Origin
Rosita South, TX
Afternoon in Rosita South on Saturday
Local time
2:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rosita South, 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
6h 14m
Distance
342.6 mi
551 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rosita South, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
The drive from Rosita South, TX to Houston, TX covers 342.6 miles and takes about 6h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 10, US Highway 57, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 151.1 miles on I 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.77 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
171.3 miles from Rosita South, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 151.1 mi | 2h 34m |
| US Highway 57 | 92.6 mi | 1h 42m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 33.5 mi | 33m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| Loop 480 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 151.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rosita South, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on Victorian Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Victorian Avenue
2
Turn right onto Rosita Valley Road
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Rosita Valley Road
3
Turn left onto Wagon Wheel Road
427 ft
·
20 sec
·
Wagon Wheel Road
4
Turn right onto Tierra Soberana Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tierra Soberana Boulevard
5
Turn left onto FM 1021
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
El Indio Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto Loop 480
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Loop 480
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 57
93 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
US Highway 57
9
At end of road, turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Interstate 35 North
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
11
Merge onto I 35
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 153
Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi
·
23 min
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 10; TX 130
151 mi
·
2 hr 34 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
24
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
25
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
26
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.3 miles from Rosita South, TX, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.1 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 75 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.3 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
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 Rosita South, 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 Rosita South, TX
This is one driving day of about 342.6 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Rosita South, 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 151.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.3 miles from Rosita South, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 103.8 and 341.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
103.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
145.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
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 153
Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87...
8
145.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Hous...
6
327.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 54m 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
341.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.77 one way
$103.54 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $56.66 | $113.33 |
| premium | $4.54 | $61.17 | $122.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.64 | $151.28 |
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
$52
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.97 | $16.44 |
| Efficient EV | 85.7 | 0 | $29.98 | $13.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137 | 1 | $47.96 | $21.93 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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 Saturday
Local time
2:14 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
15 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
6h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
342.6 mi in 6h 14m, mostly highway — 151.1 mi of that is on I 10.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 57. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.8 miles in near I 35 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 342.6 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 103.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rosita South, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Del Rio
145.7 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Austin
176.4 mi in
|
~3h 20m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Waco
176.4 mi in
|
~3h 20m
|
via I 10; TX 130
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 6h 14m. Total distance: 342.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Houston, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 103.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houston, TX before the return drive.
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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