How far is Houston, TX from Taft, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Taft, TX is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 50m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Jackson County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Taft.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Taft.
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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
2.7 mi · 6 min · Smith Street
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4
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.8 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
1158 ft · 28 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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7
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
2217 ft · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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8
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
1.4 km · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
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9
Take the ramp straight
1027 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
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11
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 8 min
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12
Take the exit slight right
1.5 mi · 2 min
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13
Continue on US Highway 59
74.7 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.6 km · 1 min · Spur 91
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15
Merge slight right onto US Highway 77 South
33.2 mi · 38 min · US Highway 77 South
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16
Turn straight onto Alamo Street
23.7 mi · 28 min · Alamo Street
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17
Take the exit slight right toward TX 89: Beeville, Portland
1697 ft · 43 sec
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18
Take the exit straight
36 m · 10 sec
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19
Turn sharp left onto State Highway 89
2.7 mi · 3 min · State Highway 89
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20
Continue on US Highway 181
5.9 mi · 7 min · US Highway 181
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21
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1595 ft · 28 sec · Railroad Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Industrial Street
3 m · 1 sec · Industrial Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Industrial Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Taft.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 59
Continue on US Highway 59
74.7 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Mostly Sunny near Taft.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Taft?
The road trip is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km) and usually takes 03h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Edna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from Houston and 98.7 miles from Taft.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.34 one way or $52.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Mostly Sunny near Taft.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Taft. Straight-line distance: 174.25 mi (280.43 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 Taft
City in San Patricio County, Texas, United States
| Population | 2,886 |
| Coordinates | 27.9789100, -97.3986000 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taft (-97.3986, 27.97891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.64 | $59.27 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $32.00 | $64.00 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.83 | $55.66 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.