How far is Houston, TX from Friendswood, TX?

The driving distance from Houston, TX to Friendswood, TX is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
23.21 mi
00h 32m
Flight
18.87 mi
30.37 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.87 mi
Kilometers
30.37 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.21 mi
Kilometers
37.35 km
Drive Time
00h 32m

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 00h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Friendswood
Sat, Apr 18, 12:31 PM CDT
Return by in Houston
Sat, Apr 18, 1:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houston
2026-04-18T11:59
Arrive Friendswood
Sat, Apr 18, 12:31 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:33 AM to 7:33 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Houston
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
South Houston
TX

City in Harris County, Texas, United States

From Houston
11.6 mi
00h 16m
To Friendswood
11.6 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Friendswood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Friendswood.

  1. 1

    Start on Louisiana Street

    45 m · 12 sec · Louisiana Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Congress Street

    91 m · 15 sec · Congress Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Smith Street

    669 ft · 25 sec · Smith Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Prairie Street

    674 ft · 22 sec · Prairie Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight left onto Bagby Street

    625 ft · 20 sec · Bagby Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Capitol Street

    142 m · 13 sec · Capitol Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Memorial Drive Frontage Road

    579 ft · 16 sec · Memorial Drive Frontage Road

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Memorial Drive Frontage Road

    157 m · 23 sec · Memorial Drive Frontage Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Houston Avenue

    47 m · 5 sec · Houston Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the ramp straight toward I 45 South: Houston Municipal Court and Juror, Gulf Freeway

    79 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on I 45 South: Galveston

    793 ft · 19 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Pierce Elevated

    662 ft · 16 sec · Pierce Elevated

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto I 45 South: Galveston

    597 ft · 15 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Gulf Freeway

    16.8 mi · 20 min · Gulf Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward FM 2351: Friendswood, Clear Lake City Boulevard

    2562 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Friendswood Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Friendswood Road

  18. 18

    Continue on East Edgewood Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Edgewood Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Friendswood Drive

    2231 ft · 48 sec · South Friendswood Drive

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Friendswood Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Friendswood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
86.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Gulf Freeway
16.8 mi · 72%
Friendswood Road
1.89 mi · 8%
East Edgewood Avenue
1.45 mi · 6%
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.94 mi · 4%
FM 2351
0.49 mi · 2%
South Friendswood Drive
0.42 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Gulf Freeway

Merge slight left onto Gulf Freeway

16.8 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 32m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
18.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Houston
00h 16m from Houston
Leave By
7:24 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Friendswood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Houston to Friendswood?

The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

South Houston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.6 miles from Houston and 11.6 miles from Friendswood.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.10 one way or $6.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Friendswood.

Stop Ideas Near South Houston

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around South Houston and the surrounding midpoint area.
Hermann Square
Scenic stop 10 mi away

Hermann Square

Houston , TX
900 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Rating 4.5/5 604 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Houston BCycle: City Hall
Practical stop 10 mi away

Houston BCycle: City Hall

Houston , TX
473 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
Rating 3.8/5 8 reviews Bicycle rental service,Non-profit organization
Houston City Hall
Meeting point 10 mi away

Houston City Hall

Houston , TX
901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Rating 4.3/5 103 reviews City Hall
La Porte First City Hall & Jail
Scenic stop 14 mi away

La Porte First City Hall & Jail

La Porte , TX
111 S 2nd St, La Porte, TX 77571
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews Historical landmark

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Houston.

BUS

Houston, TX

16 mi away
2121 Main Street
RAIL

Houston

17 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas

60 mi away
25th St. and Strand St.
BUS

Prairie View, TX

86 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Friendswood. Straight-line distance: 18.87 mi (30.37 km).

Houston

#1 Houston

The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.

Population2,316,120
Coordinates29.7632800, -95.3632700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Friendswood

#2 Friendswood

A city in Galveston County, Texas.

Population40,011
Coordinates29.5294000, -95.2010400
Altitude10
CountryUnited States
Start: Houston (-95.36327, 29.76328)
End: Friendswood (-95.20104, 29.5294)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 37 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.82 gal
3.1 L · about $3.10
Round trip
$6.20
1.64 gal · 6.2 L
Estimated CO2
7.3 kg one way
Round trip: 14.6 kg / 32 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $3.10 $6.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $3.49 $6.97
Premium $4.59 $3.76 $7.53
Diesel $3.99 $3.27 $6.55

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 · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Houston and Friendswood. The current time is 11:59:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.