This 164.6-mile drive from Redwood to Houston, Texas, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated travel time of just over 3 hours. Designed for efficiency, the route is 93% highway, making it a focused driving experience. Budget approximately $25 for fuel, considering you'll be covering a significant distance. The journey remains within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for the entire drive. This route is ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination without extended stops, allowing you to maximize your time in Houston.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.3 miles from Redwood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip. With 93% of the route on major highways like I-10 and the Katy Freeway, you'll experience mostly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 121.8 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent road conditions. While primarily interstate, the integration of TX 80 provides a slight variation before rejoining the freeway system. This profile suggests a practical, no-frills approach to getting from point A to point B.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 121.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 80. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near FM 621.
Driving Effort6/10
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 164.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.4 miles (FM 621): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (TX 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (Interstate 10 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~1m in|FM 621
At end of road, turn right onto FM 621
Navigation decision point
6
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|TX 80
At end of road, turn right onto TX 80
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
27.4 mi into trip|~36m in|Interstate 10 Frontage Road
Turn left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
149.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
121.8 mi
2h 4m
TX 80
16.6 mi
20m
Katy Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
East Pierce Street
4 mi
5m
Katy Tollway
3.2 mi
4m
FM 621
2.7 mi
3m
Farm-to-Market Road 1979
2.4 mi
3m
FM 1978
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 121.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redwood, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 1978
1.4 mi·1 min·FM 1978
2
At end of road, turn right onto FM 621
2.7 mi·3 min·FM 621
3
Continue on FM 1979
1.9 mi·2 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1979
4
Continue on FM 1979
0.1 mi·14 sec·Main Street
5
Turn straight onto FM 1979
0.5 mi·1 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1979
6
At end of road, turn right onto TX 80
17 mi·20 min·TX 80
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto North Laurel Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Laurel Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 90
4.0 mi·5 min·East Pierce Street
9
Turn left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Road
0.2 mi·14 sec·Interstate 10 Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 10 East
11
Merge onto I 10
122 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
18
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
19
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
20
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, departing Redwood in the morning allows ample time to reach Houston by afternoon, avoiding the need for an overnight stay. Plan for just one stop to break up the 164.6 miles, perhaps around the halfway mark for a quick rest. The longest stretch of 121.8 miles on I-10 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $25, it's a budget-friendly trip, so keeping your tank topped off should be straightforward.
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 82.3 miles from Redwood, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.8 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
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 Redwood, 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 Redwood, TX
This is one driving day of about 164.6 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Redwood, 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 10 for about 121.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.3 mi from Redwood, TX
· 1h 33m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.87 one way
$49.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$27.22
$54.45
premium
$4.54
$29.39
$58.78
diesel
$5.61
$36.34
$72.68
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
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.4
0
$17.28
$7.90
Efficient EV
41.2
0
$14.40
$6.58
EV Truck/SUV
65.8
0
$23.04
$10.53
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Redwood, TX
Morning
in Redwood on Friday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, TX
Morning
in Houston on Friday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Columbus, TX
82 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
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
3h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Redwood, TX to Houston, TX covers 164.6 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, TX 80, Katy Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.3 miles from Redwood, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.87 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.4 miles (FM 621): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (TX 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (Interstate 10 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Redwood, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
