How far is Rio Hondo, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Rio Hondo, TX to Houston, TX is about 333.4 miles (536.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 278.8 miles (448.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m 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
333.36 mi
05h 22m
Flight
278.8 mi
448.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rio Hondo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
278.8 mi
Kilometers
448.68 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
333.36 mi
Kilometers
536.49 km
Drive Time
05h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Fri, May 1, 5:13 PM CDT
Return by in Rio Hondo
Fri, May 1, 10:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rio Hondo
2026-05-01T11:51
Arrive Houston
Fri, May 1, 5:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:22 AM to 1:22 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
6:16 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rio Hondo
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
Refugio
TX

Town in Texas, USA

From Rio Hondo
167.1 mi
02h 41m
To Houston
166.3 mi
02h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
94°F
Today

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
78°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rio Hondo and Houston.

  1. 1

    Start on Colorado Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Colorado Avenue

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on West Colorado Avenue

    1584 ft · 22 sec · West Colorado Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Combes Rio Hondo Road

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Combes Rio Hondo Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Templeton Street

    1510 ft · 33 sec · Templeton Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road

    1045 ft · 21 sec · Interstate 69E Frontage Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    964 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77

    83.8 mi · 1 hr 33 min · U.S. Highway 77

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    1157 ft · 14 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  10. 10

    Continue on U.S. Highway 77

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

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road

    148 m · 18 sec · US Highway 77 Frontage Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto County Road 10

    1 mi · 4 min · County Road 10

  14. 14

    Turn left onto County Road 79

    4 mi · 16 min · County Road 79

  15. 15

    Turn left onto County Road 18

    848 ft · 44 sec · County Road 18

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right

    1.1 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Take the ramp straight

    2351 ft · 57 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Driscoll Bypass

    2.3 mi · 2 min · Driscoll Bypass

  19. 19

    Continue on U.S. Highway 77

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

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 1 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    1.3 km · 50 sec

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    141 m · 5 sec

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward Sinton, Victoria

    37.6 mi · 44 min

  24. 24

    Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77

    33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South

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

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right

    1551 ft · 38 sec

  28. 28

    Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  29. 29

    Continue straight

    2146 ft · 59 sec

  30. 30

    Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  31. 31

    Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

  32. 32

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

    1304 ft · 32 sec

  33. 33

    Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway

    32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway

  34. 34

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

    1.4 km · 1 min

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street

    47 m · 4 sec

  36. 36

    Continue on Louisiana Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Hondo 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
37 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
6 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Highway 77
113 mi · 34%
US Highway 59 South
88.9 mi · 27%
Sinton
37.6 mi · 11%
United States Highway 77
33 mi · 10%
Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 10%
Combes Rio Hondo Road
8.47 mi · 3%
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 22m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.6 mi
278.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Refugio
02h 41m from Rio Hondo
Leave By
6:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo to Houston?

The road trip is about 333.4 miles (536.5 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?

Refugio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 167.1 miles from Rio Hondo and 166.3 miles from Houston.

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

The direct path is about 278.8 miles (448.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.6 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 6:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.44 one way or $88.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Rio Hondo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rio Hondo and Houston. Straight-line distance: 278.8 mi (448.68 km).

Rio Hondo

#1 Rio Hondo

City in Texas, USA

Population2,639
Coordinates26.2353500, -97.5819300
Altitude8
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 Reynolds Street (-97.582054, 26.235365)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 536 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.76 gal
44.53 L · about $44.44
Round trip
$88.88
23.52 gal · 89.06 L
Estimated CO2
104.5 kg one way
Round trip: 209 kg / 461 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $44.44 $88.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $50.00 $100.01
Premium $4.59 $53.99 $107.98
Diesel $3.99 $46.96 $93.92

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Rio Hondo and Houston. The current time is 11:51:50.

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.