Cost to drive from Houston to Austin
Driving from Houston to Austin covers 162 miles (261 km) and takes about 2h 60min without stops. At Texas's current fuel prices (week of 2026-07-20), the fuel for the trip costs about $20.05 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
Enter your fuel economy and see stops along the way.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving distance between Houston and Austin (162 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, then multiply by a typical car's fuel use and Texas's current average pump price. The petrol figure assumes 30 MPG · 7.8 L/100km; diesel and EV use 35 MPG · 6.7 L/100km and 3.5 mi/kWh. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the planner for your exact numbers, and check live prices on the Texas fuel prices page.
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Houston to Austin?
The drive is 162 miles (261 km) and takes about 2h 60min without stops. Fuel costs roughly $20.05 in an average petrol car, $22.70 in a diesel, and $7.88 in an electric car, using Texas's current fuel prices.
How far is it from Houston to Austin in miles and km?
About 162 miles or 261 kilometres by road — roughly 2h 60min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in Houston or Austin?
Both ends use the same regional prices on this route.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Open the FuelWide route planner, enter your car's fuel economy, and it prices the trip on live data — and shows fuel or charging stops along the way.
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are Texas's current official averages; efficiency and electricity rate are typical estimates. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.