Trip from Houston, TX to Southlake, TX

Q: How long is the trip from Houston, TX to Southlake, TX?

The drive from Houston, TX to Southlake, TX covers 264.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are North Freeway, SH 114 TEXpress, North Stemmons Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 132 miles from Houston, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

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.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

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.

Drive Time

4h 43m

Distance

264.1 mi

425 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 30m ★

6 AM

4h 43m

8 AM

5h 10m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 50m

3 PM

4h 54m

5 PM

5h 9m

8 PM

4h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Southlake, TX

Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston to Southlake covers 264.1 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 43 minutes. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the journey. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, though you should budget approximately $39 for fuel. You will begin your departure via Franklin Street and Travis Street before transitioning onto I-45 North. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, this route offers a straightforward path between these two Texas hubs.

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

132 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While you will utilize I-45 North, the trip is defined by its navigation through local streets, particularly at the start of your journey. You will find that there is no single long stretch of highway, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Franklin Street. This lack of highway-heavy miles means you should stay alert for frequent turns and traffic transitions. The road's personality is functional and requires consistent focus as you navigate away from Houston toward your destination.

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.

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 114 TEXpress. 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.

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 264.1 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 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 239.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Travis Street

Turn left onto Travis Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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

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

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

246.5 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | TX 114 TEXpress / SH 114 TEXpress

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114 TEXpress / SH 114 TEXpress toward TX 114 Express West Toll: DFW Airport North Entry

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward TX 114 Express West Toll: DFW Airport No...

Towns Along This Route

Between Houston, TX and Southlake, 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 114 TEXpress	15.3 mi	16m
North Stemmons Freeway	4.1 mi	5m
SH 183 TEXpress	1.5 mi	1m
East Southlake Boulevard	1.1 mi	1m
Woodall Rodgers Freeway	0.9 mi	1m
John W Carpenter Freeway	0.8 mi	<1m
East State Highway 114	0.7 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 Southlake, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

474 ft · 19 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Franklin Street

Turn left onto Travis Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Travis Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 45 North Express Lane

Merge onto I 45

237 mi · 4 hr 8 min · North Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Spur 366

0.9 mi · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114 TEXpress

15 mi · 16 min · SH 114 TEXpress

Toward TX 114 Express West Toll: DFW Airport North Entry Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward Kimball Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East State Highway 114

0.7 mi · 1 min · East State Highway 114

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North Kimball Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · North Kimball Avenue

Turn right onto FM 1709

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Southlake Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

FM 1709

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 264.1-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is turn-heavy, keeping a reliable navigation app running is essential to help you manage the transition from local streets like Travis Street onto the interstate. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion, ensuring you stay within your estimated 4-hour and 43-minute travel time. Keep your fuel budget of $39 in mind when selecting a spot to refill, as local gas prices can vary significantly between the start and end of your trip. Prioritize a steady pace, as the high number of turns means you will rarely be in a position to utilize cruise control for long.

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 132 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 20m 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132 miles or 2h 20m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southlake, 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 264.1 miles and 4h 43m.

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.

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 132 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Victoria, TX

132 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

College Station, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Victoria, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132 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 Southlake, TX

The final approach into Southlake, 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 Southlake, 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

$40.34 one way

$80.69 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$44.21	$88.42
premium	$4.59	$47.74	$95.47
diesel	$5.64	$58.67	$117.35

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: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.2	0	$27.73	$12.68
Efficient EV	66	0	$23.11	$10.56
EV Truck/SUV	105.6	1	$36.97	$16.90

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Sunday

Local time

6:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Southlake, TX

Evening in Southlake on Sunday

Local time

6:25 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

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

4h 43m 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 Southlake, TX covers 264.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North Freeway, SH 114 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 132 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.