Origin
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hughes Springs, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
247.2 mi
398 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hughes Springs to Houston covers approximately 248.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Because this route is best completed in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget roughly $37 for fuel, though keep in mind that local road variations can impact your actual consumption. Since both the origin and destination sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, the geography remains relatively consistent throughout your journey. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, this straightforward drive is manageable for most travelers without requiring an overnight split.
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
123.6 miles from Hughes Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this trek to Houston. You will navigate through various local roads, including 1st Street, South Main Street, and North Eastman Road, as the route features a 0% highway share. Because you are avoiding major interstates, the pace requires your full attention as you transition between these smaller thoroughfares. This setup creates a more hands-on driving experience compared to a standard highway haul, so be prepared to manage frequent turns throughout the 248.5-mile trip. Focusing on the road ahead is essential, as the lack of high-speed lanes means you will be relying on local navigation for the duration of your travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Diboll Relief Route is the longest continuous segment at about 111 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 247.2 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: near the start (TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.8 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 245 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
6
43.8 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
245 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Anto...
8
245.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
245.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
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 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 111 mi | 2h 1m |
| South Main Street | 28.2 mi | 34m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| US Route 259 | 19.3 mi | 21m |
| TX 322 | 15.7 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 259 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| North Eastman Road | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| Northwest Stallings Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 111 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes Springs, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Ward
104 ft
·
6 sec
·
Ward
2
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250
428 ft
·
12 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto FM 161; FM 250
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 161; FM 250
4
Turn right onto FM 250
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
FM 250
5
Turn left onto US 259
28 mi
·
34 min
·
South Main Street
6
Continue on US 259
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
North Eastman Road
Use the none lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Estes Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto TX 322
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gardiner Mitchell Parkway
9
Continue on TX 322
15 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 322
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on TX 322
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
TX 322
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto US 259
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kilgore Drive
12
Continue on US 79; US 259
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
13
Turn left onto US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
14
Continue on US 259
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Railroad Avenue
15
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
16
Continue on US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
17
Take the exit
224 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
18
Continue on this road
420 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
19
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
20
Turn left
104 ft
·
4 sec
21
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
North US Highway 59
22
Continue on US 59
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest Stallings Drive
23
Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Stallings Drive
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
25
Turn straight
223 ft
·
6 sec
26
Merge onto US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
27
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
28
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
29
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
30
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
31
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
32
Continue on US 59
111 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the none lane.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 132
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Freeway
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 769B
Toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto Providence Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Providence Street
38
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North San Jacinto Street
Use the none lane.
39
Continue on Fannin Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Fannin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn right onto Prairie Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Prairie Street
41
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
42
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can make the 4-hour and 23-minute duration feel longer if you encounter heavy traffic. With only one scheduled stop recommended, prioritize your break strategically to maximize your efficiency during the 248.5-mile journey. Since you will be navigating specific streets like North Eastman Road and South Main Street, double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are following the most current local route. Keep your $37 fuel budget handy, but consider filling up before you leave Hughes Springs to avoid searching for stations on smaller, less familiar roads. Being flexible with your departure time will give you the best chance to navigate the turn-heavy segments without feeling rushed.
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 123.6 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 33m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hughes Springs, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 111 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.6 mi from Hughes Springs, TX · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.6 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111 miles.
Arriving in Houston, TX
The final approach into Houston, 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 Houston, 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
$37.76 one way
$75.52 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.38 | $82.76 |
| premium | $4.59 | $44.68 | $89.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.92 | $109.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.96 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.61 | $15.82 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
6 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
4h 53m 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 Hughes Springs, TX to Houston, TX covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Diboll Relief Route, South Main Street, South US Highway 59. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.6 miles from Hughes Springs, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.76 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 21 significant decision points across 247.2 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: near the start (TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.8 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 245 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Hughes Springs, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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