Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Houston, TX: Distance, Drive Time & Checklist
How far is it from Minneapolis, MN to Houston, TX? In a straight line, 1,055 miles to the south, and roughly 1,160 to 1,371 miles on the road. Plan for 19 h 20 min to 24 h 56 min behind the wheel, plus stops. Relocating this way is an interstate move from Minnesota to Texas with no time zone change (both places are on Central time). Below you will find the key numbers, a fuel cost calculator and a practical checklist.
What are the key numbers for this move?
| From | Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| To | Houston, TX, Texas |
| Straight-line distance | 1,055 mi (1,698 km) |
| Direction of travel | South |
| Estimated road distance | 1,160–1,371 mi |
| Estimated driving time | 19 h 20 min – 24 h 56 min |
| Driving days at 8 hours a day | 3–4 |
| Time zone | Central → Central (same) |
| State change | Yes, MN → TX |
| Population of Minneapolis | 2,977,172 |
| Population of Houston | 5,464,251 |
How far is Minneapolis from Houston?
The straight-line (great-circle) distance between the two places is 1,055 miles, calculated from their coordinates (44.964°N, 93.268°W and 29.786°N, 95.389°W). Roads rarely run straight, so the driving distance is longer. We use a range of 10 to 30 percent more than the straight line, which gives 1,160 to 1,371 miles. The real figure depends on the route you choose, the mountains or rivers in between, and where in each city you start and finish. For a precise route, check a navigation app, and read how city distances are calculated.
How long does the drive from Minneapolis to Houston take?
At an average moving-truck speed of 55 to 60 miles per hour, the road distance works out to 19 h 20 min to 24 h 56 min of driving. A loaded truck or a trailer is slower than a car, and fuel, meals and rest stops add time, so most people split a trip like this into 3 to 4 driving days of about eight hours each. Because the trip spans several days, book overnight stops that allow truck or trailer parking before you leave.
How much fuel will the move cost?
Fuel is the one cost this page can estimate from distance alone. The calculator below uses the road-distance range and the fuel economy and price you enter. The starting values are assumptions, not quotes, so replace them with your vehicle's real mileage and today's local price. Mover fees, truck rental rates, tolls and insurance are not included.
For comparison, a vehicle that gets 10 miles per gallon would use about 116 to 137 gallons on this route. Illustrative fuel cost at three prices:
| Price per gallon | Fuel cost for 10 mpg |
|---|---|
| $3.00 | 348–411 |
| $3.75 | 435–514 |
| $4.50 | 522–617 |
What changes when you move from Minneapolis to Houston?
In our data, Houston is about 1.8 times as large as Minneapolis. Minneapolis is an urban core at about 7,954 people per square mile, while Houston is suburban at about 3,623. Expect a noticeably different pace of daily life, with different distances to shops, work and services. You will also see no time zone change (both places are on Central time). These figures are dataset estimates; see how to read density.
| Minneapolis | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,977,172 | 5,464,251 |
| Density per sq mi | 7,954 | 3,623 |
| Area type | An urban core | Suburban |
| County | Hennepin County | Harris County |
| ZIP codes | 38 | 181 |
| Time zone | Central | Central |
What should you put on your moving checklist?
- Book a truck, container or movers early, especially for the longest routes and peak summer weeks.
- Get written quotes from at least three movers and confirm whether the price is by weight, volume or hours.
- Update your address with the USPS, your bank, your employer and your insurers, and note that Houston uses 181 ZIP codes, so check the exact code for your new street.
- Check Texas rules for vehicle registration, driver license and voter registration after you arrive.
- Review health, car and renters or home insurance for coverage in Texas.
- Plan overnight stops and keep essentials, medications and documents with you rather than in the truck.
- Confirm utilities and internet are scheduled to start on your arrival day.
- Keep a folder of receipts, since some moving costs may matter at tax time. Ask a tax professional.
Which other routes are popular?
If you are still deciding where to go or where to start, compare these routes.
- Minneapolis to New York (1,021 mi)
- Minneapolis to Los Angeles (1,526 mi)
- Minneapolis to Chicago (354 mi)
- Minneapolis to Miami (1,511 mi)
- Minneapolis to Dallas (861 mi)
- Minneapolis to Philadelphia (983 mi)
- New York to Houston (1,421 mi)
- Los Angeles to Houston (1,379 mi)
- Chicago to Houston (937 mi)
- Miami to Houston (967 mi)
- Dallas to Houston (223 mi)
- Philadelphia to Houston (1,343 mi)
Where to go next
Distances, drive times and fuel figures are estimates for planning, not quotes. Always confirm routes and prices with your mover or navigation provider.