Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Midland, TX
Drive Time
9h 2m
Distance
476 mi
766 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$73
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 54m
★
6 AM
9h 3m
8 AM
9h 19m
10 AM
9h 8m
12 PM
9h 7m
3 PM
9h 9m
5 PM
9h 18m
8 PM
8h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Midland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Spanning 476 miles across the Texas landscape, the drive from Houston to Midland is a substantial journey that typically requires about 9 hours and 2 minutes of travel time. Because of the duration, it is highly recommended to split this trip over 2 days rather than attempting it in a single push. You will navigate via the Katy Freeway and TX 71 West, eventually connecting to I-10 West. Budgeting approximately $71 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Both your starting point in Houston and your destination in Midland sit within the Great Plains, ensuring a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. This trip is best approached with a patient mindset to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
238 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires frequent navigation adjustments as you transition between local roads and highways. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of cruising. You will not encounter any significant long-haul interstate segments, as there are 0 miles on I-10 West that qualify as a longest stretch. This profile makes for a more technical, hands-on journey that keeps you engaged with the road conditions throughout the entire 476-mile trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 126.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 476 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 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese 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 none lane.
5
74.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
TX 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
6
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
163.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
US 290; TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
233.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
Between Houston, TX and Midland, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Sh 158 West: Midland.
Austin
74.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via TX 71
Sh 158 West: Midland
410.3 mi in
|
~7h 46m
|
via TX 158
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 71 | 126.4 mi | 2h 15m |
| Katy Freeway | 74.1 mi | 1h 20m |
| United States Highway 87 | 71.2 mi | 1h 16m |
| TX 158 | 64.1 mi | 1h 13m |
| East State Highway 71 | 44.1 mi | 59m |
| US Highway 87 North | 25.8 mi | 26m |
| West Highway 71 | 22.4 mi | 31m |
| US 87 | 18.6 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
TX 71
— 126.4 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Midland, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
3
Merge onto I 10; US 90
74 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
5
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 71
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
East Ben White Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the none lane.
10
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22 mi
·
31 min
·
West Highway 71
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on TX 71
42 mi
·
56 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 71
13
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Young Street
14
Continue on TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
TX 71
15
Turn right onto US 87; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 87; US 377
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Commerce Street
17
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
United States Highway 87
18
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
19
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Koenigheim Street
20
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North Bryant Boulevard
21
Continue on US 87
23 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 87 North
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on US 87
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 87
Use the none lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
24
Take the exit onto TX 158
64 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
25
Continue on TX 140
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Florida Avenue
26
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Big Spring Street
27
Turn right onto Loop 269
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Wall Street
28
Arrive at destination
Loop 269
Trip Plan
To manage the 9-hour duration effectively, plan for at least 2 strategic stops to break up the monotony of the local roads. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid fatigue, especially since the route demands more focus than a typical interstate drive. Keep your $71 fuel budget in mind and top off your tank whenever you see a convenient station, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive can impact your efficiency. Because you are navigating local routes rather than major interstates, prioritize checking your GPS frequently to stay on track. Splitting the journey into two days will turn a potentially grueling day into a much more manageable and enjoyable Texas road trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 238 miles from Houston, TX, or about 4h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 105 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238 miles or 4h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 238 miles or 4h 38m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Midland, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Houston, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on TX 71 for about 126.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 238 mi from Houston, TX · 4h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
238 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Austin, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
238 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 238 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 238 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 238 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Midland, TX
The final approach into Midland, 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 Midland, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Midland, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$72.71 one way
$145.42 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
167 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $79.68 | $159.37 |
| premium | $4.59 | $86.04 | $172.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $105.75 | $211.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.98 | $22.85 |
| Efficient EV | 119 | 1 | $41.65 | $19.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 190.4 | 2 | $66.64 | $30.46 |
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 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.
Destination
Midland, TX
Afternoon in Midland on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9h 2m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Midland, TX covers 476 miles and takes about 9h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 71, Katy Freeway, United States Highway 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 238 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 238 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 $72.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 12 significant decision points across 476 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 74.6 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Houston, TX and Midland, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Sh 158 West: Midland.
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