Origin
Richland Hills, TX
Morning in Richland Hills on Saturday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richland Hills, TX to Houston, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
267.1 mi
430 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 33m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Richland Hills, TX to Houston, TX is 267.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward highway-focused journey. You'll be covering a significant portion of the distance on a single main road, making it a relatively uncomplicated trip. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from one part of Texas to another without a lot of complex navigation. Plan for a direct trip with minimal detours.
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
133.6 miles from Richland Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Houston, TX
Full guide →“Space City” · Founded 1836
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
Top landmarks
- • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
- • Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
- • Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on what's primarily the Julius Schepps Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 237.2 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, with minimal changes in road type or speed. The focus is on covering ground efficiently, so prepare for a steady pace on well-maintained highways rather than winding country lanes. The journey is designed for speed and directness.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Schepps Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 237.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and SH 183 TEXpress. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 267.1 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward TX 183 East, TX 121 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 183 East, TX 121 North
8
26.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
7
28.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
265.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
7
266.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Milam Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Milam Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Richland Hills, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.
Commerce Street West
26.6 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 237.2 mi | 4h 9m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 15 mi | 14m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Boulevard 26 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Bedford Euless Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| John W Carpenter Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland Hills, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Dover Lane
117 ft
·
6 sec
·
Dover Lane
2
Turn right onto Vance Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Vance Road
3
Turn right onto TX 26
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Boulevard 26
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Bedford Euless Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Euless Road
5
Turn left onto Airport Freeway
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
501 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 183 East, TX 121 North
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
8
Merge onto TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
11
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
·
John W Carpenter Freeway
12
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
15
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
McKinney Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 75 North
18
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 45
271 ft
·
3 sec
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 48A
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Milam Street
Use the slight left lane.
25
Continue on Milam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milam Street
26
Turn right onto Prairie Street
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Prairie Street
27
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
516 ft
·
16 sec
·
Louisiana Street
28
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m estimated duration, leaving Richland Hills in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Houston with plenty of daylight. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your refueling and rest breaks accordingly. The longest stretch without a break is over 237 miles, so consider stopping before you feel you absolutely need to. Your fuel cost is estimated around $40, so keep that in mind as you budget. Pay attention to traffic conditions as you approach the Houston metropolitan area, as congestion can significantly impact travel time, especially during peak hours.
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 133.6 miles from Richland Hills, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h 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 3h 54m
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 Richland Hills, 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 Richland Hills, TX
This is one driving day of about 267.1 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Richland Hills, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.6 mi from Richland Hills, TX · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.6 miles from Richland Hills, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 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.
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
$40.36 one way
$80.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.18 | $88.35 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.69 | $95.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.97 | $117.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.05 | $12.82 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.39 | $17.09 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Houston on Saturday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Dust Advisory
Dust Advisory issued April 18 at 12:07AM CDT until April 18 at 2:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 12:00AM CDT until April 18 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
10 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
4h 46m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richland Hills, TX to Houston, TX covers 267.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, SH 183 TEXpress, North Stemmons 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 133.6 miles from Richland Hills, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.36 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 267.1 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Richland Hills, TX to Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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