How far is Houston, TX from Center, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Center, TX is about 174.8 miles (281.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157 miles (252.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m 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 03h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk 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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Center.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
-
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
1678 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street
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3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
2319 ft · 49 sec · San Jacinto Street
-
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
106 m · 7 sec · Rothwell Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 59 East, I 10 East
792 ft · 19 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
2732 ft · 39 sec · East Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Eastex Freeway
37 mi · 43 min · Eastex Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 44 sec
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10
Continue straight
42 mi · 44 min
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11
Continue straight
36.2 mi · 41 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
5.7 mi · 8 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 59 North: Nacogdoches
15.5 mi · 17 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
1225 ft · 34 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Southeast Stallings Drive
4 mi · 5 min · Southeast Stallings Drive
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16
Take the exit slight right toward East TX 7
75 m · 7 sec
-
17
Turn slight right onto Center Road
1755 ft · 30 sec · Center Road
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18
Continue on East State Highway 7
30.1 mi · 45 min · East State Highway 7
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19
Continue on San Augustine Street
2355 ft · 40 sec · San Augustine Street
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20
Turn right onto Shelbyville Street
78 m · 10 sec · Shelbyville Street
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21
Turn left onto Jackson
73 m · 13 sec · Jackson
-
22
Turn right onto Porter Street
15 m · 2 sec · Porter Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Porter Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Eastex Freeway
Continue straight
42 mi · 00h 44m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Center?
The road trip is about 174.8 miles (281.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Seven Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Houston and 87.2 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157 miles (252.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.32 one way or $46.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Seven Oaks
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 Seven Oaks.
Nacogdoches, Texas
Beaumont
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Center. Straight-line distance: 157.02 mi (252.7 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 Center
City in Shelby County, Texas, United States
| Population | 5,211 |
| Coordinates | 31.7954500, -94.1790900 |
| Altitude | 113 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-94.17909, 31.79545)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $23.32 | $46.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.23 | $52.47 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $24.64 | $49.27 |
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.