How far is New Orleans, LA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX is about 347.7 miles (559.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 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.
City in Louisiana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Orleans and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Orleans and Houston.
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1
Start on Tulane Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · Tulane Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Loyola Avenue
1385 ft · 46 sec · Loyola Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto Poydras Street
2932 ft · 1 min · Poydras Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
1865 ft · 46 sec
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5
Merge slight left
78.5 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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6
Keep slight left
266.7 mi · 4 hr 56 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward San Jacinto Street, Main Street
932 ft · 23 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Providence Street
599 ft · 12 sec · Providence Street
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9
Continue on North San Jacinto Street
1636 ft · 32 sec · North San Jacinto Street
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10
Continue on Fannin Street
1878 ft · 51 sec · Fannin Street
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11
Turn right onto Prairie Street
1338 ft · 48 sec · Prairie Street
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12
Turn right onto Louisiana Street
157 m · 17 sec · Louisiana Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Orleans and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 10 West
Keep slight left
267 mi · 04h 56m
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 New Orleans and Sunny near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Orleans to Houston?
The road trip is about 347.7 miles (559.5 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?
Jennings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.6 miles from New Orleans and 174.1 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 317.1 miles (510.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 7:30 AM CDT. 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 $48.00 one way or $96.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around New Orleans and Sunny near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Jennings
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 Jennings.
Lake Charles
Lafayette
New Iberia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Orleans and Houston. Straight-line distance: 317.12 mi (510.36 km).
#1 New Orleans
The most populous city in Louisiana and the center of the New Orleans metropolitan area.
| Population | 389,476 |
| Coordinates | 29.9546500, -90.0750700 |
| Altitude | 0 |
| 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: Houston (-95.36327, 29.76328)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 560 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $53.69 | $107.39 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $58.66 | $117.33 |
| Diesel | $5.82 | $71.45 | $142.90 |
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 Louisiana · Oct 15, 2026