Origin
Mission, TX
Evening in Mission on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mission, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
6h 53m
Distance
356.6 mi
574 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 42m
★
6 AM
6h 54m
8 AM
7h 17m
10 AM
7h 2m
12 PM
7h 0m
3 PM
7h 3m
5 PM
7h 16m
8 PM
6h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mission, TX
Mark Direen
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mission to Houston covers 368.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 38 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on this being a full-day commitment. Budgeting roughly $55 for fuel will get you across the Great Plains region from the Rio Grande Valley toward the Gulf Coast area. While you could technically push through in one day, the persistent navigation required by local roads makes it a demanding journey. It is a practical trek for those who prefer navigating through the heart of South Texas rather than sticking to high-speed corridors.
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
178.3 miles from Mission, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route relies heavily on North Conway Avenue, US 83, and East Expressway 83. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path is characterized by frequent turns and local transitions that keep you fully engaged behind the wheel. The highway share is 0 percent, meaning you will spend your time navigating through local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds on major interstates. With no long, uninterrupted stretches on North Conway Avenue, you should prepare for a drive that demands constant focus and frequent adjustments to your speed and direction.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 59 South is the longest continuous segment at about 88.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
201 ft
35 ft
Total Climb
245 ft
Total Descent
352 ft
Highest Point
201 ft
~118.9 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 2; US 83.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 356.6 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 2.1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 2; US 83
Merge onto I 2; US 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 416B
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
7
154.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward Sinton, Victoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward Sinton, Victoria
8
353.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
7
354.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 49m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Louisiana 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.
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Towns Along This Route
Between Mission, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward County Road 44, Sinton and Victoria.
County Road 44
147.5 mi in
|
~2h 48m
Sinton
154.6 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via US 77
Victoria
154.6 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via US 77
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| I 69C | 47 mi | 51m |
| US 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| East Main Street | 26.2 mi | 30m |
| I 2 | 8 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59 South
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mission, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 83 Bus
134 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Tom Landry Street
2
Turn left onto TX 107
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Conway Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 83 Exwy Service Road
155 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 83 Exwy Service Road
4
Continue on East Expressway 83
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Expressway 83
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 2 East, US 83 East
6
Merge onto I 2; US 83
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 416B
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
8
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
25 mi
·
28 min
·
I 69C; US 281
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
12
Continue on US 281 Business
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281 Business
13
Turn right onto FM 1352
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Cecilia Street
14
Turn left onto FM 665
345 ft
·
7 sec
·
Old Kingsville Road
15
Turn slight right onto FM 665
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cameron Street
16
Turn right onto TX 44; TX 359
452 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Front Street
17
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
26 mi
·
30 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto TX 44
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 44
19
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North US Highway 77
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward County Road 44
21
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
22
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
24
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
25
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi
·
44 min
·
US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
Use the none lane.
26
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
28
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
Use the none lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
30
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
31
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
32
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
33
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
34
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
35
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
37
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 368.6-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the fatigue that can set in during a turn-heavy local drive. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour and 38-minute duration, as the lack of high-speed highway segments can make the time behind the wheel feel longer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $55 estimate assumes steady driving, which can vary depending on local traffic patterns and stop-and-go navigation. Since this route lacks the efficiency of a major highway, stay flexible with your arrival time and prioritize comfort over speed to ensure a safe arrival in Houston.
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 178.3 miles from Mission, TX, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.3 miles or 3h 24m 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 37m
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 Mission, 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 Mission, TX
This is one driving day of about 356.6 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mission, 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 Highway 59 South for about 88.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178.3 mi from Mission, TX · 3h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 178.3 miles from Mission, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.6 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.47 one way
$108.95 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $59.70 | $119.39 |
| premium | $4.59 | $64.45 | $128.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $79.22 | $158.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107 | 1 | $37.44 | $17.12 |
| Efficient EV | 89.2 | 1 | $31.20 | $14.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.6 | 1 | $49.92 | $22.82 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Evening in Houston on Sunday
Local time
6:20 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
3 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
6h 53m 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 Mission, TX to Houston, TX covers 356.6 miles and takes about 6h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 59 South, US 281, I 69C. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178.3 miles from Mission, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.47 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 25 significant decision points across 356.6 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 2.1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mission, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward County Road 44, Sinton and Victoria.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 35 ft to 201 ft elevation with about 245 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Houston, TX
More from Mission, TX
More trips to Houston, TX
Explore more options from Mission, TX or browse trips ending in Houston, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Mission, TX or Houston, TX on MapSof.net.