How far is Houston, TX from Ponder, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Ponder, TX is about 287 miles (461.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262 miles (421.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 25m 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 05h 12m.
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 and county seat of Freestone County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Ponder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Ponder.
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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 · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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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
236.9 mi · 4 hr 9 min · North Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Waco, Denton
3139 ft · 1 min
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7
Continue on Woodall Rodgers Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North: Denton
1980 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto North Stemmons Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on John W Carpenter Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on SH 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi · 2 min · SH 183 TEXpress
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12
Keep slight left to continue on SH 114 TEXpress
22.9 mi · 25 min · SH 114 TEXpress
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13
Keep slight left
6.1 mi · 8 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
2321 ft · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
1854 ft · 54 sec
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16
Turn right onto South FM 156
10.7 mi · 15 min · South FM 156
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Farm-to-Market Road 156
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Ponder.
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
237 mi · 04h 09m
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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Ponder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Ponder?
The road trip is about 287 miles (461.9 km) and usually takes 05h 12m 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?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.7 miles from Houston and 143.3 miles from Ponder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 262 miles (421.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 6:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Ponder.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
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 Fairfield.
Waco, TX
Tyler, TX
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Ponder. Straight-line distance: 262.05 mi (421.73 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 Ponder
Town of the United States
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 33.1829000, -97.2872400 |
| Altitude | 223 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponder (-97.28724, 33.1829)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 462 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $38.28 | $76.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.07 | $86.15 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $46.51 | $93.01 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $40.45 | $80.90 |
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.