How far is Houston, TX from Refugio, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Refugio, TX is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
This small community in Wharton County, Texas, is situated on the Gulf Coastal Plain, an area characterized by its flat terrain and fertile soils.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Refugio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Refugio.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
45 m · 12 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Turn left onto Congress Street
91 m · 15 sec · Congress Street
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3
Turn left onto Smith Street
2.7 mi · 6 min · Smith Street
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4
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.8 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
1158 ft · 28 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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7
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
2217 ft · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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8
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
1.4 km · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
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9
Take the ramp straight
1027 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
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11
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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12
Take the exit slight right
1.5 mi · 2 min
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13
Continue on US Highway 59
74.7 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.6 km · 1 min · Spur 91
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15
Merge slight right onto US Highway 77 South
33.2 mi · 38 min · US Highway 77 South
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16
Turn straight onto Alamo Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Alamo Street
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17
Turn right onto West Commons Street
13 m · 1 sec · West Commons Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Commons Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Refugio.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 59
Continue on US Highway 59
74.7 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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Sunny near Refugio.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Refugio?
The road trip is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Louise is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.9 miles from Houston and 82.8 miles from Refugio.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.2 miles (246.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.11 one way or $44.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Sunny near Refugio.
Stop Ideas Near Louise
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 Louise.
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Refugio. Straight-line distance: 153.25 mi (246.64 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 Refugio
Town in Texas, USA
| Population | 2,711 |
| Coordinates | 28.3052800, -97.2752700 |
| Altitude | 14 |
| Country | United States |
End: Refugio (-97.27527, 28.30528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.11 | $44.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.87 | $49.75 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $26.86 | $53.71 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.36 | $46.72 |
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.