How far is Cactus, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Cactus, TX to Houston, TX is about 321.1 miles (516.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 51m 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 04h 55m.
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 and the county seat of Guadalupe County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cactus and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cactus and Houston.
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1
Start on Purple Heart Trail
115.6 mi · 1 hr 56 min · Purple Heart Trail
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2
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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3
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
616 ft · 15 sec
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
2146 ft · 52 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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6
Continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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7
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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13
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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14
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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15
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 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 Cactus and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 10 East
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151 mi · 02h 34m
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 Cactus 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 Cactus to Houston?
The road trip is about 321.1 miles (516.7 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Seguin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.4 miles from Cactus and 160.7 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.5 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 7:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.82 one way or $85.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Cactus and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Seguin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
Marion City Hall
Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Seguin.
San Marcos Station
San Antonio Station
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cactus and Houston. Straight-line distance: 275.6 mi (443.53 km).
#1 Cactus
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 3,235 |
| Coordinates | 27.9069500, -99.3939200 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| 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: 517 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $42.82 | $85.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.18 | $96.35 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $52.02 | $104.03 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $45.24 | $90.48 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.