How far is Houston, TX from San Carlos, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to San Carlos, TX is about 341.7 miles (549.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 291 miles (468.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CST.
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 32m.
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.
Town in Frederick County Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and San Carlos.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
45 m · 12 sec · Louisiana Street
-
2
Turn left onto Congress Street
91 m · 15 sec · Congress Street
-
3
Turn left onto Smith Street
2.7 mi · 6 min · Smith Street
-
4
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.8 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
1158 ft · 28 sec
-
6
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
-
7
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
2217 ft · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
-
8
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
1.4 km · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
-
9
Take the ramp straight
1027 ft · 25 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
-
11
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
13
Continue on US Highway 59
74.7 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.6 km · 1 min · Spur 91
-
15
Merge slight right onto US Highway 77 South
33.2 mi · 38 min · US Highway 77 South
-
16
Turn straight onto Alamo Street
37.1 mi · 43 min · Alamo Street
-
17
Take the exit straight toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
538 ft · 13 sec
-
18
Keep slight left
1965 ft · 48 sec
-
19
Merge slight right
2.5 mi · 2 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
28.6 mi · 31 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward TX 141
741 ft · 18 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
774 ft · 25 sec · South US Highway 77 Bypass
-
23
Turn right onto East King Avenue
16.2 mi · 21 min · East King Avenue
-
24
Take the ramp left
1804 ft · 49 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
11 mi · 13 min
-
26
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 10 min
-
27
Keep slight left to continue on Falfurrias Expressway
55.8 mi · 59 min · Falfurrias Expressway
-
28
Keep slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward FM 2128: Chapin Road, Schunior Road, Richardson Road
1502 ft · 28 sec
-
30
Turn straight onto North Expressway 281
1.1 km · 1 min · North Expressway 281
-
31
Turn left onto East Schunior Street
116 m · 9 sec · East Schunior Street
-
32
Continue on East Richardson Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Richardson Road
-
33
Continue on East Richardson Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Richardson Street
-
34
Continue on East Schunior Street
2604 ft · 42 sec · East Schunior Street
-
35
Continue on Richardson Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Richardson Road
-
36
At the end of the road, turn left
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
37
Continue straight
142 m · 15 sec
-
38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and San Carlos.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Houston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 341.7 miles (549.9 km) and usually takes 06h 32m 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?
Woodsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171 miles from Houston and 170.7 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 291 miles (468.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.7 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 CST. 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 $43.19 one way or $86.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Houston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near San Carlos.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 290.99 mi (468.31 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 San Carlos
San Carlos is a place in Texas, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 26.2956300, -98.0719500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-98.07195, 26.29563)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 550 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.58 | $43.19 | $86.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.09 | $49.37 | $98.75 |
| Premium | $4.47 | $53.93 | $107.86 |
| Diesel | $5.68 | $68.52 | $137.05 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026