Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Anna, TX
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
281.2 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Photo: Victor Gavela
Trip Overview
Traveling from Houston to Anna, Texas, covers a 281.2-mile trek that typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute of pure driving time. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you head north. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $42 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. By utilizing Franklin Street, Travis Street, and I-45 North, you can navigate the path efficiently. It is a straightforward route for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary complexity.
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
140.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition out of the city and settle into the journey. While you will eventually merge onto I-45 North, the initial segments require careful navigation through city streets. This route lacks a significant highway share, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments compared to a strictly interstate commute. Because the path is characterized by its local road connectivity rather than long, monotonous highway stretches, you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. The experience feels more like a regional transit than a cruise-controlled highway haul, demanding a bit more focus as you make your way north.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 237.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and North Central Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 1m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Franklin Street
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Travis Street
Turn left onto Travis Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
7
273.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward TX 121 North: Bonham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
4
281.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
|
South Sherley Road
Turn right onto South Sherley Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 237.1 mi | 4h 9m |
| North Central Expressway | 35.1 mi | 37m |
| McKinney Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Powell Parkway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Travis Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 237.1 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Anna, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft
·
19 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none 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
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 45 North Express Lane
5
Merge onto I 45
237 mi
·
4 hr 9 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 75
35 mi
·
37 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
9
Turn left onto TX 5
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
McKinney Street
10
Continue on TX 5
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Powell Parkway
11
Turn right onto FM 2862
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
12
Turn right onto South Sherley Road
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Sherley Road
13
Arrive at destination
South Sherley Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 281.2-mile drive, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local streets near Houston. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to break up the 5-hour duration and stay fresh. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind, as local refueling options may vary in price compared to those found directly on the interstate. Since this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy sections in the city before you depart to ensure a smooth exit.
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 140.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.1 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anna, 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 281.2 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 North Freeway for about 237.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.6 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 140.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.1 miles.
Arriving in Anna, TX
The final approach into Anna, 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 Anna, 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
$42.95 one way
$85.91 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.07 | $94.15 |
| premium | $4.59 | $50.83 | $101.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.47 | $124.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.81
Central Expressway
(35.1 mi)
$2.81
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
$43
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.53 | $13.50 |
| Efficient EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.60 | $11.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.5 | 1 | $39.37 | $18.00 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Anna, TX
Afternoon in Anna on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Mesquite, TX
141 mi in
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
12 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
5h 1m 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 Houston, TX to Anna, TX covers 281.2 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, North Central Expressway, McKinney Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.6 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 $42.95 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 straightforward 5h 1m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Houston, TX to Anna, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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