Trip from Andrews, TX to Houston, TX

Drive Time

9h 46m

Distance

513.9 mi

827 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$79

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

9h 38m ★

6 AM

9h 47m

8 AM

10h 5m

10 AM

9h 53m

12 PM

9h 51m

3 PM

9h 54m

5 PM

10h 4m

8 PM

9h 42m

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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Andrews, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Trip Overview

Embarking on the 514.1-mile journey from Andrews to Houston is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 8 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time. Given the length of this trip, it is highly recommended to split the drive over two days to ensure you arrive safely and without extreme fatigue. You should budget approximately $76 for fuel to cover the distance across Texas. Your route will primarily utilize East Broadway Street, Highway 176, and the William B Crooker Memorial Highway. Because both the origin and destination sit within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition from the high plains of West Texas toward the coast. This is a serious long-distance drive that demands careful planning rather than a casual day trip.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

256.9 miles from Andrews, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a steady, long-distance experience as you navigate your way across the state. The route features a blend of local roads like East Broadway Street and regional highways, with a highway share of 0% suggesting a more varied driving experience than a simple interstate sprint. While you won't face the monotony of a singular, endless highway, the road requires your full attention throughout the 514.1-mile trek. You will find that the character of the pavement changes as you progress through the various segments of the journey. Be prepared for a varied pace, as this is not a high-speed interstate corridor, requiring you to stay focused through every turn and transition.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Texas State Highway 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 137 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 280.5 miles in near TX 71.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 513.9 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 280.5 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 345.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.5 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

280.5 mi into trip | ~5h 14m in | TX 71

Turn left onto TX 71

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

345.8 mi into trip | ~6h 43m in

Take the exit toward US 290 East, TX 71 East

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

Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East

359.5 mi into trip | ~6h 59m in | 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway

Turn straight onto 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

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

498.8 mi into trip | ~9h 27m 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

513.2 mi into trip | ~9h 45m 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

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Andrews, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.

71 Toll East

359.5 mi in | ~6h 59m | via 71 Toll

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Texas State Highway 71	137 mi	2h 25m
US 87	104.4 mi	1h 55m
TX 71	63.3 mi	1h 25m
West Highway 176	57.4 mi	1h 11m
State Highway 71	47.2 mi	50m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway	47.1 mi	47m
US Highway 87 South	14.6 mi	14m
US 290	13.6 mi	15m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

76 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto TX 115; TX 176

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Street

Continue on TX 115; TX 176

57 mi · 1 hr 11 min · West Highway 176

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Merge onto US 87

47 mi · 47 min · William B Crooker Memorial Highway

Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

Continue on US 87

15 mi · 14 min · US Highway 87 South

Continue on US 87

104 mi · 1 hr 55 min · US 87

Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377

2.8 mi · 3 min · Bridge Street

Turn left onto TX 71

47 mi · 50 min · State Highway 71

Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71

2.8 mi · 3 min · TX 29; TX 71

Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Bessemer Avenue

Continue on TX 16; TX 71

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ford Street

Turn left onto TX 71

63 mi · 1 hr 25 min · TX 71

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on State Highway 71 West

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 71 West

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · this road

Merge onto US 290

0.7 mi · 59 sec · West US Highway 290

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 12 sec

Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East

Merge onto West US Highway 290

202 ft · 2 sec · West US Highway 290

Continue on US 290; TX 71

14 mi · 15 min · US 290; TX 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

To manage this 8-hour and 23-minute drive comfortably, planning two distinct stops is essential for maintaining your energy levels. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since the route covers such a large distance across Texas. Since you are looking at a $76 fuel budget, keep an eye on your gauge during the stretches on Highway 176 and the William B Crooker Memorial Highway, as fuel availability can vary in more remote sections. Splitting the trip into two days is the smartest way to tackle the 514.1 miles without feeling rushed. A solid tip for this specific route is to treat your two planned stops as firm milestones, helping you break the long duration into manageable legs rather than viewing the journey as a single, daunting haul.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

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

The halfway point lands around 256.9 miles from Andrews, TX, or about 4h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 113 miles or 2h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 256.9 miles or 4h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 256.9 miles or 4h 47m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 39m

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 Andrews, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Andrews, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Houston, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Andrews, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 256.9 mi from Andrews, TX · 4h 47m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Leander, TX

170 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Leander, TX to Austin, TX

26.3 mi · 33m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Austin, TX

339 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Austin, TX

Popular next leg

Austin, TX to Houston, TX

162.3 mi · 2h 59m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Austin, TX

257 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 257 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Big Spring, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Leander, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 256.9 miles from Andrews, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 257 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

Arriving in Houston, TX

The final approach into Houston, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Houston, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Houston, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.50 one way

$157.00 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 180 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$86.03	$172.06
premium	$4.59	$92.89	$185.77
diesel	$5.64	$114.17	$228.34

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

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

$79

Tolls

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$209–$319

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 179.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	154.2	1	$53.96	$24.67
Efficient EV	128.5	1	$44.97	$20.56
EV Truck/SUV	205.6	2	$71.95	$32.89

Gas CO2

180 kg

EV CO2

60 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Andrews, TX

Afternoon in Andrews on Sunday

Local time

4:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Sunday

Local time

4:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

16 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

9h 46m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Andrews, TX to Houston, TX covers 513.9 miles and takes about 9h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, US 87, TX 71. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 257 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 256.9 miles from Andrews, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Andrews, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.

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Return Trip

Houston, TX to Andrews, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

513.7 mi 9h 46m

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Trip from Andrews, TX to Houston, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Houston, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Andrews, TX

Houston, TX

Same local time

16 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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