How far is Houston, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Waco, TX is about 180 miles (289.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.7 miles (261.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m 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 26m.
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.
The most populous city in Brazos County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Waco.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
-
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
664 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
-
3
Turn left onto Travis Street
1205 ft · 29 sec · Travis Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North Express Lane
1.6 km · 2 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · North Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward TX 249
818 ft · 20 sec
-
7
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
1849 ft · 39 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
-
8
Turn left onto West Mount Houston Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Mount Houston Road
-
9
Continue on Tomball Parkway
3.8 mi · 6 min · Tomball Parkway
-
10
Continue on Tomball Parkway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Tomball Parkway
-
11
Continue on Tomball Tollway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
-
12
Continue on MCTRA 249 Tollway
3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
-
13
Continue on Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
-
14
Continue on State Highway 105
5.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 105
-
15
Turn right onto State Highway 6
815 ft · 16 sec · State Highway 6
-
16
Take the ramp slight left
755 ft · 18 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
49.8 mi · 53 min
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on North State Highway 6
5.8 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6
-
19
Continue on South Main Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
-
20
Continue on North State Highway 6
37.5 mi · 37 min · North State Highway 6
-
21
Continue on South Memorial Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Street
-
22
Continue on East State Highway 6
9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6
-
23
Continue on Marlin Highway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Marlin Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Orchard Lane
105 m · 8 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto South Loop Drive
1274 ft · 33 sec · South Loop Drive
-
26
Turn left onto Orchard Lane
1.2 km · 2 min · Orchard Lane
-
27
Turn right onto South Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 km · 1 min · South Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
-
28
Turn left onto Elm Street
95 m · 9 sec · Elm Street
-
29
Continue on Washington Avenue
1944 ft · 59 sec · Washington Avenue
-
30
Turn right onto North 4th Street
2012 ft · 59 sec · North 4th Street
-
31
Turn left onto West Waco Drive
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Waco Drive
-
32
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Waco.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 6
Merge slight left
49.8 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Sunny leaving Houston and Mostly Clear near Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Waco?
The road trip is about 180 miles (289.7 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
College Station is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Houston and 89.9 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.7 miles (261.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.00 one way or $47.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Houston and Mostly Clear near Waco.
Stop Ideas Near College Station
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 College Station.
Bryan, TX
Prairie View, TX
Taylor
Temple
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Waco. Straight-line distance: 162.67 mi (261.8 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.00 | $47.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.15 | $58.31 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.36 | $50.71 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.