How far is Chico, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Chico, TX to Houston, TX is about 317 miles (510.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 283.1 miles (455.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 56m 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 58m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chico and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chico and Houston.
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1
Start on West Sherman Street
1479 ft · 32 sec · West Sherman Street
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2
Turn right
5.5 mi · 8 min
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3
Turn left onto East US Highway 380
9.1 mi · 11 min · East US Highway 380
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4
Turn right onto West Business 380
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Business 380
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5
Turn right onto South US Highway 287
1567 ft · 33 sec · South US Highway 287
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6
Take the ramp straight toward South Highway 287
755 ft · 21 sec · South Highway 287
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7
Merge slight left onto South US Highway 287
30.2 mi · 34 min · South US Highway 287
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8
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 820
2148 ft · 24 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 820 East
1 mi · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Northeast Loop
1893 ft · 25 sec · Northeast Loop
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 820 Express East Toll
675 ft · 8 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress
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14
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
4.4 mi · 4 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress
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15
Continue on SH 183 TEXpress
11.7 mi · 12 min · SH 183 TEXpress
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16
Keep slight right to continue on SH 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi · 3 min · SH 183 TEXpress
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17
Merge slight right onto John W Carpenter Freeway
1.3 km · 51 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto North Stemmons Freeway
3.9 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
778 ft · 22 sec
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20
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
764 ft · 18 sec · North Stemmons Freeway
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21
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
1715 ft · 49 sec · Continental Avenue
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22
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
1118 ft · 25 sec · McKinney Avenue
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23
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 North
1229 ft · 30 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
2170 ft · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 45 South: Houston
2537 ft · 49 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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27
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
234.2 mi · 4 hr 6 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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28
Continue on Gulf Freeway
83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont
2168 ft · 53 sec
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30
Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street
1614 ft · 39 sec
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31
Continue on Milam Street
2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street
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32
Turn right onto Prairie Street
100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street
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33
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chico and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
234 mi · 04h 06m
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 leaving Chico 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 Chico to Houston?
The road trip is about 317 miles (510.1 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Streetman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.6 miles from Chico and 156.3 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 283.1 miles (455.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.29 one way or $84.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Chico and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Streetman
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 Streetman.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chico and Houston. Straight-line distance: 283.08 mi (455.58 km).
#1 Chico
City in Wise County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,199 |
| Coordinates | 33.2959500, -97.7989200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $42.29 | $84.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.58 | $95.16 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $51.37 | $102.75 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $44.68 | $89.36 |
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.