How far is Center, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Center, TX to Houston, TX is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.2 miles (219.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
155.9 mi
02h 20m
Flight
136.23 mi
219.24 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.23 mi
Kilometers
219.24 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.9 mi
Kilometers
250.89 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 02h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM CDT
Return by in Center
Thu, Apr 23, 8:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Center
2026-04-23T04:11
Arrive Houston
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Center
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Huntsville
TX

The second-largest city in Walker County, Texas.

From Center
76.7 mi
01h 10m
To Houston
79.2 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Center and Houston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Center and Houston.

  1. 1

    Start on Lcr 800

    118 m · 22 sec · Lcr 800

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Yeagua Street

    20.5 mi · 31 min · East Yeagua Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward TX 164: Groesbeck

    2204 ft · 34 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    130.7 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Gulf Freeway

    83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont

    2168 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street

    1614 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Milam Street

    2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Prairie Street

    100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Louisiana Street

    157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Center and Houston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
TX 164
131 mi · 84%
East Yeagua Street
20.5 mi · 13%
Milam Street
0.69 mi
I 10 East
0.41 mi
Louisiana Street
0.1 mi
Lcr 800
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

TX 164

Merge slight left

131 mi · 02h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.7 mi
136.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Huntsville
01h 10m from Center
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Center and Partly Sunny then Slight 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 Center to Houston?

The road trip is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km) and usually takes 02h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Huntsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Center and 79.2 miles from Houston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 136.2 miles (219.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.78 one way or $41.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Center and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.

Stop Ideas Near Huntsville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Huntsville and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Cafe And Pie Bar
Food stop 8.1 mi away

City Hall Cafe And Pie Bar

Huntsville , TX
1421 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340, United States
Rating 4.3/5 1,088 reviews Restaurant

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Huntsville.

BUS

Bryan, TX

79 mi away
301 East 26th Street
BUS

Prairie View, TX

84 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n
RAIL

Houston

108 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Houston, TX

110 mi away
2121 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Center and Houston. Straight-line distance: 136.23 mi (219.24 km).

Center

#1 Center

City in Shelby County, Texas, United States

Population5,043
Coordinates31.5107300, -96.4247000
Altitude131
CountryUnited States
Houston

#2 Houston

The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.

Population2,316,120
Coordinates29.7632800, -95.3632700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: Lcr 800 (-96.425033, 31.510621)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
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.

One-way fuel
5.5 gal
20.82 L · about $20.78
Round trip
$41.57
11 gal · 41.64 L
Estimated CO2
48.9 kg one way
Round trip: 97.8 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $20.78 $41.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.39 $46.77
Premium $4.59 $25.25 $50.50
Diesel $3.99 $21.96 $43.92

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Center and Houston. The current time is 04:11:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.