Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Thursday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Providence, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
279.5 mi
450 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Providence, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
The drive from Houston, TX to Providence, TX covers 279.5 miles and takes about 5h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Freeway, Dallas North Tollway, US Highway 380 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 236.1 miles on North Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.23 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
139.8 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 279.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 5m highway drive covering 279.5 miles, with most of the trip on North Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 236.1 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 236.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. You will hit about 15 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 Effort
6/10
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 279.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 237.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese 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
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Travis Street
Turn left onto Travis Street
Navigation decision point
8
237.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
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 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
237.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Elm Street
6
270.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
|
West University Drive
Turn left onto West University Drive
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.
Between Houston, TX and Providence, TX, road signs point toward Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
Main Street West
237.5 mi in
|
~4h 11m
Dnt Toll
239.5 mi in
|
~4h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 236.1 mi | 4h 7m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 29.5 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 380 East | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| West University Drive | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| North Olive Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 2931 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| McKinnon Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dallas Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 236.1 mi, about 4h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Providence, 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
236 mi
·
4 hr 7 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Elm Street
9
Turn right onto North Olive Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Olive Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on McKinnon Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinnon Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Toward DNT Toll
12
Continue on DNT
30 mi
·
32 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 380: McKinney, Denton
14
Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto West University Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West University Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
17
Merge onto US 380
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 380
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 380 East
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto FM 2931
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 2931
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto Fishtrap Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Fishtrap Road
21
Arrive at destination
Fishtrap Road
Trip Plan
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 139.8 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.1 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 61 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 2h 28m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Providence, 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 279.5 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 236.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.8 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.1 miles.
Arriving in Providence, TX
The final approach into Providence, 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 Providence, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.23 one way
$84.47 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $46.23 | $92.46 |
| premium | $4.54 | $49.90 | $99.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.71 | $123.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.36
Dallas North Tollway
(29.5 mi)
$2.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.35 | $13.42 |
| Efficient EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.13 | $17.89 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Providence, TX
Evening in Providence on Thursday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
14 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
5h 5m 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 Providence, TX covers 279.5 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, Dallas North Tollway, US Highway 380 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.8 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 $42.23 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Navigation decision point; at 237.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Houston, TX and Providence, TX, road signs point toward Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
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