How far is Cotulla, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Cotulla, TX to Houston, TX is about 282.6 miles (454.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251 miles (404 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m 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 21m.
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 Guadalupe County, Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cotulla and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cotulla and Houston.
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1
Start on Tilden Street
15 m · 5 sec · Tilden Street
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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3
Turn slight right
721 ft · 12 sec
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1263 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
76.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Purple Heart Trail
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6
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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7
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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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
2146 ft · 52 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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10
Continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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11
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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17
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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18
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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19
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cotulla 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.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Cotulla 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 Cotulla to Houston?
The road trip is about 282.6 miles (454.8 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?
Luling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.2 miles from Cotulla and 141.4 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251 miles (404 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 8:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.68 one way or $75.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Cotulla and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Luling
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 Luling.
San Marcos Station
Austin
San Antonio Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cotulla and Houston. Straight-line distance: 251.05 mi (404.02 km).
#1 Cotulla
City in La Salle County, Texas, United States
| Population | 4,133 |
| Coordinates | 28.4369300, -99.2350300 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| 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: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $37.68 | $75.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $45.77 | $91.54 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $39.81 | $79.62 |
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.