How far is Houston, TX from San Diego, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to San Diego, TX is about 247.6 miles (398.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 222.3 miles (357.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 37m 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 04h 48m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and San Diego.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and San Diego.
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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
-
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
37.1 mi · 43 min · Alamo Street
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17
Take the exit straight toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
538 ft · 13 sec
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18
Keep slight left
1965 ft · 48 sec
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19
Merge slight right
2.5 mi · 2 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
5.1 mi · 6 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward TX 44 East: Corpus Christi
1218 ft · 30 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto North US Highway 77
1434 ft · 39 sec · North US Highway 77
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23
Turn right
2814 ft · 44 sec
-
24
Turn left onto East Avenue J
26.2 mi · 30 min · East Avenue J
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25
Continue on East Main Street
159 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
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26
Continue on East Front Street
10.6 mi · 12 min · East Front Street
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27
Turn left onto South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
38 m · 10 sec · South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
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28
Take the ramp sharp left
11 m · 1 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and San Diego.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Cloudy near San Diego.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to San Diego?
The road trip is about 247.6 miles (398.5 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Inez is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.8 miles from Houston and 123.8 miles from San Diego.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 222.3 miles (357.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 7:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.03 one way or $66.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Cloudy near San Diego.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and San Diego. Straight-line distance: 222.29 mi (357.74 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 Diego
City in Duval County, Texas, United States
| Population | 4,188 |
| Coordinates | 27.7639100, -98.2389000 |
| Altitude | 94 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Diego (-98.2389, 27.76391)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $33.03 | $66.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.16 | $74.32 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $40.13 | $80.25 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.