How far is Crystal City, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Crystal City, TX to Houston, TX is about 309.7 miles (498.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 279.5 miles (449.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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 42m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal City and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crystal City and Houston.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Lake Street
2479 ft · 55 sec · East Lake Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 7th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · North 7th Avenue
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4
Merge slight left onto North US Highway 83
16.9 mi · 19 min · North US Highway 83
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5
Turn right onto West US Highway 57
52 mi · 56 min · West US Highway 57
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Interstate 35 North
758 ft · 15 sec · Interstate 35 North
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7
Take the ramp slight left
1143 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
33.5 mi · 34 min · Purple Heart Trail
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9
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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10
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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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
2146 ft · 52 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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13
Continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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14
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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18
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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20
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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21
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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22
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal City 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Crystal City and Partly Sunny near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Crystal City to Houston?
The road trip is about 309.7 miles (498.4 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Kingsbury is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from Crystal City and 154.9 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 279.5 miles (449.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 7:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.30 one way or $82.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Crystal City and Partly Sunny near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Kingsbury
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 Kingsbury.
San Marcos Station
San Antonio Station
Austin
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Crystal City and Houston. Straight-line distance: 279.47 mi (449.76 km).
#1 Crystal City
City in Texas, United States
| Population | 7,158 |
| Coordinates | 28.6774800, -99.8281100 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| 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: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $41.30 | $82.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.47 | $92.95 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $50.18 | $100.36 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $43.64 | $87.29 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.