Origin
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
7h 39m
Distance
428.5 mi
690 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Spanning 428.5 miles across Texas, this journey from Houston to Seymour is a straightforward haul that typically takes about 7 hours and 39 minutes. You will spend nearly your entire time on high-speed roads, making this a focused drive that is manageable as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel budget of $65, it is a relatively cost-effective way to transition across the Great Plains. While the trip does not require an overnight stay, the length makes it a significant commitment for one driver. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
214.2 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 99% of your journey is conducted on highways. You will start by navigating the North Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 236.9 miles. Following this primary artery, you will transition onto US 81 and US 82 to complete your route. The drive is defined by a consistent, highway-focused pace rather than technical winding roads or local traffic. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel at highway speeds, so be prepared for a steady, rhythmic travel experience.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and US 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Travis Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 428.5 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 0.2 miles (Travis Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 238.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Travis Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Houston, TX and Seymour, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton, Dfw Airport and Abilene.
Waco
Denton
Dfw Airport
Abilene
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 236.9 mi | 4h 8m |
| US 81 | 102.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| US 82 | 49.1 mi | 55m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 16.5 mi | 16m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.2 mi | 6m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 2.7 mi | 2m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Seymour, TX.
Start on Louisiana Street
Turn right onto Franklin Street
Turn left onto Travis Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 45
Take the exit
Continue on Spur 366
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
Take the exit
Merge onto US 81; US 287
Continue on US 81; US 287
Take the exit onto US 82
Take the exit onto US 82
Turn right onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
Arrive at destination
To tackle this 428.5-mile drive successfully, plan for at least two dedicated stops to break up the 7-hour and 39-minute duration. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries like the North Freeway, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion near Houston. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 236.9-mile stretch, as refueling options can vary once you move away from the metropolitan areas. Because this is a long, highway-heavy trek, make sure your vehicle is prepared for sustained speeds to ensure a smooth trip to Seymour.
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.
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 94 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.2 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seymour, TX than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Houston, TX
This is one driving day of about 428.5 miles and 7h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 214.2 mi from Houston, TX · 3h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
214 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.
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 214.2 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 236.9 miles.
The final approach into Seymour, 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 Seymour, 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.
Regular Gas
$65.46 one way
$130.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $71.73 | $143.46 |
| premium | $4.59 | $77.45 | $154.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $95.20 | $190.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.5 | 1 | $44.99 | $20.57 |
| Efficient EV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.49 | $17.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.4 | 2 | $59.99 | $27.42 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Seymour on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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