How far is Buchanan Dam, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Buchanan Dam, TX to Houston, TX is about 219 miles (352.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.1 miles (314 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 42m.
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 Texas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan Dam and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan Dam and Houston.
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1
Start on Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 11 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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2
Turn left
36.2 mi · 47 min
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3
Turn right onto North US Highway 183
1327 ft · 21 sec · North US Highway 183
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1729 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto 183A Toll Road
13.3 mi · 13 min · 183A Toll Road
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6
Continue straight
14.8 mi · 17 min
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7
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Bergstrom Expressway
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8
Continue on Bastrop Highway
2119 ft · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
2541 ft · 1 min
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10
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
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11
Turn straight onto Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
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12
Continue on East State Highway 71
2388 ft · 29 sec · East State Highway 71
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13
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
137 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Texas State Highway 71
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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19
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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20
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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21
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan Dam 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.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buchanan Dam and Mostly Cloudy then Chance 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 Buchanan Dam to Houston?
The road trip is about 219 miles (352.5 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Colorado is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.3 miles from Buchanan Dam and 104.8 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.1 miles (314 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.21 one way or $58.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buchanan Dam and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Colorado
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 Colorado.
Austin
Taylor
San Marcos Station
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan Dam and Houston. Straight-line distance: 195.13 mi (314.03 km).
#1 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| 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: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $29.21 | $58.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.87 | $65.74 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $35.49 | $70.98 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $30.87 | $61.73 |
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.