Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Gladewater, TX
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
213 mi
343 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 53m
★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 32m
10 AM
4h 15m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Gladewater, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Houston to Gladewater, expect a journey covering 213 miles through the Texas Great Plains. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day drive. While the route relies on local streets like Franklin, San Jacinto, and Rothwell rather than major interstates, it remains a straightforward trek for those comfortable navigating local roads. You can anticipate spending about $32 on fuel for the trip. Given the duration, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical, direct connection between these two Texas locations that keeps your travel logistics simple.
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
106.5 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a much different experience than the standard interstate grind. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds on an open freeway. You will spend your time maneuvering through city streets, which requires more active attention than a typical highway stretch. Expect a consistent, hands-on driving experience as you transition from the Houston area toward Gladewater. The lack of high-speed highway miles means you should prepare for a steady, technical drive that demands your full awareness throughout the entire 213-mile distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 17 significant decision points across 213 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 17 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
On the drive from Houston, TX to Gladewater, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches along the way.
Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
118.3 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via US 59
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 59 | 57.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| I-69 | 42 mi | 44m |
| Eastex Freeway | 37 mi | 43m |
| US Route 259 | 19.2 mi | 21m |
| Kilgore Drive | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 135 North | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 259 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Southwest Stallings Drive | 5.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Gladewater, 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
·
24 sec
·
South Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
US 271
Trip Plan
Since this route involves navigating local roads rather than fast-moving highways, I recommend departing early to avoid the peak congestion often found on city streets. You only need to plan for one major stop to keep your energy up during the 4-hour and 5-minute trek. Because fuel costs are estimated at $32, consider filling up before you leave the Houston metro area to take advantage of potentially more consistent pump prices. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure time to bypass local rush hours. My biggest tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on local streets like Rothwell Street requires more frequent turns than a standard highway route.
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 106.5 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 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 106.5 miles or 2h 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gladewater, 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 213 miles and 4h 5m.
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 106.5 mi from Houston, TX · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 106.5 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gladewater, TX
The final approach into Gladewater, 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 Gladewater, 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
$32.54 one way
$65.07 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.66 | $71.31 |
| premium | $4.59 | $38.50 | $77.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.32 | $94.64 |
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: 74.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.37 | $10.22 |
| Efficient EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.64 | $8.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.2 | 1 | $29.82 | $13.63 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Gladewater, TX
Evening in Gladewater on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
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
4h 5m 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 Gladewater, TX covers 213 miles and takes about 4h 5m 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 106.5 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 $32.54 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 17 significant decision points across 213 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.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Gladewater, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches along the way.
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