How far is Universal City, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Universal City, TX to Houston, TX is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.4 miles (283.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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 50m.
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.
City in Fayette County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Universal City and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Universal City and Houston.
-
1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Pat Booker Road
1783 ft · 57 sec · Pat Booker Road
-
3
Turn left onto Gordon A Blake Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
-
4
Turn right onto Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.5 mi · 10 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518
-
5
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
652 ft · 18 sec · Interstate 10 East
-
6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 10 East, US 90 East, TX 130 North
145 m · 12 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 11 min
-
8
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
-
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
-
11
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
-
12
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
-
14
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
-
15
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
-
16
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Universal City and Houston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 10 East
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151 mi · 02h 34m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Universal City and Mostly Sunny near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Universal City to Houston?
The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Schulenburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.1 miles from Universal City and 92.3 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.4 miles (283.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.60 one way or $49.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Universal City and Mostly Sunny near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Schulenburg
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 Schulenburg.
Prairie View, TX
San Marcos Station
Austin
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Universal City and Houston. Straight-line distance: 176.42 mi (283.92 km).
#1 Universal City
Community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 20,890 |
| Coordinates | 29.5480100, -98.2911200 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| 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: 297 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.60 | $49.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.89 | $59.77 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.99 | $51.99 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.