How far is Center, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Center, TX to Houston, TX is about 174.7 miles (281.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157 miles (252.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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.
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1
Start on Porter Street
15 m · 8 sec · Porter Street
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2
Turn left onto Jackson
73 m · 13 sec · Jackson
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3
Turn right onto Shelbyville Street
734 ft · 20 sec · Shelbyville Street
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4
Turn sharp left onto Nacogdoches Street
140 m · 14 sec · Nacogdoches Street
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5
Turn left onto Austin Street
141 m · 9 sec · Austin Street
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6
Turn right onto San Augustine Street
1892 ft · 32 sec · San Augustine Street
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7
Turn slight right onto Nacogdoches Street
30.1 mi · 45 min · Nacogdoches Street
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8
Continue on Center Road
1864 ft · 38 sec · Center Road
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Stallings Drive
4.1 mi · 5 min · Northeast Stallings Drive
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10
Take the exit slight right
1160 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn left onto South Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Street
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12
Continue on South US Highway 59
19.4 mi · 22 min · South US Highway 59
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13
Take the exit slight right toward South First Street
121 m · 10 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
1041 ft · 23 sec · South Medford Drive
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15
Turn left onto South First Street
4.1 mi · 5 min · South First Street
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16
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 59
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17
Continue on Diboll Relief Route
111 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Diboll Relief Route
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
1018 ft · 25 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: San Antonio
1154 ft · 28 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
2497 ft · 35 sec · East Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
932 ft · 23 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Providence Street
599 ft · 12 sec · Providence Street
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23
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
1636 ft · 32 sec · North San Jacinto Street
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24
Continue on Fannin Street
1878 ft · 51 sec · Fannin Street
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25
Turn right onto Prairie Street
1338 ft · 48 sec · Prairie Street
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26
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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27
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.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Diboll Relief Route
Continue on Diboll Relief Route
111 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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 174.7 miles (281.1 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Seven Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from Center and 87 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157 miles (252.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.28 one way or $46.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Center and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Seven Oaks
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 Seven Oaks.
Nacogdoches, Texas
Beaumont
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center and Houston. Straight-line distance: 157.02 mi (252.7 km).
#1 Center
City in Shelby County, Texas, United States
| Population | 5,211 |
| Coordinates | 31.7954500, -94.1790900 |
| Altitude | 113 |
| 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: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $23.28 | $46.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.19 | $52.38 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.