How far is The Woodlands, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from The Woodlands, TX to Austin, TX is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.8 miles (216.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Washington County, Texas, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between The Woodlands and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Woodlands and Austin.
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1
Start on Pebble Cove Drive
1009 ft · 35 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Panther Creek Drive
561 ft · 23 sec · East Panther Creek Drive
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3
Turn right onto Woodlands Parkway
1.4 km · 1 min · Woodlands Parkway
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4
Turn left onto South Panther Creek Drive
1709 ft · 48 sec · South Panther Creek Drive
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5
Turn right onto Flintridge Drive
602 ft · 19 sec · Flintridge Drive
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6
Turn left onto Gosling Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Gosling Road
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7
Take the ramp right toward TX 99 Toll
2432 ft · 59 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
18.6 mi · 20 min · North Grand Parkway West
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 290: Austin, Houston
1889 ft · 46 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 290 West, TX 6 North: Austin
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Northwest Freeway
23 mi · 27 min · Northwest Freeway
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12
Continue on US Highway 290
19 mi · 21 min · US Highway 290
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 West: Austin
53.4 mi · 1 hr
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14
Continue straight
21.4 mi · 25 min
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15
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.1 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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16
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, US 290 West
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
1.6 km · 1 min · Purple Heart Trail
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
1096 ft · 27 sec
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21
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
948 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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22
Turn right onto East 6th Street
2578 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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23
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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24
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between The Woodlands and Austin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 290 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 West: Austin
53.4 mi · 01h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving The Woodlands and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from The Woodlands to Austin?
The road trip is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km) and usually takes 02h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Burton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from The Woodlands and 80.1 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.8 miles (216.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.09 one way or $42.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around The Woodlands and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Burton
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 Burton.
Bryan, TX
Prairie View, TX
Taylor
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between The Woodlands and Austin. Straight-line distance: 134.77 mi (216.89 km).
#1 The Woodlands
A city in Montgomery County, Texas.
| Population | 93,847 |
| Coordinates | 30.1579900, -95.4893800 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $21.09 | $42.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.73 | $47.45 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $25.62 | $51.24 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $22.28 | $44.56 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.