How far is Zapata, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Zapata, TX to Houston, TX is about 344.6 miles (554.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 308.9 miles (497.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Zapata and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zapata and Houston.
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1
Start on United States Highway 83
25.7 mi · 29 min · United States Highway 83
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2
Continue on North US Highway 83
14.2 mi · 16 min · North US Highway 83
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3
Turn right onto Mangana-Hein Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Mangana-Hein Road
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4
Turn left onto Cuatro Vientos Road
7.8 mi · 10 min · Cuatro Vientos Road
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5
Continue on Bob Bullock Loop
1.1 mi · 2 min · Bob Bullock Loop
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6
Take the exit slight right
1203 ft · 30 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Bob Bullock Loop
662 ft · 13 sec · Bob Bullock Loop
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8
Take the ramp slight right
71 m · 6 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto East Saunders Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Saunders Street
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10
Continue on Lloyd Bentsen Highway
57.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Lloyd Bentsen Highway
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11
Turn left
66.6 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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12
Continue on West Houston Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · West Houston Street
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13
Continue on US Highway 59 East
47.7 mi · 53 min · US Highway 59 East
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14
Take the exit left toward Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
2904 ft · 1 min · Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
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15
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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17
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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18
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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19
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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20
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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21
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
1.4 km · 1 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
47 m · 4 sec
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25
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Zapata and Houston.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Zapata and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance 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 Zapata to Houston?
The road trip is about 344.6 miles (554.6 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?
Beeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 180.1 miles from Zapata and 164.6 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 308.9 miles (497.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 5:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.95 one way or $91.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Zapata and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Zapata and Houston. Straight-line distance: 308.87 mi (497.08 km).
#1 Zapata
Census designated place
| Population | 5,089 |
| Coordinates | 26.9072600, -99.2714300 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| 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: 555 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $45.95 | $91.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.70 | $103.41 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $55.83 | $111.65 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $48.55 | $97.11 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.