Origin
Spur, TX
Evening in Spur on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spur, TX to Houston, TX
Drive Time
9h 9m
Distance
498.6 mi
802 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 2m
★
6 AM
9h 10m
8 AM
9h 26m
10 AM
9h 16m
12 PM
9h 14m
3 PM
9h 16m
5 PM
9h 25m
8 PM
9h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spur, TX
Thomas balabaud
Houston, TX
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Spur to Houston, expect a journey covering 477.2 miles that will keep you behind the wheel for approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains, keeping you in familiar Texan territory from start to finish. Because the trip is quite lengthy for a single day, it is best suited for those comfortable with a full day of driving, though you could easily split it into two days if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Budgeting about $71 for fuel is a smart move to cover the distance effectively. While it is a significant trek, the drive is manageable for a solo traveler or a pair looking to navigate local roads through the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
249.3 miles from Spur, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive, as this route relies on streets like Burlington Avenue, 6th Street, and East Hill Street rather than major interstates. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local routes for the entirety of the 477.2-mile journey. This configuration creates a more technical driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard highway cruise. You will not find long, monotonous stretches here; instead, anticipate a drive that changes character frequently as you transition between local roads. It is an ideal path for drivers who prefer keeping their hands on the wheel and navigating the rhythm of local traffic over the predictability of a high-speed interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 51 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Texas State Highway 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 137 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and State Highway 153. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.3 miles in near TX 70.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 498.6 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 84.3 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.7 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
TX 70
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 70 toward I 20 West: Midland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 West: Midland
6
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
305.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
341.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 18m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
8
498 mi into trip
|
~9h 8m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Spur, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
Sh 70 South
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 35m
San Angelo
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 35m
71 Toll East
344.2 mi in
|
~6h 22m
|
via 71 Toll
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| South State Highway 70 | 25.2 mi | 25m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| TX 208 | 19.9 mi | 21m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spur, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 836
76 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Harris Street
2
Turn right onto Loop 21
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Burlington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Loop 21
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
4
Turn straight onto TX 70
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
East Hill Street
5
Turn right onto TX 208
20 mi
·
21 min
·
TX 208
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 380
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 380
7
Turn sharp right onto TX 70
25 mi
·
25 min
·
South State Highway 70
8
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cleveland Avenue
9
Continue on TX 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cleveland Avenue
10
Continue on TX 70
8.4 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 70 North
11
Continue on TX 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Concho Street
12
Continue on TX 70
17 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 70 South
13
Turn left onto TX 70
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Bluebonnet Drive
14
At end of road, turn left onto I 20 Bus; TX 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Broadway Street
15
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 70
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
TX 70
Toward I 20 West: Midland
16
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 70
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 70
Toward I 20 West: Midland
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
18
Turn straight onto Northeast Georgia Avenue
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northeast Georgia Avenue
19
Turn left onto TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
20
Continue on TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
21
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
22
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 84; US 283
25
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 67; US 84
26
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
27
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
28
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
29
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
30
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
31
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
32
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
33
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
34
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the none lane.
35
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 183
Use the none lane.
36
Continue on 183 Toll
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
39
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
40
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
42
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
44
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left / none lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smith Street
49
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft
·
16 sec
·
Preston Street
50
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
Louisiana Street
51
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 52-minute trip efficiently, try to depart as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic during the later portions of your drive. Planning for at least two stops is essential to keep your energy levels up and manage the fatigue that comes with a turn-heavy local route. Since your fuel costs will hover around $71, keep an eye on your gauge while navigating through smaller towns to ensure you aren't caught off guard between refueling opportunities. Because this route lacks major highway stretches, your travel time can be sensitive to local conditions, so build in some extra flexibility for your arrival in Houston. Always prioritize checking your route navigation before setting out, as the reliance on local streets like 6th Street makes consistent GPS monitoring a must.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 249.3 miles from Spur, TX, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 110 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 249.3 miles or 4h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 249.3 miles or 4h 37m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 2m
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 Spur, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spur, TX
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Spur, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 249.3 mi from Spur, TX · 4h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
249 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Killeen, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
249 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 249 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 249.3 miles from Spur, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 249 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Houston, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$76.16 one way
$152.33 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
175 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $83.47 | $166.93 |
| premium | $4.59 | $90.12 | $180.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $110.77 | $221.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.23
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$76
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 174.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 149.6 | 1 | $52.35 | $23.93 |
| Efficient EV | 124.7 | 1 | $43.63 | $19.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 199.4 | 2 | $69.80 | $31.91 |
Gas CO2
174 kg
EV CO2
58 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
Evening in Houston on Sunday
Local time
5:32 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
17 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
9h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Spur, TX to Houston, TX covers 498.6 miles and takes about 9h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, State Highway 153, US 183. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 249 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 249.3 miles from Spur, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $76.16 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 is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 498.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 84.3 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.7 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Spur, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
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