🗺️CityToCityDistance

New Orleans to Houston Distance

349 miles•561 km•5.5 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

348.55 mi
(560.93 km)
⏱️5h 33m
Via US-90 → I-10 → I-45
US-90 → I-10
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

360.54 mi
(580.24 km)
⏱️6h 9m
Via US-90 → I-10 → US-165 → I-45
US-90 → I-10
📏 Straight-line distance: 318 miles (511 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: New Orleans to Houston

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 PointNew Orleans, Louisiana
DestinationHouston, Texas
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 New Orleans to Houston

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route349 mi (561 km)5.5 hours101 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1361 mi (580 km)6.2 hours94 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: New Orleans to Houston

The road journey from New Orleans to Houston 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 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 US-90 → I-10 → I-45 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.
✓
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 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 349 miles (561 km) by the fastest route, which follows US-90 → I-10 → I-45. 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 New Orleans to Houston?
The drive from New Orleans to Houston takes approximately 5h 33m 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 New Orleans to Houston?
The fastest driving route from New Orleans to Houston is 349 miles (561 km) via US-90 → I-10 → I-45, taking about 5h 33m. 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 349-mile (561-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.