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Drive or Fly: The Colony, TX to Houston, TX?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:
Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

4h 49m

Distance

263.7 mi

Total Cost

$85

CO2

107 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$50
Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0
Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35
+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines
+ Comfortable one-day drive
+ Stop anywhere along the route
+ Have your own car at the destination
+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying
− Wear and tear on vehicle
− Fuel price fluctuations
Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

3h 9m

30m in the air

Air Distance

247 mi

Total Cost

$185

CO2

63 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

The Colony, TX → DFW 24m
Check-in & Security 90m
Flight 30m
Arrival & Baggage 30m
HOU → Houston, TX 15m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $130) $130
Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

The Colony, TX DFW — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport 16 mi, ~24m drive
Houston, TX HOU — William P. Hobby Airport 10 mi, ~15m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

92.4%

Cancellation

7.6%

+ Less physical fatigue
+ Predictable arrival time
− Airport security and check-in overhead
− May need a rental car at destination
− Luggage fees and restrictions
− Less flexibility for stops along the way

At a Glance

Drive Fly
Door-to-door time 4h 49m 3h 9m
Total cost (1 person) $85 $185
Carbon footprint 107 kg CO2 63 kg CO2
Flexibility High Low
Luggage Unlimited Restricted
Reliability Weather dependent 92% on-time
Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices
Flight data: Statistical estimate
Airports: OurAirports
Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Jul 21, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest
263.7 mi 4h 49m

via I 45, DNT

Alternative (+55 min)
283.4 mi 5h 44m

via I 45, US 84; US 287; TX 19, US 175

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from The Colony, TX to Houston, TX with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.