New Orleans to Houston Distance

350 miles•563 km•5.4 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

349.76 mi

(562.88 km)

⏱️5h 26m

Via I-10 → I-45

I-10 → I-45

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ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

361.79 mi

(582.24 km)

⏱️6h 14m

Via I-10 → US-165 → I-45

I-10 → US-165

📏 Straight-line distance: 318 miles (512 km)

See crow flies distance →

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Complete Driving Guide: New Orleans to Houston

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE

350 mi

563 kilometers

DRIVING TIME

5.4 hours

324 minutes

FUEL ESTIMATE

47 L

$70 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointNew Orleans, Louisiana

DestinationHouston, Texas

Route Options2 available routes

Countries Crossed1 country

Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed104 km/h

Straight-line Distance512 km

Route Efficiency91%

Toll RoadsNo tolls expected

Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from New Orleans to Houston

Route Type	Distance	Drive Time	Avg Speed	Tolls
⭐ Fastest Route	350 mi (563 km)	5.4 hours	104 km/h	❌ No
Alternative 1	362 mi (582 km)	6.2 hours	93 km/h	❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: New Orleans to Houston

The road journey from New Orleans to Houston spans approximately 350 miles (563 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 5.4 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Louisiana, United States with Texas, 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 New Orleans to Houston follows the I-10 → I-45 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 104 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 350 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: 6.2 hours.

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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

5.4 hours

350 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.6 hours flight

512 km direct

🚌

By Bus

7 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from New Orleans

View all distances from New Orleans →

More routes from Houston

View all distances from Houston →

New Orleans to Houston - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from New Orleans to Houston?

The driving distance from New Orleans to Houston is 350 miles (563 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-10 → I-45. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 512 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 New Orleans to Houston?

The drive from New Orleans to Houston takes approximately 5h 26m of continuous driving at an average speed of 104 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 6.2 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.

What is the fastest route from New Orleans to Houston?

The fastest driving route from New Orleans to Houston is 350 miles (563 km) via I-10 → I-45, taking about 5h 26m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.

Are there alternative routes from New Orleans to Houston?

Yes, 2 routing options exist between New Orleans and Houston. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.

Does the route from New Orleans to Houston include tolls?

No, the fastest driving route from New Orleans to Houston 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 New Orleans to Houston?

A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 12 gallons (47 liters) of fuel for the 350-mile (563-km) drive from New Orleans to Houston. 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 New Orleans to Houston?

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 New Orleans as the origin and Houston as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.