Origin
The Colony, TX
Morning in The Colony on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from The Colony, TX to Houston, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
263.7 mi
424 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
The Colony, TX
Mark Direen
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
The Colony, TX to Houston, TX is 263.7 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region to another section of the Great Plains. With 91% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Plan for a relatively quick transit between these two major Texas cities.
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
131.9 miles from The Colony, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 237.2 mi | 4h 9m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 17.4 mi | 19m |
| Windhaven Parkway | 2 mi | 4m |
| Plano Parkway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Clover Valley Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Paige Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Pearl Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Harry Hines Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Colony, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on this road
208 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Blair Oaks Drive
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Blair Oaks Drive
3
Turn left onto Clover Valley Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Clover Valley Drive
4
Turn left onto Worley Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Worley Drive
5
Turn right onto Paige Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Paige Road
6
Continue on Plano Parkway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Plano Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto Windhaven Parkway
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Windhaven Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Dallas Parkway
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward DNT Toll South
10
Merge onto DNT
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
12
Continue on Harry Hines Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Harry Hines Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn slight left
370 ft
·
11 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Moody Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Moody Street
15
Continue on North Pearl Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pearl Street
16
Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
288 ft
·
5 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 45 South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
23
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
24
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
25
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
26
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 49m estimated drive time, leaving The Colony in the morning allows ample time to reach Houston before evening. You'll have one recommended stop, so consider breaking up the 237.2-mile longest stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway for a stretch or quick bite. The fuel cost is estimated at $40, which is manageable for a single-day trip. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Houston metropolitan area, as congestion can increase during peak hours.
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 131.9 miles from The Colony, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 131.9 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 The Colony, 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 The Colony, TX
This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from The Colony, 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 237.2 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 131.9 miles from The Colony, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 262.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Dallas Parkway
Turn right onto Dallas Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
6
24.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
262.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m 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
7
262.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m 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
$39.85 one way
$79.69 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $43.61 | $87.23 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.08 | $94.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.22 | $116.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.39
Dallas North Tollway
(17.4 mi)
$1.39
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.69 | $12.66 |
| Efficient EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.07 | $10.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.5 | 1 | $36.92 | $16.88 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
7:04 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.
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
3 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
4h 49m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 91% of the 263.7 miles covered on high-speed roads. You'll experience a substantial continuous stretch of 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The majority of your travel will be on well-maintained highways, offering a consistent cruising experience. Expect some surface road driving as you enter and exit the primary highway system.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near Dallas Parkway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 263.7 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 5.3 miles (Dallas Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles (Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from The Colony, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
23.2 mi in
|
~32m
About the Cities
Starting in The Colony, TX
Full guide →Founded 1969
The Colony, City by the Lake, is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas, less than 30 miles from Downtown Dallas. Best known for beautiful views of Lake Lewisville, The Colony extends 23 miles along its eastern shoreline, with hundreds of acres of wildlife and a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking and cycling.
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 4h 49m. Total distance: 263.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.39 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (Dallas Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.5 miles (Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 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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