Trip from Tye, 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

7h 11m

Distance

388 mi

624 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

7h 0m ★

6 AM

7h 11m

8 AM

7h 33m

10 AM

7h 19m

12 PM

7h 17m

3 PM

7h 20m

5 PM

7h 32m

8 PM

7h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Download GPX

Tye, TX

Thomas balabaud

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Spanning 377.2 miles across Texas, this journey from Tye to Houston typically takes about 6 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day trip. Budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the path means you should prepare for an active day behind the wheel. Expect a shift in landscape as you transition from the western plains toward the coastal influence of the Houston area.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

194 miles from Tye, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Texas State Highway 71	137 mi	2h 25m
US 183	51.8 mi	57m
US 83	42.4 mi	48m
South US Highway 183	35.3 mi	38m
US Highway 84 East	29.2 mi	33m
US 67	21.5 mi	24m
183A Toll Road	14.3 mi	14m
US 84	12 mi	13m

Longest stretch: Texas State Highway 71 — 137 mi, about 2h 25m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Tye, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on FM 707

1.6 mi · 2 min · Scott Street

Continue on FM 707

12 mi · 12 min · South FM 707

Turn right onto US Highway 83

0.6 mi · 1 min · US Highway 83

Take the ramp onto US 83; US 84

42 mi · 48 min · US 83; US 84

Continue on US 84; US 283; TX 206

0.6 mi · 46 sec · US 84; US 283; TX 206

Turn left onto US 84; US 283

11 mi · 12 min · US 84; US 283

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 67; US 84

21 mi · 24 min · US 67; US 84

Turn right onto US 84; US 183

1.3 mi · 1 min · Garmon Drive

Continue on US 84; US 183

29 mi · 33 min · US Highway 84 East

Turn right onto US 183; TX 16

22 mi · 25 min · US 183; TX 16

Continue on US 183; US 190

15 mi · 15 min · US 183; US 190

Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281

260 ft · 4 sec · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Key Avenue

Continue on US 183

35 mi · 38 min · South US Highway 183

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 29 sec · this road

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll

14 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll Road

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

15 mi · 17 min · US 183

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on 183 Toll

6.3 mi · 6 min · Bergstrom Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway

Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

0.5 mi · 29 sec · East State Highway 71

Continue on TX 71

137 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Texas State Highway 71

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 6-hour and 12-minute duration, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the fatigue of navigating local turns after dark. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous requirement to manage turns makes this route more demanding than a straight highway shot. Keep your fuel budget of $56 in mind and consider topping off your tank before departing Tye to ensure you have a buffer for the local roads ahead. Because you are relying on FM 707 and Highway 83, stay alert for changing speed limits and local traffic patterns that aren't present on major expressways. Flexibility is your best asset here, so allow yourself extra time to adjust to the road's technical nature.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 194 miles from Tye, TX, or about 3h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 85 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 194 miles or 3h 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 6h 3m

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 Tye, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Tye, TX

This is one driving day of about 388 miles and 7h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Tye, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Austin, TX

194 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

Brownwood, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jarrell, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 194 miles from Tye, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.2 mi from route

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

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

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Katy, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18329742201

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 56.9 and 387.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

56.9 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | US 84; US 283

Turn left onto US 84; US 283

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

195.2 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in | 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

231 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in

Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...

373 mi into trip | ~6h 51m 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

387.4 mi into trip | ~7h 9m 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

$53.14 one way

$106.29 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 136 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$59.36	$118.72
premium	$4.23	$64.54	$129.08
diesel	$4.80	$73.26	$146.52

Estimated Tolls: $1.23

183A Toll Road (14.3 mi) $1.00

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

$53

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 135.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	116.4	1	$40.74	$18.62
Efficient EV	97	1	$33.95	$15.52
EV Truck/SUV	155.2	1	$54.32	$24.83

Gas CO2

136 kg

EV CO2

45 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 17, 2026

Origin

Tye, TX

Late night in Tye on Monday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 10 mph 72% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

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

9 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

7h 11m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local character. With a highway share of 0%, your journey relies on navigating FM 707, Highway 83, and Garmon Drive. You will spend the entire trip on secondary roads, which requires constant attention compared to a standard freeway cruise. The drive demands engagement as you transition between these specific local connectors. Prepare for a more hands-on experience where the road surface and intersection frequency dictate your pace throughout the day.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 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 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.9 miles in near US 84; US 283.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 388 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 56.9 miles (US 84; US 283): Lane positioning matters here; at 195.2 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,914 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

145 ft

Total Descent

1,906 ft

Highest Point

1,914 ft

~27.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,879 ft

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 Tye, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.

71 Toll East

233.7 mi in | ~4h 23m | via 71 Toll

About the Cities

Starting in Tye, TX

Full guide →

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 7h 11m. Total distance: 388 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.23 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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 15 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Tye, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Rest Area US-84 US-283

San Saba Picnic Area

Flying J Travel Center

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

Road Ranger

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Katy Heritage Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Tye, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

9 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 11m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Tye, 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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