How far is Mercedes, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Mercedes, TX to Houston, TX is about 340.8 miles (548.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 294.2 miles (473.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
340.79 mi
05h 28m
Flight
294.18 mi
473.44 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mercedes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
294.18 mi
Kilometers
473.44 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
340.79 mi
Kilometers
548.45 km
Drive Time
05h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Tue, Jun 2, 4:20 PM CDT
Return by in Mercedes
Tue, Jun 2, 9:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mercedes
2026-06-02T10:52
Arrive Houston
Tue, Jun 2, 4:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:28 AM to 1:28 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mercedes
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Woodsboro
TX

Town in Frederick County Maryland

From Mercedes
170.8 mi
02h 44m
To Houston
170 mi
02h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
93°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph E
Destination
90°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mercedes and Houston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercedes and Houston.

  1. 1

    Start on South Texas Avenue

    2225 ft · 50 sec · South Texas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Expressway 83

    1.3 km · 1 min · Expressway 83

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left

    1520 ft · 37 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 69E North, US 77: Raymondville, Corpus Christi

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77

    87.7 mi · 1 hr 37 min · U.S. Highway 77

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    1157 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Highway 77

    11.6 mi · 13 min · U.S. Highway 77

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road

    148 m · 18 sec · US Highway 77 Frontage Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto County Road 10

    1 mi · 4 min · County Road 10

  13. 13

    Turn left onto County Road 79

    4 mi · 16 min · County Road 79

  14. 14

    Turn left onto County Road 18

    848 ft · 44 sec · County Road 18

  15. 15

    Turn sharp right

    1.1 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Take the ramp straight

    2351 ft · 57 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Driscoll Bypass

    2.3 mi · 2 min · Driscoll Bypass

  18. 18

    Continue on U.S. Highway 77

    13.2 mi · 14 min · U.S. Highway 77

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 1 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    1.3 km · 50 sec

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    141 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Sinton, Victoria

    37.6 mi · 44 min

  23. 23

    Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77

    33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77

  24. 24

    Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South

    88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right

    1551 ft · 38 sec

  27. 27

    Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  28. 28

    Continue straight

    2146 ft · 59 sec

  29. 29

    Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  30. 30

    Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

  31. 31

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North

    1304 ft · 32 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway

    32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway

  33. 33

    Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street

    1.4 km · 1 min

  34. 34

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street

    47 m · 4 sec

  35. 35

    Continue on Louisiana Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercedes and Houston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
36 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
7 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Highway 77
116 mi · 34%
US Highway 59 South
88.9 mi · 26%
Sinton
37.6 mi · 11%
United States Highway 77
33 mi · 10%
Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 10%
Expressway 83
12.1 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.6 mi
294.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodsboro
02h 44m from Mercedes
Leave By
6:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Mercedes and Chance 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 Mercedes to Houston?

The road trip is about 340.8 miles (548.4 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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 170.8 miles from Mercedes and 170 miles from Houston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 294.2 miles (473.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 6:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.46 one way or $90.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 106.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Mercedes and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mercedes and Houston. Straight-line distance: 294.18 mi (473.44 km).

Mercedes

#1 Mercedes

City in Texas, USA

Population16,598
Coordinates26.1498000, -97.9136100
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Houston

#2 Houston

The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.

Population2,316,120
Coordinates29.7632800, -95.3632700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: South Texas Avenue (-97.913441, 26.149799)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 548 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 40m
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.

One-way fuel
12.03 gal
45.52 L · about $45.46
Round trip
$90.92
24.06 gal · 91.04 L
Estimated CO2
106.9 kg one way
Round trip: 213.8 kg / 471 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $45.46 $90.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $51.15 $102.30
Premium $4.59 $55.23 $110.46
Diesel $3.99 $48.04 $96.07

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Mercedes and Houston. The current time is 10:52:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.