How far is Houston, TX from Buchanan Dam, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Buchanan Dam, TX is about 228.5 miles (367.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.1 miles (314 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 Texas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Buchanan Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Buchanan Dam.
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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
6.2 mi · 6 min · Bergstrom Expressway
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11
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 17 min
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12
Continue straight
13.6 mi · 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right
1547 ft · 38 sec
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14
Turn straight onto North US Highway 183
1244 ft · 22 sec · North US Highway 183
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15
Turn left onto West State Highway 29
21.7 mi · 28 min · West State Highway 29
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16
Continue on East Polk Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Polk Street
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17
Continue on Buchanan Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Buchanan Drive
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18
Continue on TX 29
10.9 mi · 13 min · TX 29
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19
Turn right onto Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 6 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Island Lodges Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Buchanan Dam.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 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 Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Buchanan Dam?
The road trip is about 228.5 miles (367.7 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?
Colorado is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.1 miles from Houston and 114.3 miles from Buchanan Dam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.1 miles (314 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 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 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 $30.46 one way or $60.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Stop Ideas Near Colorado
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 Colorado.
Austin
Taylor
San Marcos Station
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Buchanan Dam. Straight-line distance: 195.13 mi (314.03 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 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan Dam (-98.43114, 30.7399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 368 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $30.46 | $60.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.27 | $68.54 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $37.00 | $74.01 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $32.18 | $64.37 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.