How far is Houston, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Ames, TX is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.1 miles (302.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 32m 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 16m.
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 Robertson County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Ames.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
664 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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3
Turn left onto Travis Street
1205 ft · 29 sec · Travis Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North Express Lane
1.6 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · North Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward TX 249
818 ft · 20 sec
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7
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
1849 ft · 39 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
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8
Turn left onto West Mount Houston Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Mount Houston Road
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9
Continue on Tomball Parkway
3.8 mi · 6 min · Tomball Parkway
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10
Continue on Tomball Parkway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Tomball Parkway
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11
Continue on Tomball Tollway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
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12
Continue on MCTRA 249 Tollway
3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
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13
Continue on Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
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14
Continue on State Highway 105
5.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 105
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15
Turn right onto State Highway 6
815 ft · 16 sec · State Highway 6
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16
Take the ramp slight left
755 ft · 18 sec
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17
Merge slight left
49.8 mi · 53 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on North State Highway 6
5.8 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6
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19
Continue on South Main Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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20
Continue on North State Highway 6
37.5 mi · 37 min · North State Highway 6
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21
Continue on South Memorial Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Street
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22
Continue on East State Highway 6
9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6
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23
Take the exit slight right
1450 ft · 35 sec
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24
Turn left onto East Loop 340
8.4 mi · 11 min · East Loop 340
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25
Take the exit slight right
638 ft · 16 sec
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26
Turn straight onto West Loop 340
734 ft · 16 sec · West Loop 340
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27
Keep slight left to continue on West Loop 340
1 km · 1 min · West Loop 340
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28
Turn left onto West Waco Drive
65 m · 4 sec · West Waco Drive
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29
Continue on Woodway Drive
1109 ft · 26 sec · Woodway Drive
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30
Take the ramp slight left toward US 84
956 ft · 23 sec
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31
Merge slight left onto George W Bush Parkway
6.6 mi · 8 min · George W Bush Parkway
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32
Continue on West US Highway 84
5.2 mi · 6 min · West US Highway 84
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33
Continue on East McGregor Drive
2.8 mi · 4 min · East McGregor Drive
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34
Continue on West US Highway 84
17.2 mi · 20 min · West US Highway 84
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35
Take the exit slight right
1962 ft · 45 sec
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36
Turn straight onto North Highway 36 Bypass
3.1 mi · 4 min · North Highway 36 Bypass
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37
Continue on State Highway 36
4.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 36
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 36th Division Memorial Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Ames.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 6
Merge slight left
49.8 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Cloudy near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Ames?
The road trip is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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?
Hearne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.6 miles from Houston and 111.5 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.1 miles (302.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 8:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.74 one way or $59.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Cloudy near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Hearne
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 Hearne.
Bryan, TX
Temple
Taylor
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Ames. Straight-line distance: 188.08 mi (302.69 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,275 |
| Coordinates | 31.5209900, -97.7794700 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-97.77947, 31.52099)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.46 | $66.93 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $36.13 | $72.26 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $31.42 | $62.85 |
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.