How far is Houston, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.4 miles (362.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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 32m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Dallas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Dallas.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
664 ft · 30 sec · Franklin Street
-
3
Turn left onto Travis Street
1205 ft · 29 sec · Travis Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North Express Lane
1.6 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
236.1 mi · 4 hr 8 min · North Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Main Street West, Elm Street
1302 ft · 32 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Elm Street
577 ft · 14 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Elm Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Elm Street
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9
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
1233 ft · 37 sec · North Lamar Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lamar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Dallas.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Freeway
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
236 mi · 04h 08m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dallas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Dallas?
The road trip is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Jewett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.7 miles from Houston and 123.2 miles from Dallas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.4 miles (362.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.39 one way or $64.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dallas.
Stop Ideas Near Jewett
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 Jewett.
Bryan, TX
Waco, TX
Temple
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Dallas. Straight-line distance: 225.38 mi (362.71 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 Dallas
The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,343,266 |
| Coordinates | 32.7830600, -96.8066700 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Lamar Street (-96.806574, 32.783135)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.39 | $64.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.44 | $72.88 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $39.34 | $78.69 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.22 | $68.44 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.