Origin
Kemp, TX
Evening in Kemp on Thursday
Local time
5:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kemp, TX to Houston, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
226.6 mi
365 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kemp, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Driving from Kemp to Houston covers 218.5 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will remain in a consistent landscape throughout your journey. This route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it is a budget-friendly option for those looking to reach the Gulf Coast area. Expect a straightforward, practical transit that prioritizes utility over high-speed interstate travel. It serves as a reliable connection for travelers who prefer local roads over major highway arteries.
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
113.3 miles from Kemp, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 226.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that trades the monotony of an interstate for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. Because the highway share is 0%, your journey relies entirely on local corridors like South Elm Street, Highway 274, and North Tool Drive. You won't find any long, uninterrupted highway stretches here, as the longest segment is 0 miles on South Elm Street. The road demands your full attention due to its technical nature and frequent turns. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace that requires you to stay alert through the various local transitions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
455 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
301 ft
Total Descent
648 ft
Highest Point
455 ft
~161.8 mi in
Elevation Range
420 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and South State Highway 274. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.7 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 226.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles (South Interstate 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
6
40.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
46.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
South Interstate 45
Turn left onto South Interstate 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
47.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
225.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
7
225.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Milam Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Milam Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 177.7 mi | 3h 7m |
| South State Highway 274 | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| Northwest 2nd Street | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 31 West | 8 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 274 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| North Tool Drive | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| South Elm Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 177.7 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kemp, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 1895
114 ft
·
7 sec
·
East 9th Street
2
Turn left onto US 175 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Elm Street
3
Turn straight
337 ft
·
12 sec
4
Turn slight right onto TX 274
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Highway 274
5
Continue on TX 274
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Tool Drive
6
Continue on TX 274
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 274
7
Turn right onto TX 31
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 31 West
8
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
9
Turn left onto TX 31
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left onto South Interstate 45
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Interstate 45
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
12
Merge onto I 45
178 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
17
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
18
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
19
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a shorter trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the local driving. Keep in mind that because you are navigating local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares, your travel time may fluctuate based on local traffic conditions. Budgeting approximately $33 for gas should cover your fuel needs, but it is always wise to fill up before you leave Kemp. Because this is a turn-heavy route, make sure to check your navigation frequently to stay on track through the various street transitions. Having a co-pilot handle the directions will make navigating these local roads much smoother for the driver.
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 113.3 miles from Kemp, TX, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.7 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.3 miles or 2h 12m 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 29m
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 Kemp, 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 Kemp, TX
This is one driving day of about 226.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Kemp, 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 I 45 for about 177.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.3 mi from Kemp, TX · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.3 miles from Kemp, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.7 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
$34.24 one way
$68.48 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $37.48 | $74.96 |
| premium | $4.54 | $40.46 | $80.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.03 | $100.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68 | 0 | $23.79 | $10.88 |
| Efficient EV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.83 | $9.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.72 | $14.50 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Evening in Houston on Thursday
Local time
5:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Buffalo, TX
113 mi in
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 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 14m 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 Kemp, TX to Houston, TX covers 226.6 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, South State Highway 274, Northwest 2nd 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 113.3 miles from Kemp, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.24 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 226.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles (South Interstate 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kemp, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 35 ft to 455 ft elevation with about 301 ft of total climbing.
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