How far is Houston, TX from Alto, TX?

The driving distance from Houston, TX to Alto, TX is about 151.1 miles (243.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
151.14 mi
02h 56m
Flight
131.53 mi
211.67 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.53 mi
Kilometers
211.67 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.14 mi
Kilometers
243.24 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 02h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alto
Sun, Apr 12, 4:16 PM CDT
Return by in Houston
Sun, Apr 12, 7:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houston
2026-04-12T13:19
Arrive Alto
Sun, Apr 12, 4:16 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Houston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Livingston
TX

Texan town

From Houston
75.7 mi
01h 28m
To Alto
75.4 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Sunday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Alto.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Alto.

  1. 1

    Start on Louisiana Street

    145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Franklin Street

    1678 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto San Jacinto Street

    2319 ft · 49 sec · San Jacinto Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Rothwell Street

    106 m · 7 sec · Rothwell Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward US 59 East, I 10 East

    792 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto East Freeway

    2732 ft · 39 sec · East Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Eastex Freeway

    37 mi · 43 min · Eastex Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1.1 km · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    42 mi · 44 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    34.5 mi · 38 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto College Drive

    2 mi · 4 min · College Drive

  13. 13

    Take the ramp left

    966 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto South John Redditt Drive

    4.6 mi · 7 min · South John Redditt Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Loop 287 Frontage Road

    899 ft · 17 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp straight

    780 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    27.5 mi · 33 min

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Marcus Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Alto.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Eastex Freeway
114 mi · 76%
Loop 287 Frontage Road
27.8 mi · 18%
South John Redditt Drive
4.58 mi · 3%
College Drive
2.2 mi · 1%
I 69 North
0.79 mi · 1%
East Freeway
0.52 mi
Longest Stretch

Eastex Freeway

Continue straight

42 mi · 00h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.6 mi
131.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Livingston
01h 28m from Houston
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alto.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Houston to Alto?

The road trip is about 151.1 miles (243.2 km) and usually takes 02h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.7 miles from Houston and 75.4 miles from Alto.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 131.5 miles (211.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alto.

Stop Ideas Near Livingston

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Livingston, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Livingston.

RAIL

Beaumont

105 mi away
2555 W. Cedar Street
BUS

Nacogdoches, Texas

105 mi away
University Drive & Starr Road
RAIL

Houston

113 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Houston, TX

115 mi away
2121 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Alto. Straight-line distance: 131.53 mi (211.67 km).

Houston

#1 Houston

The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.

Population2,316,120
Coordinates29.7632800, -95.3632700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Alto

Town in Texas, USA

Population1,239
Coordinates31.6504500, -95.0727200
Altitude133
CountryUnited States
Start: Houston (-95.36327, 29.76328)
End: Alto (-95.07272, 31.65045)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 243 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.33 gal
20.19 L · about $20.14
Round trip
$40.28
10.66 gal · 40.38 L
Estimated CO2
47.4 kg one way
Round trip: 94.7 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $20.14 $40.28
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.66 $45.33
Premium $4.59 $24.47 $48.94
Diesel $3.99 $21.28 $42.57

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Houston and Alto. The current time is 13:19:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.