How far is Ballinger, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Ballinger, TX to Houston, TX is about 345.5 miles (556 km), with a travel time of about 05h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 304.5 miles (490 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 22m 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 05h 41m.
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.
The second most populous city in Williamson County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ballinger and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ballinger and Houston.
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1
Start on Hutchings Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Hutchings Avenue
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2
Take the exit straight toward US 67 North
37 mi · 39 min
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3
Merge slight left onto Wallis Avenue
21.9 mi · 25 min · Wallis Avenue
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4
Continue on Early Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Garmon Drive
1.3 mi · 1 min · Garmon Drive
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6
Continue on US Highway 84 East
29.2 mi · 33 min · US Highway 84 East
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7
Turn right
22.2 mi · 25 min
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8
Continue straight
14.8 mi · 15 min
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9
Merge slight left onto North US Highway 281
79 m · 4 sec · North US Highway 281
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10
Continue on North Key Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Key Avenue
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11
Continue on South US Highway 183
35.3 mi · 38 min · South US Highway 183
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12
Continue straight
2151 ft · 30 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on 183A Toll Road
14.3 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll Road
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14
Continue straight
14.8 mi · 17 min
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15
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Bergstrom Expressway
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16
Continue on Bastrop Highway
2119 ft · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
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17
Take the exit slight left toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
2541 ft · 1 min
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18
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
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19
Turn straight onto Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
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20
Continue on East State Highway 71
2388 ft · 29 sec · East State Highway 71
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21
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
137 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Texas State Highway 71
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22
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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24
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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25
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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27
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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28
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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29
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ballinger and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Texas State Highway 71
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
137 mi · 02h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Ballinger 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 Ballinger to Houston?
The road trip is about 345.5 miles (556 km) and usually takes 05h 41m 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?
Cedar Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.9 miles from Ballinger and 165.6 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 304.5 miles (490 km), while the road route adds roughly 41 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 5:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.07 one way or $92.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ballinger and Mostly Sunny near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Cedar Park
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 Cedar Park.
Austin
Taylor
Killeen, Texas
San Marcos Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ballinger and Houston. Straight-line distance: 304.44 mi (489.95 km).
#1 Ballinger
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 3,689 |
| Coordinates | 31.7382100, -99.9473100 |
| Altitude | 496 |
| 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: 556 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $46.07 | $92.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.83 | $103.66 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $55.96 | $111.93 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $48.67 | $97.35 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.