Origin
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Sunday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Houston, TX to Stowell, TX
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
62.8 mi
101 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Stowell, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Houston, the 62.8-mile trek to Stowell is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. This highway-focused journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a simple, direct drive rather than a multi-day expedition. You can easily complete this route in a single day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an affordable option for a spontaneous change of scenery. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time as you transition from the city toward the coast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
31.4 miles from Houston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 94% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the East Freeway, which accounts for a 58.5-mile stretch of uninterrupted travel. The road character is defined by this consistent, high-speed pace, supplemented by shorter segments on Gulfway Drive and San Jacinto Street as you navigate toward Stowell. Because the route is so heavily focused on major arteries, you will find it to be a reliable and predictable commute. It lacks the technical complexities of backroads, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and Gulfway Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 62.8 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 10; US 90 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 59 East, I 10 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 10; US 90 / East Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / East Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
19.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Houston, TX to Stowell, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Port Arthur along the way.
Port Arthur
59.6 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via TX 73
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Freeway | 58.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| Gulfway Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| San Jacinto Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| TX 73 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 73 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Louisiana Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rothwell Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East Freeway
— 58.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Stowell, TX.
1
Start on Louisiana Street
474 ft
·
19 sec
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
San Jacinto Street
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
348 ft
·
7 sec
·
Rothwell Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 59 East, I 10 East
6
Merge onto I 10; US 90
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
13 mi
·
16 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
40 mi
·
46 min
·
East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto TX 73
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
TX 73
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
10
Keep slight right at fork
511 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 124 South: Winnie
11
Turn straight onto State Highway 73
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 73
12
Turn right onto TX 124
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Gulfway Drive
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on TX 124
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
Gulfway Drive
14
Arrive at destination
TX 124
Trip Plan
To ensure the smoothest travel experience, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the East Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Since the entire trip is just over an hour, you do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops, giving you the freedom to drive straight through. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you start your engine. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS before merging onto San Jacinto Street, as local road transitions can be abrupt after long highway stretches. Enjoy the simplicity of this short, efficient drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.4 miles from Houston, TX, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 62.8 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.4 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stowell, 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 62.8 miles and 1h 16m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East Freeway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.4 mi from Houston, TX · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.4 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stowell, TX
The final approach into Stowell, 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 Stowell, 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
$9.59 one way
$19.19 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.51 | $21.03 |
| premium | $4.59 | $11.35 | $22.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Stowell, TX
Evening in Stowell on Sunday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 16m 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 Stowell, TX covers 62.8 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Freeway, Gulfway Drive, San Jacinto Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.4 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 $9.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 62.8 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I 10; US 90 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Houston, TX to Stowell, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Port Arthur along the way.
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