How far is Balch Springs, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Balch Springs, TX to Houston, TX is about 240.5 miles (387 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218 miles (350.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 02m 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 Leon County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balch Springs and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balch Springs and Houston.
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1
Start on Terry Drive
14 m · 4 sec · Terry Drive
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2
Turn right onto Hickory Tree Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Hickory Tree Road
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3
Turn left onto Elam Road
1715 ft · 57 sec · Elam Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 635 South
1651 ft · 40 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward SH 310
1660 ft · 46 sec
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7
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
2891 ft · 49 sec · South Central Expressway
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 45 South: Houston
1360 ft · 33 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
226.6 mi · 3 hr 57 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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10
Continue on Gulf Freeway
83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont
2168 ft · 53 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street
1614 ft · 39 sec
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13
Continue on Milam Street
2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street
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14
Turn right onto Prairie Street
100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street
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15
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balch Springs 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.
Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
227 mi · 03h 57m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Balch Springs and Mostly Sunny near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balch Springs to Houston?
The road trip is about 240.5 miles (387 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?
Leona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119 miles from Balch Springs and 121.5 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218 miles (350.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.08 one way or $64.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Balch Springs and Mostly Sunny near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Leona
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 Leona.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balch Springs and Houston. Straight-line distance: 217.98 mi (350.8 km).
#1 Balch Springs
City in Dallas County, Texas, United States
| Population | 24,831 |
| Coordinates | 32.7287400, -96.6227700 |
| Altitude | 152 |
| 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: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.08 | $64.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.10 | $72.20 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $38.98 | $77.96 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $33.90 | $67.80 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.