Origin
Gladewater, TX
Afternoon in Gladewater on Sunday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gladewater, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
212.7 mi
342 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gladewater, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Gladewater to Houston covers 213.7 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day on the road. You can easily manage this trip in a single day, making it a straightforward trek across the Great Plains region of Texas. Budget approximately $32 for fuel to complete the transit. It is a practical choice if you prefer a more hands-on driving experience over the monotony of major freeways, though you should be prepared for constant navigation.
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
106.4 miles from Gladewater, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate highway cruise on this 213.7-mile route. Since the highway share is 0%, your journey relies entirely on local roads like South Tyler Street, Highway 135, and Houston Street. This creates a technical, turn-heavy drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. You will navigate through local transitions rather than settling into a long, uninterrupted stretch of pavement. The character of the road remains consistent in its local focus, demanding frequent adjustments and careful navigation as you make your way toward Houston.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Diboll Relief Route is the longest continuous segment at about 111 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near Houston Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 212.7 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 13.3 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 210.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Houston Street
Enter roundabout onto Houston Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
14 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
8
210.5 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Anto...
8
210.7 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
211.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
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 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 111 mi | 2h 1m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| US Route 259 | 19.3 mi | 21m |
| South Henderson Boulevard | 16.3 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 135 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 259 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Northwest Stallings Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| South First Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 111 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gladewater, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 271
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn slight right onto US 271
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tyler Street
3
Turn left onto TX 135
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 135
4
Keep slight left at fork
48 ft
·
0 sec
5
Enter roundabout onto Houston Street
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
Houston Street
6
Continue on Houston Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42
16 mi
·
19 min
·
South Henderson Boulevard
8
Continue on US 79; US 259
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
9
Turn left onto US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
10
Continue on US 259
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Railroad Avenue
11
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
12
Continue on US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
13
Take the exit
224 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
14
Continue on this road
420 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
16
Turn left
104 ft
·
4 sec
17
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
North US Highway 59
18
Continue on US 59
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest Stallings Drive
19
Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Stallings Drive
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
21
Turn straight
223 ft
·
6 sec
22
Merge onto US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
23
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
24
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
25
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
26
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
27
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
28
Continue on US 59
111 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the none lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Freeway
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto Providence Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Providence Street
34
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North San Jacinto Street
Use the none lane.
35
Continue on Fannin Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Fannin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn right onto Prairie Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Prairie Street
37
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
38
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For the best experience, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the frequent turns and local traffic patterns inherent in this 3-hour and 37-minute drive. While the trip is short enough to complete in one go, scheduling at least one stop will help you stay alert during the navigation-intensive sections. Keep your $32 fuel budget handy and fill up before you leave Gladewater to avoid searching for stations along the more local stretches. Since this route avoids major highways, use a reliable GPS to stay on track through the various turns on Highway 135 and local streets. This flexibility allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of heavy interstate traffic.
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 106.4 miles from Gladewater, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 20m
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 Gladewater, 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 Gladewater, TX
This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gladewater, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 111 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.4 mi from Gladewater, TX · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Gladewater, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111 miles.
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.
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
$32.49 one way
$64.98 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.61 | $71.21 |
| premium | $4.59 | $38.45 | $76.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.25 | $94.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.33 | $10.21 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
4:55 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.
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
4h 4m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gladewater, TX to Houston, TX covers 212.7 miles and takes about 4h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Diboll Relief Route, South US Highway 59, US Route 259. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.4 miles from Gladewater, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 18 significant decision points across 212.7 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 13.3 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 210.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Gladewater, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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