How far is Houston, TX from Cactus, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Cactus, TX is about 324.9 miles (522.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m 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 05h 40m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Cactus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Cactus.
-
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
174.9 mi · 3 hr 2 min · Katy Freeway
-
4
Keep slight left
12 mi · 13 min
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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6
Continue on Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, Austin
923 ft · 23 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 South: Laredo
2518 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto South Pan Am Expressway
8.3 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
-
10
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
116.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Purple Heart Trail
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Callaghan
1081 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn straight onto I-35 Frontage Road
2359 ft · 1 min · I-35 Frontage Road
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13
Turn left
84 m · 13 sec
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14
Turn left onto I-35 Frontage Road
2406 ft · 1 min · I-35 Frontage Road
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15
Take the ramp slight left
1190 ft · 29 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
1.3 mi · 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Purple Heart Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Cactus.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Katy Freeway
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
175 mi · 03h 02m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Partly Sunny near Cactus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Cactus?
The road trip is about 324.9 miles (522.8 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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?
McQueeney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.4 miles from Houston and 162.5 miles from Cactus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.3 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.31 one way or $86.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Partly Sunny near Cactus.
Stop Ideas Near McQueeney
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
City of Cibolo Municipal Building
Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McQueeney.
San Marcos Station
San Antonio Station
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Cactus. Straight-line distance: 275.6 mi (443.53 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 Cactus
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 3,235 |
| Coordinates | 27.9069500, -99.3939200 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cactus (-99.39392, 27.90695)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $43.31 | $86.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.73 | $97.46 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $52.61 | $105.23 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $45.76 | $91.52 |
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.