Major city · United States
StaffordStafford, Texas
Skip Stafford as a destination: it's a suburban strip with no core. Use it only as a budget sleep base for Houston or Sugar Land, or a quick fuel stop on US-59.
Stafford is a 17,000-person city on US-59 southwest of Houston, with chain hotels, chain restaurants and no walkable centre. It has no sights of its own. Travellers use it for cheap rooms near the Southwest Freeway, not for anything in the city itself.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity)
- Airports
- IAH · HOU
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Stafford911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Stafford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime for a US suburb.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport (About 40 min north on US-59 and I-69, traffic dependent).
- Getting aroundCar essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (Starbucks or fast food)$2–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner (chain restaurant)$15–25 per person
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar or store)$4–6$1.50–2.50
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi/Uber3.1 mi (5 km) taxi/Uber$12–18
- Budget bedBudget chain hotel (e.g. Motel 6, Super 8), a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget chain hotel (e.g. Motel 6, Super 8), a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedBudget chain hotel (e.g. Motel 6, Super 8), a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport (About 40 min north on US-59 and I-69, traffic dependent) · HOU William P. Hobby Airport (About 25 min east on US-90A and I-610)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stafford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car essential. No public transit within Stafford. Uber/Lyft available but slow outside peak hours.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Houston
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
US-59 north, about 20 min
Museums, food, sports. Park at a Metro lot and take the light rail.
Sugar Land
goDoor to door: 10–15 min
US-59 south, about 10 min
Sugar Land Town Square for dining and events.
Door to door: 1–1.25 h
US-59 south to I-45 south, about 1 h
Beach, historic Strand, Moody Gardens.
Door to door: 40–50 min
US-59 south to I-45 south, exit NASA Bypass, about 40 min
Boardwalk, rides, seafood.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Southwest Freeway corridor (US-59)
All hotels are here; no walkable area, you need a car for food.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain (e.g. Comfort Suites, Residence Inn)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Uber from IAH to Stafford2 × US$50 · check | US$100 |
| Uber from HOU to Stafford2 × US$30 · check | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$286 per person per day, bed included | US$572 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (Starbucks or fast food) | $2–5 |
| Fast-food meal (burger, fries, drink) | $8–12 |
| Sit-down dinner (chain restaurant) | $15–25 per person |
| Beer (domestic, bar or store) | $4–6 / $1.50–2.50 |
| 5 km taxi/Uber | $12–18 |
| Gas (per US gallon) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No downtown, no sidewalks between hotels and restaurants.
- US-59 is a high-speed freeway; exits come up fast.
- Hotels fill during Houston rodeo (March) and Sugar Land events.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
StaffordStafford, Texas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Stafford. The nearest US passport office is in Houston. Most foreign consulates are in Houston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- IAH → Stafford, Uber: about $45–60, 35–50 min (check)
- HOU → Stafford, Uber: about $25–35, 20–30 min (check)
- Stafford → Houston downtown, Uber: about $20–30, 20–30 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (where is the restroom)
Stafford has no public transit; a car or rideshare is required.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Stafford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Houston, Sugar Land, Galveston and Kemah with verified hours and prices.
- Eat pages with last-order times for the few independent restaurants in Stafford.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for IAH and HOU so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Stafford
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