how far is new orleans from houston
New Orleans is roughly 330–340 miles (about 530–550 km) from Houston by road, which usually takes around 5½–6½ hours of driving via I‑10, depending on traffic and stops.
Quick Scoop
- Driving distance: About 330–340 miles / 530–550 km.
- Typical drive time: Around 5½–6½ hours in normal conditions, mainly along Interstate 10.
- Straight‑line (air) distance: About 300–320 miles / ~485–515 km between the two cities and their airports.
If you picture it as a road‑trip, it’s a solid same‑day drive: leave Houston after breakfast, follow I‑10 east across Texas into Louisiana, and you can be walking through the French Quarter by late afternoon or early evening.
| Mode | Approx. Distance | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Driving (I‑10) | ≈ 330–340 miles (530–550 km) | [1][3][5]≈ 5.5–6.5 hours | [3][5][1]
| Direct flight | ≈ 300–320 miles (≈ 485–515 km) | [9][5][7][1][3]≈ 1 hour 15–30 minutes in the air | [5][9]