seminole, TX
Morning
in Seminole on Tuesday
Local time
8:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning
in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
8:39 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 4m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 335.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance drive that prioritizes steady progress over high-speed interstate travel, as this route relies on local roads rather than major freeways. With a 0% highway share, you will encounter a more varied driving experience that requires your full attention on local infrastructure. The personality of this trip is defined by consistent navigation through smaller connectors, moving away from the typical monotonous interstate crawl. You will spend nearly nine hours behind the wheel, so prepare for a steady pace that reflects the vastness of the Texas landscape. Staying alert is essential as you transition through the different road segments that link these two distant points.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 307.7 miles in near TX 71.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 541.1 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 307.7 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 372.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 386.7 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): 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.
On the drive from Seminole, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 271 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 307.7 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 372.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 386.7 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.1 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 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.
