Trip from Houston, TX to Texarkana, TX

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

289.8 mi

466 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 18m ★

6 AM

5h 31m

8 AM

5h 58m

10 AM

5h 41m

12 PM

5h 38m

3 PM

5h 42m

5 PM

5h 57m

8 PM

5h 23m

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

Texarkana, TX

Thomas balabaud

Trip Overview

Traveling from Houston to Texarkana covers 289.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 31 minutes of pure driving time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway cruise, you should budget roughly $43 for fuel to complete the journey. It is easily manageable as a single-day trip, though the nature of the local roads means you will need to stay alert throughout the drive. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the trek. Planning for one designated stop is a smart way to break up the drive and keep your energy levels steady behind the wheel.

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

144.9 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a unique experience on this route, as it relies entirely on local streets like Franklin, San Jacinto, and Rothwell rather than major interstates. With a highway share of 0%, this journey is defined by constant turns and navigating local infrastructure rather than high-speed cruising. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on Franklin Street is effectively 0 miles of straight highway driving. This is a technical, hands-on drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard freeway commute. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace as you navigate these specific local roads from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 68.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and US 59 Business. 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 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 289.8 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 1.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

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

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.

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 770C Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland

2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 69; US 59 / Eastex Freeway

Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Eastex Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | US 59

Take the exit onto US 59 toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Houston, TX to Texarkana, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches along the way.

Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

118.3 mi in | ~2h 13m | via US 59

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 59	68.5 mi	1h 20m
US 59 Business	68.2 mi	1h 17m
I-69	42 mi	44m
Eastex Freeway	37 mi	43m
TX 315	24.9 mi	25m
North Louise Street	14.6 mi	15m
US Highway 259	11.2 mi	12m
Southwest Stallings Drive	5.9 mi	6m

Longest stretch: US 59 — 68.5 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Texarkana, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

474 ft · 19 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

Turn right onto Franklin Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Franklin Street

Turn left onto San Jacinto Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · San Jacinto Street

Turn straight onto Rothwell Street

348 ft · 7 sec · Rothwell Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward US 59 East, I 10 East

Merge onto I 10; US 90

0.5 mi · 38 sec · East Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 770C Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 69; US 59

37 mi · 43 min · Eastex Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59

0.7 mi · 44 sec · I 69; US 59

Continue on I-69; US 59

42 mi · 44 min · I-69; US 59

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 59; FM 942

36 mi · 40 min · US 59; FM 942

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 59

5.7 mi · 7 min · US 59

Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

16 mi · 17 min · US 59

Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches

Turn left

0.7 mi · 1 min

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · this road

Merge onto Loop 224

5.9 mi · 6 min · Southwest Stallings Drive

Continue on US 59

0.9 mi · 58 sec · North US Highway 59

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road

Merge onto US 259

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 259

Continue on US 259

3.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 259

Continue on US 259

2.6 mi · 3 min · South Railroad Avenue

Turn right onto TX 315

25 mi · 25 min · TX 315

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto TX 149

3.1 mi · 3 min · Southwest Loop

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Turn left onto US 59 Business

68 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 59 Business

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 59; FM 2328

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 59; FM 2328

Turn left onto US 59

2.2 mi · 2 min · Loop 59

Continue on US 59

15 mi · 15 min · North Louise Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

8.1 mi · 10 min · US 59

Turn right onto US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 7th Street

Arrive at destination

US 67; US 82

Trip Plan

Given the turn-heavy nature of this 289.8-mile drive, aim to leave early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating local roads. Since you are not utilizing interstates, traffic patterns on local streets will heavily influence your total travel time, so check your navigation frequently. Use your one planned stop to stretch and reset, as the constant steering required on this route can be more fatiguing than a straight highway haul. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind and top off before leaving Houston to avoid searching for stations on unfamiliar local routes. Above all, prioritize patience when navigating the frequent turns that define this specific path to Texarkana.

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 144.9 miles from Houston, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.5 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 144.9 miles or 2h 45m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texarkana, 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 289.8 miles and 5h 31m.

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 US 59 for about 68.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 144.9 mi from Houston, TX · 2h 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Longview, TX

145 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

Conroe, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Longview, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.9 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 US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.5 miles.

Arriving in Texarkana, TX

The final approach into Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, 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

$44.27 one way

$88.54 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$48.51	$97.03
premium	$4.59	$52.38	$104.76
diesel	$5.64	$64.38	$128.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.9	1	$30.43	$13.91
Efficient EV	72.5	0	$25.36	$11.59
EV Truck/SUV	115.9	1	$40.57	$18.55

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Houston, TX

Evening in Houston on Sunday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Texarkana, TX

Evening in Texarkana on Sunday

Local time

5:33 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

5h 31m 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 Texarkana, TX covers 289.8 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 59, US 59 Business, I-69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 144.9 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 $44.27 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.