How far is Fort Worth, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX is about 264.5 miles (425.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.1 miles (378.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m 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 53m.
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 Leon County, Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Worth and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth and Houston.
-
1
Start on South Freeway
53 m · 4 sec · South Freeway
-
2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35W South
1365 ft · 33 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
3.2 mi · 3 min · South Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Dallas
573 ft · 14 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 East: Dallas
1.3 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
50.7 mi · 57 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 45 South: Corsicana
3065 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
198.8 mi · 3 hr 28 min
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10
Continue on Gulf Freeway
83 m · 4 sec · Gulf Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Beaumont
2168 ft · 53 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Milam Street
1614 ft · 39 sec
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13
Continue on Milam Street
2031 ft · 1 min · Milam Street
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14
Turn right onto Prairie Street
100 m · 14 sec · Prairie Street
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15
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Worth 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 45 South
Merge slight left
199 mi · 03h 28m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth to Houston?
The road trip is about 264.5 miles (425.7 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Buffalo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.9 miles from Fort Worth and 133.6 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.1 miles (378.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 9:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.26 one way or $70.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Fort Worth and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Buffalo
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 Buffalo.
Bryan, TX
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Worth and Houston. Straight-line distance: 235.06 mi (378.29 km).
#1 Fort Worth
The twelfth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 927,720 |
| Coordinates | 32.7254100, -97.3208500 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| 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: 426 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.67 | $79.34 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $37.25 | $74.51 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.