Origin
Roma, TX
Afternoon in Roma on Sunday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roma, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
7h 45m
Distance
401.2 mi
646 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 36m
★
6 AM
7h 45m
8 AM
8h 4m
10 AM
7h 52m
12 PM
7h 50m
3 PM
7h 53m
5 PM
8h 3m
8 PM
7h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roma, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Roma to Houston covers 372.1 miles and takes approximately 6 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, it functions best as a focused day trip rather than a multi-day expedition. You should set aside a fuel budget of about $55 to cover the distance. Both your starting point in Roma and your destination in Houston are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your journey. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a change of pace, the drive is manageable for a single day of travel if you plan your departure carefully.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
200.6 miles from Roma, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. You will navigate via East Franklin Avenue, North Garcia Street, and Highway 83, which contribute to a 0% highway share. Because there is no long-haul interstate travel, the longest uninterrupted stretch on East Franklin Avenue is 0 miles, meaning you will encounter frequent turns and navigation changes. This is not a monotonous highway grind; instead, it is a technical route that requires your full attention. Prepare for a steady, rhythmic pace that keeps you engaged with the local road network from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 159.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Franklin Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 401.2 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: near the start (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 266.2 miles (Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 365.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
|
East Franklin Avenue
Turn left onto East Franklin Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
266.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
|
Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
365.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 1m 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
398.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 39m 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
399.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 40m 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 59 | 159.7 mi | 3h 2m |
| Lloyd Bentsen Highway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| United States Highway 83 | 54.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| US Highway 59 East | 47.7 mi | 53m |
| Southwest Freeway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| North US Highway 83 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| North Garcia Street | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Cuatro Vientos Road | 7.8 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 159.7 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roma, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on US 83
258 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Grant Street
2
Turn left onto East Franklin Avenue
294 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Franklin Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 83
12 mi
·
14 min
·
North Garcia Street
4
Continue on US 83
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
United States Highway 83
5
Continue on US 83
14 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 83
6
Turn right onto Mangana-Hein Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mangana-Hein Road
7
Turn left onto Loop 20
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Cuatro Vientos Road
8
Continue on Loop 20
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Bob Bullock Loop
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
10
Turn straight onto Bob Bullock Loop
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Bob Bullock Loop
11
Take the ramp
231 ft
·
6 sec
12
Merge onto US 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Saunders Street
13
Continue on US 59
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Lloyd Bentsen Highway
14
Turn left onto US 59
67 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
US 59
15
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Houston Street
16
Continue on US 59
48 mi
·
53 min
·
US Highway 59 East
17
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
18
Merge onto US 59; US 77
93 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
US 59; US 77
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
20
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
21
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
22
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
23
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
25
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
27
Take the exit
155 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Louisiana Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, aim to depart early in the morning to navigate local intersections while traffic is at its lightest. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the constant steering and navigation can be more fatiguing than highway cruising. Keep your $55 fuel budget handy and monitor your gas levels closely, as local roads may offer fewer service station options than major interstates. A practical tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS settings for East Franklin Avenue and North Garcia Street before pulling away, as the local nature of the roads makes precise navigation essential for maintaining your 6-hour and 13-minute travel time.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200.6 miles from Roma, TX, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.7 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 88 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.6 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 28m
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 Roma, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Roma, TX
This is one driving day of about 401.2 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Roma, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 59 for about 159.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 200.6 mi from Roma, TX · 3h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
201 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 200.6 miles from Roma, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.7 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
$61.29 one way
$122.57 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
140 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $67.16 | $134.32 |
| premium | $4.59 | $72.52 | $145.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $89.13 | $178.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120.4 | 1 | $42.13 | $19.26 |
| Efficient EV | 100.3 | 1 | $35.11 | $16.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 160.5 | 2 | $56.17 | $25.68 |
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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
3:14 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
2 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
7h 45m 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 Roma, TX to Houston, TX covers 401.2 miles and takes about 7h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 59, Lloyd Bentsen Highway, United States Highway 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 200.6 miles from Roma, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.29 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 401.2 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: near the start (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 266.2 miles (Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 365.8 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Roma, TX to Houston, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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