Origin
Midland, TX
Afternoon in Midland on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midland, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
9h 3m
Distance
476.1 mi
766 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$73
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 55m
★
6 AM
9h 4m
8 AM
9h 20m
10 AM
9h 9m
12 PM
9h 8m
3 PM
9h 10m
5 PM
9h 19m
8 PM
8h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Midland to Houston covers 476.3 miles of Texas terrain, typically requiring about 7 hours and 52 minutes of drive time. Because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $71 for fuel to complete the trip in one go. Both cities reside within the Great Plains region, meaning you will remain in a consistent geographic setting throughout the journey. While manageable in a single day, the duration makes careful pacing essential for a comfortable experience. Use the two planned stops to break up the drive and stay fresh behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
238 miles from Midland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate via South Big Spring Street, West Florida Avenue, and the Garden City Highway, requiring your full attention on navigation rather than just keeping pace with highway traffic. Because there is no extended highway travel, the longest uninterrupted stretch on South Big Spring Street is 0 miles, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments to your speed and route. The personality of this drive is defined by its local road connectivity, keeping you engaged with the road surface and local traffic patterns. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that demands constant focus compared to a standard freeway transit.
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.
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 US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 241.2 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 19 significant decision points across 476.1 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 241.2 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 308 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
241.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m 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
242.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
|
TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
308 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
461.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 43m 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
475.5 mi into trip
|
~9h 1m 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 Midland, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
71 Toll East
321.7 mi in
|
~6h 16m
|
via 71 Toll
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| US 87 | 104.4 mi | 1h 55m |
| TX 71 | 63.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| East State Highway 158 | 61.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| State Highway 71 | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| US 290 | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Loop 269
44 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Wall Street
2
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Big Spring Street
3
Turn left onto TX 140
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Florida Avenue
4
Continue on TX 140
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Garden City Highway
5
Continue on TX 158
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
East State Highway 158
6
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
7
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
8
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
9
Continue on US 87
104 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
US 87
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
11
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
12
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
13
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
15
Turn left onto TX 71
63 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
TX 71
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 71 West
17
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
18
Merge onto US 290
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
West US Highway 290
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 71 East
20
Merge onto West US Highway 290
202 ft
·
2 sec
·
West US Highway 290
21
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
24
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left / none lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
31
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
32
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
33
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan to depart early in the morning to account for the nearly 8-hour duration and the technical nature of the local roads. Since you have two scheduled stops, use them strategically to stretch your legs and refuel, as the frequent turns can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep your $71 fuel budget in mind, but consider carrying a small buffer for price fluctuations along the less-traveled local segments. Because the route lacks high-speed highway stretches, you should remain patient with traffic and traffic signals that will slow your progress through local corridors. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the Garden City Highway, as the turn-heavy nature of this specific route can make missing a turn easier than on a straightforward interstate.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 238 miles from Midland, TX, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 105 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238 miles or 4h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 238 miles or 4h 24m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 56m
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 Midland, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Midland, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Midland, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 238 mi from Midland, TX · 4h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
238 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Austin, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
238 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 238 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 238 miles from Midland, 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 238 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Houston, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$72.73 one way
$145.45 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
167 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $79.70 | $159.40 |
| premium | $4.59 | $86.05 | $172.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $105.77 | $211.55 |
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
$73
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.99 | $22.85 |
| Efficient EV | 119 | 1 | $41.66 | $19.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 190.4 | 2 | $66.65 | $30.47 |
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 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
3:29 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
17 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
9h 3m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Midland, TX to Houston, TX covers 476.1 miles and takes about 9h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, US 87, TX 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 238 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 238 miles from Midland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $72.73 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 19 significant decision points across 476.1 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 241.2 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 308 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Midland, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
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