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Trip from Houston, TX to Anson, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 29m

Distance

406.4 mi

654 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
7h 19m ★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

city in Jones County, Texas, United States

Anson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Houston, TX to Anson, TX covers 406.4 miles and takes about 7h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on TX 71, Katy Freeway, North US Highway 183 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.7 miles on TX 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

203.2 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 406.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 7h 29m highway drive covering 406.4 miles, with most of the trip on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.7 miles on TX 71.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 77.7 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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 406.4 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 13 key points

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

5
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 straight / slight right lanes.
5
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
6
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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.4 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas

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. Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
5
406.3 mi into trip | ~7h 29m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Houston, TX and Anson, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.

Austin

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

183 Toll North: Lampasas

156.4 mi in | ~2h 49m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 71 77.7 mi 1h 22m
Katy Freeway 74.1 mi 1h 20m
North US Highway 183 72.6 mi 1h 18m
US 83 40.4 mi 44m
North Neches Street 34.9 mi 39m
US 84 30.4 mi 34m
East Commerce Street 22 mi 25m
US 183 14.6 mi 16m
Longest stretch: TX 71 — 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
3

Merge onto I 10; US 90

74 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
5

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
10

Continue on 183 Toll

6.2 mi · 6 min · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on US 183

15 mi · 16 min · US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on 183A Toll

15 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on US 183

36 mi · 38 min · North US Highway 183
14

Continue on US 183

2.3 mi · 4 min · South Key Avenue
15

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190

37 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183
17

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16

30 mi · 34 min · US 84; US 183; TX 16
18

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377

1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard
19

Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377

22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283

9.2 mi · 10 min · Wallis Avenue
21

Turn right onto US 84; US 283; TX 206

35 mi · 39 min · North Neches Street
22

Continue on US 83; US 84

24 mi · 26 min · US 83; US 84
23

Continue on US 83; US 277

16 mi · 17 min · US 83; US 277
24

Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277

80 ft · 1 sec · East Court Plaza
25

Turn right onto 12th Street

130 ft · 11 sec · 12th Street
26

Turn left

172 ft · 7 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.2 miles from Houston, TX, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 89 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 203.2 miles or 3h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 22m

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Houston, TX

This is one driving day of about 406.4 miles and 7h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Houston, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on TX 71 for about 77.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 203.2 mi from Houston, TX · 3h 39m into the drive

city in Wiliamson Couty, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Leander, TX

203 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

Brenham, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Leander, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 203.2 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 77.7 miles.

Arriving in Anson, TX

The final approach into Anson, 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 Anson, TX.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$61.41 one way

$122.82 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 142 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $67.22 $134.43
premium $4.54 $72.56 $145.12
diesel $5.61 $89.73 $179.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 142.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 121.9 1 $42.67 $19.51
Efficient EV 101.6 1 $35.56 $16.26
EV Truck/SUV 162.6 2 $56.90 $26.01

Gas CO2

142 kg

EV CO2

48 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Afternoon in Houston on Friday

Local time

2:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anson, TX

Afternoon in Anson on Friday

Local time

2:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

18 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

7h 29m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Anson, TX covers 406.4 miles and takes about 7h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are TX 71, Katy Freeway, North US Highway 183. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 203.2 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 $61.41 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 13 significant decision points across 406.4 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 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.

Between Houston, TX and Anson, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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