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Trip from Houston, TX to Mathis, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 4m

Distance

209 mi

336 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 52m ★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m

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 Mathis, TX, TX

Mathis, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Embarking from Houston, TX, this 209-mile journey to Mathis, TX, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 97% of the drive on major roads, primarily US Highway 59 and Southwest Freeway. You'll find the fuel cost estimated at $32 for this trip. Given its manageable distance and duration, this drive is perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The experience offers a straightforward highway-focused drive across the Great Plains region of Texas.

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

104.5 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 209 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This drive is characterized by its highway-focused profile, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads. With 97% of the route being highway, expect a consistent pace for much of the 209 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 74.7 miles, primarily on US Highway 59, offering an opportunity for steady progress. While predominantly a highway experience, the initial segments on Southwest Freeway out of Houston will transition into the broader US Highway 59 corridor, maintaining a focus on efficient travel rather than winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 and US 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Congress 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 13 significant decision points across 209 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: near the start (Congress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Smith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Congress Street

Turn left onto Congress Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Smith Street

Turn left onto Smith Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway

Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
35.6 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
6
182.9 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | US Highway 181 South

Turn left onto US Highway 181 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Houston, TX to Mathis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

Spur 10: Cottonwood

35.6 mi in | ~44m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 59 74.7 mi 1h 22m
US 59 63.7 mi 1h 11m
Southwest Freeway 32.8 mi 37m
State Highway 359 13 mi 17m
US 181 11.7 mi 12m
US Highway 59 South 4.4 mi 4m
Smith Street 2.7 mi 5m
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US Highway 59 — 74.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Louisiana Street

148 ft · 11 sec · Louisiana Street
2

Turn left onto Congress Street

298 ft · 14 sec · Congress Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Turn left onto Smith Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · Smith Street
Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 69; US 59

33 mi · 37 min · Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
6

Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
7

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
8

Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
10

Merge onto US 59

9.2 mi · 10 min · US 59
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 59
12

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 2 min
13

Continue on US 59

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

4.4 mi · 4 min · US Highway 59 South
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
16

Continue on Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East
17

Turn right onto US 59

48 mi · 53 min · US 59
18

Turn left onto US Highway 181 South

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US Highway 181 South
Use the left lane.
19

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
20

Merge onto US 181

12 mi · 12 min · US 181
21

Turn right onto TX 359

13 mi · 17 min · State Highway 359
22

Turn slight right onto TX 359 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Front Street
23

Arrive at destination

TX 359 Bus

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 4-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, especially since it's a comfortable day trip. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks, but consider a mid-point pause to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on fuel levels; the longest stretch without a significant change in road is over 74 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $32, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Houston. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the US Highway 59 corridor, as it forms the backbone of your journey for a significant portion.

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 104.5 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 46 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 104.5 miles or 2h 4m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mathis, 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 209 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Highway 59 for about 74.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 104.5 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 4m into the drive

city in Jackson County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ganado, TX

105 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

East Bernard, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Edna, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.5 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 US Highway 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.7 miles.

Arriving in Mathis, TX

The final approach into Mathis, 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 Mathis, 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

$31.58 one way

$63.16 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $34.57 $69.13
premium $4.54 $37.32 $74.63
diesel $5.61 $46.14 $92.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.7 0 $21.94 $10.03
Efficient EV 52.3 0 $18.29 $8.36
EV Truck/SUV 83.6 1 $29.26 $13.38

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Thursday

Local time

5:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Partly Sunny

SE 10 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Destination

Mathis, TX

Evening in Mathis on Thursday

Local time

5:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°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

16 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 4m 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 Mathis, TX covers 209 miles and takes about 4h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 59, US 59, Southwest 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 104.5 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 $31.58 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 13 significant decision points across 209 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: near the start (Congress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Smith Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Mathis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

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Return Trip

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Plan the drive back the other way.

208.8 mi 4h 6m

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