The drive from Houston, TX to Richland Hills, TX covers 267 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Freeway, SH 183 TEXpress, North Stemmons Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 236.9 miles on North Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.34 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
133.5 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
Top landmarks
•Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
•Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
•Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 267 miles, with most of the trip on North Freeway and SH 183 TEXpress. The longest continuous stretch is about 236.9 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 236.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and SH 183 TEXpress. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 238.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 267 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 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
238.4 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward Waco, Denton
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 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
6
239.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
9
244.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
6
245 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
246.5 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Richland Hills, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.
Waco
238.4 mi in|~4h 12m
Denton
238.4 mi in|~4h 12m
Dfw Airport
244.3 mi in|~4h 20m|via TX 183
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
236.9 mi
4h 8m
SH 183 TEXpress
16.4 mi
16m
North Stemmons Freeway
4.1 mi
5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress
2.1 mi
2m
Boulevard 26
1.4 mi
2m
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
0.9 mi
1m
John W Carpenter Freeway
0.8 mi
<1m
West Bedford Euless Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 236.9 mi, about 4h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Richland Hills, 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
237 mi·4 hr 8 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 286AToward Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on Spur 366
0.9 mi·1 min·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35E
4.1 mi·5 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
0.8 mi·48 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433AToward TX 183: Irving, DFW AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi·1 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
15 mi·14 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.1 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward Bedford-Euless RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
0.5 mi·53 sec·Airport Freeway
16
Turn straight onto West Bedford Euless Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Bedford Euless Road
17
Turn slight left
365 ft·15 sec
18
Turn slight left onto TX 26
1.4 mi·2 min·Boulevard 26
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto Vance Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Vance Road
20
Turn left onto Dover Lane
117 ft·5 sec·Dover Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Dover Lane
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 133.5 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.9 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richland Hills, 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 267 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 236.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.5 mi from Houston, TX
· 2h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 133.5 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 236.9 miles.
Arriving in Richland Hills, TX
The final approach into Richland Hills, 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 Richland Hills, 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
$40.34 one way
$80.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.16
$88.32
premium
$4.54
$47.67
$95.34
diesel
$5.61
$58.95
$117.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tuam St Hub
Houston, TX
SHELL_RECHARGE
20 DCFC
Alabama Shepherd Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Houston, TX
Tesla
19 DCFC
Shell Gas Station-King Fuels
Houston, TX
EVBOLT
2 DCFC
SHELL_RECHARGE: 1
EVBOLT: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.03
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Houston, TX
Morning
in Houston on Saturday
Local time
7:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richland Hills, TX
Morning
in Richland Hills on Saturday
Local time
7:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
10 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
4h 46m 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 Richland Hills, TX covers 267 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, SH 183 TEXpress, North Stemmons Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.5 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 $40.34 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 267 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 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Houston, TX and Richland Hills, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
