How far is Harlingen, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Harlingen, TX to Houston, TX is about 329.1 miles (529.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 02m 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 01m.
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 Texas, USA
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 Harlingen and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harlingen and Houston.
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1
Start on South Commerce Street
4 m · 4 sec · South Commerce Street
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2
Turn left onto West Harrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Harrison Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Expressway 77
130 m · 12 sec · North Expressway 77
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69E North, US 77 North
884 ft · 22 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77
88 mi · 1 hr 38 min · U.S. Highway 77
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6
Keep slight left
1157 ft · 14 sec
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7
Merge slight right
1.2 mi · 1 min
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8
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
11.6 mi · 13 min · U.S. Highway 77
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9
Take the exit slight right
1410 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
148 m · 18 sec · US Highway 77 Frontage Road
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11
Turn right onto County Road 10
1 mi · 4 min · County Road 10
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12
Turn left onto County Road 79
4 mi · 16 min · County Road 79
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13
Turn left onto County Road 18
848 ft · 44 sec · County Road 18
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14
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi · 3 min
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15
Take the ramp straight
2351 ft · 57 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Driscoll Bypass
2.3 mi · 2 min · Driscoll Bypass
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17
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
13.2 mi · 14 min · U.S. Highway 77
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18
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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19
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 50 sec
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20
Continue straight
141 m · 5 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Sinton, Victoria
37.6 mi · 44 min
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22
Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77
33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91
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24
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South
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25
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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26
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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27
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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28
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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29
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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30
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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31
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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32
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
1.4 km · 1 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
47 m · 4 sec
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34
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harlingen 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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen to Houston?
The road trip is about 329.1 miles (529.6 km) and usually takes 05h 01m 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?
Refugio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165 miles from Harlingen and 164.1 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.2 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 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.87 one way or $87.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Harlingen and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harlingen and Houston. Straight-line distance: 284.92 mi (458.54 km).
#1 Harlingen
The most populous city in Cameron County, Texas.
| Population | 65,176 |
| Coordinates | 26.1906300, -97.6961000 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 530 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $43.87 | $87.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.37 | $98.73 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $53.30 | $106.60 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $46.36 | $92.72 |
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.