Trip from Weatherford, 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 12m

Distance

287.2 mi

462 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 59m ★

6 AM

5h 12m

8 AM

5h 39m

10 AM

5h 22m

12 PM

5h 19m

3 PM

5h 23m

5 PM

5h 38m

8 PM

5h 4m

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 Parker County, Texas, United States

Weatherford, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Weatherford to Houston covers 290.2 miles, typically taking about 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a dedicated one-day trip. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel will cover your transit across the Great Plains region. While the journey is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the path means you should stay focused behind the wheel. Use this route if you prefer a localized travel experience over the faster, more monotonous main highway corridors.

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

143.6 miles from Weatherford, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	198.8 mi	3h 28m
US 287	50.7 mi	56m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
I 20	6.5 mi	6m
Fort Worth Highway	5.9 mi	9m
US 180	0.9 mi	1m
Milam Street	0.4 mi	1m
Louisiana Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

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

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925

Quietest

2 AM

~414 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 Weatherford, TX and Houston, TX.

Start on FM 51

221 ft · 11 sec · North Main Street

Continue on FM 51

272 ft · 6 sec · North Main Street

Enter roundabout onto US 180

456 ft · 14 sec · Fort Worth Highway

Continue on US 180

5.8 mi · 8 min · Fort Worth Highway

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp onto US 180

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 180

Merge onto I 20

6.5 mi · 6 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20

23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

51 mi · 56 min · US 287

Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie Use the slight right lane.

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

To make the most of this 4 hour and 20 minute drive, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion on the smaller roads. Since you only have one planned stop scheduled, pace yourself by scouting a midway point that allows you to stretch your legs away from the steering wheel. Keep your $43 fuel budget handy, as local fueling stations may have varying prices compared to major highway travel centers. Because this route involves navigating through town centers like Courthouse Square, watch your speed closely as you transition between rural and urban zones. Staying flexible with your timing is a major advantage on a route like this, allowing you to bypass peak local road usage.

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 143.6 miles from Weatherford, TX, or about 2h 39m 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 63 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.6 miles or 2h 39m 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 16m

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 Weatherford, 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 Weatherford, TX

This is one driving day of about 287.2 miles and 5h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Weatherford, 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.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

144 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.6 miles from Weatherford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 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

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 286.4 — 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 | US 180 / Fort Worth Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 180 / Fort Worth Highway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

13.3 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

35.9 mi into trip | ~42m in | US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

286 mi into trip | ~5h 9m 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

286.4 mi into trip | ~5h 9m 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

$39.34 one way

$78.67 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$43.94	$87.88
premium	$4.23	$47.77	$95.54
diesel	$4.80	$54.23	$108.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.2	1	$30.16	$13.79
Efficient EV	71.8	0	$25.13	$11.49
EV Truck/SUV	114.9	1	$40.21	$18.38

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Weatherford, TX

Late night in Weatherford on Monday

Local time

4:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Partly Cloudy

S 10 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Houston, TX

Late night in Houston on Monday

Local time

4:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM 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

4 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

5h 12m 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 significantly different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this path relies on local roads like North Main Street, Courthouse Square, and the Fort Worth Highway. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating turn-heavy segments that require your full attention throughout the 290.2-mile journey. The route prioritizes local connectivity, meaning you will encounter more frequent intersections and changes in road pace. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed cruising here, so plan for a steady, engaged driving rhythm. This character makes the trip feel more personal, though it demands more active steering and navigation than a typical freeway slog.

89% 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?

8/10

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 around 0.1 miles in near US 180 / Fort Worth Highway.

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 12 significant decision points across 287.2 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 0.1 miles (US 180 / Fort Worth Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.3 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,047 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

188 ft

Total Descent

1,201 ft

Highest Point

1,047 ft

Elevation Range

1,012 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 Weatherford, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waxahachie along the way.

Waxahachie

35.9 mi in | ~42m | via US 287

About the Cities

Starting in Weatherford, TX

Full guide →

Weatherford is a city in the Cross Timbers region of Texas. It is the county seat of Parker County.

Top landmarks

• Chandor Gardens — historic place in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas
• Parker County Courthouse — historic place in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas
• Weatherford Downtown Historic District — historic district in Weatherford, Parker 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 12m. Total distance: 287.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.

Yes — we found about 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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 Weatherford, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.

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Trip from Weatherford, 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

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

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

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

Downtown Aquarium

Union Station

Candy Cane Park

Cidercade Houston

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Midtown Park

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Children's Museum Houston

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Weatherford, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 12m 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 Weatherford, TX

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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