How far is Houston, TX from Bay City, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Bay City, TX is about 79.9 miles (128.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Bay City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Bay City.
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1
Start on Louisiana Street
45 m · 12 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Turn left onto Congress Street
91 m · 15 sec · Congress Street
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3
Turn left onto Smith Street
669 ft · 25 sec · Smith Street
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4
Turn right onto Prairie Street
674 ft · 22 sec · Prairie Street
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5
Turn slight left onto Bagby Street
625 ft · 20 sec · Bagby Street
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6
Turn right onto Capitol Street
142 m · 13 sec · Capitol Street
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7
Continue on Memorial Drive Frontage Road
579 ft · 16 sec · Memorial Drive Frontage Road
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Drive Frontage Road
157 m · 23 sec · Memorial Drive Frontage Road
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9
Turn left onto Houston Avenue
47 m · 5 sec · Houston Avenue
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10
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 South: Houston Municipal Court and Juror, Gulf Freeway
79 m · 6 sec
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11
Continue on I 45 South: Galveston
793 ft · 19 sec
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12
Continue on Pierce Elevated
662 ft · 16 sec · Pierce Elevated
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13
Turn straight onto I 45 South: Galveston
597 ft · 15 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Gulf Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Gulf Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria
1.2 km · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
2698 ft · 1 min
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17
Continue on South Freeway
1 km · 47 sec · South Freeway
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18
Keep slight left
14.4 mi · 17 min
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19
Merge slight right onto South Freeway
1312 ft · 17 sec · South Freeway
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20
Continue on Nolan Ryan Expressway
24.6 mi · 28 min · Nolan Ryan Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward TX 35
2550 ft · 1 min
-
22
Turn right onto Jimmy Phillips Boulevard
11.3 mi · 17 min · Jimmy Phillips Boulevard
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23
Continue on East Brazos Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · East Brazos Avenue
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24
Turn left onto South 17th Street
2 mi · 4 min · South 17th Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn left
21.8 mi · 33 min
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Bay City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Nolan Ryan Expressway
Continue on Nolan Ryan Expressway
24.6 mi · 00h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Houston and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Bay City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Bay City?
The road trip is about 79.9 miles (128.6 km) and usually takes 01h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Angleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Houston and 39.9 miles from Bay City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.66 one way or $21.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Houston and Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny near Bay City.
Stop Ideas Near Angleton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Angleton.
Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas
Houston, TX
Houston
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Bay City. Straight-line distance: 65.12 mi (104.8 km).
#1 Houston
The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,316,120 |
| Coordinates | 29.7632800, -95.3632700 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bay City
City in Texas
| Population | 17,535 |
| Coordinates | 28.9827600, -95.9694000 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bay City (-95.9694, 28.98276)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $10.66 | $21.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $12.95 | $25.89 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $11.26 | $22.52 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.