The drive from Houston, TX to Palo Pinto County, TX covers 323.3 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Freeway, US 287, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 198.1 miles on North Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.85 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
161.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 323.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 1m highway drive covering 323.3 miles, with most of the trip on North Freeway and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 198.1 miles on North Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 198.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and US 287. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 323.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 199.5 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.4 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These 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
8
199.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
7
262.4 mi into trip|~4h 42m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
266.4 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
6
289.6 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward Ric Williamson Memorial Highway, Old Brock Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 405
Toward Ric Williamson Memorial Highway, Old Bro...
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 Palo Pinto County, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth and Ric Williamson Memorial Highway.
Fort Worth
199.5 mi in|~3h 30m|via US 287
Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
289.6 mi in|~5h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
198.1 mi
3h 27m
US 287
62.8 mi
1h 11m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
27.2 mi
29m
Mineral Wells Highway
12.9 mi
15m
Palo Pinto Highway
8.1 mi
12m
Highway 180 East
2.6 mi
4m
East Hubbard Street
2.4 mi
3m
Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 198.1 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Palo Pinto County, 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
198 mi·3 hr 27 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 287
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
23 mi·24 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 405Toward Ric Williamson Memorial Highway, Old Brock Road
10
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Interstate 20
11
Turn right onto Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi·3 min·Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
12
Turn left onto US 180
13 mi·15 min·Mineral Wells Highway
13
Continue on US 180
2.6 mi·4 min·Highway 180 East
14
Continue on US 180
2.4 mi·3 min·East Hubbard Street
15
Continue on US 180; BH
2.0 mi·3 min·US Highway 180 West
16
Continue on US 180; BH
8.1 mi·12 min·Palo Pinto Highway
17
Continue on US 180
1.1 mi·1 min·Cedar Street
18
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi·59 sec·US Highway 180
19
Turn left
0.9 mi·3 min
20
Turn left
0.2 mi·40 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.1 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 71 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.6 miles or 2h 51m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palo Pinto County, 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 323.3 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 198.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.6 mi from Houston, TX
· 2h 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 161.6 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 198.1 miles.
Arriving in Palo Pinto County, TX
The final approach into Palo Pinto County, 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 Palo Pinto County, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.85 one way
$97.70 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$53.47
$106.94
premium
$4.54
$57.72
$115.45
diesel
$5.61
$71.38
$142.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97
1
$33.95
$15.52
Efficient EV
80.8
0
$28.29
$12.93
EV Truck/SUV
129.3
1
$45.26
$20.69
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Morning
in Houston on Friday
Local time
10:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palo Pinto County, TX
Morning
in Palo Pinto County on Friday
Local time
10:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
15 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
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Palo Pinto County, TX covers 323.3 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, US 287, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.6 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 $48.85 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 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 323.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 199.5 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.4 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Houston, TX and Palo Pinto County, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth and Ric Williamson Memorial Highway.
