Origin
Big Spring, TX
Afternoon in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Spring, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
8h 30m
Distance
450.6 mi
725 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 23m
★
6 AM
8h 31m
8 AM
8h 46m
10 AM
8h 36m
12 PM
8h 35m
3 PM
8h 37m
5 PM
8h 45m
8 PM
8h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Spring, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 452.2-mile journey from Big Spring to Houston is a significant undertaking that typically takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $67 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the route relies heavily on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited for drivers who prefer a hands-on navigation experience. Planning for at least two deliberate stops will help you maintain energy throughout the day. Ultimately, this drive is a practical choice if you value a direct path across the state over the monotony of high-speed transit.
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
225.3 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local-road experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise on this trek to Houston. You will navigate primarily via South Gregg Street, Highway 87, and US 87 South, which account for a 0% highway share. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment being 0 miles on South Gregg Street—you will need to stay alert and ready for frequent adjustments. The technical nature of these roads means your pace will be dictated by local conditions rather than cruise control. This profile offers a more grounded, intimate view of the landscape as you transition across the region, demanding your full attention throughout the duration of the trip.
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 217.3 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 450.6 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 217.3 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 282.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.3 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
217.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
282.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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
5
296.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m 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...
6
435.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 11m 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
8
450 mi into trip
|
~8h 29m 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 Big Spring, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
71 Toll East
296.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
|
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 |
| State Highway 71 | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| William B Crooker Memorial Highway | 38 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| US 290 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 87 Bus
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Gregg Street
3
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South US Highway 87
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 87 South: San Angelo
5
Merge onto US 87
38 mi
·
38 min
·
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
8
Continue on US 87
104 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
US 87
9
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
10
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
11
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
12
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
13
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
14
Turn left onto TX 71
63 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
TX 71
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 71 West
16
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
17
Merge onto US 290
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
West US Highway 290
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
19
Merge onto West US Highway 290
202 ft
·
2 sec
·
West US Highway 290
20
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
23
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
30
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
31
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
32
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 30-minute drive efficiently, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours on the local roads. Since the route is turn-heavy, keeping a reliable GPS active is essential for navigating the transitions between South Gregg Street and US 87 South. Plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping that $67 budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Because this trip lacks the speed of an interstate, build extra time into your schedule for slower-moving local traffic. A pro tip for this specific route is to prioritize your fuel stops early, as the local road infrastructure may offer fewer high-capacity service stations compared to major highway corridors.
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 225.3 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 4h 9m 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 99 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225.3 miles or 4h 9m 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 225.3 miles or 4h 9m
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 7h 23m
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 Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Big Spring, 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 225.3 mi from Big Spring, TX · 4h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
225 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, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
225 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 225 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 99 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 225.3 miles from Big Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 225 miles or 4.3 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
$68.83 one way
$137.66 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
158 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $75.43 | $150.86 |
| premium | $4.59 | $81.45 | $162.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $100.11 | $200.22 |
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
$69
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 135.2 | 1 | $47.31 | $21.63 |
| Efficient EV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.43 | $18.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 180.2 | 2 | $63.08 | $28.84 |
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
3:28 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
18 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
8h 30m 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 Big Spring, TX to Houston, TX covers 450.6 miles and takes about 8h 30m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
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 225 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 225.3 miles from Big Spring, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.83 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 450.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 217.3 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 282.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.3 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Big Spring, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Houston, TX
More trips to Houston, TX
Explore more options from Big Spring, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Big Spring, TX or Houston, TX on MapSof.net.