How far is Houston, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to New Orleans, LA is about 347.3 miles (559 km), with a travel time of about 06h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 30m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Louisiana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and New Orleans.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and New Orleans.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
-
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
1678 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street
-
3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
2319 ft · 49 sec · San Jacinto Street
-
4
Turn straight onto Rothwell Street
106 m · 7 sec · Rothwell Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 59 East, I 10 East
792 ft · 19 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
5.2 mi · 7 min · East Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on East Freeway
13.4 mi · 16 min · East Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on East Freeway
96.3 mi · 1 hr 45 min · East Freeway
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9
Continue on Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
226.6 mi · 4 hr 14 min · Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway
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11
Keep slight right
2544 ft · 36 sec
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12
Take the exit slight left toward Poydras Street, Superdome
1368 ft · 37 sec
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13
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
1555 ft · 41 sec · South Claiborne Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
1639 ft · 42 sec · Tulane Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tulane Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and New Orleans.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
Continue on Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
227 mi · 04h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Houston and Mostly Sunny near New Orleans.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to New Orleans?
The road trip is about 347.3 miles (559 km) and usually takes 06h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jennings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.4 miles from Houston and 173.9 miles from New Orleans.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.07 one way or $94.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Houston and Mostly Sunny near New Orleans.
Stop Ideas Near Jennings
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 Jennings.
Lake Charles
Lafayette
New Iberia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and New Orleans. Straight-line distance: 317.12 mi (510.36 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 Orleans
The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 29.9546500, -90.0750700 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| Country | United States |
End: New Orleans (-90.07507, 29.95465)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 559 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.84 | $47.07 | $94.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $53.29 | $106.59 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $57.90 | $115.81 |
| Diesel | $5.78 | $70.81 | $141.63 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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