Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Thursday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Port O'Connor, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
152 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Port O'Connor, TX
Nate Biddle
Trip Overview
This 152-mile drive from Houston, TX to Port O'Connor, TX, is a straightforward 3-hour and 35-minute journey, perfect for a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing US Highway 59 and State Highway 172, about 92% of this route is highway driving, offering an efficient path. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option. The drive stays within the Great Plains region, maintaining a consistent feel throughout. This route is ideal if you're looking for a simple, direct connection between these two Texas locations, with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 152 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of the 152 miles, with 92% of the route being on main roads like US Highway 59 and State Highway 172. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 35.2 miles on US Highway 59, allowing for steady progress. This generally means consistent speeds and fewer interruptions. The character of the road remains largely highway-like, facilitating a smooth and predictable driving experience for the entire duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 35.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 and Southwest Freeway. 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 15 significant decision points across 152 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 15 key pointsThese 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...
5
90.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward TX 172, FM 710
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 172, FM 710
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 Port O'Connor, TX, road signs point toward Spur 10: Cottonwood and Fm 710.
Spur 10: Cottonwood
35.6 mi in
|
~44m
Fm 710
90.7 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 | 35.2 mi | 39m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.8 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 172 | 21.6 mi | 37m |
| US 59 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| FM 1289 | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| TX 35 | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 185 East | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| East Austin Street | 4.5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59
— 35.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Port O'Connor, 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
35 mi
·
39 min
·
US Highway 59
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward TX 172, FM 710
15
Turn left onto Feeder Road
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
Feeder Road
16
Turn left onto FM 710
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 710
17
Continue on TX 172
22 mi
·
37 min
·
State Highway 172
18
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
this road
20
Turn straight onto TX 35
11 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 35
21
Turn left onto TX 238
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street
22
Continue on TX 238
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Commerce Street
23
Turn right onto TX 238
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Austin Street
24
Continue on TX 238
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 238
25
Turn left onto FM 1289
11 mi
·
19 min
·
FM 1289
26
At end of road, turn left onto TX 185
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 185 East
27
Continue on TX 185
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Adams Avenue
28
Turn right onto TX 185
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
2nd Street
29
Arrive at destination
TX 185
Trip Plan
Given the short 3-hour and 35-minute duration for this 152-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Houston after the morning rush to ensure a smoother start. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $23, you won't need extensive planning for refueling or long breaks. Keep an eye on US Highway 59 for the longest stretch; since it's a significant portion of the drive, ensure you're prepared with snacks and entertainment before embarking on that segment.
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 76 miles from Houston, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.2 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port O'Connor, 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 152 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 35.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Houston, TX · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Port O'Connor, TX
The final approach into Port O'Connor, 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 O'Connor, 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
$22.97 one way
$45.94 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.14 | $50.28 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.14 | $54.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.56 | $67.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.28 | $9.73 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 O'Connor, TX
Evening in Port O'Connor on Thursday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
5 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
3h 35m 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 O'Connor, TX covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 59, Southwest Freeway, State Highway 172. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76 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 $22.97 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 152 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.
Between Houston, TX and Port O'Connor, TX, road signs point toward Spur 10: Cottonwood and Fm 710.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Port O'Connor, TX
More trips to Port O'Connor, TX
Explore more options from Houston, TX or browse trips ending in Port O'Connor, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Houston, TX or Port O'Connor, TX on MapSof.net.