Trip from Houston, TX to Andrews, TX

Drive Time

9h 46m

Distance

513.7 mi

827 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$78

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

9h 37m ★

6 AM

9h 46m

8 AM

10h 4m

10 AM

9h 52m

12 PM

9h 51m

3 PM

9h 53m

5 PM

10h 3m

8 PM

9h 41m

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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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Andrews, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Spanning 513.7 miles across the vast landscapes of Texas, this journey from Houston to Andrews typically takes about 9 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. You will primarily navigate via I-10 West, the Katy Freeway, and TX-71 West to reach your destination. While a single-day push is physically possible, it is a demanding trek, and we recommend splitting the trip over two days to keep your travel manageable. Expect to budget approximately $76 for fuel depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you can anticipate a consistent regional feel as you transition from the coastal plains toward the high plains of West Texas.

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 Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a long-distance drive that transitions from the heavy traffic of the Houston area onto the open stretches of West Texas. The route combines the high-speed utility of the Katy Freeway and I-10 with the shifting character of TX-71. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, which keeps the pace steady despite the significant mileage. As you move further inland, the road environment opens up significantly, offering a different driving experience than the dense urban sprawl of your starting point. Be prepared for a sustained, consistent flow that requires focus over several hours behind the wheel.

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

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

TX 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 126.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 513.7 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 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

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

Use the none lane.

74.6 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | TX 71

Take the exit onto TX 71 toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin

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

Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin

75.2 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

163.9 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | US 290; TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

233.1 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in | TX 71

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Along This Route

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

Austin

74.6 mi in | ~1h 22m | via TX 71

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
TX 71	126.4 mi	2h 15m
Katy Freeway	74.1 mi	1h 20m
United States Highway 87	71.2 mi	1h 16m
US Highway 87 North	70.3 mi	1h 10m
State Highway 176	57.4 mi	1h 11m
East State Highway 71	44.1 mi	59m
West Highway 71	22.4 mi	31m
US 87	18.6 mi	20m

Longest stretch: TX 71 — 126.4 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Merge onto I 10; US 90

74 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Katy Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71

Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

7.4 mi · 8 min · East Ben White Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71

4.9 mi · 5 min · US 290; TX 71

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right onto West Highway 71

22 mi · 31 min · West Highway 71

Use the none lane.

Continue on TX 71

42 mi · 56 min · East State Highway 71

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71

1.5 mi · 2 min · TX 71

Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71

2.7 mi · 3 min · West Young Street

Continue on TX 71

47 mi · 50 min · TX 71

Turn right onto US 87; US 377

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 87; US 377

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377

0.3 mi · 19 sec · Commerce Street

Turn straight onto US 87

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · United States Highway 87

Continue on US 87; Loop 306

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87; US 277

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Koenigheim Street

Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus

4.3 mi · 6 min · North Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87

23 mi · 23 min · US Highway 87 North

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 87

16 mi · 16 min · US 87

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163

47 mi · 47 min · US Highway 87 North

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward TX 176

Turn left onto TX 176

57 mi · 1 hr 11 min · State Highway 176

Continue on TX 115; TX 176

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Street

Turn left

76 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To tackle this 513.7-mile route comfortably, aim for an early departure to avoid peak congestion leaving the Houston metro area. We suggest scheduling at least two dedicated stops to break up the nearly 10-hour drive and prevent fatigue. Since you are crossing a significant distance, monitoring your fuel levels is vital as you head toward Andrews, as service intervals can become more spaced out in the more rural segments of the trip. Splitting your journey into two days will allow you to arrive in West Texas feeling refreshed rather than exhausted. A helpful tip for this specific transit is to keep a physical map or offline navigation handy, as connectivity can be inconsistent once you move away from the primary interstate 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 256.9 miles from Houston, TX, or about 4h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.4 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 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 256.9 miles or 4h 58m 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 58m

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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Andrews, 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.

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 Houston, TX

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

Day 2

Finish the approach into Andrews, 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 Houston, 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 TX 71 for about 126.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 256.9 mi from Houston, TX · 4h 58m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Austin, 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

Austin, TX to Leander, TX

27.2 mi · 34m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Leander, 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 Leander, TX

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

Austin, 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 Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.4 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 Andrews, TX

The final approach into Andrews, 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 Andrews, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Andrews, 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

$78.47 one way

$156.94 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 180 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$85.99	$171.99
premium	$4.59	$92.85	$185.70
diesel	$5.64	$114.13	$228.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$78

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$208–$318

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 179.7 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	154.1	1	$53.94	$24.66
Efficient EV	128.4	1	$44.95	$20.55
EV Truck/SUV	205.5	2	$71.92	$32.88

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 3 days ago

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Andrews, TX

Afternoon in Andrews on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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 cooler 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 Houston, TX to Andrews, TX covers 513.7 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 TX 71, Katy Freeway, United States Highway 87. 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 Houston, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.47 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.