Origin
Live Oak, TX
Afternoon in Live Oak on Sunday
Local time
2:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Live Oak, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
330.2 mi
531 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 16m
★
6 AM
6h 29m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 35m
3 PM
6h 39m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Live Oak, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Spanning 330.3 miles from Live Oak to Houston, this trek takes approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes of active driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a full day on the road if you prefer to take it slow. Expect to spend roughly $49 on fuel to complete the journey between these two Great Plains locations. Since the entire trip is easily manageable within a single day, there is no pressing need to book an overnight stay unless you want extra time at your destination. This practical route avoids high-speed interstate travel, offering a more hands-on experience 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
165.1 miles from Live Oak, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed highway cruising, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will primarily traverse Bridge Street, Highway 71, and Bessemer Avenue, which demand your full attention due to the frequent turns. Unlike monotonous interstate grinds, this path keeps you engaged with its technical nature and varied local road conditions. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, you will find the pace shifts frequently as you navigate from one road to the next. Expect a steady, hands-on experience that rewards drivers who enjoy staying active at the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Texas State Highway 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 137 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.3 miles in near TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 330.2 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: at 95.3 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
96.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
162.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
6
315.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
8
329.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 26m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Theatre District
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 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Live Oak, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
71 Toll East
175.8 mi in
|
~3h 41m
|
via 71 Toll
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| TX 71 | 63.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| State Highway 71 | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| US 87 | 37.2 mi | 42m |
| US 290 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| County Road 2335 | 5.4 mi | 13m |
| Katy Tollway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Live Oak, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 176
5.4 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road 2335
2
Turn right onto US 87
37 mi
·
42 min
·
US 87
3
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
4
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
5
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
6
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
8
Turn left onto TX 71
63 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
TX 71
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 71 West
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
11
Merge onto US 290
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
West US Highway 290
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
13
Merge onto West US Highway 290
202 ft
·
2 sec
·
West US Highway 290
14
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
17
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left / none lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
24
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
25
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
26
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute journey, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate the turn-heavy segments while you are fresh. You only need to account for one planned stop, though the flexible nature of these local roads allows you to pull over whenever you need a quick break. Keep your $49 fuel budget in mind when selecting your refueling points, as local roads may have different gas availability compared to major interstates. A smart tip for this specific trip is to double-check your navigation before hitting Bridge Street or Bessemer Avenue, as the frequency of turns makes staying on course essential. Maintaining a steady pace will ensure you reach Houston without feeling fatigued by the technical demands of the route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.1 miles from Live Oak, TX, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.1 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
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 Live Oak, 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 Live Oak, TX
This is one driving day of about 330.2 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Live Oak, 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165.1 mi from Live Oak, TX · 3h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 165.1 miles from Live Oak, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 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
$50.44 one way
$100.88 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.28 | $110.55 |
| premium | $4.59 | $59.68 | $119.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $73.36 | $146.72 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)
$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.67 | $15.85 |
| Efficient EV | 82.6 | 0 | $28.89 | $13.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.1 | 1 | $46.23 | $21.13 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Afternoon in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:59 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
16 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
6h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Live Oak, TX to Houston, TX covers 330.2 miles and takes about 6h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, TX 71, State Highway 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.1 miles from Live Oak, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 17 significant decision points across 330.2 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: at 95.3 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Live Oak, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
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