How far is Ames, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Ames, TX to Houston, TX is about 45.7 miles (73.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.65 mi
00h 53m
Flight
42.2 mi
67.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ames.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.2 mi
Kilometers
67.91 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.65 mi
Kilometers
73.47 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 00h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Sun, Apr 19, 1:10 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 2:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-19T00:17
Arrive Houston
Sun, Apr 19, 1:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ames
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Barrett
TX

City in Texas

From Ames
22.8 mi
00h 26m
To Houston
22.9 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Houston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Houston.

  1. 1

    Start on Martin L King Street North

    30 m · 7 sec · Martin L King Street North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    14.9 mi · 17 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on US Highway 90

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 90

  4. 4

    Continue on Beaumont Highway

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Beaumont Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Crosby Freeway

    12 mi · 14 min · Crosby Freeway

  6. 6

    Turn straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit straight toward US 90 West

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto East Freeway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · East Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street

    932 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Providence Street

    599 ft · 12 sec · Providence Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North San Jacinto Street

    1636 ft · 32 sec · North San Jacinto Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Fannin Street

    1878 ft · 51 sec · Fannin Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Prairie Street

    1338 ft · 48 sec · Prairie Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Louisiana Street

    157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Houston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Main Street
14.9 mi · 33%
Crosby Freeway
12 mi · 26%
East Freeway
5.53 mi · 12%
Beaumont Highway
5.12 mi · 11%
US 90 West
3.72 mi · 8%
US Highway 90
1.6 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

West Main Street

Turn right onto West Main Street

14.9 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.5 mi
42.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Barrett
00h 26m from Ames
Leave By
4:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Houston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames to Houston?

The road trip is about 45.7 miles (73.5 km) and usually takes 00h 53m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Barrett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.8 miles from Ames and 22.9 miles from Houston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.08 one way or $12.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Houston.

Stop Ideas Near Barrett

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Barrett and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13.5 mi away

Old Pelly City Hall and Harris County Library Building

Baytown , TX
601 W Main St, Baytown, TX 77520
Rating 4.6/5 5 reviews Historical landmark
Baytown City Hall
Meeting point 12.7 mi away

Baytown City Hall

Baytown , TX
2401 Market St, Baytown, TX 77520
Rating 4.0/5 15 reviews City Hall,Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

City Of Humble Water Department

Humble , TX
102 Granberry St, Humble, TX 77338
Rating 2.6/5 5 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barrett.

RAIL

Houston

32 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Houston, TX

33 mi away
2121 Main Street
BUS

Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas

71 mi away
25th St. and Strand St.
BUS

Prairie View, TX

92 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Houston. Straight-line distance: 42.2 mi (67.91 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

City in Liberty County, Texas, United States

Population1,064
Coordinates30.0538300, -94.7435300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Houston

#2 Houston

The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.

Population2,316,120
Coordinates29.7632800, -95.3632700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Martin L King Street North (-94.743466, 30.053826)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.1 L · about $6.08
Round trip
$12.17
3.22 gal · 12.2 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $6.08 $12.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.85 $13.69
Premium $4.59 $7.39 $14.78
Diesel $3.99 $6.43 $12.86

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Houston. The current time is 00:17:05.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.