🗺️CityToCityDistance

Houston to New Orleans Distance

349 miles•561 km•5.5 hours

Driving distance and route information from Houston, United Statesto New Orleans, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

348.59 mi
(561 km)
⏱️5h 31m
Via I-45 → I-10 → US-90
I-45 → I-10
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

365.3 mi
(587.9 km)
⏱️6h 11m
Via I-10 → US-90 → US-165 → US-190
I-10 → US-90
📏 Straight-line distance: 318 miles (511 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Houston to New Orleans

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
349 mi
561 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
5.5 hours
330 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
47 L
$70 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointHouston, Texas
DestinationNew Orleans, Louisiana
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed102 km/h
Straight-line Distance511 km
Route Efficiency91%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Houston to New Orleans

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route349 mi (561 km)5.5 hours102 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1365 mi (588 km)6.2 hours95 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Houston to New Orleans

The road journey from Houston to New Orleans spans approximately 349 miles (561 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 5.5 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Texas, United States with Louisiana, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Houston to New Orleans follows the I-45 → I-10 → US-90 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 102 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 14 gallons (47 liters) of fuel for this 349 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
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Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 6.3 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$49
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$87
Total Trip Cost$136

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

5.5 hours

349 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.6 hours flight

511 km direct

🚌

By Bus

7.2 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Houston

View all distances from Houston →

More routes from New Orleans

View all distances from New Orleans →

Houston to New Orleans - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Houston to New Orleans?
The driving distance from Houston to New Orleans is 349 miles (561 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-45 → I-10 → US-90. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 511 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to New Orleans?
The drive from Houston to New Orleans takes approximately 5h 31m of continuous driving at an average speed of 102 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 6.3 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Houston to New Orleans?
The fastest driving route from Houston to New Orleans is 349 miles (561 km) via I-45 → I-10 → US-90, taking about 5h 31m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Houston to New Orleans?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Houston and New Orleans. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Houston to New Orleans include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Houston to New Orleans stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Houston to New Orleans?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 12 gallons (47 liters) of fuel for the 349-mile (561-km) drive from Houston to New Orleans. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $42 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Houston to New Orleans?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Houston as the origin and New Orleans as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.