How far is Ames, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Ames, TX to Houston, TX is about 209.8 miles (337.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.1 miles (302.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m 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 03h 31m.
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 Robertson County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
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.
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1
Start on 36th Division Memorial Highway
4.1 mi · 4 min · 36th Division Memorial Highway
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2
Continue on North Highway 36 Bypass
3.1 mi · 4 min · North Highway 36 Bypass
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3
Turn straight
1890 ft · 48 sec
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4
Turn left onto East Main Street
17.3 mi · 20 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on West McGregor Drive
2.8 mi · 4 min · West McGregor Drive
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6
Continue on West US Highway 84
5.3 mi · 6 min · West US Highway 84
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7
Continue on George W Bush Parkway
6.7 mi · 8 min · George W Bush Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward TX 6, Loop 340: Robinson, Meridian
767 ft · 19 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Woodway Drive
796 ft · 20 sec · Woodway Drive
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10
Turn right onto West Loop 340
151 m · 11 sec · West Loop 340
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11
Keep slight left to continue on West Loop 340
1303 ft · 28 sec · West Loop 340
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12
Take the ramp slight left
934 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight left
8.6 mi · 11 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
1317 ft · 34 sec
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15
Continue on East State Highway 6
9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6
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16
Continue on North Memorial Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Memorial Street
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17
Continue on East State Highway 6
37.5 mi · 38 min · East State Highway 6
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18
Continue on North Main Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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19
Continue on North State Highway 6
6.2 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6
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20
Continue on North Market Street
2.1 mi · 2 min · North Market Street
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21
Continue on South State Highway 6
13.7 mi · 15 min · South State Highway 6
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22
Continue on North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi · 32 min · North Earl Rudder Freeway
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23
Continue on State Highway 6
3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 6
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24
Take the exit slight right toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
1176 ft · 29 sec
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25
Turn straight onto State Highway 6
854 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 6
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26
Turn left onto State Highway 105
5.9 mi · 7 min · State Highway 105
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27
Turn straight onto Aggie Expressway
24.7 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
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28
Continue on MCTRA 249 Tollway
3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
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29
Continue on Tomball Tollway
7 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
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30
Continue on Tomball Parkway
12.6 mi · 16 min · Tomball Parkway
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31
Continue on West Mount Houston Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Mount Houston Road
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32
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Drive
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33
Continue on North Freeway Frontage Road
668 ft · 13 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
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34
Take the ramp slight left toward I 45 South
138 m · 11 sec
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35
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
7.4 mi · 9 min · North Freeway
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36
Continue on Gulf Freeway
83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway
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37
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont
2168 ft · 53 sec
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38
Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street
1614 ft · 39 sec
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39
Continue on Milam Street
2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street
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40
Turn right onto Prairie Street
100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street
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41
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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42
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.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
East State Highway 6
Continue on East State Highway 6
37.5 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames 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 Ames to Houston?
The road trip is about 209.8 miles (337.6 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Hearne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.3 miles from Ames and 98.4 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.1 miles (302.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.96 one way or $55.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Hearne
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 Hearne.
Bryan, TX
Temple
Taylor
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Houston. Straight-line distance: 188.08 mi (302.69 km).
#1 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,275 |
| Coordinates | 31.5209900, -97.7794700 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| 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: 338 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $27.96 | $55.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.46 | $62.93 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $33.97 | $67.95 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $29.55 | $59.10 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.