How far is Houston, TX from Santa Fe, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Santa Fe, TX is about 36 miles (58 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 00h 48m.
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.
A city in Galveston County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Santa Fe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Santa Fe.
-
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
27.1 mi · 32 min · Gulf Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward FM 517: Dickinson
1204 ft · 29 sec
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16
Turn straight onto South Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
1.4 km · 1 min · South Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
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17
Turn right
1 mi · 2 min
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18
Turn left onto FM 646
3.5 mi · 6 min · FM 646
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19
Turn right onto FM 1764
1.5 mi · 2 min · FM 1764
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20
Continue on Farm-to-Market Road 1764
152 m · 16 sec · Farm-to-Market Road 1764
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 6
2250 ft · 40 sec · Highway 6
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Highway 6
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Santa Fe.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Gulf Freeway
Merge slight left onto Gulf Freeway
27.1 mi · 00h 32m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Santa Fe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Santa Fe?
The road trip is about 36 miles (58 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Friendswood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from Houston and 18 miles from Santa Fe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 4:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.80 one way or $9.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Santa Fe.
Stop Ideas Near Friendswood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
La Porte First City Hall & Jail
La Porte City Hall
Alvin City Attorney
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Friendswood.
Houston, TX
Houston
Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Santa Fe. Straight-line distance: 30.79 mi (49.55 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 Santa Fe
City in Galveston County, Texas, United States
| Population | 13,461 |
| Coordinates | 29.3780100, -95.1057600 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Fe (-95.10576, 29.37801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $4.80 | $9.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $5.83 | $11.66 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.