The distance from Waco TX to Houston by car is 183 miles, with a 3h10m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Waco TX to Houston drive are the Franklin Drive Thru Safari, College Station and the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
Finding the best things to do between Waco TX and Houston
The Waco TX to Houston drive takes you from a city on the Brazos River to the biggest city in Texas.
To the west of the I-35, the Waco Mammoth National Monument is home to the biggest ice age Columbian mammoth fossil find anywhere in the world. The skeletons of 16 mammoths – a nursery herd – were found her in an archaeological dig that started in 1978.
Guided tours of the site take place every 30 minutes – just rock up and join the next departure.
The Brazos River runs through Waco, and the best way to see the city is on a morning or sunset boat tour. The cruises depart from next to McLane Stadium, and take in several city attractions, including Baylor University, the enormous Waco Suspension Bridge and Cameron Park. The latter is the best place in Waco for spotting the local wildlife.
Book your Waco boat tour, or search for other Waco experiences including the Dr Pepper Museum.
The top Houston attraction is unquestionably the Space Center Houston, which takes you behind the scenes of the Johnson Space Center. This includes the Mission Briefing Center, and a vast array of high tech exhibitions.
Other attractions include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Downtown Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Children’s Museum.
For more Houston experiences, try hip hop party bike tours, foodie walks in the Montrose neighbourhood and quirky tours of Houston’s tunnel system.
Top Houston accommodation options include the superb value Club Quarters Houston Downtown and the upscale but boutique Magnolia.
Five great things to do in Houston
- 🚀 Reserve your tickets – for Houston’s number one attraction, Space Center Houston.
- 🎵 Discover Houston’s hip-hop culture – on a motorised party bike.
- 🚇 Explore the largest downtown tunnel system in the US – on the Astroville Tunnel Tour.
- 🎨 On a downtown mural tour – learn about Houston’s street art scene.
- 🖼️ Immerse yourself in a spectacular interactive art installation – at Meow Wolf’s Radio Tave.
Waco TX to Houston distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Waco TX to Houston is 183 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 10 minutes. The best stops to add to a Waco TX to Houston road trip itinerary are the Franklin Drive Thru Safari, College Station and the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
Waco TX to Houston road trip attractions: Franklin Drive Thru Safari
The Franklin Drive Thru Safari just outside Franklin TX offers a slightly different take on the generic zoo experience. Here, the animals are presented safari-style. You drive through in your own vehicle, passing wandering bison, giraffes and camels as you go.
There’s also a reptile house, and you can rent cabins next to the Safari site.
Best stops between Waco TX and Houston: College Station
College Station is home to Texas A&M University, which has two supersized sporting stadiums in Kyle Field and the Reed Arena. The main reason to visit, however, is the George HW Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The 41st president is buried here, and his grave can be visited.
However, the highlight for most is the replica Oval Office. Visitors can sit behind the president’s desk and pose for photos.
Waco TX to Houston drive: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
Washington-on-the-Brazos is where Texas became Texas. Here, in 1836, Texas declared independence and it remained an independent nation until 1846. The heart of the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is the Star of the Republic Museum in Independence Hall. But there’s also a Visitor Center and the 19th century Fanthorp Inn, where stagecoaches once arrived.
More Texas road trips
- Best stops on the Austin to Galveston drive and the Dallas to Galveston drive.
- Getting to Houston: The best stops on the Arlington to Houston drive and Dallas to Houston drive.
- Best stops on the Dallas to Amarillo drive and the Fort Worth to Amarillo drive.
- Road trips from Houston: Where to stop on the Houston to Hot Springs AR drive and Houston to Oklahoma City drive.
- Best stops on the Dallas to Austin drive and Memphis to Austin drive.
