Spanning 160.3 miles from Wells Branch to Houston, this trek takes approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should expect a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a standard interstate cruise. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you have specific business in the city. Budgeting about $24 for fuel will cover your transit across these Great Plains landscapes. Both your origin and destination sit within the same region, ensuring consistent terrain as you travel through Texas. This drive is best suited for those who prefer navigating local roads over high-speed highway traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.7 miles from Wells Branch, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 290 West
64.8 mi
1h 14m
East US Highway 290
42.1 mi
49m
West Austin Street
32.9 mi
36m
East Parmer Lane
6.9 mi
9m
Katy Freeway
4 mi
5m
Hempstead Road
2 mi
3m
West Howard Lane
1 mi
1m
McCallen Pass
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 290 West
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wells Branch, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Quiet Wood Drive
310 ft·18 sec·Quiet Wood Drive
2
Turn left onto Alpha Collier Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Alpha Collier Drive
3
Turn right onto Wells Port Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Wells Port Drive
4
Turn right onto Wells Branch Parkway
0.1 mi·22 sec·Wells Branch Parkway
5
Turn left onto Thermal Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Thermal Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto West Howard Lane
1.0 mi·1 min·West Howard Lane
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn right onto McCallen Pass
1.0 mi·1 min·McCallen Pass
8
Turn left onto FM 734
6.9 mi·9 min·East Parmer Lane
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 290
42 mi·49 min·East US Highway 290
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 290
33 mi·36 min·West Austin Street
11
Take the exit onto US 290
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 290
Toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
12
Merge onto US 290; TX 36
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 290 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward Mangum Road, Dacoma StreetUse the slight right lane.
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
23
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
24
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
25
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local route, you will benefit from leaving early to avoid peak-hour congestion on neighborhood parkways. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turning can be more fatiguing than a straight highway shot. Keep your GPS active throughout the 160.3-mile trip, as the lack of highway signage means you will be navigating through several local turns to stay on track. Because fuel costs are estimated at $24, topping off your tank before you leave Wells Branch will save you the trouble of hunting for gas stations along the winding local roads. Flexibility is your best asset here; because there are no major highways to dictate your pace, you can easily adjust your arrival time based on local traffic patterns.
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 79.7 miles from Wells Branch, TX, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
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 Wells Branch, 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 Wells Branch, TX
This is one driving day of about 159.5 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Wells Branch, 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 US Highway 290 West for about 64.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 158.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|Thermal Drive
Turn left onto Thermal Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|West Howard Lane
Turn left onto West Howard Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
10.7 mi into trip|~18m in|US 290 / East US Highway 290
Turn left onto US 290 / East US Highway 290
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
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 Mangum Road, Dacoma Street
8
158.8 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
$24.10 one way
$48.20 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$26.38
$52.76
premium
$4.54
$28.48
$56.96
diesel
$5.61
$35.22
$70.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Gateway Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
18 DCFC
Market at Round Rock - Tesla Supercharger
Round Rock, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
The Domain - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Schlotzsky's - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
15900 N Interstate 35
Austin, TX
SHELL_RECHARGE
7 DCFC
Target Pflugerville #T2495
Pflugerville, TX
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
11514 Research Blvd
Austin, TX
EV Connect
4 DCFC
Target Austin #T2409
Austin, TX
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Tesla: 4
eVgo Network: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.75
$7.66
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.96
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 21, 2026
Origin
Wells Branch, TX
Late night
in Wells Branch on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 10:56PM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 8:24PM CDT until April 22 at 10:26AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 10:56PM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 8:24PM CDT until April 22 at 10:26AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
69°F
Somerville, TX
80 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.
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
6 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
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly technical journey, as the route relies entirely on local roads like Alpha Collier Drive, Wells Port Drive, and Wells Branch Parkway. With a highway share of 0%, this path avoids the monotony of major interstates in favor of frequent turns and intersection navigation. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on Alpha Collier Drive is effectively non-existent in terms of highway distance. The road's personality is defined by its localized nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between neighborhood thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a drive that demands constant engagement rather than one that allows for cruise-control highway miles.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on US Highway 290 West.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 290 West and East US Highway 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Thermal Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 159.5 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 1.1 miles (Thermal Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (West Howard Lane): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 290 / East US Highway 290): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
827 ft35 ft
Total Climb
179 ft
Total Descent
971 ft
Highest Point
827 ft
Elevation Range
792 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 Wells Branch, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Bellville along the way.
Bellville
85.7 mi in|~1h 44m|via US 290
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 159.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on US Highway 290 West. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Thermal Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (West Howard Lane): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (US 290 / East US Highway 290): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Houston, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
