How far is Taft, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from Taft, TX to Houston, TX is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 25m 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 12m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Taft and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft and Houston.
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1
Start on Industrial Street
3 m · 5 sec · Industrial Street
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2
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
1595 ft · 21 sec · Railroad Avenue
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3
Continue on US Highway 181
6 mi · 7 min · US Highway 181
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4
Continue on State Highway 89
2.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway 89
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5
Take the exit slight right
1654 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left
23.6 mi · 28 min
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7
Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77
33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91
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9
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South
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10
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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11
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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12
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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13
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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14
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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15
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
1.4 km · 1 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Louisiana Street
47 m · 4 sec
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19
Continue on Louisiana Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · Louisiana Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Taft and Houston.
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 South
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 01h 38m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Taft and Chance 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 Taft to Houston?
The road trip is about 197.4 miles (317.7 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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 98.6 miles from Taft and 98.8 miles from Houston.
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 10:34 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 Mostly Sunny around Taft and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houston.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Taft and Houston. Straight-line distance: 174.25 mi (280.43 km).
#1 Taft
City in San Patricio County, Texas, United States
| Population | 2,886 |
| Coordinates | 27.9789100, -97.3986000 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)
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.