How far is Plainview, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Plainview, TX to Houston, TX is about 294.3 miles (473.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 269.6 miles (433.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in and county seat of Freestone County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainview and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainview and Houston.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto Plainview Road
42 m · 10 sec · Plainview Road
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3
Turn right
8.5 mi · 18 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
2003 ft · 34 sec · North Interstate 35
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South
1078 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue on I 35E South: Dallas
9.8 mi · 10 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on South Stemmons Freeway
20.5 mi · 23 min · South Stemmons Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on North Stemmons Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · North Stemmons Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
778 ft · 22 sec
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11
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
764 ft · 18 sec · North Stemmons Freeway
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12
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
1715 ft · 49 sec · Continental Avenue
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13
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
1118 ft · 25 sec · McKinney Avenue
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14
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 North
1229 ft · 30 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
2170 ft · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 45 South: Houston
2537 ft · 49 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
234.2 mi · 4 hr 6 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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19
Continue on Gulf Freeway
83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont
2168 ft · 53 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street
1614 ft · 39 sec
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22
Continue on Milam Street
2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street
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23
Turn right onto Prairie Street
100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street
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24
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainview and Houston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
234 mi · 04h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers leaving Plainview and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plainview to Houston?
The road trip is about 294.3 miles (473.6 km) and usually takes 04h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.7 miles from Plainview and 148.6 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 269.6 miles (433.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.23 one way or $78.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Plainview and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fairfield.
Waco, TX
Tyler, TX
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainview and Houston. Straight-line distance: 269.53 mi (433.77 km).
#1 Plainview
City in Texas
| Population | 19,670 |
| Coordinates | 33.2917800, -97.3155700 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Houston
The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,316,120 |
| Coordinates | 29.7632800, -95.3632700 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $39.23 | $78.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.14 | $88.27 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $47.65 | $95.31 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $41.45 | $82.89 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.