How far is Houston, TX from Ballinger, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Ballinger, TX is about 359.8 miles (579 km), with a travel time of about 06h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 304.5 miles (490 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 35m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The second most populous city in Williamson County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Ballinger.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Ballinger.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
761 ft · 25 sec · Louisiana Street
-
2
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West: San Antonio
2149 ft · 52 sec
-
3
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
74.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Katy Freeway
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
2832 ft · 33 sec
-
5
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
-
6
Continue on Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
-
7
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
2773 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Bastrop Highway
2088 ft · 27 sec · Bastrop Highway
-
10
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
6.2 mi · 6 min · Bergstrom Expressway
-
11
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 17 min
-
12
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 15 min
-
13
Continue on North US Highway 183
35.7 mi · 39 min · North US Highway 183
-
14
Continue on South Key Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · South Key Avenue
-
15
Continue on North US Highway 281
965 ft · 15 sec · North US Highway 281
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on North US Highway 183
36.9 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left
30.4 mi · 35 min
-
18
Turn left onto Early Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard
-
19
Continue on East Commerce Street
22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on US 67
22 mi · 24 min · US 67
-
21
Continue on 2nd Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street
-
22
Continue on US 67
14.8 mi · 16 min · US 67
-
23
Arrive at your destination
1 m · 1 sec · Hutchings Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Ballinger.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Houston and Sunny near Ballinger.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Ballinger?
The road trip is about 359.8 miles (579 km) and usually takes 06h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cedar Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.8 miles from Houston and 179.9 miles from Ballinger.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 304.5 miles (490 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.99 one way or $95.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Houston and Sunny near Ballinger.
Stop Ideas Near Cedar Park
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 Cedar Park.
Austin
Taylor
Killeen, Texas
San Marcos Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Ballinger. Straight-line distance: 304.44 mi (489.95 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 Ballinger
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 3,689 |
| Coordinates | 31.7382100, -99.9473100 |
| Altitude | 496 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ballinger (-99.94731, 31.73821)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 579 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $47.99 | $95.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.00 | $108.00 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $58.31 | $116.61 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $50.71 | $101.42 |
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 · May 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.