Origin
Post, TX
Afternoon in Post on Sunday
Local time
3:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Post, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
8h 56m
Distance
493.2 mi
794 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 49m
★
6 AM
8h 57m
8 AM
9h 13m
10 AM
9h 2m
12 PM
9h 1m
3 PM
9h 3m
5 PM
9h 12m
8 PM
8h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Post, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Spanning 483.9 miles, the drive from Post to Houston is a significant journey that takes approximately 7 hours and 49 minutes of pure road time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, the duration makes it a long haul that requires stamina behind the wheel. You should budget around $72 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because this journey takes you across the Great Plains, expect a consistent landscape throughout the transition toward the coast. Given the intensity of an eight-hour day, plan your schedule carefully to decide if you want to push through or find a midway point to break up the travel.
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
246.6 miles from Post, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local-style experience rather than the predictable cruise of a major interstate. You will navigate through West Main Street, South Broadway Street, and Highway 84, keeping your focus sharp as you transition between these routes. With 0% of the drive on major highways, this is a hands-on trip that demands your full attention to changing road conditions. Because your longest uninterrupted stretch on West Main Street is 0 miles, you will find yourself constantly adjusting your speed and navigation. It is a practical, ground-level look at the Texas landscape that feels more like a local transit than a high-speed transit route.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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 Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.2 miles in near US 84.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 493.2 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 75.2 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
300.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
336.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
8
492.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 54m 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
Between Post, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
Sh 70 South
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 23m
San Angelo
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 23m
71 Toll East
338.8 mi in
|
~6h 9m
|
via 71 Toll
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| US Highway 84 | 74.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| US 84 | 15.9 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Post, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on West Main Street
171 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on West Main Street
467 ft
·
23 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 84; US 380
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway Street
4
Continue on US 84
75 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
US Highway 84
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
7
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southwest Georgia Avenue
8
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
9
Continue on TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
10
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
11
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
12
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 84; US 283
14
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 67; US 84
15
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
16
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
17
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
18
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
19
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
20
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
21
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
22
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
23
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on 183 Toll
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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 straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
31
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
33
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
38
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
39
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
40
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 483.9-mile route effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your navigation. Since the trip involves two planned stops, use these intervals to stretch and refuel, keeping your $72 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. The turn-heavy nature of the route means you should rely on a reliable GPS or map system to manage the transitions between West Main Street and Highway 84. Flexibility is your best asset here; do not hesitate to add a third break if the local road driving becomes fatiguing. Prioritize staying alert during the stretches on South Broadway Street, as the lack of highway miles means you will be encountering more frequent traffic shifts.
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 246.6 miles from Post, TX, or about 4h 27m 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 109 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.6 miles or 4h 27m 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 246.6 miles or 4h 27m
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 49m
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 Post, 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 Post, TX
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Post, 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 246.6 mi from Post, TX · 4h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
247 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 Killeen, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
247 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 247 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 246.6 miles from Post, 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 247 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
$75.34 one way
$150.68 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
173 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $82.56 | $165.12 |
| premium | $4.59 | $89.14 | $178.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $109.57 | $219.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.23
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$75
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 148 | 1 | $51.79 | $23.67 |
| Efficient EV | 123.3 | 1 | $43.15 | $19.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 197.3 | 2 | $69.05 | $31.56 |
Gas CO2
173 kg
EV CO2
58 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
3:03 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
14 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
8h 56m 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 Post, TX to Houston, TX covers 493.2 miles and takes about 8h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, US Highway 84, State Highway 153. 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 247 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 246.6 miles from Post, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $75.34 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 493.2 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 75.2 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Post, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
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