Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Thursday
Local time
1:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Hawkins, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
217.1 mi
349 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Hawkins, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 217.1 miles, the journey from Houston to Hawkins takes approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Because this route involves navigating through city streets like Franklin and Travis before transitioning to I-45 North, it is best approached as a straightforward day trip. You should budget about $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the entire trip is well within a manageable timeframe for a single day of travel, there is no real need to plan for an overnight stay. It is a practical drive for those looking to reach East Texas efficiently, provided you are prepared for the initial local maneuvering.
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
108.5 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 217.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention right from the start. Unlike a high-speed interstate haul, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Franklin Street, reflecting the frequent turns and stop-and-go nature of the path. This isn't a monotonous highway grind; instead, it is a technical drive that requires you to stay engaged with your navigation as you transition away from the city. Be prepared for a persistent, hands-on experience behind the wheel for the duration of the 217.1-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 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 63.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and State Highway 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 217.1 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 0.1 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 21 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
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.
5
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward TX 19: Riverside, Crockett, Grapeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 19: Riverside, Crockett, Grapeland
6
197.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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 Hawkins, TX, road signs point toward Crockett and Grapeland.
Crockett
64.7 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Grapeland
64.7 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 63.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| State Highway 155 | 39.3 mi | 45m |
| North 4th Street | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| Prospect Drive | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 19 | 22.4 mi | 26m |
| FM 2015 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| Loop 256 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Farm to Market Road 2015 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Hawkins, 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
63 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward TX 19: Riverside, Crockett, Grapeland
7
Continue on TX 19
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
TX 19
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
9
Continue on TX 19
22 mi
·
26 min
·
State Highway 19
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on TX 19
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Prospect Drive
11
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
153 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Goliad Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
165 ft
·
5 sec
·
5th Street
13
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
300 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Houston Avenue
14
Turn right onto US 287; TX 19
33 mi
·
37 min
·
North 4th Street
15
Turn right onto Loop 256
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Loop 256
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
359 ft
·
9 sec
18
Merge onto TX 155
20 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 155
19
Continue on TX 155
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
20
Continue on TX 155
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Frankston Highway
21
Continue on TX 155
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 155
22
Continue on TX 155
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Frankston Highway
23
Continue on TX 155
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Vine Avenue
24
Turn straight onto South Palace Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Palace Avenue
25
Turn right onto TX 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Front Street
26
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beckham Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 271; TX 155
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gentry Parkway
28
Continue on US 271; TX 155
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 271
29
Turn left onto FM 2015
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 2015
30
Continue on FM 2015
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Sand Flat Road
31
Turn left onto FM 2015
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 2015
32
Turn right onto FM 2015
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Farm to Market Road 2015
33
At end of road, turn right onto FM 14
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 14
34
Turn right onto US 80
389 ft
·
10 sec
·
Front Street
35
Turn left onto Green Street
437 ft
·
19 sec
·
Green Street
36
Arrive at destination
Green Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 4 hour and 21 minute drive, try to depart Houston early to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns. You will want to map out at least one planned stop to break up the technical sections of the route and refresh yourself. Since you are navigating local streets, keep your GPS accessible at all times to ensure you don't miss any of the frequent turns required to stay on course. Budgeting $32 for gas should keep you covered, but filling up before you leave the city grid can save you the hassle of searching for fuel along the more complex sections of the drive. This flexibility allows you to manage your own pace effectively throughout the day.
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 108.5 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hawkins, 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 217.1 miles and 4h 21m.
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 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.5 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.5 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 63.2 miles.
Arriving in Hawkins, TX
The final approach into Hawkins, 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 Hawkins, 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
$32.80 one way
$65.61 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $35.91 | $71.81 |
| premium | $4.54 | $38.76 | $77.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.93 | $95.87 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.80 | $10.42 |
| Efficient EV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.00 | $8.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.39 | $13.89 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Hawkins, TX
Afternoon in Hawkins on Thursday
Local time
1:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Palestine, 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
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
4h 21m 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 Hawkins, TX covers 217.1 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, State Highway 155, North 4th 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 108.5 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 $32.80 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 21 significant decision points across 217.1 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 0.1 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.
Between Houston, TX and Hawkins, TX, road signs point toward Crockett and Grapeland.
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