How far is Houston, TX from Cotulla, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Cotulla, TX is about 282.6 miles (454.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251 miles (404 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m 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 56m.
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 Guadalupe County, Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Cotulla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Cotulla.
-
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
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3
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
174.9 mi · 3 hr 2 min · Katy Freeway
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4
Keep slight left
12 mi · 13 min
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto South Pan Am Expressway
8.3 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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10
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
75.9 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Purple Heart Trail
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business South: Cotulla
1325 ft · 32 sec
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12
Turn slight left onto North Interstate 35
149 m · 9 sec · North Interstate 35
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13
Turn left onto North Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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14
Turn left onto Tilden Street
15 m · 1 sec · Tilden Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tilden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Cotulla.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Partly Sunny near Cotulla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Cotulla?
The road trip is about 282.6 miles (454.8 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?
Luling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.2 miles from Houston and 141.4 miles from Cotulla.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251 miles (404 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 7:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.68 one way or $75.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Partly Sunny near Cotulla.
Stop Ideas Near Luling
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 Luling.
San Marcos Station
Austin
San Antonio Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Cotulla. Straight-line distance: 251.05 mi (404.02 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 Cotulla
City in La Salle County, Texas, United States
| Population | 4,133 |
| Coordinates | 28.4369300, -99.2350300 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cotulla (-99.23503, 28.43693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $37.68 | $75.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $45.77 | $91.54 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $39.81 | $79.62 |
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.