Cancun to Houston: Road Trip Guide & Distance

796.5 miles 1281.8 km · straight line
1728 miles actual route 2780.9 km · driving distance
34h 50min estimated drive time
MXN 3977 - MXN 4894 estimated fuel cost
~2h 6min flight time
320° NW bearing direction

How far is Cancun from Houston?

The distance from Cancun to Houston is 796.5 miles (1281.8 km) as the crow flies. Houston is located NW of Cancun. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1728 miles, taking about 34h 50min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 6min. Cancun is in Mexico, while Houston is in Texas, United States.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. Keep in mind this route crosses international borders. Don't forget your passport, and check current border crossing times and vehicle insurance requirements. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Cancun and Houston. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Cancun to Houston

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 34h 50min MXN 3977 - MXN 4894 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 6min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~41h 48min $138–$259* Budget
Train ~45h 17min $207–$605* Comfort

Quick Facts

Cancun
21.16°N, 86.85°W
America/Cancun
10m elevation
Houston
29.76°N, 95.37°W
America/Chicago
15m elevation
Explore more routes from Houston

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 266 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 66 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 31.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM