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Trip from Houston, TX to Jacksboro, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 59m

Distance

331.7 mi

534 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 51m

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 and county sear of Jacks County, Texas, United States

Jacksboro, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston to Jacksboro covers 331.7 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. You will start your journey by navigating through city streets like Franklin and Travis before transitioning onto I-45 North. Since this trip stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trek in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $49 for fuel for the one-way trip. It is a straightforward drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while maintaining a manageable travel pace.

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

165.9 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 331.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This trip is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating local infrastructure, as the route features a 0% highway share, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. Because the roads are winding and require frequent adjustments, you should anticipate a more active driving experience compared to a standard highway slog. The transition from Houston’s urban layout to the more open, local roads toward Jacksboro changes the rhythm of your drive significantly. Be prepared for a steady, focused pace that demands engagement throughout the entire 331.7-mile journey.

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.
North Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 236.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Northwest Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 238.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 331.7 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 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

8
238.4 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in

Take the exit toward Waco, Denton

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. Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton
6
239.8 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North: Denton
9
244.3 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
8
277.3 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in

Take the exit toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street

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. Exit 10A Toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street
7
277.7 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway

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 Jacksboro, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.

Waco

238.4 mi in | ~4h 12m

Denton

238.4 mi in | ~4h 12m

Dfw Airport

244.3 mi in | ~4h 20m | via TX 183

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Freeway 236.9 mi 4h 8m
Northwest Parkway 43.3 mi 50m
SH 183 TEXpress 16.5 mi 16m
Jacksboro Highway 9.1 mi 9m
I 820 TEXpress 6.9 mi 6m
Jim Wright Freeway 5.7 mi 6m
North Stemmons Freeway 4.1 mi 5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress 2.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: North Freeway — 236.9 mi, about 4h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

237 mi · 4 hr 8 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on Spur 366

0.9 mi · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 35E

4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

15 mi · 14 min · SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress
14

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress
16

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop
18

Continue on I 820

5.7 mi · 6 min · Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 10A Toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn slight left onto Northwest Loop 820

337 ft · 7 sec · Northwest Loop 820
22

Turn right onto TX 199

1.3 mi · 2 min · Lake Worth Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23

Take the exit onto TX 199

9.1 mi · 9 min · Jacksboro Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on TX 199

43 mi · 50 min · Northwest Parkway
25

Turn right onto TX 59

116 ft · 9 sec · East Belknap Street
26

Take the ramp

113 ft · 3 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour travel day, aim to depart Houston early in the morning to beat local congestion and ensure you reach Jacksboro before nightfall. You should factor in at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more fatiguing than a straight interstate drive. Budgeting $49 for gas is a solid baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations along the way. Since this is a single-day commitment, prioritize your comfort by keeping water and snacks within reach to avoid unnecessary deviations. Pay close attention to navigation while navigating the local street segments, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more turns than usual.

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 165.9 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.9 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 73 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 165.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksboro, 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 331.7 miles and 5h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 236.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 165.9 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 56m into the drive

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

166 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

Huntsville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waxahachie, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 165.9 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 236.9 miles.

Arriving in Jacksboro, TX

The final approach into Jacksboro, 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 Jacksboro, 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

$50.12 one way

$100.24 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $54.86 $109.72
premium $4.54 $59.22 $118.45
diesel $5.61 $73.24 $146.47

Estimated Tolls: $5.20

Northwest Parkway (43.3 mi) $5.20

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 116.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99.5 1 $34.83 $15.92
Efficient EV 82.9 0 $29.02 $13.27
EV Truck/SUV 132.7 1 $46.44 $21.23

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 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 Thursday

Local time

4:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jacksboro, TX

Afternoon in Jacksboro on Thursday

Local time

4:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

5 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 59m 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 Jacksboro, TX covers 331.7 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, Northwest Parkway, SH 183 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.9 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 $50.12 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 18 significant decision points across 331.7 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 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Houston, TX and Jacksboro, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.

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Return Trip

Jacksboro, TX to Houston, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

322 mi 5h 58m

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