As a native Houstonian who currently lives in the New Caney area and has driven Houston traffic for over 50 years, I think I can address your question with at least some expertise.
Don't leave New Caney before about 9:30 a.m. That should give you the least traffic and get you through Houston in just over an hour.
Drive straight through on US-59 - at least until you get to 288.
As mentioned earlier, there is construction at 610 and 290 that could slow you down, and 610 between I-10 and 59 has the heaviest traffic in Texas. You'll be better off if you avoid loop 610 altogether.
I have an easypass and use the beltway often, but I can tell you that if you take Beltway 8, you'll just pay to drive farther. It almost never saves time when traveling from one end of Houston to the other.
The option of 288 to 35, versus taking 59 to Victoria is strictly a matter of choice. I personally prefer 35, but my wife prefers 59, so guess which way we usually go.
