Houston to New Orleans: Road Trip Guide & Distance

317.7 miles 511.3 km · straight line
348.1 miles actual route 560.2 km · driving distance
6h 32min estimated drive time
$33 - $41 estimated fuel cost
~1h 8min flight time
86° E bearing direction

How far is Houston from New Orleans?

The distance from Houston to New Orleans is 317.7 miles (511.3 km) as the crow flies. New Orleans is located E of Houston. By car, the driving distance is approximately 348.1 miles, taking about 6h 32min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 8min. Both are located in United States — Houston in Texas and New Orleans in Louisiana.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Houston and New Orleans. 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 Houston to New Orleans

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 6h 32min $33 - $41 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 8min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~7h 50min $28–$52* Budget
Train ~6h 12min $42–$122* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Houston & New Orleans

Quick Facts

Houston
29.76°N, 95.37°W
America/Chicago
15m elevation
New Orleans
29.95°N, 90.07°W
America/Chicago
1m elevation
Explore more routes from New Orleans

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 106 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 26 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 78.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM