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Trip from Houston, TX to Kerrville, TX

Drive Time

4h 37m

Distance

256.7 mi

413 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 24m ★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown houston-tx

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Downtown Kerrville, TX, TX

Kerrville, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Houston to Kerrville, expect to cover 256.7 miles over approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trek that is easily manageable in a single day. You should budget about $38 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is under five hours, most travelers will find it comfortable to complete without an overnight stop, though you will want to account for at least one planned break along the way. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between these two Texas hubs.

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

128.4 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While you will utilize the Katy Freeway and I-10 West to navigate out of the city, the journey shifts into a more technical experience as you progress toward your destination. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that demands more attention than a standard high-speed corridor. Because there is no significant longest stretch on I-10 West, you will find yourself navigating a variety of local roads, particularly when transitioning onto TX 1518. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the winding nature of these roads provides a distinct contrast to typical open-highway driving.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Katy Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 174.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,639 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

1,951 ft

Total Descent

347 ft

Highest Point

1,639 ft

~256.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,604 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 256.7 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 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
177.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz
5
185.3 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop

Merge onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road
6
207.7 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Houston, TX to Kerrville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

185.3 mi in | ~3h 19m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Katy Freeway 174.9 mi 3h 1m
I 10 49.4 mi 50m
Anderson Loop 20.4 mi 22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518 5.4 mi 9m
Sidney Baker Street 2.3 mi 5m
Gordon A Blake Highway 2 mi 3m
Interstate 10 West 0.3 mi <1m
North Loop 1604 West 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Katy Freeway — 174.9 mi, about 3h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Kerrville, TX.

1

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
3

Merge onto I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East
7

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518
8

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
9

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec
10

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
11

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West
14

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West
15

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
16

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

46 mi · 47 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 508 Toward TX 16: Kerrville
19

Turn left onto TX 16

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Fredericksburg Road
20

Continue on TX 16

2.3 mi · 5 min · Sidney Baker Street
21

Turn left onto TX 27

69 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
22

Arrive at destination

TX 27

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 256.7-mile drive, try to depart Houston early to avoid peak traffic congestion on the way out. Since this is a turn-heavy route, pacing your trip with at least one scheduled stop is essential to stay refreshed and focused on the winding sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to set your own pace, so do not feel rushed to complete the duration in one go. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the TX 1518 portion of the route before you leave, as the local road transitions can be more complex than standard interstate navigation.

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 128.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.9 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 128.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 256.7 miles and 4h 37m.

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 Katy Freeway for about 174.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 128.4 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 14m into the drive

Downtown New Braunfels, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Braunfels, TX

128 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

Rosenberg, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kyle, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128.4 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 Katy Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.9 miles.

Arriving in Kerrville, TX

The final approach into Kerrville, 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 Kerrville, 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

$39.21 one way

$78.42 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $42.97 $85.94
premium $4.59 $46.40 $92.80
diesel $5.64 $57.03 $114.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77 0 $26.95 $12.32
Efficient EV 64.2 0 $22.46 $10.27
EV Truck/SUV 102.7 1 $35.94 $16.43

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 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.

Forecast data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Sunday

Local time

5:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 to 15 mph 53% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:38AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:19AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Destination

Kerrville, TX

Evening in Kerrville on Sunday

Local time

5:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

17 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 37m 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 Kerrville, TX covers 256.7 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Katy Freeway, I 10, Anderson Loop. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.4 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 $39.21 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 256.7 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 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Kerrville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 35 ft to 1,639 ft elevation with about 1,951 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Kerrville, TX to Houston, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

258.6 mi 4h 37m

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