Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Port Arthur, TX
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
89.1 mi
143 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Port Arthur, TX
John Hill
Trip Overview
Traveling from Houston to Port Arthur covers 89.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, leaving you no need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably across the Great Plains region. Since the entire journey remains within Texas, you will find the transition between these two coastal-adjacent cities to be familiar and consistent. Expect a practical, no-frills drive that prioritizes direct navigation over high-speed highway cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than settling into a monotonous interstate rhythm. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, as the route relies entirely on local navigation via Franklin Street, San Jacinto Street, and Rothwell Street. Because the longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on Franklin Street, you should be prepared for frequent turns and constant maneuvering through local thoroughfares. This is not a route designed for cruise control, so stay alert as the road character shifts through these specific city streets.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and TX 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in near I 10 / East Freeway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 89.1 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 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (TX 73): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
19.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
6
60 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
TX 73
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 73
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, Groves
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, Groves
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Houston, TX to Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Groves along the way.
Groves
84.5 mi in
|
~1h 37m
|
via TX 73
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Freeway | 58.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| TX 73 | 27.3 mi | 29m |
| Savannah Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| San Jacinto Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Louisiana Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 17th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rothwell Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East Freeway
— 58.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Port Arthur, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft
·
19 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
San Jacinto Street
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
348 ft
·
7 sec
·
Rothwell Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
6
Merge onto I 10; US 90
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
13 mi
·
16 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
40 mi
·
46 min
·
East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto TX 73
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
TX 73
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 73
25 mi
·
25 min
·
TX 73
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit onto TX 73
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 73
Toward TX 73 East: Port Arthur, Groves
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Spur 215
13
Keep slight right at fork
197 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Spur 215
14
Turn straight onto Spur 215
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Savannah Avenue
15
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
17th Street
16
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft
·
4 sec
·
Augusta Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can easily navigate the local street segments. Since there are no designated stops scheduled for this 1 hour and 44-minute drive, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Houston to stay within your $13 estimate. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of highway miles means you can easily pull over if you need a break from the constant turning. Pay close attention to your GPS while moving between Franklin, San Jacinto, and Rothwell Streets, as the lack of a long, uninterrupted road segment makes keeping track of your turns essential.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Houston, TX, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, 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 89.1 miles and 1h 44m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East Freeway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Houston, TX · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.6 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Port Arthur, TX
The final approach into Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, 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
$13.61 one way
$27.22 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.92 | $29.83 |
| premium | $4.59 | $16.10 | $32.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.79 | $39.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.36 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Afternoon in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Port Arthur, TX covers 89.1 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Freeway, TX 73, Savannah Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.6 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 $13.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 89.1 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 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.6 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.6 miles (TX 73): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Groves along the way.
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