How far is Houston, TX from Cottonwood Shores, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Cottonwood Shores, TX is about 210.5 miles (338.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.2 miles (298 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m 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 01m.
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.
Town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Cottonwood Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Cottonwood Shores.
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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
Continue on East Ben White Boulevard
7.4 mi · 8 min · East Ben White Boulevard
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9
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 6 min
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10
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22.4 mi · 31 min · West Highway 71
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11
Continue on East State Highway 71
11.3 mi · 12 min · East State Highway 71
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12
Take the ramp straight toward US 281 North: Marble Falls
2194 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight right onto South US Highway 281
3.7 mi · 5 min · South US Highway 281
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14
Turn left onto West Ranch Road 2147
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Ranch Road 2147
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15
Turn right onto Dutch Leming Lane
84 m · 12 sec · Dutch Leming Lane
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16
Continue on Pecan Lane
1541 ft · 49 sec · Pecan Lane
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17
Turn left onto Willow Drive
72 m · 12 sec · Willow Drive
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18
Turn right onto Magnolia Lane
611 ft · 27 sec · Magnolia Lane
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Magnolia Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Cottonwood Shores.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Houston and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Cottonwood Shores?
The road trip is about 210.5 miles (338.8 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
La Grange is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Houston and 105.3 miles from Cottonwood Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.2 miles (298 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.08 one way or $56.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Houston and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Stop Ideas Near La Grange
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 La Grange.
Prairie View, TX
Taylor
Austin
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Cottonwood Shores. Straight-line distance: 185.14 mi (297.96 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 Cottonwood Shores
City in Burnet County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,313 |
| Coordinates | 30.5557500, -98.3239100 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood Shores (-98.32391, 30.55575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 339 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $28.08 | $56.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.59 | $63.18 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $34.11 | $68.22 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $29.67 | $59.34 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.