How far is Wharton, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Wharton, TX to Houston, TX is about 58.7 miles (94.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 54.3 miles (87.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
58.69 mi
01h 08m
Flight
54.31 mi
87.41 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wharton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
54.31 mi
Kilometers
87.41 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.69 mi
Kilometers
94.46 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 01h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Tue, May 12, 10:41 PM CDT
Return by in Wharton
Tue, May 12, 11:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wharton
2026-05-12T21:33
Arrive Houston
Tue, May 12, 10:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wharton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Richmond
TX

City in Texas, United States of America

From Wharton
29.9 mi
00h 34m
To Houston
28.8 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
84°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Milam Street

    34 m · 6 sec · West Milam Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Richmond Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North Richmond Road

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 59

    15.7 mi · 18 min · US Highway 59

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1551 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    2146 ft · 59 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

  10. 10

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

    1304 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway

    32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway

  12. 12

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

    1.4 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street

    47 m · 4 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Louisiana Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 56%
US Highway 59
16 mi · 27%
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 3%
59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.97 mi · 3%
Louisiana Street
1.89 mi · 3%
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.33 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Southwest Freeway

Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway

32.6 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.4 mi
54.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Richmond
00h 34m from Wharton
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Wharton 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 Wharton to Houston?

The road trip is about 58.7 miles (94.5 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.9 miles from Wharton and 28.8 miles from Houston.

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

The direct path is about 54.3 miles (87.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.82 one way or $15.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wharton and Mostly Sunny near Houston.

Stop Ideas Near Richmond

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Richmond and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 2.3 mi away

Freeman Town Park

Richmond , TX
601 Burnet St, Richmond, TX 77469
Rating 4.8/5 4 reviews City park
Sugar Land City Hall
Meeting point 9 mi away

Sugar Land City Hall

Sugar Land , TX
2700 Town Center Blvd N, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Rating 4.5/5 31 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 3.1 mi away

Carriage Glen Apartments

Rosenberg , TX
1811 City Hall Dr, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Rating 3.8/5 16 reviews Apartment complex,Apartment building
City Hall Park
Scenic stop 2.8 mi away

City Hall Park

Richmond , TX
402 Morton St, Richmond, TX 77469
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews City park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond.

BUS

Houston, TX

42 mi away
2121 Main Street
RAIL

Houston

43 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Prairie View, TX

59 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n
BUS

Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas

100 mi away
25th St. and Strand St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wharton and Houston. Straight-line distance: 54.31 mi (87.41 km).

Wharton

#1 Wharton

City in Texas, USA

Population8,615
Coordinates29.3116400, -96.1027400
Altitude31
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: West Milam Street (-96.102749, 29.311615)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 94 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.07 gal
7.84 L · about $7.82
Round trip
$15.65
4.14 gal · 15.68 L
Estimated CO2
18.4 kg one way
Round trip: 36.8 kg / 81 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $7.82 $15.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.80 $17.60
Premium $4.59 $9.50 $19.01
Diesel $3.99 $8.27 $16.53

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

There is no time difference between Wharton and Houston. The current time is 21:33:08.

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.