Origin
Refugio, TX
Evening in Refugio on Wednesday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Refugio, TX to Houston, TX
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
165.6 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Refugio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Refugio to Houston covers approximately 165.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 43 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of North Alamo Street, Highway 77, and Spur 91 to complete the connection. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this route is quite budget-friendly for a quick Texas excursion. Both locations sit within the Great Plains, ensuring a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two points. It is a straightforward transit that avoids the complexity of long-haul travel.
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
82.8 miles from Refugio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route features zero highway share, your focus will remain on navigating local roads and secondary highways. The path demands your full attention behind the wheel as you maneuver through various turns rather than settling into a high-speed highway rhythm. You will find that the road maintains a consistent, localized personality from start to finish. Without long, uninterrupted stretches of open interstate, the drive offers a more engaged experience that requires you to stay alert through every change in direction.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and United States Highway 77. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 77 / North Alamo Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (US 77 / North Alamo Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.3 miles (Spur 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 130.2 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 77 / North Alamo Street
Turn left onto US 77 / North Alamo Street
Navigation decision point
4
34.3 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
Spur 91
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
130.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
162.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
163.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| US 59 Northbound Frontage Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| Louisiana Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| 59 Northbound Frontage Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Spur 91 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Freeway Frontage Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 59 South
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Refugio, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on West Commons Street
43 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Commons Street
2
Turn left onto US 77
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
5
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
7
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
8
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
9
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
10
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
12
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, as the turn-heavy nature of these roads can feel more taxing during busy hours. Since you are only looking at one stop for the entire 165.8-mile journey, try to time your break for roughly the halfway point to keep your energy levels steady. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local stations on secondary routes may have different pricing than major highway corridors. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your preferences. Above all, stay mindful of the transition between Highway 77 and the local spurs, as these intersections will require your most careful navigation.
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 82.8 miles from Refugio, TX, or about 1h 33m 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 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 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 Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX
This is one driving day of about 165.6 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Refugio, 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 82.8 mi from Refugio, TX · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.8 miles from Refugio, 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
$25.02 one way
$50.05 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $27.39 | $54.78 |
| premium | $4.54 | $29.57 | $59.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.56 | $73.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 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 | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
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.
Destination
Houston, TX
Evening in Houston on Wednesday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
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
3h 14m 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 Refugio, TX to Houston, TX covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 59 South, United States Highway 77, Southwest 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 82.8 miles from Refugio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.02 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 165.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (US 77 / North Alamo Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.3 miles (Spur 91): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 130.2 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Refugio, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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