How far is Houston, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Austin, TX is about 165 miles (265.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 34m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Colorado County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Austin.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
761 ft · 25 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West: San Antonio
2149 ft · 52 sec
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3
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
74.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Katy Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
2832 ft · 33 sec
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5
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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6
Continue on Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
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7
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
2773 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Bastrop Highway
2088 ft · 27 sec · Bastrop Highway
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10
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
1.1 km · 41 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
2724 ft · 54 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street
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13
Turn left onto Brushy Street
107 m · 18 sec · Brushy Street
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14
Turn right onto East 6th Street
3066 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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15
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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16
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Austin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
TX 71 West
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Austin?
The road trip is about 165 miles (265.5 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Houston and 84 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.6 miles (235.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.99 one way or $43.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Columbus
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 Columbus.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Austin. Straight-line distance: 146.57 mi (235.88 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 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $21.99 | $43.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.75 | $49.49 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $26.72 | $53.44 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.24 | $46.48 |
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.