How far is Elsa, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Elsa, TX to Houston, TX is about 332.2 miles (534.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 288.4 miles (464.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 26m 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 05h 13m.
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.
Town in Frederick County Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elsa and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elsa and Houston.
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1
Start on Edinburg Avenue
6.1 mi · 9 min · Edinburg Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Richardson Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Richardson Road
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3
Continue on East Schunior Street
2604 ft · 40 sec · East Schunior Street
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4
Continue on East Richardson Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Richardson Street
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5
Continue on East Richardson Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Richardson Road
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6
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
55 m · 4 sec · North Expressway 281
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69C North, US 281 North
1438 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left
71.5 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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9
Keep slight right
25.2 mi · 28 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
2237 ft · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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12
Turn right onto Cecilia Street
2623 ft · 57 sec · Cecilia Street
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13
Turn left onto Old Kingsville Road
105 m · 7 sec · Old Kingsville Road
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14
Turn slight right onto South Cameron Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Cameron Street
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15
Turn right onto East Front Street
138 m · 6 sec · East Front Street
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16
Continue on East Main Street
26.2 mi · 30 min · East Main Street
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17
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 59 sec
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18
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.6 km · 2 min · North US Highway 77
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19
Take the ramp slight left toward County Road 44
1247 ft · 31 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Highway 77
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21
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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22
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 50 sec
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23
Continue straight
141 m · 5 sec
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Sinton, Victoria
37.6 mi · 44 min
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25
Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77
33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91
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27
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South
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28
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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29
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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30
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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31
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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32
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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33
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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34
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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35
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
1.4 km · 1 min
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
47 m · 4 sec
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37
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elsa and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US Highway 59 South
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 01h 38m
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 Elsa 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 Elsa to Houston?
The road trip is about 332.2 miles (534.7 km) and usually takes 05h 13m 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?
Woodsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.2 miles from Elsa and 158 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 288.4 miles (464.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.8 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 6:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.29 one way or $88.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elsa and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elsa and Houston. Straight-line distance: 288.42 mi (464.17 km).
#1 Elsa
City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
| Population | 7,120 |
| Coordinates | 26.2934000, -97.9930600 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 535 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.83 | $99.67 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $53.81 | $107.61 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $46.80 | $93.60 |
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.