Trip from Slaton, 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
9h 25m
Distance
518.9 mi
835 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Slaton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Slaton, TX to Houston, TX is 518.9 miles and takes about 9h 25m via Texas State Highway 71, US Highway 84, and State Highway 153, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early, but we recommend two days. This trip starts in the Great Plains region of Texas and ends in the same region, offering a long-haul drive that requires planning. While you can technically cover the distance in one go, breaking it up over two days will make the 518.9 miles much more manageable and enjoyable. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive across Texas.
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
259.4 miles from Slaton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| East Highway 84 | 20 mi | 20m |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,971 veh/hr typical · worst 7,284
Quietest
2 AM
~653 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 37 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 Slaton, TX and Houston, TX.
Start on this road
Turn right onto South 8th Street
Turn right onto West Lubbock Street
Turn left onto US 84 Bus; FM 400
Turn right onto FM 41
Turn sharp left onto South Highway 84
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
Turn right onto TX 70
Continue on TX 70
Turn left onto TX 153
Continue on TX 153
Continue on TX 153
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
Continue on US 67; US 84
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
Continue on US 84; US 183
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
Continue on US 183; US 190
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
Continue on US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Continue on US 183
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10 Toll
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Take the exit
Continue on Smith Street
Turn left onto Preston Street
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 518.9-mile drive, a two-day pace is advisable to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart Slaton, TX in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With a recommended two-day trip, plan for one overnight stop roughly halfway through your drive. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 137-mile stretch on Texas State Highway 71, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $69, so budget accordingly and fill up when you see convenient stations.
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.
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 114 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 259.4 miles or 4h 41m 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 259.4 miles or 4h 41m
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 17m
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 Slaton, 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 Slaton, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
171 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
342 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Jarrell, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
259 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kempner, TX after about 259 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 259.4 miles from Slaton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 259 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
San Saba Picnic Area
Flying J Travel Center
Buc-ee's
Picnic Area
QuikTrip
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Service Plaza
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
Buc-ee's
Road Ranger
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Downtown Aquarium
Near the end, right off the route
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteUnion Station
Near the end, right off the route
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
Near the end, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
Near the end, right off the route
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
Near the end, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
Near the end, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteChildren's Museum Houston
Near the end, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
Visit websiteHouston Zoo
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17135336500
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 100.9 and 518.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.07 one way
$142.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $79.39 | $158.78 |
| premium | $4.23 | $86.31 | $172.63 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $97.98 | $195.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.23
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
$71
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 155.7 | 1 | $54.48 | $24.91 |
| Efficient EV | 129.7 | 1 | $45.40 | $20.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 207.6 | 2 | $72.65 | $33.21 |
Gas CO2
182 kg
EV CO2
61 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.
Origin
Slaton, TX
Late night in Slaton on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 6:20PM CDT until July 12 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 6:04PM CDT until July 12 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night in Houston on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 6:20PM CDT until July 12 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 12 at 6:04PM CDT until July 12 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
91°F
Brownwood, TX
171 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.
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
11 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
9h 25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 94% of the 518.9 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71, offering uninterrupted driving. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur gradually as you approach your destination, with fewer exits and more rural scenery. Expect mostly flat terrain and consistent speeds for the majority of your travel.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.9 miles in near US 84.
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 27 significant decision points across 518.9 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 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 326 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
57 ft
Total Descent
3,107 ft
Highest Point
3,085 ft
Elevation Range
3,050 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 Slaton, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
Sh 70 South
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
San Angelo
71 Toll East
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. === 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
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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