How far is Houston, TX from Dripping Springs, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Dripping Springs, TX is about 182.8 miles (294.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
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 and the county seat of Fayette County, West Virginia
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 Dripping Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Dripping Springs.
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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
6.1 mi · 7 min
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10
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
136 m · 6 sec · West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
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11
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
1525 ft · 24 sec · West US 290 Frontage Rd
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12
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
2551 ft · 33 sec · West US 290 Bypass Lanes
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13
Continue on West US Highway 290
115 m · 5 sec · West US Highway 290
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14
Continue on West US Highway 290
11.7 mi · 16 min · West US Highway 290
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15
Turn left onto Ranch Road 12
850 ft · 19 sec · Ranch Road 12
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16
Turn left
32 m · 13 sec
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17
Turn left
101 m · 24 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Dripping Springs.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Sunny leaving Houston and Mostly Sunny near Dripping Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Dripping Springs?
The road trip is about 182.8 miles (294.2 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Fayetteville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.3 miles from Houston and 91.5 miles from Dripping Springs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.37 one way or $48.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Houston and Mostly Sunny near Dripping Springs.
Stop Ideas Near Fayetteville
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 Fayetteville.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Taylor
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Dripping Springs. Straight-line distance: 165.64 mi (266.57 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 Dripping Springs
City in Texas
| Population | 6,587 |
| Coordinates | 30.1902100, -98.0866800 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dripping Springs (-98.08668, 30.19021)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.37 | $48.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.43 | $54.85 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.61 | $59.22 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.75 | $51.51 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.