How far is Austin, TX from The Woodlands, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to The Woodlands, TX is about 156.1 miles (251.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.8 miles (216.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m 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 04m.
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.
Town in Washington County, Texas, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and The Woodlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and The Woodlands.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
1836 ft · 52 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Red River Street
711 ft · 20 sec · Red River Street
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3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street
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4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
906 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
2985 ft · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
2.9 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Houston
2.5 mi · 4 min
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9
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.2 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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10
Continue on East US Highway 290
41.5 mi · 48 min · East US Highway 290
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11
Continue on West Austin Street
32.9 mi · 37 min · West Austin Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
1393 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
41.8 mi · 47 min · US Highway 290 West
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14
Take the exit slight right toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 Toll South: Grand Parkway
2269 ft · 48 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
3125 ft · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
18.8 mi · 20 min · North Grand Parkway West
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Gosling Road
1656 ft · 37 sec
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18
Turn left onto Gosling Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · Gosling Road
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19
Turn right onto Flintridge Drive
603 ft · 22 sec · Flintridge Drive
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20
Turn left onto South Panther Creek Drive
1570 ft · 43 sec · South Panther Creek Drive
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21
Turn right onto Woodlands Parkway
1.4 km · 1 min · Woodlands Parkway
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22
Turn left onto East Panther Creek Drive
637 ft · 23 sec · East Panther Creek Drive
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23
Turn right onto Pebble Cove Drive
1009 ft · 35 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and The Woodlands.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 290 West
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
41.8 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near The Woodlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to The Woodlands?
The road trip is about 156.1 miles (251.2 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Burton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Austin and 78.1 miles from The Woodlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.8 miles (216.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 10:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near The Woodlands.
Stop Ideas Near Burton
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 Burton.
Bryan, TX
Prairie View, TX
Taylor
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and The Woodlands. Straight-line distance: 134.77 mi (216.89 km).
#1 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 The Woodlands
A city in Montgomery County, Texas.
| Population | 93,847 |
| Coordinates | 30.1579900, -95.4893800 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| Country | United States |
End: The Woodlands (-95.48938, 30.15799)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $20.82 | $41.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.43 | $46.86 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $25.30 | $50.59 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $22.00 | $44.00 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.