Trip from Venus, TX to Houston, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

238.8 mi

384 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 4m ★

6 AM

4h 18m

8 AM

4h 44m

10 AM

4h 27m

12 PM

4h 24m

3 PM

4h 28m

5 PM

4h 43m

8 PM

4h 10m

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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town in Ellis and Johnson Counties in Texas, United States

Venus, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

This 238.8-mile drive from Venus, TX to Houston, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. The majority of your travel will be on I 45, with initial stretches on US 287 and East US Highway 67. With a projected fuel cost of around $36, it's an economical trip. Given the 99% highway share and the region remaining within the Great Plains, expect a consistent driving experience. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

119.4 miles from Venus, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	198.8 mi	3h 28m
US 287	31.6 mi	36m
East US Highway 67	5.5 mi	6m
Milam Street	0.4 mi	1m
South US Highway 67	0.2 mi	<1m
South Main Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Louisiana Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
Prairie Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 45 — 198.8 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Venus, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on this road

163 ft · 14 sec · this road

Turn right onto FM 157

0.2 mi · 17 sec · South Main Street

Turn slight right

223 ft · 9 sec

Merge onto US 67

5.5 mi · 6 min · East US Highway 67

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 287, Spur 73: Ft Worth, Waxahachie Use the slight right lane.

Continue on Spur 73

0.2 mi · 24 sec · South US Highway 67

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 287 South: Waxahachie

Merge onto US 287

32 mi · 36 min · US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 45 South: Corsicana

Merge onto I 45; US 287

199 mi · 3 hr 28 min · I 45; US 287

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

For this 4-hour and 17-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Houston. You'll encounter one recommended stop, but with the longest stretch being nearly 200 miles on I 45, plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and it's wise to refuel before reaching the longer, potentially less frequent service areas on I 45. This trip is easily manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in your departure time.

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 119.4 miles from Venus, TX, or about 2h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.8 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 30m

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 Venus, 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 Venus, TX

This is one driving day of about 238.8 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Venus, 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 I 45 for about 198.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corsicana, TX

119 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

Corsicana, TX to Houston, TX

184.2 mi · 3h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Corsicana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Groesbeck, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.4 miles from Venus, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.8 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

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

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Conroe, Texas

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+19365223000

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 237.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | FM 157 / South Main Street

Turn right onto FM 157 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 67 / East US Highway 67

Merge onto US 67 / East US Highway 67

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5.7 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward US 287, Spur 73: Ft Worth, Waxahachie

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 287, Spur 73: Ft Worth, Waxahachie

237.5 mi into trip | ~4h 14m 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

237.9 mi into trip | ~4h 15m 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

$36.08 one way

$72.17 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$39.50	$78.99
premium	$4.54	$42.64	$85.27
diesel	$5.61	$52.72	$105.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71.6	0	$25.07	$11.46
Efficient EV	59.7	0	$20.90	$9.55
EV Truck/SUV	95.5	1	$33.43	$15.28

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Venus, TX

Late night in Venus on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 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

2 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 17m 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?

The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 99% of the route utilizing major interstates and highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 45, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 198.8 miles. This means the driving experience will be consistent and fast-paced, allowing for steady progress. While not exceptionally varied, the highway focus ensures efficient travel across the Texas landscape.

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: 198.8 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 157 / South Main Street.

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 11 significant decision points across 238.8 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: near the start (FM 157 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 67 / East US Highway 67): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

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 17m. Total distance: 238.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m 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 198.8 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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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Explore more options from Venus, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Venus, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium

Cidercade Houston

Children's Museum Houston

Union Station

NTER - The Great Escape

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Houston Zoo

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Carl Barton Jr Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Venus, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 17m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Houston, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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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