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Trip from Houston, TX to Little River-Academy, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

172.1 mi

277 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m

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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Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Downtown Little River-Academy, TX, TX

Little River-Academy, TX

Eddie O.

Trip Overview

The drive from Houston, TX to Little River-Academy, TX covers 172.1 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on TX 6, US 77, Aggie Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.9 miles on TX 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.00 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

86 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 6 47.9 mi 50m
US 77 26.7 mi 35m
Aggie Expressway 24.8 mi 27m
Farm-to-Market Road 2095 14.6 mi 23m
Tomball Parkway 12.3 mi 15m
US 79 10.4 mi 12m
North Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
Tomball Tollway 7.3 mi 8m
Longest stretch: TX 6 — 47.9 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Little River-Academy, TX.

1

Start on Louisiana Street

474 ft · 19 sec · Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Franklin Street
3

Turn left onto Travis Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Travis Street
4

Take the ramp

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 45 North Express Lane
5

Merge onto I 45

8.3 mi · 10 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 57B Toward TX 249 Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 39 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
8

Turn left onto TX 249

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9

Continue on TX 249

3.8 mi · 6 min · Tomball Parkway
10

Continue on TX 249

8.4 mi · 9 min · Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on TBT

7.3 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on TX 249 Toll

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on TX 105

5.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105
15

Turn right onto TX 105

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 6
16

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
17

Merge onto TX 6

48 mi · 50 min · TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto US 79; US 190

10 mi · 12 min · US 79; US 190
19

Turn right onto FM 2095

7.0 mi · 12 min · Farm-to-Market Road 2095
20

Continue on FM 2095

7.6 mi · 10 min · Farm-to-Market Road 2095
21

Turn right onto US 77; US 190; TX 36

27 mi · 35 min · US 77; US 190; TX 36
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Toward FM 436: Little River-Academy
23

Turn left onto FM 436

5.0 mi · 6 min · East FM 436
24

Arrive at destination

FM 436

Trip Plan

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 86 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.9 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 38 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86 miles or 1h 42m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little River-Academy, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Houston, 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 Houston, TX

This is one driving day of about 172.1 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Houston, 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 TX 6 for about 47.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Grimes County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Navasota, TX

86 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

Magnolia, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

College Station, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.1 mi

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Midtown Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17135267577

Visit website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Lakewood Crossing Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.6

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

Houston Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17139266368

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 67.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Franklin Street

Turn right onto Franklin Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Travis Street

Turn left onto Travis Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 45 / North Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / North Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward TX 249

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 57B Toward TX 249
5
67.1 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | TX 6

Merge onto TX 6

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.00 one way

$52.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $28.46 $56.93
premium $4.54 $30.73 $61.45
diesel $5.61 $38.00 $76.00

Estimated Tolls: $0.76

Tomball Tollway (7.3 mi) $0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway (3.6 mi) $0.25

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

$26

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.6 0 $18.07 $8.26
Efficient EV 43 0 $15.06 $6.88
EV Truck/SUV 68.8 0 $24.09 $11.01

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Saturday

Local time

1:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 10 mph 68% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 8:47AM CDT until April 18 at 9:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 8:43AM CDT until April 18 at 9:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Little River-Academy, TX

Afternoon in Little River-Academy on Saturday

Local time

1:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

19 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 3h 31m highway drive covering 172.1 miles, with most of the trip on TX 6 and US 77. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.9 miles on TX 6.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and US 77. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting 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.

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 3h 31m. Total distance: 172.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Houston, TX to Little River-Academy, TX covers 172.1 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are TX 6, US 77, Aggie Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86 miles from Houston, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.00 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Houston, TX to Little River-Academy, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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