How far is Houston, TX from New Braunfels, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to New Braunfels, TX is about 174.7 miles (281.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 21m 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 10m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and New Braunfels.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and New Braunfels.
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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
159.7 mi · 2 hr 47 min · Katy Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward TX 46, FM 78: New Braunfels, Lake McQueeney
1130 ft · 28 sec
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5
Turn straight onto West Interstate 10
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Interstate 10
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6
Turn slight right
132 m · 16 sec
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7
Turn straight onto North State Highway 46
10.2 mi · 15 min · North State Highway 46
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8
Turn left onto Interstate 35 North
2624 ft · 59 sec · Interstate 35 North
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9
Turn left onto North Elliot Knox Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · North Elliot Knox Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto South Seguin Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · South Seguin Avenue
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11
Enter the roundabout toward Main Plaza
792 ft · 27 sec · Main Plaza
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Plaza
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and New Braunfels.
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
160 mi · 02h 47m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near New Braunfels.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to New Braunfels?
The road trip is about 174.7 miles (281.1 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Weimar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Houston and 87.5 miles from New Braunfels.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.28 one way or $46.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near New Braunfels.
Stop Ideas Near Weimar
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 Weimar.
Prairie View, TX
Austin
San Marcos Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and New Braunfels. Straight-line distance: 165.71 mi (266.69 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 New Braunfels
The third most populous city in Comal County, Texas.
| Population | 95,534 |
| Coordinates | 29.7030000, -98.1244500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: New Braunfels (-98.12445, 29.703)
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 21m |
| 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 | $23.28 | $46.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.19 | $52.38 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.