How far is McAllen, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from McAllen, TX to Houston, TX is about 361.1 miles (581.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 301.8 miles (485.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 04m 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 05h 32m.
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.
Town in Frederick County Maryland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McAllen and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McAllen and Houston.
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1
Start on West Business 83
7 m · 4 sec · West Business 83
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2
Turn right onto North 10th Street
1 mi · 2 min · North 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto Pecan Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Pecan Boulevard
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4
Continue on West Ferguson Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Ferguson Avenue
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5
Turn left onto North Cage Boulevard
531 ft · 11 sec · North Cage Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 69C North, US 281 North
78.7 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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7
Keep slight right
25.2 mi · 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
2237 ft · 1 min
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9
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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10
Turn right onto Cecilia Street
2623 ft · 57 sec · Cecilia Street
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11
Turn left onto Old Kingsville Road
105 m · 7 sec · Old Kingsville Road
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12
Turn slight right onto South Cameron Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Cameron Street
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13
Turn right onto East Front Street
138 m · 6 sec · East Front Street
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14
Continue on East Main Street
26.2 mi · 30 min · East Main Street
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15
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 59 sec
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16
Turn left onto North US Highway 77
1.6 km · 2 min · North US Highway 77
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17
Take the ramp slight left toward County Road 44
1247 ft · 31 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77
4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Highway 77
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19
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 50 sec
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21
Continue straight
141 m · 5 sec
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Sinton, Victoria
37.6 mi · 44 min
-
23
Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77
33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91
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25
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South
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26
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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27
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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28
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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29
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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30
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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31
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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32
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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33
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
1.4 km · 1 min
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34
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
47 m · 4 sec
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35
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McAllen and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US Highway 59 South
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 01h 38m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving McAllen and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McAllen to Houston?
The road trip is about 361.1 miles (581.2 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Woodsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 175 miles from McAllen and 186.2 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 301.8 miles (485.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.3 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 5:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.14 one way or $96.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around McAllen and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McAllen and Houston. Straight-line distance: 301.78 mi (485.67 km).
#1 McAllen
The second most populous city in Hidalgo County, Texas.
| Population | 143,751 |
| Coordinates | 26.2034100, -98.2300100 |
| Altitude | 37 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 581 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $48.14 | $96.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.17 | $108.34 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $58.49 | $116.98 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $50.87 | $101.74 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.