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Trip from Houston, TX to Ferris, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

218.9 mi

352 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

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 Dallas and Ellis counties in Texas, United States

Ferris, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston to Ferris covers approximately 218.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 52 minutes. Since this route remains within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your journey begins on local streets like Franklin and Travis before transitioning to the primary artery of I-45 North. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it is a straightforward trip that fits well into a busy schedule. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this drive provides a direct link between the two cities.

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

109.5 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy experience as you navigate the local streets of Houston before settling into the longer haul toward Ferris. The road profile is defined by its initial local navigation rather than a high-speed interstate grind, as the highway share is listed at 0%. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Franklin Street is 0 miles, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns during the start of your journey. As you progress, the transition from city navigation to the more sustained pace of I-45 North shifts the driving dynamic significantly. It is a practical drive that demands your attention early on, so prepare for a mix of urban maneuvering and steady highway travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 215.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and South Interstate 45. 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 3h 52m drive. You will face about 9 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): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These 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

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
217.3 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward FM 660: 5th Street

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 266 Toward FM 660: 5th Street
5
218.8 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | East 6th Street

Turn left onto East 6th Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Freeway 215.8 mi 3h 45m
South Interstate 45 1 mi 1m
East 8th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Travis Street 0.2 mi <1m
Franklin Street 0.1 mi <1m
South Baker Street 0.1 mi <1m
Louisiana Street <0.1 mi <1m
East 6th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Freeway — 215.8 mi, about 3h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Ferris, 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

216 mi · 3 hr 45 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 266 Toward FM 660: 5th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn straight onto South Interstate 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Interstate 45
8

Turn left onto FM 660

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East 8th Street
9

Turn right onto South Baker Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South Baker Street
10

Turn left onto East 6th Street

462 ft · 14 sec · East 6th Street
11

Turn right

48 ft · 3 sec
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the nearly four-hour duration, planning for at least one stop is essential to keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Aim to depart outside of peak hours to minimize the frustration of Houston's initial local turns, which can add time to your trip. Since your fuel budget is roughly $33, consider topping off your tank before you leave the city limits to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run toward Ferris. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the relatively short distance allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal preferences. Keep a close eye on your navigation during the first few miles on Travis and Franklin streets to avoid missing any turns before you reach the interstate.

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 109.5 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.8 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 48 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.5 miles or 1h 56m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferris, 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 218.9 miles and 3h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 215.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.5 mi from Houston, TX · 1h 56m into the drive

city in Leon County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buffalo, TX

109 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

Willis, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Groesbeck, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.5 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 North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 215.8 miles.

Arriving in Ferris, TX

The final approach into Ferris, 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 Ferris, 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

$33.08 one way

$66.15 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $36.20 $72.41
premium $4.54 $39.08 $78.17
diesel $5.61 $48.33 $96.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.7 0 $22.98 $10.51
Efficient EV 54.7 0 $19.15 $8.76
EV Truck/SUV 87.6 1 $30.65 $14.01

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Night in Houston on Wednesday

Local time

9:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ferris, TX

Night in Ferris on Wednesday

Local time

9:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

58°F

Buffalo, TX

109 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

6 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 52m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 Ferris, TX covers 218.9 miles and takes about 3h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, South Interstate 45, East 8th 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 109.5 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 $33.08 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 is a straightforward 3h 52m drive. You will face about 9 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): 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 Ferris, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Ferris, TX to Houston, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

219.1 mi 3h 52m

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