How far is Galveston, TX from Rusk, TX?
The driving distance from Galveston, TX to Rusk, TX is about 212.4 miles (341.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Human settlement in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galveston and Rusk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galveston and Rusk.
-
1
Start on 27th Street
79 m · 16 sec · 27th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Ball Street - Avenue H
762 ft · 28 sec · Ball Street - Avenue H
-
3
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Boulevard - 29th Street
667 ft · 18 sec · Martin Luther King Boulevard - 29th Street
-
4
Turn right onto Broadway - Avenue J
2.3 mi · 4 min · Broadway - Avenue J
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Gulf Freeway
44 mi · 51 min · Gulf Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward TX 288 South, I 69, US 59: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Cleveland, Victoria, Texas Southern University
1.3 km · 2 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on TX 288 South, US 59, I 69: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria, Cleveland
1.4 km · 2 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
1.3 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight right onto Eastex Freeway
39.3 mi · 46 min · Eastex Freeway
-
10
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 44 sec
-
11
Continue straight
42 mi · 44 min
-
12
Continue straight
34.5 mi · 38 min
-
13
Turn left onto College Drive
2 mi · 4 min · College Drive
-
14
Take the ramp left
966 ft · 29 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto South John Redditt Drive
4.6 mi · 7 min · South John Redditt Drive
-
16
Turn left onto Loop 287 Frontage Road
899 ft · 17 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road
-
17
Take the ramp straight
780 ft · 22 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
39.2 mi · 47 min
-
19
Turn left onto North Henderson Street
2274 ft · 41 sec · North Henderson Street
-
20
Turn right onto East 6th Street
78 m · 4 sec · East 6th Street
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galveston and Rusk.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Gulf Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Gulf Freeway
44 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Sunny leaving Galveston and Mostly Sunny near Rusk.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galveston to Rusk?
The road trip is about 212.4 miles (341.8 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Shepherd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.4 miles from Galveston and 106 miles from Rusk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 8:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.30 one way or $56.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Galveston and Mostly Sunny near Rusk.
Stop Ideas Near Shepherd
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 Shepherd.
Houston
Houston, TX
Beaumont
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galveston and Rusk. Straight-line distance: 173.64 mi (279.44 km).
#1 Galveston
A city in Galveston County, Texas.
| Population | 50,085 |
| Coordinates | 29.3013500, -94.7977000 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rusk
City in Cherokee County, Texas
| Population | 5,664 |
| Coordinates | 31.7960100, -95.1502200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rusk (-95.15022, 31.79601)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $28.30 | $56.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.85 | $63.69 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
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 · Jun 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.