Trip from Sherman, 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 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

301.3 mi

485 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 7m ★

6 AM

5h 20m

8 AM

5h 47m

10 AM

5h 30m

12 PM

5h 27m

3 PM

5h 31m

5 PM

5h 46m

8 PM

5h 12m

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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city in and county seat of Grayson, Texas, United States

Sherman, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sherman to Houston covers 301.3 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 5 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $46 for fuel to make the trip. The drive keeps you within the Texas region the entire time, transitioning from the northern plains toward the coast. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to move quickly between these two points rather than a slow-paced scenic tour.

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

150.7 miles from Sherman, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway	237.6 mi	4h 9m
North Central Expressway	44.9 mi	48m
North Collins Freeway	10.1 mi	10m
South Sam Rayburn Freeway	6.6 mi	7m
East Houston Street	0.5 mi	1m
Milam Street	0.4 mi	1m
Louisiana Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
South Walnut Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

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

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 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 Sherman, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on TX 56

327 ft · 16 sec · East Lamar Street

Turn left onto South Walnut Street

367 ft · 17 sec · South Walnut Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto TX 56

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Houston Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto South Sam Rayburn Freeway

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Sam Rayburn Freeway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto US 75

6.4 mi · 6 min · South Sam Rayburn Freeway

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

Since the trip takes roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes, plan to depart early to avoid peak traffic congestion near major metropolitan hubs. While the route is manageable in one go, you should schedule at least one strategic stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep your $46 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your gauge, especially during that long 237.6-mile stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor local traffic reports before you leave to decide if you need to adjust your departure time to bypass potential slowdowns on the expressways.

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 150.7 miles from Sherman, TX, or about 2h 40m 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 66 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150.7 miles or 2h 40m 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 21m

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 Sherman, 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 Sherman, TX

This is one driving day of about 301.3 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Sherman, 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

151 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.7 miles from Sherman, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

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 website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 300.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Walnut Street

Turn left onto South Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | TX 56 / East Houston Street

Turn left onto TX 56 / East Houston Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

65.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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.

300.1 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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

300.5 mi into trip | ~5h 18m 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

$41.27 one way

$82.54 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$46.10	$92.19
premium	$4.23	$50.12	$100.24
diesel	$4.80	$56.89	$113.78

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

$41

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Melissa, TX - Tesla Supercharger

Melissa, TX

Tesla

20 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Sherman, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Plano, TX - West Parker Road - Tesla Supercharger

Plano, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Allen, TX - Tesla Supercharger

Allen, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Plano, TX

WALMART

12 DCFC

Bucees Melissa MB.HPC

Melissa, TX

MERCEDES_BENZ

10 DCFC

Plano, TX Rechargery Relay - N Central Expy

Plano, TX

IONNA

10 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Mckinney, TX

WALMART

8 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 6 Tesla: 6 WALMART: 2 eVgo Network: 2 EV Connect: 1 MERCEDES_BENZ: 1 Non-Networked: 1 HYPERFUEL: 1 IONNA: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.4	1	$31.64	$14.46
Efficient EV	75.3	0	$26.36	$12.05
EV Truck/SUV	120.5	1	$42.18	$19.28

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Sherman, TX

Late night in Sherman on Monday

Local time

4:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Clear

SSW 5 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

4:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Mostly Clear

SW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 20m 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 highly efficient, interstate-heavy experience, as this route is comprised of 99% highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Julius Schepps Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 237.6 miles. The remainder of the journey utilizes the North Central Expressway and North Collins Freeway to keep your momentum high. Because the road personality is defined by these major arteries, the drive feels like a consistent, fast-paced grind. You should be prepared for high-speed travel and heavy traffic patterns typical of these major Texas thoroughfares.

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

17 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Walnut 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 301.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (South Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (TX 56 / East Houston Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 65.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

734 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

439 ft

Total Descent

1,138 ft

Highest Point

734 ft

Elevation Range

699 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Sherman, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1846

Sherman is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of North Texas.

Top landmarks

• Paul Brown Federal Building and United States Courthouse — building in Sherman, Grayson County, Texas

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 20m. Total distance: 301.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Sherman, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Sherman, 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

City Park

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Dennis Johnston Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sherman, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 20m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Sherman, 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

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