How far is Houston, TX from Rusk, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Rusk, TX is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141 miles (226.9 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 Polk County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Rusk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Rusk.
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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
1678 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street
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3
Turn left onto San Jacinto Street
2319 ft · 49 sec · San Jacinto Street
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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
2732 ft · 39 sec · East Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Eastex Freeway
37 mi · 43 min · Eastex Freeway
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9
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 44 sec
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10
Continue straight
42 mi · 44 min
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11
Continue straight
34.5 mi · 38 min
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12
Turn left onto College Drive
2 mi · 4 min · College Drive
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13
Take the ramp left
966 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto South John Redditt Drive
4.6 mi · 7 min · South John Redditt Drive
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15
Turn left onto Loop 287 Frontage Road
899 ft · 17 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road
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16
Take the ramp straight
780 ft · 22 sec
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17
Merge slight left
39.2 mi · 47 min
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18
Turn left onto North Henderson Street
2274 ft · 41 sec · North Henderson Street
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19
Turn right onto East 6th Street
78 m · 4 sec · East 6th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Rusk.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Eastex Freeway
Continue straight
42 mi · 00h 44m
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 Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rusk.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Rusk?
The road trip is about 163.4 miles (262.9 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?
Seven Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.8 miles from Houston and 81.5 miles from Rusk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141 miles (226.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 $21.77 one way or $43.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.2 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 Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rusk.
Stop Ideas Near Seven Oaks
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 Seven Oaks.
Nacogdoches, Texas
Beaumont
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Rusk. Straight-line distance: 141.01 mi (226.94 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 Rusk
City in Cherokee County, Texas
| Population | 5,664 |
| Coordinates | 31.7960100, -95.1502200 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rusk (-95.15022, 31.79601)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 263 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $21.77 | $43.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.49 | $48.98 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $26.44 | $52.89 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.00 | $46.00 |
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.