How far is Santa Fe, TX from Houston, TX?

The driving distance from Santa Fe, TX to Houston, TX is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
36.18 mi
00h 46m
Flight
30.79 mi
49.55 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Santa Fe.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.79 mi
Kilometers
49.55 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.18 mi
Kilometers
58.22 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Wed, Apr 22, 9:12 PM CDT
Return by in Santa Fe
Wed, Apr 22, 9:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Santa Fe
2026-04-22T20:26
Arrive Houston
Wed, Apr 22, 9:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Santa Fe
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Friendswood
TX

A city in Galveston County, Texas.

From Santa Fe
18.1 mi
00h 23m
To Houston
18.1 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Santa Fe and Houston.

  1. 1

    Start on Highway 6

    2250 ft · 44 sec · Highway 6

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Farm-to-Market Road 1764

    152 m · 9 sec · Farm-to-Market Road 1764

  3. 3

    Continue on FM 1764

    1.5 mi · 2 min · FM 1764

  4. 4

    Turn left onto FM 646

    3.5 mi · 6 min · FM 646

  5. 5

    Turn right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 45 North

    1035 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto South Gulf Freeway

    27.2 mi · 31 min · South Gulf Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Houston Avenue, Memorial Drive

    1566 ft · 38 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Memorial Drive

    135 m · 15 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Memorial Drive Frontage Road

    878 ft · 24 sec · Memorial Drive Frontage Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Rusk Street

    1470 ft · 52 sec · Rusk Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Louisiana Street

    1525 ft · 52 sec · Louisiana Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Gulf Freeway
27.2 mi · 75%
FM 646
3.51 mi · 10%
FM 1764
1.55 mi · 4%
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.94 mi · 3%
Highway 6
0.43 mi · 1%
Houston Avenue
0.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Gulf Freeway

Merge slight left onto South Gulf Freeway

27.2 mi · 00h 31m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
30.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Friendswood
00h 23m from Santa Fe
Leave By
4:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Santa Fe and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Santa Fe to Houston?

The road trip is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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 Santa Fe and 18.1 miles from Houston.

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 5.4 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 4:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.84 one way or $9.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Santa Fe and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.

Stop Ideas Near Friendswood

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 Friendswood and the surrounding midpoint area.
La Porte First City Hall & Jail
Scenic stop 11.1 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
La Porte City Hall
Meeting point 10.6 mi away

La Porte City Hall

La Porte , TX
604 W Fairmont Pkwy, La Porte, TX 77571
Rating 4.4/5 47 reviews City Hall
Alvin City Attorney
Nearby stop 11.7 mi away

Alvin City Attorney

Alvin , TX
216 W Sealy St, Alvin, TX 77511
Rating 3.7/5 3 reviews Public library

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Friendswood.

BUS

Houston, TX

29 mi away
2121 Main Street
RAIL

Houston

31 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Galveston (Texas Eagle Bus), Texas

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

Prairie View, TX

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Santa Fe and Houston. Straight-line distance: 30.79 mi (49.55 km).

Santa Fe

#1 Santa Fe

City in Galveston County, Texas, United States

Population13,461
Coordinates29.3780100, -95.1057600
Altitude9
CountryUnited States
Houston

#2 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
Start: Highway 6 (-95.105609, 29.378344)
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
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 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.28 gal
4.83 L · about $4.84
Round trip
$9.67
2.56 gal · 9.66 L
Estimated CO2
11.4 kg one way
Round trip: 22.8 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $4.84 $9.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.44 $10.89
Premium $4.59 $5.88 $11.75
Diesel $3.99 $5.11 $10.22

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

There is no time difference between Santa Fe and Houston. The current time is 20:26:09.

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.