Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Garland, TX
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
296.2 mi
477 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Houston to Garland, expect a journey covering 286.1 miles that typically takes about 4 hours and 52 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trek across the state. Because the duration is under five hours, you can easily complete this as a single-day trip without needing to book an overnight stay. Budgeting around $43 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Since this path relies on local streets rather than major interstates, it is best suited for drivers who prefer a more hands-on, turn-heavy experience over high-speed highway cruising.
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
148.1 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that is defined by its local character rather than open-road speed. With a highway share of 0%, this route relies on navigation through Franklin Street, San Jacinto Street, and Rothwell Street. You will not find long, monotonous stretches here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Franklin Street, meaning you will be navigating frequent turns throughout the journey. The personality of this drive is strictly local, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific city streets. Expect a technical, active driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road surface and local traffic patterns from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and I-69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 296.2 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 10; US 90 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 59 East, I 10 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 10; US 90 / East Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / East Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 770C
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 69; US 59 / Eastex Freeway
Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Eastex Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
199.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
|
TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Enter roundabout onto TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Along This Route
Between Houston, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches and Daingerfield.
Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
118.3 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via US 59
Daingerfield
277.3 mi in
|
~5h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 59 | 57.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| I-69 | 42 mi | 44m |
| Eastex Freeway | 37 mi | 43m |
| US 271 | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| US Route 259 | 19.2 mi | 21m |
| I 30 | 17.1 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Kilgore Drive | 13.5 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft
·
19 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
San Jacinto Street
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
348 ft
·
7 sec
·
Rothwell Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
6
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 770C
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 69; US 59
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 69; US 59
10
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I-69; US 59
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi
·
40 min
·
US 59; FM 942
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
14
Turn left
0.7 mi
·
1 min
15
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
16
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Stallings Drive
17
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
North US Highway 59
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
20
Merge onto US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
21
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
22
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Railroad Avenue
23
Continue on US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
24
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
25
Continue on US 259
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Kilgore Drive
Use the none lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 259 Business
27
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
28
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft
·
7 sec
·
Houston Street
29
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 135 North
30
Continue on TX 135
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 135 North
31
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tyler Street
32
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Main Street
33
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Upshur Avenue
34
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 2865
35
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
FM 2685
36
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
TX 155
37
Continue on US 271
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 271
38
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Burton Road
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
40
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
42
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
43
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
44
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, pacing yourself is essential to avoid fatigue. Plan for at least one stop during your 286.1-mile journey to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Given the nature of city street driving, try to avoid departing during peak local rush hours to keep your travel time closer to the estimated 4 hours and 52 minutes. Keep your navigation system updated and ready, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying heavily on street-level directions. A smart tip for this specific route is to preload your map data before you leave, ensuring you stay on track through the complex turn sequences on Franklin, San Jacinto, and Rothwell streets.
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 148.1 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 49m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, 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 296.2 miles and 5h 48m.
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 US 59 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.1 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 148.1 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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
$45.25 one way
$90.49 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.58 | $99.17 |
| premium | $4.59 | $53.54 | $107.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.81 | $131.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.10 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.92 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.47 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Garland, TX
Evening in Garland on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
7 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 48m 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 Garland, TX covers 296.2 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 59, I-69, Eastex Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 148.1 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 $45.25 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 demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 296.2 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 10; US 90 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Houston, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches and Daingerfield.
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